SPORT FISHING REPORT FROM THE DNR OF MAY 3, 2018

Manitowoc Co.

• Manitowoc Ramp – The weather hasn’t been beneficial to anglers who are wanting to go and try for Brown Trout. When the weather broke and provided opportunity for people to get out anglers had mixed results. Some anglers didn’t have any fish, but the ones that were able to find warmer water had fish. Water temps have rose to 44-46°F. Fish have been caught on crankbaits, with the best color being black and orange, as well as firetiger.
• Manitowoc Piers/Harbor – Anglers fishing in the harbor have been doing good on catfish. Majority of people fishing for catfish have been fishing across from the submarine and towards the lake. Anglers fishing in the morning and into midday have been doing just as good as the anglers fishing later into the night who are targeting catfish. A few Brown Trout have been caught off the piers using spawn sacs and casting with little cleos. As the temperature increases the fishing should increase as well.
• Manitowoc & Branch River - Just like in other rivers in the area the water levels and flow have decreased in both rivers. In addition to the decrease in water levels the number of anglers trying for steelhead have decreased as well. More anglers are starting to target suckers, catfish, and northern pike. Few suckers have been caught throughout the past week.
• Silver Creek – Anglers that were fishing in Silver Creek have not had much success lately. While walking along the creek, I saw two steelhead below the bridge. Sand is still blocking the entrance for the most part, but the steelhead have been able to sneak past that and make it up stream when they can.
• East\West Twin River – The water levels have decreased over the past week to more fishable levels. Steelhead were caught by the Shoto Dam, both the large dam and the smaller dam. In addition, suckers were being caught throughout the week. The numbers of suckers in the West Twin River by the dam has decreased as the week progressed. Village Park in Mishicot has produced some steelhead in the past few days. There are reports of Steelhead jumping at the dam. Anglers that have caught steelhead were using spawn sacs.
• Two Rivers Piers – The dock at Seagull Marina is now in, which could be beneficial as the parking lot in Vets park is being resurfaced. The boat lunch at Vets park is still open while the parking lot gets resurfaced. Although you have to take a slight detour to get to the landing. A few anglers have found some success while fishing for Brown Trout as the water temps increased.
• Two Rivers Harbor & Piers – Fishing on the piers have slow, but hopefully with warmer weather in the forecast it will increase fishing on the piers. Some Brown Trout have been caught off of the piers with more success coming in the morning. The few browns that were caught have been coming off of spawn sacs and casting with little cleos. Anglers trying for catfish in the harbor have had success and even had a surprise northern pike caught.

Kewaunee Co.

• Kewaunee Ramp – The beginning of the week was slow for brown trout with 35F reported in most places. Ice was being found out in the morning more North. Water continued to hold a dark brown color by the end of the week and folks were catching browns with good luck on purple.
• Kewaunee Shoreline – There was very low fishing pressure throughout the week and onto the weekend.
• Kewaunee Pier – There was very little wind and calm waters, though unfortunately very few bites.
• Kewaunee River – The river was high and dark brown from the beginning of the week through mid-week with a lot of the ice on the side melting and very little fishing pressure. By the end of the week there were many folks at footbridge as the steelhead were running but easily spooked. Suckers were abundant. Water was reported at 47.5F with the best luck being had with spawn sacs.
• Algoma Ramp – Many folks came back with brown trout this week with the season’s first catch of a few lake trout. Water was reported to be 46F by the shore nearing the weekend.
• Algoma Shoreline and Pier – There was very little fishing pressure throughout the week even with the great weather.
• Stoney Creek – The week started off rough with high chocolate brown water. By the weekend, the stream was running fast and pushing the creek far out at the mouth. Good conditions for running steelhead gave anglers a high rate of success.
• Ahnapee River – Very high water and fairly murky conditions made sight fishing nearly impossible. Steelhead were in there but hard to get early in the week though by the weekend folks were having good luck with wax worms and spawn. Saturday and Sunday was crowded with suckers congregating near the dam and fly anglers in the cedar trees.

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: May 3, 2018

Fox River

• Due to the recent weather changes walleyes haven’t been active with both boat and shore anglers catching very few walleyes. However, those that have been fishing the early morning hours from midnight to 7:00am have been catching in the upwards of 30 walleyes per person. 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 seen 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.

Door Co.

• Action has been very slow for boat anglers in search of brown trout, northern pike and walleye. Anglers casting from shore have caught a few browns in the canal and from the piers as they open up around Door County. Almost all walleye fishermen went home empty handed this weekend. A few northern pike have been caught but even most pike anglers had no luck. Water temps in the Sturgeon Bay Canal and on Lake Michigan remain in the low 40’s. There is a lot of ice on the west end of the Sturgeon Bay Canal that blocks travel out to the bay depending on wind direction. Stone Quarry, Fish Creek, Ellison Bay and Gills Rock ramps are now open but floating ice is still a serious hazard. Egg Harbor and Ephraim are still locked with ice. Sister Bay should be open in a few days with the current forecast. Other than Egg harbor and Ephraim, all ramps should be open for the opener next week. Steelhead action has remained good. Heins Creek has been fished the hardest. We are looking at the end of the steelhead spawn now. The trout are upstream spawning or heading back to the lake while the suckers are starting to move into the creeks. Fishing action should improve as water temps increase and the ice clears.

Green Bay West Shore – Brown, Oconto, Marinette Counties

• Duck Creek to Geano’s Beach Road – Locations from Suamico down to Duck Creek are open water with ice still out further in the bay. Geanos Beach is still mostly ice covered with patchy open water. Few anglers were observed at Suamico but due to the ice still being in the bay they were unsuccessful in catching any fish. Longtail and Duck Creek locations only had a few anglers observed but no interviews were taken.
• Marinette County (Menomonee & Peshtigo Rivers) –
  • Menominee 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 40°F throughout the weekend.
  • Peshtigo River – Anglers were reporting lower numbers of walleye being caught on the Peshtigo River this past week. Anglers also have reported increased numbers of suckers being caught. Anglers were having success using blue and silver Rapala. Some anglers were having success catching walleye near the mouth of the Peshtigo River. The Peshtigo River has increased to 47 -48°F over the last couple of days.
• Oconto County (Oconto River) – Good numbers of anglers were out on the Oconto River this past week. Anglers were reporting mixed success. Some anglers were reporting good catches of walleye, while others were reporting little activity. The anglers at the Breakwater Harbor were having good luck catching walleye in water depth between 9 – 13’. Anglers were reporting increased catches of suckers this week. The Oconto River water temperatures ranged from 50 – 46°F over the weekend.