Lake Michigan fisheries team report 4.23.09
Cold nights have prolonged the steelhead run in the southeast. Although fishing is not as good as a couple weeks ago, there still are fresh fish to be caught. Run should last a week or maybe even two yet.
Sheboygan County -
In Sheboygan flows anglers have been catching a few steelhead in the Pigeon River, and the Sheboygan has produced steelhead between Esslingen Park and the Kohler dam. Both spawn sacs and flies have been productive. Brown trout have been caught from south pier on spawn sacs and spoons. On good weather days, Sheboygan trollers have also been taking browns near shore on spoons and large crankbaits.
Ozaukee County -
In Port Washington fishing on Sauk Creek has been relatively slow, but anglers near the power plant have been catching browns and rainbows on spawn sacs and spoons. Boaters out of Port Washington have also been catching browns and lake trout on spoons and crankbaits in and around the harbor.
Milwaukee County -
In Milwaukee, anglers on the Milwaukee River have been catching some steelhead on flies in Kletzsch Park. A few steelhead have also been taken from the Menomonee River near Miller Park and from Oak Creek. Fishing behind the Summerfest grounds has picked up somewhat, with both perch and brown trout taken on minnows and spawn sacs. Boaters fishing either the Oak Creek Power Plant or the Milwaukee harbor and around the gaps have been catching good numbers of browns and lake trout.
Racine County -
In Racine the flows on the Root River have started to rise after some much needed rainfall on Sunday and Monday. Steelhead can be found on most gravel areas above Island Park, and fly anglers have had success using black woolly buggers, egg sucking leeches, and small egg imitations. DNR crews processed 239 fish at the Root River Steelhead Facility on Wednesday, April 15. They met this year’s egg taking goals and drained the facility. This season a total of 902 steelhead were passed upstream.
Kenosha County -
In Kenosha, fishing has been slow overall, but both shore anglers and boaters in the harbor have been catching a few browns and rainbows. Spawn has worked best from shore, and spoons have produced for those fishing from boats. Fishing on the Pike River has also been slow.
