Southern Wisconsin is home to some very good fishing for salmon and trout. Whether you fish Lake Michigan or its tributaries in this area, there is some outstanding fishing for salmon and trout from spring through fall. Some anglers even report good success all the way through the winter for steelhead and brown trout, so you have some good options almost year-round in this part of Wisconsin for targeting these fish. There are also some inland lakes that offer fishing for trout as well. Take a look below to learn more about these waters.
Lake Michigan out of Milwaukee, WI
The waters of Lake Michigan outside of Milwaukee are home to some excellent fishing. There is a nice fleet of fishing charters here that operate from spring through fall. If you are open to putting in the boat in the early spring or late fall, you can also do quite well with brown trout and steelhead. During the open water charter season, anglers target chinook salmon, coho salmon, steelhead, brown trout and lake trout.
Milwaukee Harbor
The Milwaukee Harbor is one of the most popular places to fish on Lake Michigan during the winter. The explosion of the brown trout fishery has helped create a world class winter fishery here in Milwaukee. Anglers also catch salmon and steelhead also, but the huge brown trout take most of the headlines here from November through March.
Milwaukee Shore Fishing Spots
Milwaukee has so many shore fishing spots to give anglers the chance to catch big brown trout, chinook salmon, coho salmon and steelhead throughout the year. While you won’t find too many places to have all to yourself, it is truly a unique city in that you don’t have to own a boat to experience some amazing fishing if you time it right. Take a look at the map below to learn more about the shore fishing spots around Milwaukee.
Tributaries
Kinnickinnic River, Milwaukee River and the Menominee River are the 3 primary rivers that flow into the harbor of Milwaukee leading out into Lake Michigan. Anglers target salmon & trout in these rivers in the spring and fall. If you take a look at the map above, you will find some of the popular access points that will help put you on some fish as long as you time it right.
Lake Michigan out of Racine, WI
There are plenty of fishing charters that operate out of Racine. Anglers catch chinook salmon, coho salmon, brown trout, steelhead and lake trout in the Lake Michigan waters out of Racine. In the fall, big numbers of salmon and trout will move into the harbor and then up into the Root River to spawn. Anglers do fish from shore in this area and some will ice fish for brown trout all winter long right in the harbor.
Root River
The Root River is a very popular river for salmon and trout fishing. The DNR runs the Root River Steelhead Facility, which is used for collecting eggs and fish for hatchery purposes. It is open during the spring and the fall and it makes for a cool place to visit. People can watch fish through the viewing windows as these fish hang out in a holding pond until they are passed upstream by workers.
The river provides good fishing depending on the water flow in the spring and fall. With good water flows, it is easier for salmon and trout to move upriver. The easier it is to move upriver, the better it is for spreading these clean fish out throughout the river. When the water is low, many fish will die before making it to some of the good fishing areas upstream of the steelhead facility.
Root River Access Points
Take a look at the map below to learn where to access the Root River.
Spring Runs
In the spring, anglers target steelhead mostly, but some brown trout can be caught too.
Fall Runs
In the fall, anglers catch big chinook salmon to go along with coho salmon, steelhead and brown trout.
Lake Michigan out of Kenosha, WI
Kenosha is a popular port for fishing. You will find many fishing charters that operate out of Kenosha. Anglers catch chinook salmon, coho salmon, brown trout, steelhead and lake trout in the Lake Michigan waters out of Kenosha. In the fall, big numbers of salmon and trout will move into the harbor and then up Pike Creek to spawn. There are several spots to fish from shore here and some anglers will ice fish in the harbor for brown trout and steelhead all winter long.
Pike Creek
Pike Creek gets a good run of salmon and trout in the spring and fall every year, however, it doesn’t compare to a typical year on the Root River in nearby Racine. The biggest problem with Pike Creek is accessibility. There are plenty of good fishing spots along this stream, but getting access to the water is difficult. Anglers usually fish the mouth of Pike Creek from shore or in a boat out on Lake Michigan or inland at Petrifying Springs Park.
Spring Runs
In the spring, anglers target steelhead mostly, but some brown trout can be caught too.
Fall Runs
In the fall, anglers catch big chinook salmon to go along with coho salmon, steelhead and brown trout.
Inland Lakes
Devils Lake
Devils Lake is a popular lake to visit in this area. Devils Lake State Park is here and that gives people access to this scenic lake. There are 2 public boat landings on the lake and 2 public beaches as well. It is a 374 acre lake located in Sauk County. It has a maximum depth of 47 feet. Fish include largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye, trout and panfish. According to the DNR, panfish are abundant in the lake while largemouth bass and northern pike are considered common. The other species of fish are listed as present.
Lake Geneva
Lake Geneva is a 5,401 acre lake located in Walworth County. It has a maximum depth of 135 feet. Visitors have access to the lake from several public boat landings. There are also multiple public beaches on the lake as well. Lake Geneva is a very popular recreational lake for swimming and boating. Fishing is very popular as well, however, you will have to deal with plenty of recreational boater traffic from some very large boats on this lake. Fish include largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, muskie, walleye, lake trout, crappie, bluegill, perch and rock bass. According to the DNR, smallmouth bass are abundant while all other species in the lake are listed as present.
Tichigan Lake
Tichigan Lake is a 279 acre lake located in Racine County. It has a maximum depth of 63 feet. Fish include largemouth bass, northern pike, walleye, smallmouth bass, catfish, trout and panfish. According to the DNR, largemouth bass are abundant in the lake while walleye, northern pike, catfish and panfish are considered common. Smallmouth bass and trout are listed as present.
Twin Valley Lake
Twin Valley Lake is a 136 acre lake located in Iowa County. It has a maximum depth of 32 feet. There is a public beach on the lake. Fish include largemouth bass, muskie, trout, walleye and panfish. According to the DNR, largemouth bass and muskie are common in the lake while walleye, trout and panfish are listed as present.
Yellowstone Lake
Yellowstone Lake is a 453 acre lake located in Lafayette County. It has a maximum depth of 14 feet. Anglers have access to the lake from several public boat landings. There is also a public beach on the lake. Fish include largemouth bass, northern pike, walleye, muskie, trout and panfish. According to the DNR, panfish are abundant in the lake while muskie and largemouth bass are considered common. Northern pike, walleye and trout are listed as present. The water is murky.