Fishing_Content Page_Lake Michigan Outdoor Fishing Report

Lake Michigan Outdoor Fishing Report - May 26, 2025

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 they are scheduled to be in a specific location. This allows us to generate statistically valid fishing efforts and harvest information.

The information in 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.

 

May 26, 2025: West Shore Green Bay Creel Report

Brown County

Duck Creek: The weekend’s pleasant weather brought many kayakers and anglers to Duck Creek. Fishing proved difficult with few fish caught, but people were fishing for bass and northern pike as well as panfish. Bowfishing anglers were doing very well with the lack of wind.

Fox River: Moderate to high fishing pressure was observed throughout this week. With the muskellunge opener over the weekend, there were many boats out trolling and casting for muskies. Boats averaged catching about one muskellunge, with some catching up to four. Other fish being caught more frequently this past week include sheepshead, northern pike, white bass, channel catfish and the occasional walleye. The water temperatures were around the low 50s during the week but rose to around 60 degrees Fahrenheit during the weekend.

Suamico River: Low fishing pressure was observed during the week because of strong northeast winds, but beautiful weather and a long weekend resulted in high fishing pressure over the weekend. The muskellunge opener was on May 24, meaning many musky anglers took to the water over the weekend. Overall, muskellunge anglers reported catching zero to one fish. Walleye anglers averaged around one fish per angler, with the best catches being around 5 fish. Water temperatures were between 49 to 52 degrees Fahrenheit during the week and then rose to around 59 degrees Fahrenheit over the weekend.

Marinette County

The weather this week played a large part in angler activity as a cold front with northeast wind came in, keeping fishing pressure low. A few anglers were out targeting muskies on the Michigan side of the Menominee River with minimal results. No other fishing activity was observed.

Oconto County

Most of the weekdays were poor fishing days with a cold front and northeast winds. The weather improved enough over the weekend for anglers to get out after some walleyes. Fishing wasn’t as good as before the cold front, as water temps dropped around 10 degrees Fahrenheit, but some fish were being caught, especially at night. Minnows baits and jerkbaits were catching fish. Trolling crawler harnesses or flicker shads was producing a few fish during the day. Most anglers were targeting 5 to 10 feet of water.

Geano Beach: Low fishing pressure was observed due to low water levels and some windy conditions. Walleye fishing was very inconsistent, with trolling still being the preferred method.

 

May 26, 2025: East Shore Green Bay Creel Report

Bayshore Park: Moderate fishing activity was observed this week. Anglers targeting walleye reported having the best success trolling crawler harnesses and casting hair jigs near Shoemaker Point and Vincent Point in 7 to 12 feet of water. There were no anglers interviewed who were targeting yellow perch. The water temperature was around 60 degrees Fahrenheit later in the week. 

Chaudoir’s Dock: Moderate fishing pressure was observed this week. Anglers targeting walleye had the best success trolling flicker minnows in 7 feet of water. Anglers targeting yellow perch had success using perch rigs in 22 feet of water. The water temperature was around 60 degrees Fahrenheit later in the week.

Little Sturgeon Bay: Moderate to heavy fishing pressure was observed this week. Anglers targeting smallmouth bass reported limited success. Anglers targeting muskies reported that they had follows, although there were no reported catches. The water temperature was around 56 degrees Fahrenheit during the middle of the week.

Sawyer Harbor: Moderate fishing activity was observed this week. No completed interviews were conducted, but anglers launching their boats reported that they were going to target yellow perch.

 

May 26, 2025: Southern Lake Michigan Fishing Report

Kenosha County

Fishing was hit or miss this week, with some anglers catching limits of coho and others only landing a couple. Most fish were caught in depths of 200 feet or less while fishing as shallow as 40-60 feet. Other species caught include steelhead, lake trout, Chinook and brown trout.

Milwaukee County

Ramps: Anglers are having luck targeting deeper waters this week, with most reporting success fishing depths from 100-200 straight out or north of McKinley Marina. Anglers are using orange dodgers and 2-4 inch flies or large spoons and reported catches of Chinook salmon, rainbow trout and lake trout. Chinook salmon were biting at surface levels of 15 feet to about 60 feet in the water column. Harvested rainbows were reported as surface catches. Anglers fishing shallower waters (<70 feet) straight out or south of South Shore Ramp harvested several lake trout while initially targeting salmon. Harvested coho salmon seem to be scattered either in 50-80 feet depths near South Shore Ramp or in much deeper waters of 120-160 feet north of McKinley Marina.

Ozaukee County

Port Washington Piers/Harbor: Catches of brown trout and coho salmon have been reported off the south pier and Coal Dock. Most people are having success using both alewives and casting spoons.

Port Washington Ramps: Most anglers were having success catching coho salmon, with some Chinook salmon and rainbow trout caught as well. Boats were having the most success running a variety of coho rigs, mainly coho dodgers and flies, as well as spoons in a variety of colors. The most productive depths were around 130-200 feet, with baits ran around 45 feet down. Some boats also had success catching coho salmon in shallower depths around 40-50 feet of water.

Racine County

Fishing was hit or miss this week, with some anglers catching limits of coho and others only landing a couple. Most fish were caught in depths of 200 feet or less while fishing as shallow as 40-60 feet. Other species caught include steelhead, lake trout, Chinook and brown trout.

Sheboygan County

Sheboygan Ramps: Catches of coho salmon with some Chinook salmon and rainbow trout have been reported, with most Coho catches being around 3-4 pounds. Most boats are having success in 25-50 feet of water as well as 90-120 feet of water on a variety of coho rigs such as orange dodgers and flies, as well as different colored spoons.

 

May 26, 2025: Northern Lake Michigan Fishing Report

Door County

Northern Door County: Anglers this week were out looking to catch anything. A windy and cold week left a small number of anglers without much success. Later in the week, some boat anglers were able to catch a few smallmouth bass at Peninsula State Park, specifically Nicolet Bay. Most success was found using swimbaits and tubes in waters 5-8 feet deep. Anglers are hoping for more success as weather conditions stabilize.

Sturgeon Bay: Shoreline anglers were primarily targeting walleye and northern pike. White sucker was reported caught by these anglers with worms as bait. Water clarity was between 5 to 6 feet of visibility. Boaters were out going for smallmouth bass and northern pike. Both species, along with largemouth bass, were reported caught by those surveyed. These boaters were mainly fishing in 5 to 12 feet of water using soft plastics (tubes and swimbaits). Surface temperatures ranged from 49 to 54 degrees Fahrenheit, with an average of around 52 degrees. 

Kewaunee County

Algoma: Off the Algoma shorelines, anglers were targeting northern pike with white sucker being recorded caught. Water clarity was consistently less than a foot of visibility during the week. High winds and waves led to low boating numbers for the week.

Kewaunee: Anglers fishing in the harbor were mainly going for channel catfish. Both channel catfish and bullheads were caught with worms used for bait. Water clarity by the bridge was around 1 foot of visibility. High winds and waves played a factor in the low boating pressure for the week.

Manitowoc County

Anglers have found some success fishing for coho salmon, with an occasional rainbow trout mixed in. Interviewed groups had an average of 4 fish per group, with a total of 29 coho and 3 rainbows. Successful groups reported fish spread anywhere from 90-170 feet. Dodger flies and peanut flies were the best baits, with any orange color standing out. Surface water temperatures were 44-45 degrees Fahrenheit. Trolling speeds varied from 2.2-3 miles per hour. Shore anglers on the East and West Twin Rivers have caught more than 30 bullhead, with a couple of bowfin mixed in. Live bait has been successful.