Southern Lake Michigan Fishing Report: June 20, 2011
Kenosha Co.
Good coho action continues off Kenosha with low to moderate fishing pressure. Most anglers are targeting just coho trying to take advantage of the good numbers of fish in the area, but some rainbows, chinooks and lake trout are also being harvested. The most popular rig continues to be orange or red flashers coupled with flies in blues, greens and reds. Spoons have taken the majority of lakers and kings. Late in the week anglers reported the best success could be found just outside the ?Hill?, however there were reported catches anywhere from 60 to 180 feet of water. Perch anglers on the Kenosha shore and piers have had very poor success since the opener. A few boat anglers have been getting their limit of 5 fish just off of the rock breakwall east of the north pier, with plastics and minnows being the best baits. No success has been reported on the piers for trout and salmon. Near shore temps are 57 to 58 degrees. The fish cleaning station at Kenosha remains closed for repairs.
Racine Co.
Coho action remains very good off of Racine, but fish locations are changing daily. Best success late this week was reported in 60 to 90 feet of water from the surface to 30 feet down. Red, orange and white dodgers with flies in the blues and greens have been popular baits of choice. A few lake trout have also been harvested on spoons and reportedly are suspended with the coho. Some nice chinooks in the 15 to 18 lb range are also being seen. Anglers are reporting marking large amounts of bait fish, and surface water temps have warmed up to the mid 50s. Racine pier and shore fishing success has been very low, with generally light effort observed. Very few perch have been caught by either shore or boat anglers since the opening on the 16th. Nearshore temperatures are running 57 to 58 degrees.
Milwaukee Co.
The fishing off Milwaukee has been pretty good for boat anglers. Coho are still active, but they are beginning to scatter and have been caught as far out as 180 feet of water. Flasher and fly combinations continue to produce good numbers of coho. A few Chinooks are also showing up in the creel but with no frequency or pattern. South shore ramp had had some perch action on the rocks or the center break wall north of the landing, and minnows have been the best perch bait. The shore anglers should start having success for perch if the water warms. At times a few coho have been taken off McKinley pier, but fishing has been generally slow.
Ozaukee Co.
Port Washington Ramps: Fishing pressure has been high, and the catch rate has remained very good. The fishing has been best around 200-300 feet of water, and the surface bite has been better than trolling deep. Trolling with orange dodgers or dipsey divers and green or silver flies has been the most productive. Coho salmon continue to dominate catch, although some lake trout, steelhead, and chinook salmon are also being caught. Most boats are coming back in with limit catches in a very short period of time. Port Washington Harbor/Shore: Fishing pressure at the power plant and in the harbor has been moderate, but anglers have had little success. The water temperature is around 56-58F, and the powerplant flow has decreased. Most anglers are casting spoons with a main catch of small stocker size brown trout, although one four pound brown was seen caught. Yellow Perch fishermen have had a tough outing fishing for perch, and the main bait has been minnows or worms. Port Washington Pier: Fishing pressure on the pier is moderate. The trout and salmon catch has become non-existent while yellow perch fishing has been hit or miss with a few perch being caught. Most anglers are fishing with spoons or alewives for salmon and trout, while perch fishermen are having success with minnows. The water temperature was 56F, and the water has been very clear.
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 and fishing has remained pretty good although the catch rate has dipped some over the last 24 hours. Most fishermen have been having success trolling with orange dodgers and peanut flies or spoons. Water depths of 150-250 feet of water has been the most productive. Coho salmon and Rainbow trout have been the main catch with a few Lake trout and Chinook salmon also being caught. Sheboygan Piers/Shore: Fishing pressure has been light and the catch rate has not gotten any better. Most fishermen that were fishing for salmon are casting spoons or using alewives off the bottom. Perch fishermen were mainly using minnows off a slip bobber with no success.
