Lake Michigan fishing forecast

In Port Washington, there is usually moderate effort from the ramp and light effort from shore.  The action has been decent from the ramp and there has been no action from the pier but a little action elsewhere on shore.  In Sheboygan, there is usually moderate to strong effort from the ramp and light to moderate effort from the piers. The action has usually been slow to decent for the boats and there was little or no action from the piers.

 

Reports based on personal observations and angler reports from the past three years.  Please comment or share information.

Port Washington

Ramp: This past week the action was good with boats reporting limits and a number of 20 pound Chinook coming in.  Coho and rainbow trout were also caught.  Most of the fish were caught in 150 to 400 feet of water; fish were caught in shallower water but the action was slower.  The fish were located from the surface to 70 feet down.  Successful set-ups included: downriggers (30-65 feet down), dipsy divers (approximately 60-120 feet back), weapons (35 to 70 feet down) and leadcore (5 colors). Landings reported came on dodger/flasher and fly combinations and spoons.  Commonly reported tackle were wonder bread and bloody nose glo spoons, other brightly colored spoons and a variety of green flies.  Many different colors were reported, so try to check with other anglers for current info.  Water surface temperatures are currently in the mid 60’s to low 70’s. 

Over the past few years during the second week of August there was moderate effort and at least decent action.  Catches were made up of Chinook, Coho, rainbow trout and lake trout.  Most fish were caught in 50 to 200 feet of water, and at least 25 feet down.  Fish were caught with spoons, flasher/dodger flies and j-plugs on downriggers, dipsy divers and leadcore.  Conditions:  Air temperature was in the low 70’s to low 80’s, skies were clear to overcast, there were primarily light winds to the north and water surface temperature was in the mid 60’s to low 70’s.

Pier:  Over the past few years during the second week of August there was light effort and no action.  The Bait Box recently reported Chinook being landed by the light house on alewives and glo spoons in the early morning and late evening.

Power plant:  Over the past few years during the second week of August there was light effort in the area with little action.  Smallmouth bass have been caught.  Conditions:  Water color was blue green with good clarity.  The Bait Box recently reported that Chinook have been observed in the area.

Marina: Over the past few years during the second week of August there was light effort in the area with little action.  Rock bass have been caught on jigs and night crawlers.  Conditions:  Air temperature was in the low 70’s, skies were mostly sunny to cloudy and there were light to moderate winds to the north and east.

Cedar Grove

Amsterdam Road

ramp:  Over the past three years during the second week of August there was light effort and a little action. Chinook have been caught in 100 to 120 feet of water and 80 feet down.

Sheboygan

Ramp:  The action over the past week was good, possibly the best this year.  Early in the week fish were caught in 200 to 325 feet of water but by the weekend the catch was coming in 80 to 160 feet of water between the surface and 80 feet down.  Chinook, Coho, rainbow trout and lake trout were caught.  Many set-ups were successful, including: downriggers (35-65 feet down), leadcore (2-10 colors), dipsy divers (50 to 140 feet back), flat lines, copper (100-200 feet), slide divers and planar boards. Landings reported came on flasher/dodger and fly combinations, spoons and j-plugs.  Spoons were best close to the surface and flies worked best on the downriggers.  Green was the most commonly reported color but numerous colors worked.  Water surface temperatures are currently in the low 70’s.

Over the past few years during the second week of August there was moderate to strong effort and the action was slow to decent.  Chinook, Coho, rainbow trout and lake trout have been caught.  Most fish were caught in 40 to 140 feet of water and from the surface to 80 feet down with flasher/dodger flies, spoons and j-plugs on downriggers, dipsy divers and planar boards.  Conditions: Air temperature was in the mid to high 70’s, skies were mostly sunny to cloudy, there were light to moderate winds to the north/northwest and east and water surface temperatures were in the mid 60’s to low 70’s.

Pier:  Over the past few years during the second week of August there was light to moderate effort and there was little or no action.  Chinook and rainbow trout have been caught on alewives.  Landings occurred throughout the day.  Conditions: Water temperatures on the lakeside of the south pier were in the mid 60’s, water color was brownish blue green with moderate clarity, the lake was calm, air temperature was in the mid to high 70’s, skies were cloudy and there was a light wind to the north/northwest.

Shore:  Over the past few years during the second week of August there was little or no effort and no action. 

Edgewater power plant: Over the past few years during the second week of August there was no effort.

Cleveland

Cleveland ramp:  Over the past few years during the second week of August there was light effort and little action.  Chinook have been caught in 80 to 100 feet of water and 50 to 70 feet down on various tackle.