Northern Lake Michigan Fishing Report: May 24, 2010
Manitowoc Co.
Light winds out of the southeast and temperatures in the high 60s to low 70s throughout the week created excellent fishing conditions. Water temperatures ranged between 50-52 degrees along the lakeshore, with temps reaching the low 60s in the harbors. Fog limited some boaters from fishing over the weekend, and those who made it out had to earn their catch. Anglers put in long hours with limited visibility, with average catch resulting in 4-6 fish per boat. Boaters who ventured south of Manitowoc had more success landing rainbow trout ranging anywhere from 160-250 feet using orange and green spoons on high lines and downriggers. Downriggers were down deep, usually 100-140 feet. A few 12-14 pound chinook salmon were mixed in with the rainbows also coming down deep on the downriggers using green flasher/green fly combos. Ranging just north of Manitowoc to the north Two Rivers water tower, chinook salmon were dominant in anglers? coolers along with a few coho salmon. Anglers had success starting outside the trap nets out to 180 feet using green and pearl dodgers with green and white flies down deep on the down riggers. If you aren?t having any luck on your down riggers, try different colored dodgers and troll out deeper. The salmon appear to still be scattered due to the cold water temperatures, so don?t give up. A few whitefish, up to five pounds, have been caught off of the north pier in Manitowoc using shad and smelt gulp on the bottom. If you don?t know the location of the trap nets off of Manitowoc and Two Rivers, Seagull Marina has maps of their location at the boat launch. For those fishing shallow south of Manitowoc, the Manitowoc Marina has forms with GPS coordinates of the large submerged rocks located at their fish cleaning station.
Kewaunee Co.
The weather in Kewaunee County this week has been very sporadic. The beginning of the week started with temperatures in the 50?s but as the week grew on, the temperatures climbed into the upper 60?s and lower 70?s. The winds remained pretty calm for the beginning of the week but picked up Saturday and Sunday. Fog has been a problem in the area from Friday to Sunday with periods of time where visibility became very limited. Algoma: The Algoma Pier has seen little to no fishing pressure as of late due to high winds and lack of fish being caught in the shallow waters. The Algoma ramp has seen an increase in use and fishing pressure due to the increasing amount of rainbow trout and Chinook salmon being caught. Some of the boats are returning to the ramp with full limits or close to full limits of fish. The anglers have caught the salmon on fly and flasher combinations. There hasn?t been one specific color working the best, but many fish are being caught on silver flashers with green flies. Many of the fish being caught are reported in depths ranging from 180-240 feet. Kewaunee: A large number of rainbow trout and Chinook salmon are being brought in off the lake from boats launching from Kewaunee?s city ramp. The fish being caught in the area have been found in depths of 180-260 feet of water. A few fishermen are reporting large schools of baitfish at those depths. A few fish have been caught in 100-140 feet of water but have been sporadic. The Kewaunee pier has seen a few different fishermen trying their luck with little success. The majority of the fish being caught off the pier have been carp with an occasional rainbow trout.
Door Co. (Lake and Bay sides)
The lilac, cherry and apple trees are blooming in beautiful Door County and another brilliant summer looks to be right around the corner. The nice weather during the Sturgeon Bay Bass Tournament last weekend stuck around for the week allowing anglers to hit the water. Calmer conditions provided for good fishing conditions on the lake, something that had not been seen for quite a while. Next week looks to continue the trend with some very warm days predicted. The hiatus in perch fishing is over and anglers were certain to be out on Thursday the 20th. Not much success was had in Sturgeon Bay; however more action was had south towards Chaudoir?s Dock using minnows in about 25 feet of water. Smallmouth bass are on their beds and fishing has been very good. Fish can be found in many of the bays moving north on the west side of the county, and north of Baileys Harbor on the east side in spots like Rowleys Bay. Tube jigs and other plastics have been very productive, along with working crank baits and live bait in anywhere from 3-10 feet of water. Many lunkers have been reported, some fish venturing into the 7 lb range. Walleye have been active during the day throughout Sturgeon Bay and Green Bay around Fish Creek and the Strawberry Islands. Most anglers have had their success on crawler harnesses, however stick baits and crank baits have still landed some fish. Northern Pike fishing has slowed somewhat in Sturgeon Bay. Working the weed edges and marinas with spoons, stick baits and spinners have proven to be most productive. Exciting reports of salmon and trout have been the talk this week. Although a little early, salmon and lake trout have been reported off the bank reef in 100-200 feet of water using flies and flashers, and working the 60 foot and above region has produced some nice steelhead too.
