Lake Michigan Fishing Report

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

Milwaukee

Shore:  Last year during late March there was some action in areas with good clarity.  Brown trout and a few rainbow trout were caught on spoons, usually in the morning and around sunset.   

            Fishing from shore was good last week but is slowing down.  Catches were mostly brown trout.  A few rainbow trout were caught, a few lake trout and a Coho salmon was caught.  Most fish were caught casting spoons, crankbaits, castmasters and gulp.  Fish were also caught with spawn and shiners under a bobber.

Ramps:  Last year during late March there was little action to report due to tough fishing conditions. Brown trout and a few lake trout were caught at the color break line, in the harbor, gaps and along the breakwall.  Spoons and crankbaits on flat lines were successful in the harbor.

The fishing was good from the ramps last week: McKinley, South Shore and Bender Park.  Brown trout were the most common, but lake trout were also caught and even a few Coho salmon were caught.  Fish were caught in the harbor, near the gap and in open water in 30 to 50 feet of water.  Fish were biting almost anything: spoons, crankbaits, stickbaits, castmasters, gulp and stickbaits.  A variety of set ups worked: planar boards, leadcore (3-5 colors), downriggers (20-30 feet down), dipsy divers (40-50 feet back) and SWRs.  Jigging with minnow baits also worked.  While the fishing was good, some did report the action was slower before sunrise.  Also reports of debris in the water around the gap.   

Milwaukee River:  Last year during late March there was good action.  Rainbow trout were caught on spawn sacks and white tube jigs with wax worms when water levels were at moderate levels.

            This past week, brown trout, rainbow trout, walleye and northern pike were caught near the mouth of the river.  Rainbow trout were caught all the way up to Lime Kiln Park and the

Bridge Street

dam.  Fish were caught on spoons and spawn or shiners under a bobber

Menomonee River:  Last year during late March there was good action.  Rainbow trout were caught on spawn sacks and white tube jigs with wax worms when water levels were at moderate levels.

This past week, fishing for rainbow trout was slow but some fish were caught on flies.  There were reports of a numerous suckers in the area.

Oak Creek:  Last year during late March there was good action.  Rainbow trout were caught on spawn sacks and white tube jigs with wax worms when water levels were at moderate levels.

            Rainbow trout were caught in the creek last week.

Sheboygan

Ramp:  Over the past few years during late March there was usually no effort and there has been no action to report.

            The docks were installed this past week and the anglers that got out had good action.  Brown trout and rainbow trout were caught on brightly colored spoons and jointed rapalas.

Pier:  Over the past few years during late March there was light effort and no action.

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

            This past week, there was a little action at the boat launch with anglers catching brown trout on spawn.

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

Sheboygan River:  Over the past few years during late March there was light effort and some action.  Rainbow trout and brown trout and a northern pike were caught, mostly on spawn sacks but also on spinners and shiners.  Most landings occurred from Esslingen Park to Kohler dam but some brown trout were caught near the mouth of the river, with most landings occurring in the morning hours.  Conditions:  The water was light brown or brown with low to moderate clarity, water level was moderate to high, the current was moderate to fast, the water temperature was in the low 30’s to mid 40’s, air temperatures were in the mid 30’s to mid 50’s, skies were partly cloudy to cloudy and there were moderate winds in a variety of directions.

            This past week, there was a decent number of rainbow trout caught at the Kohler dam.

Weedens Creek:  Over the past few years during late March there was no effort.

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

            There were many suckers in the river this week, with a few rainbow trout observed.

Port Washington

Ramp:  Over the past few years during late March there was little or no effort and very little action to report. A brown trout was caught in 10 feet of water by anglers castling spoons.

Pier:  Over the past few years during late March there was little or no effort and little action.  A brown trout has been caught on a fathead minnow and a lake trout was caught on a shiner. Conditions: Water temperatures were in the high 30’s to mid 40’s, the water color was brownish green with low clarity, there was moderate wave action, air temperature was in the mid 40’s, skies were clear and there were light winds to the south/southwest.

Power plant:  Over the past few years during late March there has been mixed amounts of effort; when fishing was good there was moderate to strong effort but when there was no action there was little effort.  Brown trout and rainbow trout have been caught, mainly on spawn sacks but also on castmasters and white plastic grubs. Gizzard shads have also been caught on white plastic grubs.  Conditions:  The water color was blue green with good clarity.  

            This past week there were some brown trout caught on spawn sacks.

Marina: Over the past few years during late March there was usually light effort and very little action but one year there was strong effort with a little action.  Brown trout were caught on a crankbaits, fathead minnows and shiners.  Recently stocked trout are often a nuisance this time of year.  Conditions:  The water in the harbor was light brown with low clarity.        

            This past week, the action was slow in the marina.

Sauk Creek: Over the past few years during late March there was light effort and the action was slow to decent.  Rainbow trout were caught on spawn sacks. Conditions: The water was light brown with moderate clarity, water level was moderate to high, the current was moderate to fast, the water temperature was in the high 30’s to mid 40’s, air temperature was in the mid 40’s, skies were clear and there were light winds to the south/southwest.