Fishing_Content Page_Lake Michigan Outdoor Fishing Report

Lake Michigan Outdoor Fishing Report - May 6, 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.

May 6, 2024: West Shore Green Bay Creel Report

Brown County

Fox River Boating Anglers: Limited to moderate fishing pressure was observed this week. Anglers reported catching white bass, white perch, smallmouth bass and catfish. Smallmouth bass anglers had the best success casting plastic tubes.

Fox River Shore Anglers: There was moderate to heavy fishing pressure this week. Shore anglers mainly targeted white bass, white perch and sheepshead/freshwater drum. The white bass/white perch anglers had the best success casting jigs and mini-shad plastics. Shore anglers also reported catching white perch and common carp. 

Suamico River: Heavy fishing pressure was observed most of the week. Boating anglers reported catching walleye by trolling crawler harnesses and flicker minnows in 7 to 15 feet of water. The number of reported walleyes caught per boat ranged from 0 to 13. Anglers reported unintentionally catching white bass, white perch and sheepshead/freshwater drum. The reported water temperature was between 56 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit.

Marinette County

A few walleyes were being caught in the Menominee and Peshtigo Rivers. Most activity was towards the mouth of both rivers. Fishing with crawlers on jigs or pulling flies upstream was reported to be effective. Anglers on the bay were finding a few walleye and the occasional brown trout. Trolling flicker shads was popular. Some yellow perch appeared in the lower Menominee this week, mainly from the Menekaunee Bridge and downstream. Walleye anglers reported catching the perch while vertical jigging minnows or crawlers. A reminder that while the yellow perch season is open all year on the Menominee River/Michigan boundary water, the Wisconsin waters of Green Bay and tributaries are closed for yellow perch harvest until May 20.

Oconto County

Walleye anglers were out in high numbers over the weekend. Varied success was seen from boat anglers. The best catches resulted from casting hair jigs in the shallows around 3 to 7 feet. Night fishing was good while trolling stickbaits. Northern pike and white perch were reported by walleye anglers. Smallmouth bass were caught in the Oconto River towards the end of the week. Small boats could get out of the launch on North River Road and fish that stretch of river for bass.

Geano Beach: This week had limited to heavy fishing pressure throughout the week. All anglers that were interviewed were targeting walleye. The walleye anglers had mixed results, with boats reporting catching between 0 and 11 walleye per boat. Anglers had the best success trolling crawler harnesses in 10 to 15 feet of water. The reported water temperature was around 56 degrees Fahrenheit.

 

May 6, 2024: East Shore Green Bay Creel Report

Bay Shore Park: It was a busy weekend at Bay Shore, with anglers mainly targeting walleye. Most anglers came in with a fish or two each. Many of the walleyes were in the 20-inch range, but some fish in the upper 20s were caught. White perch were spawning, and anglers reported seeing quite a few fish. 

Chaudoir’s Dock: Anglers were targeting walleyes and having intermittent success. Some walleye in the upper 20-inch range were caught. 

 

May 6, 2024: Southern Lake Michigan Fishing Report

Milwaukee County

Boat anglers targeting Coho reported regularly catching their limit near shore in 30 to 40 feet of water. Pier anglers are also having success on Coho. Common methods are soaking alewives, using tube jigs with shrimp and casting spoons.

 

May 6, 2024: Northern Lake Michigan Fishing Report

Door County

Sturgeon Bay: Most boaters launching in Sturgeon Bay targeted walleye and smallmouth bass. Smallmouth bass anglers mainly fished in around 15 feet of water, while walleye anglers fished in about 30 feet of water. Lake whitefish were reported to be caught by one of these groups. Parties that reported catching walleye used darker-colored jigs as lures. Surface temperature in the canal ranged from 48 to 52 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Kewaunee County

Kewaunee: Anglers were targeting mainly brown and rainbow trout on the pier and shoreline. Anglers on the pier reported seeing trout surfacing, but no fish were reported caught except for a few carp caught under the bridge. Boaters launching off the ramp were going for both brown and rainbow trout. These anglers reported a surface temperature of 48 to 49 degrees Fahrenheit.

Algoma: The pier saw anglers fishing for brown and rainbow trout, but no fish were reported to be caught. Anglers were fishing next to the dog park, and at Olsen Park, they were fishing for brown trout, rainbow trout and northern pike. These anglers reported catching white suckers and bullheads and noted the water clarity being less than a foot of visibility. Boaters launching out to Lake Michigan were targeting brown and rainbow trout. Surface temperature reportedly fell to between 41 and 43 degrees Fahrenheit. No fish were reported to have been caught, and there were a few markings.