Lake Michigan fishing report 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 mid April, there was little activity at the boat ramps, fishing from shore at the lakefront was slow, fishing for rainbow trout was slow on the Milwaukee River but rainbow trout were caught on flies at Kletzch Park, 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 mid April there was usually light to moderate effort and little action to report.  Brown trout are usually caught this time of year but rainbow trout, lake trout and an occasional Chinook salmon have been caught.  Landings came in 10 to 35 feet of water with spoons, plugs, stickbaits and shad raps on planar boards, dipsy divers and downriggers.  Conditions: Air temperatures were in the 40’s, skies were clear and there were moderate winds to the south and southeast.

Pier:  Over the past few years during mid April there was usually light effort and usually little action but some days of exceptional action.  Brown trout have been caught off the south pier on spoons and minnows with more landings occurring during the early afternoon and morning hours.  A lake whitefish has also been caught.  Conditions:  The water off the lakeside of the south pier was light brown or blue green with moderate to good clarity and 48-50° F, the air temperature was in the mid 40’s to low 50’s, skies were clear or cloudy and there light wind to the north and moderate winds to south or southeast.

Shore:  Over the past few years during mid 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 little or no effort.

Sheboygan River:  Over the past few years during mid April there was usually light effort and the action was slow.  Rainbow trout were caught between Esslingen Park and Kohler dam on flies, spawn, cast masters and spinners.  Northern pike were caught on stickbaits at Kohler dam; smallmouth bass were caught between Esslingen Park and Kohler dam on spinners, jigs and cast masters.  Carp were caught at the mouth of the river.  Suckers were a nuisance throughout the river.  Conditions:  At the mouth of the river, the water was brown with low clarity and 50-52° F; the water upstream was brown with low to moderate clarity, water level was usually moderate, the current was usually moderate, the water temperature was in the high 30’s to low 50’s, air temperatures were in the mid 40’s to low 50’s, skies were clear or cloudy and there was light wind to the north or moderate wind to the south and southeast.

Weedens Creek:  Over the past few years during mid April there was usually no effort.

Pigeon River:  Over the past few years during mid April there was light effort and little action.  Rainbow trout have been caught with flies; suckers have also been caught.  Conditions:  the water was brown with moderate to good clarity, the water level low to moderate and the current was moderate, the water temperature was in the low 50’s, the air temperature was in the mid 40’s to low 50’s, skies were cloudy and there was a light wind to the north.

Port Washington

Ramp:  Over the past few years during mid April there was little effort and little action. Brown trout have been caught just outside the harbor.

Pier:  Over the past few years during mid April there was little or no effort and little action.  Brown trout have been caught on minnows, spawn and spoons on the harbor side of the pier.

Power plant:  Over the past few years during mid April there has been light effort and little action.  Rainbow trout have been caught on spawn sacks.  Undersized brown trout and suckers have also been caught.  Conditions:  The water color was blue green with moderate to good clarity. 

Marina: Over the past few years during mid April there was little or no effort.         

Sauk Creek: Over the past few years during mid April there was usually light effort and little action.  Rainbow trout were caught on spawn and spinners.  Undersized brown trout and suckers were also caught.  Conditions: The water was light brown with low to moderate clarity, water level was low, and the current was slow.