Lake Michigan Fishing Forecast

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

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 to excellent with a number of boats reporting limits.  Chinook, Coho, rainbow trout and an occasional lake trout were caught.  Fish were caught in 80 to 300 feet of water but most fish were caught in 100 to 150 feet of water.  The fish were located from the surface to 100 feet down.  Successful set-ups included: downriggers (35-100 feet down), dipsy divers (approximately 120-130 feet back), weapons (35 to 70 feet down), leadcore (5-10 colors) and planar boards. Landings reported came on dodger/flasher and fly combinations and spoons.  Many different colors were reported, so try to check with other anglers for current info.  The Bait Box reports a 34 pound Chinook was caught.  Water surface temperatures are currently in the high 60’s to low 70’s. 

Over the past few years during the third week of August there was light to moderate effort and mixed action, the action was usually slow but last year there were a couple good days.  Catches were made up of Chinook, Coho, rainbow trout, brown trout and lake trout.  Fish were caught in as shallow as 50 feet of water but the best action came in at least 200 feet of water.  When fishing was good, they came on spoons and j-plugs on downriggers and leadcore.  Conditions on good fishing days:  Air temperature was in the low 70’s to low 80’s, skies were clear to overcast, there were light winds to the east and then the southwest and water surface temperature was in the mid 60’s to low 70’s.

Pier:  Over the past few years during the third week of August there was light effort and no action.

Power plant:  Over the past few years during the third week of August there was light effort in the area with a little action.  Rainbow trout and brown trout have been caught on spawn sacks.  Conditions:  Water color was blue green with good clarity and there was a light wind to the east.

Marina: Over the past few years during the third week of August there was light effort in the area with little action.  Smallmouth bass have been caught on jigs.  Conditions:  Water color was blue green with moderate clarity.

Cedar Grove

Amsterdam Road

ramp:  Over the past three years during the third week of August there was little or no effort and no action to report.

Sheboygan

Ramp:  The action over the past week was mixed, with some excellent days but strong winds and rough water made fishing difficult for some of the week.  Fish were caught in 90 to 160 feet of water from the surface to 80 feet down.  Chinook, Coho, rainbow trout, lake trout and even a brown were caught.  Many set-ups were successful, including: downriggers (20-80 feet down), leadcore (5 colors), dipsy divers, copper (200 feet), and weapons. Landings reported came on flasher/dodger and fly combinations and spoons.  Green was the most commonly reported color but numerous colors worked.  There were rumors of a 31 pound Chinook caught.  Water surface temperatures are currently in the high 60’s.

Over the past few years during the third week of August there was light effort and the action was slow.  Chinook, Coho and rainbow trout have been caught.  Most fish were caught in 40 to 120 feet of water and from 20 to 70 feet down with flasher/dodger flies, spoons and j-plugs on downriggers and dipsy divers.  Conditions: Air temperature was in the mid 60’s to low 70’s, skies were clear to cloudy with some rain, there were light to moderate winds to the east and north and water surface temperatures were in the mid 60’s to low 70’s.

Pier:  Over the past few years during the third week of August there was light effort and the fishing has been slow to decent.  Chinook, Coho, rainbow trout, brown trout and lake trout have been caught on alewives and spoons from the north pier, particularly in the early morning.  Conditions: Water on the lakeside of the north pier was blue green with moderate to good clarity, the lake was calm, air temperature was in the low 60’s to low 70’s, skies were clear to cloudy and there was a light wind to the east and north.

Shore:  Over the past few years during the third week of August there was light effort and little or no action.  Northern pike were caught in the marina.  Conditions:  The water was brown with moderate clarity, air temperatures were in the low 70’s, skies were clear to cloudy and there was a very light wind to the north. 

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

Cleveland

Cleveland ramp:  Over the past few years during the third week of August there was little or no effort and no action to report.