Fishing_Content Page_Lake Michigan Outdoor Fishing Report

Lake Michigan Outdoor Fishing Report - April 15, 2024

Fishing Wisconsin

Generally, fishing reports will be updated weekly on Tuesdays. This may change based on the availability of reports and the field staff's work schedules.

Unless otherwise indicated, this fishing report information comes from our creel survey clerks who work in the lakeshore areas from March through October and in the tributary rivers seasonally in spring and fall. Creel clerk schedules are random and vary in the days and times scheduled to be in a specific location. This allows us to generate statistically valid fishing efforts and harvest information.

Information for these reports is based on the days and times of the week that creel clerks are present. You can obtain additional fishing information by contacting local bait shops, charter captains, guides and marinas.

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REMINDER - Anglers must carry a paper copy of their license/stamps while fishing on Lake Michigan, Lake Superior and the Wisconsin/Michigan, Wisconsin/Minnesota and Wisconsin/Iowa boundary waters.

April 15, 2024: West Shore Green Bay Creel Report

  • Duck Creek: No anglers were observed this week.

  • Fox River Boating Anglers: Moderate to heavy fishing pressure was observed this week. All anglers that were interviewed were targeting walleye. Fishing continued to be difficult as the number of walleyes caught per boat ranged from 0 to 5. Anglers had the best success jigging plastics and hair jigs. A few anglers reported success trolling hard plastics in the bay near the mouth of Fox River. The reported water temperature was 47 degrees Fahrenheit.

  • Fox River Shore Anglers: This week, there was moderate to heavy fishing pressure. Shore anglers were primarily targeting walleye, although there were limited reported catches. One angler caught a 30-inch walleye at Voyageur Park.

  • Geano Beach: A few boats were observed using the launch this week. No interviews were conducted.

  • Long Tail Point: No anglers were observed this week.

  • Suamico River: There was heavy fishing pressure over the weekend, with most anglers targeting walleyes. Boating anglers caught walleyes by trolling and casting perch-patterned hard plastic lures in 8-15 feet of water. The reported water temperature was around 48 degrees Fahrenheit. No shore anglers were interviewed this week.

April 15, 2024: East Shore Green Bay Creel Report

  • Marinette County: The Menominee and Peshtigo Rivers saw a major walleye spawning event this week. Most of it occurred in the middle of the week. Fishing in the Peshtigo River upstream by the city garage launch was good during the week, with better fishing seen towards the mouth over the weekend. Hair jigs in dark colors were popular. Suckers and sturgeon could be seen off the viewing platform over the weekend. The Menominee River had good fishing up near the dam most of the week. Walleyes started to go downriver late in the week and over the weekend. From Hattie St. down to the Hwy. 41 bridge, anglers had success night fishing with crankbaits. Catches in the lower Menominee were down some, but anglers found walleyes just out of the river and into the bay. Casting hair jigs, swimbaits or lipless crankbaits was working well. Brown trout fishing remains steady. Areas from Peshtigo Point north into Michigan waters have been productive. Spoons and crankbaits of various colors have been working. The best catches happened in pockets of warm, dirty water at depths of 5 to 15 feet.

  • Oconto County: The week started with pre-spawn walleyes and ended with most of the fish spawning out. Walleyes were headed back down the Oconto River and were being caught from the Hwy. J bridge out to the mouth. Hair jigs and swimbaits seemed to be working best. Some shore anglers were having luck casting stick baits, especially around sunset and into the night by Holtwood Park. Anglers on the bay had mixed results. Some of the better reports were from waters around 20 feet deep. Anglers reported that the fish in shallower were spooky with the clear water. Hair jigs and lipless crankbaits were popular out in the bay.

Nov. 1, 2023: Southern Lake Michigan Fishing Report

The 2023 open water creel season has ended for southern Lake Michigan, including Sheboygan, Ozaukee, Milwaukee, Racine and Kenosha counties. Thank you to all those who participated in the survey this year. We look forward to seeing everyone again next spring!

Nov. 1, 2023: Northern Lake Michigan Fishing Report

The 2023 open water creel season has ended for northern Lake Michigan, including Manitowoc, Kewaunee and Door counties. Thank you to all those who participated in the survey this year. We look forward to seeing everyone again next spring!