Lake Michigan

Lake Michigan, or the big pond as many Wisconsinites know it, is the No. 1 most frequently visited water in Wisconsin, and it's easy to see why. Whether by boat or onshore, a fishing pole will bring you some of the state's best and most diverse fishing, not to mention picturesque views.

And with millions of fish stocked annually to keep populations healthy - there's a good chance there will be a bite on your line.

Plan your trip, get information about charter fishing and learn more about how the department works to protect and enhance the Lake Michigan fishery through the links below.

Fishing Lake Michigan

Find places to fish on your own! This information will help you get started.

• Lake Michigan fishing report - weekly reports by creel clerks on what's biting and where
• Great Lakes Fast Facts
• Find a tributary to fish
• Milwaukee fall fishing - 50 places to fish within 60 miles of Milwaukee
• Trap net safety

Lake Michigan's Fish of the Future

• Salmon and trout spawning facilities
  • Root River Steelhead Facility Report
  • Strawberry Creek Weir Report
  • Besadny Anadromous Fisheries Facility Report
• Root River Open House

Lake Michigan groups and projects

• Fish Management Information
• Great Lakes Charter Information
• Great Lakes Fishery Commission
• Great Lakes Fishing Guide Information
• Green Bay Smallmouth Bass Management
• Lake Michigan Commercial Fishing Board
• Lake Michigan Fisheries Forum
• Lake Michigan Lake Trout Management
• Lake Michigan Whitefish Management
• Lake Michigan Salmon and Trout Meetings 2022/2023
• Management Reports
• Net Pen Meeting Presentation - January 2024

What Fish Might I Catch?

• FAQ - Salmon and Trout
• Game Fish You Might Catch
• Wisconsin record fish

Staff

• Joint Position - Wisconsin DNR and UW-Milwaukee [exit DNR]
• Wisconsin DNR Staff Directory

Research Vessel

• RV Coregonus

Get Weather Conditions

• Current stream flow [exit DNR]
• Current stream conditions (temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH) [exit DNR]
• Lake Michigan Buoys [exit DNR]
• Lake Michigan surface temperatures [exit DNR]
• Marine forecast - Lake Michigan - North and South Half [exit DNR]

More Resources

• Commercial Fishing Confidentiality Request 
• Electronic Fish Harvest Reporting System Manual [PDF]
• Great Lakes Daily Commercial Fishing Report [PDF]
• Lake Michigan Fisheries Forum [exit DNR]
• Lake Michigan - Green Bay Research Priorities [PDF]
• Lake Michigan Invasives
• Root River Steelhead Facility Self-Guided Tour

• Sign up to get updates about important Lake Michigan Fisheries Information.