Lake Michigan fishing forecast for southeast Wisconsin

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

Milwaukee

Last year during the first week of April, fishing from shore at the lakefront was slow, fishing for rainbow trout was slow on the Milwaukee River, fishing on the Menomonee River and Oak Creek was decent with rainbow trout being caught with flies and spawn.

Sheboygan

Ramp:  Over the past few years during the first week of April there was usually little or no effort but there has been good action to report.  Brown trout have been caught in shallow water, less than 15 feet of water, by casting spoons, crankbaits, rapalals and plugs.  They have also been caught by trollers working in 10 to 30 feet of water.  Conditions: Air temperatures were in the 50’s, skies were clear and there were moderate winds to the north and south.

Pier:  Over the past few years during the first week of April there was usually light effort and some action.  Brown trout have been caught on spoons, spawn sacks and minnows from both sides of the south pier and from the north pier with more landings occurring during the morning hours.  Conditions:  The water off the lakeside of the south pier was brownish blue with low to moderate clarity and 38-42° F, the water in harbor was brown with low to moderate clarity and 40-42° F, and the water of the lakeside of the north pier was light brown with low clarity.

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

Edgewater power plant: Over the past few years during the first week of April there was usually no effort.

Sheboygan River:  Over the past few years during the first week of April there was usually light effort and exceptional action.  Rainbow trout, northern pike and a brown trout were caught, mostly on spawn sacks but also on flies, spinners, plastic grubs and wobblers.  Landings occurred from Nemschoff to Kohler dam but most landings occurred on the Blackwolf Run golf course.  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 mid 30’s to low 50’s, air temperatures were in the 50’s to low 60’s.

Weedens Creek:  Over the past few years during the first week of April there was little or no effort with some action. Rainbow trout have been caught with spawn sacks.  Conditions:  The water was a copper color with moderate clarity, the water level and current were moderate and the water temperature was 40-42° F.

Pigeon River:  Over the past few years during the first week of April there was usually little effort and little action.  Rainbow trout have been caught with spawns sacks and flies; suckers have also been caught.  Conditions:  the water was light brown or brown with low to moderate clarity, the water level and current were moderate, the water temperature was in the high 30’s to low 50’s, the air temperature was in the low 50’s, skies were clear and there was a moderate wind to the north and south.

Port Washington

Ramp:  Over the past few years during the first week of April there was little or no effort and very little action to report. A brown trout and a lake trout were caught in 35 feet of water on spoons.

Pier:  Over the past few years during the first week of April there was little or no effort and occasionally good action.  Brown trout and lake trout have been caught.

Power plant:  Over the past few years during the first week of April there has been light effort and decent action.  Brown trout and rainbow trout have been caught, mainly on spawn sacks but also on spoons, rapalas and crankbaits.  Catches occurred throughout the day.  Conditions:  The water color was blue green with moderate to good clarity or milky brown with low clarity, the air temperature was in the 40’s, skies were cloudy with occasional rain and there was a moderate wind to the south and east. 

Marina: Over the past few years during the first week of April there was usually light effort and little action.  Brown trout have been caught on minnows.  Conditions:  The water in the harbor was light brown with low to moderate clarity.        

Sauk Creek: Over the past few years during the first week of April there was usually light effort and there was some action.  Rainbow trout were caught on spawn, flies and spinners.  Suckers are usually in the area too.  Conditions: The water was light brown with low to moderate clarity, water level was low, the current was slow, and the water temperature was in the mid 40’s.