Southern Lake Michigan Fishing Report: June 18, 2018
Milwaukee Co.
McKinley Ramp – Morning anglers have been having more success than afternoon anglers at catching their limits. Average fish caught included 2-5 lb. coho, chinook weighing up to 22 lbs., and rainbows averaging 5-9 lbs. (with the largest weighing in over 13 lbs.). Most anglers continue to report fish hitting lines the top 30 feet of water or less, with rainbows and chinook being deeper. Fishing depth ranged from 100-150 feet of water. Favorite lures included a variety of dodgers, flies, and spoons. Anglers also continue to see large alewife bait balls throughout their fishing grounds.
McKinley Pier – Larger schools of alewives continue to be seen at the surface lakeside. Anglers targeting salmon both on the lakeside and harborside continue to have very little success. However rainbow trout have been caught both lakeside and harborside, in the morning and late afternoon hours using alewives. The largest trout measured was just over 10 lbs. Anglers targeting panfish with live bait were able to land a few small rock bass, but reported catching mostly round gobies in their efforts.
North Lakefront Shoreline (McKinley, Veterans Park, Summerfest) – Low fishing pressure occurred from McKinley Shore to Lakeshore State Park . Those few anglers trying their luck for trout and salmon had little success. Anglers targeting panfish landed rock bass using live bait in the Summerfest lagoon and McKinley Shore (right before the turn into the marina). Anglers targeting bass also had very little success. A smallmouth was caught in the lagoon, in the afternoon hours using artificial lures, but was undersize and thrown back. The Summerfest lagoon is also seeing larger schools of alewives close to shore. Construction is occurring near the Summerfest grounds, under the Hoan bridge creating the need for alternative access routes in order to shore fish near the lighthouse and Lakeshore State Park. Please also be aware festival season has begun around the Summerfest grounds and Lincoln Memorial Drive. This weekend was both Polishfest and Lakefront Festival of Art, bringing larger crowds and more traffic in the vicinity.
Riverfront Ramp – Riverfront was packed throughout the weekend causing the overflow of trailers to be parked along the street. The majority of boaters launching from this location, were non-anglers.
South Lakefront (Jones Island, Cupertino Park, South Metro Pier) – Lower fishing pressure occurred throughout the weekend from Jones Island down through South Shore. Anglers targeting trout and salmon found little success. Anglers continue to see small trout (less than 12 inches) swimming at the surface near Jones Island. Anglers targeting rock bass at south shore used night crawlers landing some palm sized fish (8 + inches).
South Shore Ramp – The majority of boaters launching from this location were non-anglers. Those few boaters heading on the water for salmon and trout were hit or miss. Coho salmon were landed using spoons or flasher/flies in 70-125 feet of water with fish hitting in the top 25 feet or less. A brown trout was also landed using spoons in about 40 feet of water. The fish cleaning station for angler use at South Shore is now repaired, in working condition, and open for angler use.
Bender Park – Through the weekend the majority of boat traffic launching from this location, were non-anglers. There was quite a bit of small personal watercraft/jet skis. However, afternoon boaters during the week targeting coho salmon found success in 40 - 80 feet of water using a variety of flies and spoons. Anglers reported fish hitting lines top 20 feet of water or less.
Oak Creek Power Plant – Low fishing pressure at the pier. Those few morning and afternoon anglers trying their luck using a variety of live bait and artificial lures found very little success in landing brown trout or salmon. Anglers do report continue seeing schools of large carp and shad.
Racine Co.
Racine Ramp – Last weekend’s hot and humid weather brought a wave of pleasure boaters to the Racine Ramp. A few anglers launched over the weekend as well. Anglers targeting trout and salmon averaged 4-6 fish after a half day on the lake. Many anglers came in with a mixed bag of rainbow trout (steelhead), lakers, cohos and chinook.
Racine Pier & Shoreline – Perch are being caught off the jetties by the boat ramp and a few are being caught off the floating pier. Anglers were mostly using minnows.
Kenosha Co.
Kenosha Ramp – A few anglers are still having success catching coho anywhere from 60 to 160 feet of water depending on the day. Many of the fish are being caught on flasher/fly combos with one here and there hitting spoons. Anglers are reporting seeing very large balls of bait on their depth finders.
Kenosha Piers & Shoreline – The opening weekend of the yellow perch season brought out a few guys fishing the south pier. The groups of anglers who were interviewed used a jig and crab tail to catch a handful of perch.
Sheboygan Co.
Sheboygan Ramps – Fishing pressure was low on Tuesday due to a dense fog advisory, however a few anglers who did go out had success landing rainbow trout, coho, and chinook salmon in 50-90ft of water. As the week progressed, anglers found better fishing success in deeper water (130-260ft) 5-8 miles to the South of the Harbor. Most fish are being caught on spoons and flasher flies (blue/green and green/gold) 25-90ft down in the water column. The largest fish measured this week at this location was a chinook salmon that weighed 24 pounds.
Sheboygan Shore & Piers – Early morning anglers targeting whitefish off the ends of the North and South piers are having luck between 5am-8am landing fish in the 3-5 pound range. Golden minnows, alewives, jigging spoons, and plastics have all been successful bait choices. Anglers who are targeting trout and salmon continue to have very little luck, although some reported having a few rainbows on before shaking loose.
Ozaukee Co.
Port Washington Ramp – Fishing has slowed down this week with very few limits being reported, however most boats are coming back in with a few fish. Those fishing deeper water (150-260ft) are having better luck than those fishing shallower depths. Surface temps in 240ft and 280ft of water are 52F and 49F, respectively. Most fish are being caught 30-40ft down, but others are hooking into trout and salmon 90 feet down as well. Anglers found equal success using both flasher flies and spoons.
Port Washington Shore & Piers – Pier fishing remains slow for trout and salmon anglers with no reports of fish being caught. Several anglers fishing on the North pier took advantage of the yellow perch season opener (June 16th) where a few small perch were caught with fat heads.
