Lake Michigan Fishing Forecast

In Port Washington, there is usually light effort from the ramp and light to moderate effort from shore.  The action has been slow from the ramp and there has been some action from the pier, power plant and marina.  In Sheboygan, there is usually light effort from the ramp and light to moderate effort from the piers. The action has usually been slow for the boats and there has been little 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: Over the past few years during late September there was usually light effort and the action was usually slow.  Catches were made up of Chinook salmon and Coho salmon.  Most fish were caught in and around the harbor but others were caught in 60 to 80 feet of water and 30 to 40 feet down.  They came on spoons, j-plugs, crankbaits and thunder sticks on planar boards, downriggers and dipsy divers.  Anglers were also successful casting.  Conditions:  Air temperatures were in the mid 50’s, skies were cloudy, there was a light wind to the east and water surface temperature was in the low 60’s.

Pier:  Over the past few years during late September there was usually light effort and little action.  Chinook salmon and rainbow trout have been caught on spoons and flies.  Small rainbow trout were caught on minnows.  Conditions:  The water color was blue green with moderate clarity, the water temperature was in the low 60’s, air temperature was mid 50’s to low 70’s, skies were cloudy and there light winds to the west.

Power plant:  Over the past few years during late September there was usually moderate to strong effort and there has been exceptional action.  Chinook salmon, Coho salmon and brown trout have been caught on spawn sacks and skein at all times of the day.  Conditions:  The water color was blue green with moderate to good clarity, the water temperature was in the mid 50’s, air temperature was mid 50’s to low 70’s, skies were cloudy and there light winds to the west. 

Marina: Over the past few years during late September there was usually moderate effort and there has been decent action.  Most fish caught have been Chinook salmon but rainbow trout and brown trout have also been caught.  Most fish were landed in the north boat slip but fish have been caught from the breakwater.  Most fish were caught on skein but they also came on spawn sacks and spoons.  Landings came throughout the day.  Conditions:  The water in the harbor was blue green with moderate clarity, the water temperature was in the mid 50’s to mid 60’s, air temperature was mid 50’s to low 70’s, skies were cloudy and there light winds to the west.        

Sauk Creek: Over the past few years during late September there was no effort.

Sheboygan

Ramp:  Over the past few years during late September there was usually light effort and the action has been slow.  Chinook salmon, Coho salmon, rainbow trout and brown trout have been caught.  Most fish were caught in and immediately outside the harbor on j-plugs, spoons, and thunder sticks on planar boards, dipsy divers and downriggers.  Some fish were caught in 35 to 135 feet of water from the surface to 72 feet down with spoons and flasher flies on dipsy divers and downriggers.  Conditions:  Air temperatures were in the low 50’s to high 60’s, skies were mostly sunny to cloudy with some rain, there was a light to moderate winds in a variety of directions and the water surface temperatures were in the low 50’s to mid 60’s.

Pier:  Over the past few years during late September there was light to moderate effort and usually no action but there have been some decent days.  Chinook salmon, Coho salmon, rainbow trout and brown trout have been caught.  Most fish this time of year have been caught on alewives when alewives were present along the pier.  Fish have also been caught on spoons and other casting lures.  Conditions: Water on the lakeside of the north pier was blue green with moderate to good clarity and the lake was choppy.  The water off the lakeside of the south pier was brownish blue green with low to moderate clarity, 56-58° F and the lake was calm.  The air temperature was in the high 50’s to high 60’s, skies were mostly sunny to cloudy with occasional showers and there were light to moderate winds to the north or south.

Shore:  Over the past few years during late September there was light effort and little action.  Chinook salmon have been caught on skein and by anglers casting in the Deland Lakefront Park marina.  Brown trout have also been caught by anglers casting.  Conditions:  The water at the ramp was brown with moderate clarity, the water temperature was in the mid 50’s to low 60’s, the air temperature was in the mid 50’s to low 60’s, skies were mostly sunny to cloudy and there were light winds to the north or south.   

Edgewater power plant: Over the past few years during late September there was no effort.

Sheboygan River:  Over the past few years during late September there was light to moderate effort and some action.  Chinook salmon have been caught from the

New Jersey Ave.

Bridge all the way upstream to Kohler dam on spawn sacks, flies, spoons, stickbaits and plastic lures.  An occasional Coho salmon and brown trout have been caught.  Bluegills and bullhead were also caught at the Kohler dam on worms.  Conditions:  The water light brown with moderate clarity, water level was low, the current was slow, the temperature was in the mid 50’s to mid 60’s, air temperatures were in the low 50’s to high 60’s, skies were mostly sunny to cloudy with some rain, there was a light to moderate winds in a variety of directions.

Weeden Creek:  Over the past few years during late September there was no effort.

Pigeon River:  Over the past few years during late September there was very light effort and no action.