Southern Lake Michigan Fishing Report: May 31, 2011
Kenosha Co.
Kenosha trollers have had their best success with coho, and a few rainbows and lake trout have also been harvested. The best water depths have been 45 to 60 feet, with some boats reporting success in 100 feet of water. Orange dodger and fly combinations have been consistently catching fish, and some anglers also reported success with stick baits. Very little shore fishing activity has been reported in Kenosha.
Racine Co.
In Racine the weather stabilized somewhat by this past weekend and allowed for better fishing conditions. Boats have been doing well with some limits of coho taken, but only an occasional Chinook has been harvested. Some of the best success has occurred just outside the Racine Reef in 40 to 60 feet of water, with fish being harvested from 20 feet down all the way to the bottom. Surface water temps have been 48 to 49 degrees. Orange dodger and fly combinations have been the preferred lures with blue and silver, and orange peanut flies reported to be popular choices. Very little effort has been seen in shore fishing activity.
Milwaukee Co.
In Milwaukee trollers have been successful fishing for coho. Peanut flies in blue or green have taken fish nearshore in 20 to 30 feet of water. The Bender Park boat launch has been reopened, and trollers fishing that area have been catching coho around the boils. When the winds are consistently out of the west, Milwaukee shore anglers have been able to catch some salmon off McKinley pier as well.
Ozaukee Co.
Port Washington Ramps: Fishing pressure has been moderate to high at times. The catch rate has remained relatively good, but not quite as high as it was last week. The water temperature has ranged from 48 to 52F nearshore, and fishing has been best around 70 to 140 feet of water. Trolling with flies has been the most productive, and coho salmon have been the main catch, with a few lake trout and chinook salmon mixed in. Port Washington Power Plant: Fishing pressure at the power plant has been light, with very few fish being caught. The water temperature is around 54F, and the powerplant is still pumping water. Most anglers have been casting spoons or spinners, with mostly small, stocker-size brown trout being caught. Port Washington Pier: Fishing pressure on the pier is moderate, but catches have been inconsistent. The fishing has been very hit or miss with a few coho salmon being caught on alewives and spoons.
Sheboygan Co.
Watch out for the orange flags and buoys that mark commercial fishing trap nets set in Lake Michigan. Steer clear and give these markers a wide berth to avoid getting tangled and capsizing. Learn where the nets are set on our Trap Net page.
Sheboygan Ramps: Fishing pressure on the lake has been moderate with very hit or miss catches. Most anglers have been having success trolling flies and orange dodgers. The water temperature has ranged from 48-52F. Depths of 30 to 45 feet of water have been the most productive, and coho salmon have been the main catch, with a few lake trout and Chinook salmon also being caught. Sheboygan Piers: Fishing pressure has been moderate, but the catch rate has been low overall, although a few fish have been taken. Most anglers are casting spoons or alewives. The few fish that were caught were mainly coho salmon, with a few chinook salmon also reported.
