SPORT FISHING REPORT FOR THE WEEK OF 4-24-2018

Manitowoc Co.

• Manitowoc Ramp – The Lake has cooled off compared to last week due to the snow we received. Water temperature is roughly 38°F in most areas. Anglers that were able to find warmer pockets of water got into Brown Trout. However, most everyone that was talked to ended up with zero or very few fish. Anglers are using Rapalas, flicker shads, and smithwick rattling rouges. Colors can range from orange to black.
• Manitowoc River - The water levels in the river have increased drastically and the steelhead fishing has decreased. Few Steelhead were caught over the past week in the Manitowoc River due to that increased water level, flow, and the turbidity of the water. Anglers who were dip netting for suckers have had mixed success. While dip netting for suckers they were catching lots of carp as well. Some anglers have had success fishing for catfish as well. Catfish fishing should continue to heat up as the water temps in the river warms up as well.
• Branch River – Anglers have had mixed success in the Branch River over the past week. Early in the week they were doing good catching Steelhead, but as the water levels and flow increased the fishing decreased. Anglers using spawn sacs had the most success fishing for Steelheads. Some anglers have tried their hands at dip netting for suckers and have had good luck.
• West Twin River – Anglers who were fishing by Shoto Dam were doing good early in the week. Anglers that had success by the dam were using spawn sacs. As the week progressed fishing decreased, as the water continued to rise, and the clarity decreased. Suckers were being caught in good quantities by the Shoto Boat Ramp, using night crawlers.
• East Twin River – The sidewalk that runs along the river in Village Park in Mishicot is under water in areas. With the increased water levels fishing has decreased. The few fish that were caught was using spawn sacs. There have been a few Brown Trout that are still being caught in the rivers.
• Two Rivers Piers – The pier fishing is starting to pick up as the water temps continue to rise. Anglers were having more success fishing in the mornings versus the afternoon on the piers. Little cleos were the lure of choice for most people fishing the piers. However, some anglers were using minnows and having success as well. Anglers trying for catfish have not had any luck as the water temps are still cold.
• Two Rivers Ramps – The fishing on Lake Michigan has been slow over the past week as water temps in the Two River area is around 38°F just like in Manitowoc. The anglers that brought fish in had only one or two Brown Trout at most. There was some Lake Trout caught as well over the past week. Most anglers that were targeting Brown Trout were in that 5 to 15 feet of water range, and using Rapalas and Flicker Shads.

Kewaunee Co.

• Kewaunee Ramp – Thick snow piles leftover from the storm early in the week kept most folks indoor and the docks pulled in. Launching continued by Friday with slow days for most. The water temperature was closer to 35F in deep water and 38F near the shore. Good luck was had with brown trout on purple.
• Kewaunee Shoreline – Snow piles proved much of the lake front to become inaccessible. The shore cleared out providing cloudy water with little to no wind late week.
• Kewaunee Pier – Leftover ice prevented folks from making the journey out early in the week, but proved busy with brown water come Saturday.
• Kewaunee River – The river was frozen over on E and C but later defrosted with thick brown and high water. Very little anglers were out for steelhead in this territory, instead choosing for brown’s along the shore or rainbow’s more north.
• Algoma Ramp – The Bailey’s Brown Trout Tournament kept the lot packed and dock busy this weekend. Water temps of 35F-40F were recorded. Many folks came back skunked with a couple parties having good luck with browns using crank baits.
• Algoma Shoreline and Pier – Very little fishing pressure were had in these parts due to the tournament and small amounts of ice to walk on.
• Stoney Creek – Stoney was completely frozen over but quickly thawed out and hammered by fly anglers at the mouth. High success was had as the wind picked up pushing the crick out and the rainbows in. Wax worm and spawn sacs hooked most of the fish.
• Ahnapee River – Ice and snow flanked the side most of the week and Blahnik Park wasn’t plowed or open until the weekend. By late week the water was high and some anglers were making catches just east of the Forestville dam. Less luck was had on X.

Door County (L. Michigan)

• The warm weather after the snow storm has reopened the Lake Michigan side boat landings. Lots of boats were out over the weekend fishing the Door County Brown Trout Tournament. Many anglers reported poor action over the whole weekend but some large individuals were caught. Water temps ranged from 36-42 degrees. The winning fish was just over 22lbs. Total catch for the tournament was similar to last year.
• Melting snow has dramatically increased flow rates in our local streams. Several streams are at or over their banks. Steelhead action has been good with lots of fish spotted in Heins Creek. Most anglers are still using fresh spawn. High flow should bring in more spawning fish. The run may not last long after the snow melts.

Door County – Sturgeon Bay Canal

• A few anglers have been catching pike in the Sturgeon Bay canal. No reports of walleyes being caught yet.

Green Bay Fishing Report: April 24, 2018

Fox River

• Due to the recent weather changes walleyes haven’t been active with both boat and shore anglers catching very few walleyes. Those that have been catching walleyes have been using jigs with plastics. There has still been hundreds of shore anglers and boaters out to catch a trophy walleye. Fairgrounds and Fox Point saw high numbers of boaters on the warmest days, along with shore anglers at Voyager. Due to the high size limit the few walleyes that were caught were then released.

Green Bay East Shore – Door County

• Green Bay side boat landings are still locked with ice. A few fishermen have even been out ice fishing in the harbors north of Sturgeon Bay.

Green Bay West Shore – Brown, Oconto, Marinette Counties

• Duck Creek to Geano’s Beach Road – Locations from Suamico up to Geano’s Beach are still mostly ice covered with patchy open water. No anglers were observed at either of these locations on the days that were surveyed. Locations from Longtail to Duck Creek are mostly open water with only a few anglers observed but no interviews were taken.
• Marinette County (Menomonee & Peshtigo Rivers) – Menomonee River anglers had mixed luck fishing for walleye this past week on the Menominee. Stephenson Island and the Hattie Street bridge had good numbers of walleye being caught. Anglers are also reporting that they are catching some suckers. The Menominee River water temperature has stayed at about 38°F throughout the weekend. In the Peshtigo River a lot of walleye have been caught at the Peshtigo dam area over the past week. Anglers were having success using blue and silver jigs. Some anglers were having success catching walleye near the mouth of the Peshtigo River. The Peshtigo River has increased to 45°F over the last couple of days. Over the weekend the Peshtigo River water level has increased by over 2 feet.
• Oconto County (Oconto River) – Because of the warm weather this past weekend, a lot of anglers got out on the water. Over 150 boats were put in at the Oconto Breakwater Harbor on Saturday, and many anglers were reporting mixed success. Some anglers were reporting good catches of walleye and suckers, while others were reporting little activity. The Oconto River water temperatures have rose to 40°F over the weekend. The Oconto River water level had risen 3 feet over the weekend.