Fall shore fishing close to home - Milwaukee
Fishing Wisconsin
The fish are running...are you? With 50 places to fish within 60 minutes of Milwaukee, it's time to get started!
50 places within 60 minutes of Milwaukee
Interested in a new spot to fish? Look no further!
Download and print [PDF] this pocket-size brochure complete with fishing locations, directions, distance and driving time from downtown Milwaukee and the dominant fish species.
What might you catch?
- Coho salmon [PDF]
- Chinook salmon [PDF]
- Steelhead [PDF]
- Brown trout [PDF]
- Walleye [PDF]
- Largemouth bass [PDF]
Not sure what gear to use?
Get equipped by reeling in this gear before you go:
- Rod: 8 to 11 feet long, medium to heavy action.
- Reel: Medium-sized spinning reel with a good drag system.
- Line: 8- to 10-pound monofilament.
- Lure and tackle: Heavy-duty, ball-bearing snap swivels for use with spoons like krocodiles,
cleos, castmasters and daredevils will work great off piers and breakwalls. - For bait fishing: Small hooks in sizes 4 to 6 with slip bobbers, split shot, three-way
swivels and bell sinkers for use with spawn, minnows and wax worms. - Miscellaneous gear: Long-handled landing net for fish up to 20 pounds, heavy-duty stringer,
needle-nose pliers, extra spools of line, garbage bags, and warm clothes (weather conditions can change quickly on Lake Michigan)
What you need - Licenses and regulations
- Fishing license if you are older than 15.
- Great Lakes Trout and Salmon stamp or a two-day Sports Fishing License to fish for trout or salmon in the tributaries (up to the first dam or lake).
- VHS rules
- A copy of the Fishing regulations.
- *Note: From September 15 to the first Saturday of the following May, there is no hook and line fishing from one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise in the tributaries.
Fishing licenses can be purchased online or at DNR service centers or at license agents.