Fall Shore Fishing Close to Home - Milwaukee

Chinook caught off the Racine Pier. Photo By: Paul Smith

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!

Milwaukee Fall Fishing Brochure [PDF 431KB]
Download and print this pocket-size brochure complete with fishing locations, directions, distance and driving time from downtown Milwaukee and the dominant fish species.

Map of Fishing Locations [exit DNR]
Get even more information including photos of the fishing spots and detailed driving directions by using the Fall Fishing - Milwaukee map [exit DNR]

What Might You Catch?

• Coho salmon [PDF 147KB]
• Chinook salmon [PDF 147KB]
• Steelhead [PDF 147KB]
• Brown trout [PDF 147KB]
• Walleye
• Largemouth bass [PDF 147KB]
• Smallmouth bass

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 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).
• 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.
• VHS rules

Fishing licenses can be purchased online or at DNR service centers or at license agents.

More Resources

• Lake Michigan Fishing Report
• Find Places to Fish From Shore Year-Round
• Find a Tributary to Fish
• "Hook into a Good Time" - Questions and answers about taking your first charter fishing trip.
• Find a Fishing Charter [exit DNR]
• Fish Consumption Advice