Lake Michigan Fishing Forecast

In Milwaukee, over the past week, there has been exceptional action from boats and the shore.  In Port Washington, there has been decent action at the power plant and some action from the pier.  Sauk Creek is running high, fast and dirty.  In Sheboygan, there has been light effort throughout the area but a little action from the south pier.

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

Milwaukee

Fishing in Milwaukee was has gone well over the past week.  Shore anglers have had success throughout the harbor: Brown trout and rainbow trout were caught on spawn behind the Summerfest grounds, trout were also caught in the marina on spawn sacks and minnows, and trout were caught at the mouth of the river on spawn sacks, shiners and spoons. Boats have also been successful trolling and jigging, in the harbor and near shore in 30 to 50 of water.  Brown trout and lake trout were caught with spoons, crankbaits, rapalas and thundersticks on planar boards, downriggers and leadcore.

Port Washington

Ramp:  Over the past few years during the middle of March there was usually light effort and little action to report. Brown trout have been caught in 30 feet of water by anglers casting spoons and crankbaits.

Pier:  Over the past few years during the middle of March there was little or no effort and little action.  A Brown trout has been caught on a glass shad rap. Conditions: Water temperatures were in the high 30’s, the water color was blue green with good clarity.

Power plant:  Over the past few years during the middle of March there was usually light effort and there has been decent to exceptional action.  Brown trout and rainbow trout have been caught, mainly on spawn sacks but also castmasters and usually in the morning. A lake whitefish, suckers and recently stocked brown trout have also been caught.  Conditions:  The water color was blue green with good clarity or greenish brown with low to good clarity, air temperature was in the low 40’s to low 50’s, skies were cloudy and there were light winds to the east or moderate winds to south/southwest. 

Marina: Over the past few years during the middle of March there was light effort and very little action.  A rainbow trout was caught on a castmaster in the early morning.  Conditions:  The water in the harbor was greenish brown with low to moderate clarity, air temperature was in the mid 50’s, skies were cloudy and there were light to moderate winds to the south/southeast.        

Sauk Creek: Over the past few years during the middle of March there was light effort and some action.  Rainbow trout and suckers were caught behind the high school on spawn sacks and yarn flies. Conditions: The water was usually light brown with low clarity, water level was normal to high, the current was fast, the water temperature was in the low to high 30’s, air temperature was in the low 40’s to low 50’s, skies were cloudy and there were light winds to the east or moderate winds to south/southwest.

Sheboygan

Ramp:  Over the past few years during the middle of March there was little or no effort and little action to report. Brown trout, rainbow trout and a northern pike were caught in 30 feet of water on rapalas.  Conditions: Water temperatures were in the mid 30’s, air temperatures were in the mid 30’s and there were moderate winds.

Pier:  Over the past few years during the middle of March there was little or no effort and little action.  Brown trout, rainbow trout and a lake whitefish have been caught off the lakeside of the south pier on stickbaits and spawn sacks shortly after sunrise. Conditions: Water temperatures were in the high 30’s to mid 40’s, the water color was blue green with low to moderate clarity, the surface was calm, air temperature was in the mid 40’s to low 50’s, skies were clear or cloudy and there was a moderate wind to the east.

Shore:  Over the past few years during the middle of March there was little or no effort and no action.   

Edgewater power plant: Over the past few years during the middle of March there was no effort.

Sheboygan River:  Over the past few years during the middle of March there was light effort and some action.  Rainbow trout and brown trout and a sucker were caught on spawn sacks and a northern pike was caught with a minnow.  All landings occurred at the Kohler dam.  Conditions:  The water was light brown to brownish blue with low to moderate clarity, water level was high, the current was fast, the water temperature was in the high 30’s, air temperatures were in the mid 40’s to mid 60’s, skies were clear or cloudy and there were moderate winds to the south, southeast or southwest.

Weeden Creek:  Over the past few years during the middle of March there was little or no effort and no action to report.

Pigeon River:  Over the past few years during the middle of March there was a little effort but no action to report.