| On Wisconsin Outdoors with Dick Ellis

In general, fishing reports will be updated once per week, usually on Tuesdays. This may change based on the availability of reports and the work schedules of field staff. 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, which allows us to generate statistically valid fishing effort and harvest information.

Information for these reports is only based on days and times of the week that creel clerks are present. Additional fishing information can be found by contacting local bait shops, charter captains, marinas, etc.

REMINDER - Anglers must carry a paper copy of their license/stamps while fishing on the waters of Lake Michigan, Lake Superior and the WI/MI, WI/MN and WI/IA boundary waters.

APRIL 26, 2021: GREEN BAY FISHING REPORT

FOX RIVER & METRO BOAT LAUNCH

Shore anglers have reported catching sheepshead, white bass, and a few smallmouth bass on worms and flies at the Metro Boat Launch and at Voyageur Park. Boat anglers have reported the most success with white bass and sheepshead on the bay. They often used jigs and minnows, and the fish seemed to be at around 10 feet deep. There has also been success using cut bait on the river to catch catfish.

GREEN BAY

EAST SHORELINE OF GREEN BAY:

Boaters reported success on walleye at Bayshore County Park, Chaudoir's Dock, Robert M. Carmody County Park, and Potawatomi State Park. Boaters noted that they were catching them at a depth of about 15-20 feet. Anglers said to have success were flicker shads, flicker minnows, and crank baits.
Boaters reported success on small mouth bass at Robert M. Carmody County Park and Potawatomi State Park. Boaters noted catching them at a depth of 10-15 feet and had a lot of success with jerk baits.
Success on northern pike was also reported by boaters at Robert M. Carmody County Park, Bayshore County Park, and Potawatomi State Park.

WEST SHORELINE OF GREEN BAY:

Duck Creek: Shore anglers have largely been targeting panfish with worms. Their success seems to be hit or miss. The boat launches were not very busy this week.
Long Tail Point: These boat launches were not very commonly used this week. They were getting used for both recreational crafts as well as for fishing.
Suamico River: The shore anglers have had success catching northern pike with minnows on jigs and catching panfish on worms. Boat anglers have been reporting fish being on the bottom and suspended about halfway up the water column. The boat anglers have caught northern pike, walleye, largemouth bass, and smallmouth bass using crankbaits, shad raps, and jigs with plastic baits.
Geano Beach: Boat anglers from Geano Beach were mostly trolling with crankbaits. The anglers were catching northern pike and walleye. They reported marking fish mostly near the bottom on their fish finders.

MARINETTE COUNTY

Peshtigo River: Peshtigo River had light numbers of anglers this week with smallmouth bass and walleyes being the targeted species. Bass were providing more action than walleyes with minimal catches of walleyes reported. Bass were being caught in the upper river from the dam down to the Hwy. 41 bridge. Popular baits were black hair jigs or small swimbaits. Sturgeon were abundant below the dam and could be seen from the new viewing platform.
Menominee River: Walleye fishing on the Menominee River was still going strong this week as many smaller fish around the 15 to 18 inch size were active. Jigging with crawlers or minnows and pulling flies were working well in the lower areas of the river during the day. Anglers reported getting some walleyes after dark trolling stick baits in the shallower areas by the Hwy. 41 bridge. Smallmouth bass, northern pike, perch, sturgeon, and muskies were occasionally caught also by walleye anglers. Water temps were in the upper 40’s to around 50 this week

OCONTO COUNTY

Angler effort was spread out pretty evenly between the launches at Oconto Park II, Oconto, and Pensaukee this week. Walleyes were being caught by boats trolling using flicker shads and flicker minnows. Baits with pink or purple colors seemed to work the best. Walleyes were also being caught in the Oconto River at the mouth by anglers jigging hair jigs or minnows. A few smallmouth bass were also caught in the river by a couple anglers targeting them. Northern pike fishing remains good off the pier on the Oconto River. Water temps were hovering around the 50 degree mark most of the week.

BROWN COUNTY

Bayshore: Boaters at Bayshore County Park, Chaudoirs Dock and Potawatomi State Park have been reporting success on walleye. Baits obtaining the most success were flicker minnows, flicker sheds, stick baits and crank baits.
Duck Creek: The duck creek docks have not been very busy lately. There were a few people fishing from shore and from boats, but they were mostly out to enjoy the weather, so they were not fishing very hard. This is a good area to take canoes and kayaks out on since the water is relatively calm and quiet.
Long Tail: The Long Tail Point boat launches were not very busy this week. Anglers have had some success bowfishing for carp from their boats. Most of the traffic at the southern launch appeared to be there for recreational reasons.
Suamico River: Boat anglers on the Suamico River found success catching walleye, whitefish and northern pike. Some of the anglers reported having their success using flicker shads. The boat launch was fairly busy on the weekend, but there was still plenty of available parking for cars and trucks with trailers.

APRIL 26, 2021: SOUTHERN LAKE MICHIGAN FISHING REPORT

KENOSHA COUNTY

Pike River: The Pike River sat nearly empty over the past week. Only a few anglers were seen fishing as far up-river as Petrifying Springs park. The few anglers that were seen were targeting steelhead. Unfortunately, fishing in the rivers has been mediocre this year so no catches were recorded. Water levels on the river remain low in most spots. The water temperature near the mouth was 50 degrees at weeks end.
Kenosha Piers and Shoreline: The piers and shorelines in Kenosha experienced an increase in angling activity this week. Many anglers that were seen throughout the week were targeting coho or brown trout. Throwing spoons, fishing an alewife on the bottom, or bobber fishing were the most common fishing presentations seen. Even with the nicer weather and increase in activity, no catches were recorded.
Kenosha Ramp: The Kenosha ramp had a busier week much like the Racine ramp. Several boat trailers were seen in the parking lot over the weekend. Boats were seen staying close to shore and targeting cohos. Success at the Kenosha ramp was a little more limited. Only a small handful of coho were caught. Fishing success was reported on crankbaits and flasher flies in 15 to 25 feet of water. The water temperature at the ramp by the end of the week was 52 degrees.

RACINE COUNTY

Root River: The Root River saw another decrease in angling activity this week as the steelhead run continues to wind down. Blizzard-like conditions also caused angler numbers to be low during the middle of the week. Most anglers that were spotted were still targeting whatever steelhead remain in the river. The majority of the angling activity continues to be seen from Lincoln Park up to the Horlick Dam. Unfortunately, fishing success was low due to the decrease in angling activity. Only a small handful of steelhead were successfully caught. The anglers who were most successful were using flies or spawn on fly fishing rods. Water levels on the water remain low due to lack of rain. Water clarity on the river remains low as well. The water temperature at the end of the week was in the low 50’s. The Steelhead Facility in Lincoln Park is now shut down until fall.
Racine Piers and Shoreline: The piers and shorelines in Racine experienced a major increase in angling activity over the weekend. Anglers were seen targeting small coho salmon as they gather near shore while the water is still cold. Anglers were seen throwing spoons as well as floating pieces of shrimp under a bobber in order to catch fish. Some success was seen as anglers were able to bring in a small amount of coho. The most successful method of fishing seemed to be the chunk of shrimp with a bobber. The waters off the piers were remarkably clear this week. The lack of rain and low wind probably helped lead to these conditions.
Racine Ramp: The ramp in Racine saw a major increase in activity at the end of the week. There were reports that the ramp parking lot was full at one point over the weekend. Low wind and a nice chop on the lake led to a busy Saturday at the ramp. Most boats that went out were targeting coho as they come near shore. Boats fished in water that was 15 to about 50 feet deep. Boats had mixed success when they came back to the ramp. A few boats didn’t catch anything while others ended up with up to six fish. Anglers caught a large mix of brown trout, lake trout, coho, and chinook. Anglers had success catching fish on spoons, shad wraps, and a variety of flies. The water temperature at the ramp by the end of the week was about 49 degrees.

MILWAUKEE COUNTY

Milwaukee Co. Ramps: Of the two boats surveyed that fished the Milwaukee Harbor on Sunday neither caught fish, including one that fished in the Summerfest Lagoon. Earlier in the week, some boaters had luck catching mostly cohos and a few browns trolling spoons outside the harbor.
Harbor and Piers: Many anglers fished the lakefront areas, but winds shifted eastward on Sunday, which seemed to slow down the bite. Anglers are catching many large alewives, but few trout. A few have had luck using cutbait, spoons, large fathead minnows, and shiners for coho and an occasional brown trout. Earlier in the week, there were multiple reports of large northern pike caught within the harbor.
Milwaukee River: Fishing pressure was somewhat low this week, and not much angler success was observed. It seems to be well past the peak of the spring season for browns and steelhead. Some smallmouth were being caught however, mostly on jigs and live worms. Water temperature ~ 53°F.
Menomonee River: No anglers observed this week. Water temperature ~ 52°F.
Oak Creek: The steelhead run seems to be nearing an end, as only a few adult steelhead remain in the stream. Many anglers have caught suckers, which are still somewhat abundant in the creek. Water temperature ~ 52°F.

OZAUKEE COUNTY

Port Washington: In Port Washington this past week the Port Washington Utility area saw the most fisherman. Most people were going for either carp, brown trout, or alewifes. Lots of alewife were caught from shore by anglers and few brown trout. No one was fishing from the piers, shores, or harbors with only a couple boats launching from the marina.

SHEBOYGAN COUNTY

Sheboygan: There were not a lot of people out fishing this past week with all the cold weather and fast winds . Little to no people were fishing from shore, on the piers, or in the harbors in Sheboygan with only a handful of boats out with little success. The Sheboygan River and Pigeon River have slowed down tremendously with only a couple people catching carp from shore in downtown Sheboygan

APRIL 26, 2021: NORTHERN LAKE MICHIGAN FISHING REPORT

MANITOWOC COUNTY

Two Rivers/Shoto: Very few anglers were interviewed this week due to an early creel shift as well as cold weather. In the East Twin River several rainbow trout were caught with most being too small for harvest. The rainbow trout were caught using nightcrawlers, egg imitations and a silver/black Cleo. A few white suckers were caught using an orange jig with red worms.
Manitowoc/Branch: Most anglers were fishing the Manitowoc River with many anglers located at Mill Road or Cato Falls. At Cato Falls one bullhead was caught using a crankbait and one smallmouth bass was caught using worms. At Mill Road a couple of smallmouth bass were caught using green/white paddle tails and a perch colored Mepps. White suckers were caught using the same green/white paddle tails. At the Manitowoc ramp water temperatures ranged from 40-44 degrees Fahrenheit. Very few boat anglers were out this week as a result of cold and windy weather. Additionally, there was a decrease in the amount of shore anglers earlier in the week due to the weather. At the Branch River one creek chub and one smallmouth bass were caught. The number of anglers fishing in the Branch River has declined steadily due to low numbers of rainbow trout left in the river.

KEWAUNEE COUNTY

Two small rainbow trout were caught using worms at Bruemmer Park. One angling group caught a 7.5 lb brown trout at Selner Park. Across the road from Selner Park an angler caught several rainbow trout and carp using sweet corn. Due to windy weather only one boat angler was fishing, they caught a 2.75 lb whitefish in 13ft of water using a Husky Jerk Rapala.

DOOR COUNTY

Water visibility in the bay has decreased to 10-15 feet. This can be attributed to the strong winds, increased wave activity and short rainstorms throughout the week. Despite the early morning frosts, water temperatures are steadily increasing with readings between 40 and 48 degrees depending on location.
Overall, fishing pressure around Door county was low. Sturgeon Bay canal saw the most pressure with anglers trolling, casting, and anglers shore fishing. Anglers reported targeting walleye with a variety of baits including swim baits, suckers and crawfish imitation. However, no walleye catches were reported. Anglers are reporting northern pike catches in the canal, targeting depths of 20 to 30 feet with suckers or trolling swimbaits has proved to be effective. Smallmouth bass were sighted along the shore in Sturgeon Bay and as far north as Ephraim. One angler reported catching a couple smallmouth around Sturgeon Bay and Sawyer Harbor using natural colored swim baits at about 30 feet deep.
Decreased numbers of steelhead were found in Heins creek. One angler reported having success hooking a few steelhead with spawn sacs early in the week. However, later in the week the steelhead have become disinterested in any type of bait. White suckers are still present in Hibbard and Rieboldt Creek with one angler catching a 4 pound, 21-inch sucker.
East Shoreline of Green Bay: Boaters reported success on walleye at Bayshore County Park, Chaudoir's Dock, Robert M. Carmody County Park, and Potawatomi State Park. Boaters noted that they were catching them at a depth of about 15-20 feet. Anglers said to have success were flicker shads, flicker minnows, and crank baits. Boaters reported success on small mouth bass at Robert M. Carmody County Park and Potawatomi State Park. Boaters noted catching them at a depth of 10-15 feet and had a lot of success with jerk baits. Success on northern pike was also reported by boaters at Robert M. Carmody County Park, Bayshore County Park, and Potawatomi State Park.

Fishing Report Update

FISHING WISCONSIN