In Season Now: Milwaukee Fishing · Oct. 30
In peak season
- General inland fishing season May 2, 2026 – Mar 7, 2027
- Lake Michigan Year-Round
From this page's species calendar. Check current the state wildlife agency size and creel limits before you fish.
HERE Milwaukee
Milwaukee WI
Fishing
Report
Live conditions, species status, solunar ratings, water body profiles, Wisconsin DNR regulations, and community fishing coverage for Milwaukee County lakes and rivers.
Bass: Hot Bite Crappie: Active Catfish: Active 3 Waters Profiled
First Look • Fishing Conditions
🌖
Waning Gibbous
Illumination: 73%
52°F
49°F
5 mph
1029
as of 8:00 PM ET
Good — fish activity improving as moonlight decreases. Morning bites pick up.
Milwaukee County • Southeastern Wisconsin WI
Your Local Fishing Resource
Milwaukee anglers fish Lake Michigan off the lakefront and the Milwaukee and Menomonee rivers, which draw fall salmon and trout runs. Wisconsin DNR sets the rules.
Current Conditions • Milwaukee Waters
Species Status
Largemouth Bass
HOT
Fall feeding frenzy. Bass are chasing shad and blueback herring. Crankbaits and swimbaits dominate.
Top BaitCrankbait, Swimbait, Jig
Depth10-20 ft structure
Smallmouth Bass
FAIR
River smallmouth in deeper holes and pools. Slower presentations required.
Top BaitTube Jig, Crawfish Pattern, Ned Rig
DepthShoal tail-outs, 3-12 ft
Crappie
ACTIVE
Pre-spawn or fall pattern. Crappie suspending over deeper structure.
Top BaitSmall Tube Jig, Live Minnow, Slip Float
Depth12-20 ft brush
Catfish
ACTIVE
Catfish feeding well in spring and fall. Target deeper holes and channel swings.
Top BaitCut Shad, Chicken Liver, Prepared Stink Bait
DepthChannel edges, 10-30 ft
Bluegill / Bream
FAIR
Bluegill in slower mode. Small jigs under a float near dock pilings and woody structure.
Top BaitCricket, Worm, Small Jig (1/32 oz)
DepthSpawning: 1-4 ft. Non-spawn: dock edges 4-10 ft
Trout
ACTIVE
Trout active in stocked waters. Cold water temperatures keep fish feeding.
Top BaitPowerBait, Night Crawler, Inline Spinner
DepthStocked areas — designated lakes and streams
Species status is based on seasonal patterns and current conditions for Milwaukee County waters. Always verify Wisconsin DNR regulations for creel limits, size minimums, and any current advisories before heading out.
Report a Bite Update
First Look
Weather & Fishing Conditions
52F
Cloudy
Feels like 52°F
as of 8:00 PM ET
Wind
5 mph ESE
Humidity
81%
Pressure
1029 hPa
Est. Water Temp
49°F
Moon
Waning Gibbous
Sunrise / Sunset
7:23 am / 5:46 pm
Location
Milwaukee, WI
On-the-Water Tips
- Calm winds make for ideal casting conditions. Fish will be spooky in clear water — use light line and natural presentations.
Solunar Index
Fishing Conditions Dashboard
Air Temperature
52°F
Too Hot — Dawn/Dusk
Wind Speed
5 mph
Calm — Ideal
Barometric Pressure
1029 hPa
Stable — Active
Moon Phase
🌖
Good
Extended Outlook
5-Day Fishing Forecast
TONIGHT
Chance Rain Showers
58° / 48°
5 mph wind
FAIR
SAT
Chance Rain Showers
55° / 49°
10 mph wind
FAIR
SUN
Partly Sunny
62° / 50°
3 mph wind
GOOD
MON
Mostly Cloudy then Chance Rain Showers
61° / 55°
10 mph wind
GOOD
TUE
Rain Showers Likely
64° / 55°
15 mph wind
FAIR
Lakes & Rivers
Water Body Profiles
3 fishing waters within Milwaukee County — with species, access, tips, and restrictions.
Lake Michigan (Milwaukee harbor and lakefront)
Lake
Chinook Salmon
Coho Salmon
Brown Trout
Rainbow Trout (steelhead)
Yellow Perch
Milwaukee's harbor, breakwalls and lakefront give shore and boat access to Lake Michigan.
Public ramps and piers along the lakefront.
Angler Tip
Fall brings salmon and trout close to the harbor and river mouths.
Milwaukee River
River
Chinook Salmon
Brown Trout
Steelhead
Smallmouth Bass
Northern Pike
The Milwaukee River flows through downtown to the harbor and draws fall salmon and trout runs from Lake Michigan.
Bank access at county parks along the river.
Angler Tip
Fish the fall runs after rain raises the river.
Menomonee River
River
Chinook Salmon
Steelhead
Brown Trout
The Menomonee joins the Milwaukee River near the harbor and gets lake-run fish in fall and spring.
Access through county parkways.
Angler Tip
Watch for fall and spring runs.
Did We Miss a Spot?
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Report a Fishing SpotLocal Experts
Field Guides
No Milwaukee-area fishing guides are listed yet.
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Community
Here We...
Reel Them In...
Big catches, personal bests, and tournament fish from Milwaukee anglers.
Cast Them Cold...
Your favorite post-fishing spots. Where do you go when the rods are stowed?
Coverage
Fishing News HERE
Local — Milwaukee and Southeastern Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Official
Milwaukee fishing
No new Milwaukee-area fishing stories this week. Check current Wisconsin fishing rules from the state wildlife agency, and watch this page for the next local report.
More at Outdoor Sports
Hunting, camping, hiking, and all outdoor sports coverage for Milwaukee and Southeastern Wisconsin WI
Tackle, Rods and Reels
Essential Gear HERE
Gear reviews and picks for the Milwaukee angler — rods, reels, tackle, and kayaks tested for Southeastern Wisconsin WI waters.
Gear Reviews — Tested for Southeastern Wisconsin WI Waters
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Learn About Gear AdvertisingWisconsin DNR
Wisconsin DNR Regulations
License requirements, bag limits, and size limits for Milwaukee County waters. Always verify current regulations at dnr.wisconsin.gov.
WI Fishing Licenses
Bag & Size Limits — Milwaukee Waters
Regulations shown are for general reference. Special rules apply on many individual lakes and rivers. Always verify current rules with Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources at dnr.wisconsin.gov before keeping fish.
Spawn Timing & Key Dates
Season Calendar
May 2, 2026 – Mar 7, 2027
General inland fishing season
Statewide opener May 2; inland stream trout opened Apr 4.
Year-Round
Lake Michigan
Open all year for most species; not muskellunge, lake sturgeon, trout or paddlefish (check Lake Michigan rules).
Spawn timing is approximate and based on typical Milwaukee County water temperature patterns. Actual timing varies by year and water body. Wisconsin DNR trout stocking schedules are published annually — visit dnr.wisconsin.gov for exact dates and stocking locations.
Questions and Answers
Fishing FAQ
Common questions about fishing in the Milwaukee area, answered.
-
Yes. Anglers need a Wisconsin fishing license to fish public waters. See Wisconsin DNR at dnr.wisconsin.gov for current license ages, fees and any free fishing days.
-
Milwaukee County has multiple public fishing lakes. Consult Wisconsin DNR for a full lake-by-lake breakdown covering largemouth bass, crappie, catfish, bluegill, and bream.
-
The best crappie fishing in Milwaukee County is during the spring spawn, which typically runs from late March through April when water temperatures reach 55-65 degrees F. Fish move into shallower water (2-6 feet) around structure, brush piles, and bridge pilings. A second run occurs in fall (October-November) when fish stage deeper at 12-18 feet as water cools.
-
Yes — kayak fishing is well-suited for Milwaukee lakes, especially smaller electric-only water bodies. State-park lakes often offer kayak and canoe rentals and allow human-powered craft without a boating permit. Local rivers frequently offer scenic float trips combining paddling and bass fishing. Consult Wisconsin DNR for blueway maps and put-in/take-out points.
-
Rivers near Milwaukee typically hold a diverse bass fishery — largemouth, smallmouth, spotted bass, and rock bass in rocky shoals. Catfish (channel, blue, flathead) are common. Consult Wisconsin DNR for stocking history and fly-fishing recommendations. Wade fishing at road crossings and kayak floats are the most productive approaches.
-
Wisconsin DNR stocks select Milwaukee County waters with trout, typically in spring and fall when water temperatures are suitable. Stocking locations and schedules are posted annually on the Wisconsin DNR website at https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/ — search for the freshwater trout stocking report. The standard trout bag limit is 5 per day during stocking season. Check the current Wisconsin DNR schedule for specific lakes and streams stocked near Milwaukee.
FISHING NEWS NEAR MILWAUKEE WI
Fishing coverage from the 10 closest HERE cities.