Lake Michigan fishing report

Southern Lake Michigan Fishing Report: March 14, 2011

Racine Co.
  Trout fishing on the Root River this past weekend was on the slow side. This was mostly due to the very fast flow, high water, and colder temperatures. The water clarity was pretty clear with high visibility in areas where water flow was slower. Water temperatures taken on Sunday just downstream from the dam were between 34-35 degrees Fahrenheit. Angler effort was mostly concentrated at the Horlick Dam and downstream through Quarry Lake Park. Most anglers were only able to wade in a couple feet off the shore to about knee high water. The preferred choice of bait was flies with only a couple fishermen using spawn. Anglers reported the presence of a couple steelhead tight to the dam. While they were able to hook-up a few times, landing the fish in the high flow was too difficult and limited the catch rate. A few anglers were also fishing the Lincoln Park area, both upstream and downstream from the weir. Catch rates here were also pretty low. One angler fishing Saturday afternoon was able to land one nice male steelhead that weighed 2.5 pounds. It was caught on a spawn sac between the two walking bridges. Fin clips indicated it was the Ganaraska strain.
Milwaukee Co.
  In Milwaukee open water can be found in the lower stretches of the Menomonee River and canals, as well as faster moving stretches of the Milwaukee River. Water levels are fairly high on the Milwaukee River. Steelhead anglers have been fishing Oak Creek and the Menomonee River near Miller Park, and some fish have been taken from both streams. Spawn sacs have been the most effective bait. Fishing in the Milwaukee harbor has been slow.
Ozaukee Co.
  In Port Washington, a few brown trout and steelhead have been caught near the power plant on spawn, and a few anglers have reported hits on shiners.

Green Bay Fishing Report: March 15, 2011

Brown Co.
  Voyageur Park fishermen are launching boats and fishing for walleye using jigs and minnows and lead headed jigs and plastics. Fishermen from shore are keying on areas closer to the dam with Rapala’s and twister tails. Pike and perch fishermen are still present at both Sunset Beach Road and Duck Creek.
East Shore
  Sturgeon Bay: Anglers have been trying for perch and pike off the State Park with some success. Also there have been a few fishermen at the yacht club trying their luck fishing pike. Whitefish have been caught off Stone Quarry in good numbers. Gold spoons tipped with a wax worm have been the best bait. Little Sturgeon Bay: Whitefish have been very active the last few days with anglers finding significant numbers from Lime Kiln Road up to Sand Bay. Anglers driving trucks onto the ice should use extreme caution. A truck went through 200 yards from shore this weekend. Sugar Creek: Whitefish have been biting well over the last week. Anglers have reported having 15-20 inches of ice. Bayshore Park: Anglers have been fishing 15 feet of water and catching some good numbers of whitefish. Most anglers have been driving out using ATV’s or snowmobiles. Red River: Whites have been constant the last week. A few perch have also been caught as well. Ice conditions here are getting worse. A truck was pulled from the ice this weekend.
Oconto Co.
  Goodly numbers of fishermen were present at Geano Beach fishing for perch in 8 to 10 feet of water and pike in 4 to 10 feet of water; they have been using jigs and minnows for the perch and large shiners for pike. Oconto Breakwater fishermen have been keying in the areas close to the mouth of the Oconto River searching for perch with some success. Pike fishermen are also present fishing waters from the Oconto Parks to Pensaukee using large shiners, with some success being reported.
Marinette Co.
  The Peshtigo Harbor area has been a hot spot for pike fishermen this past week with most people fishing up to the first ice shove north of the mouth of the Peshtigo River. Fishing on the Menominee River has slowed considerably due to ice conditions, no information was forthcoming this week.