Milwaukee Browns - Lake Michigan – including Green Bay & Bay de Noc - Lake Michigan – including Green Bay & Bay de Noc

With reports of high, dirty water still prevalent on the Rock, decided to let things settle down there a bit before chasing Mr. Marble-eyes, and hit the Big Pond yesterday afternoon for another round of Brown trout action in the harbor. While the winds were not particulary friendly for a Lake MI trip, with easterlies coming in at 10 to 15 mph, it made little difference in the quiet areas we found in the marina. Our plan was to pitch gulp and cranks the whole afternoon, so the downriggers and other heavy-duty salmon gear stayed home. Equipped with spinning rods, Gulp, and crank baits, we boated a nice 8 pounder after missing three other hits on our first drift. Two other drifts produced a hit or two plus a boated fish on each drift in the same stretch. It was so well protected from the wind, that I needed to engage the bow mount now and then to keep us moving. Fished mostly in 15 fow or so.
We decided to take a run over to the discharge wall in the main harbor, where we found only one other boat tied up. Spent 30 minutes or so there, and got one small brown, 3 lbs, before exploring a couple other areas. With the wind churning things up in the main harbor and the river, we finished the afternoon back in the quiet zone, landing a nice 14 lbr., spewing eggs all over the boat as we unhooked and released her, and missing two more fish. In total, we boated 6 browns, ranging from 3 to 14 lbs, all coming on 5″Gulp Jerk shad, in 4.5 hours of fishing. My buddy kept two of the smaller fish for the smoker.
A DNR creel survey worker met us at the launch and measured and weighed the two we kept. He told me that the Browns do reproduce naturally in these waters, which was news to me. After questioning his statement, he reaffirmed that he was certain of this. So if true, that’s great news for this fishery. Am scheduled to take two guys out Thursday afternoon, probably sticking with the same technique; will report if we make it out. Water temps ranged from 40 to 44 yesterday, so there should be some fish still hanging around the harbor for some time to come. After that, though, it’s going to be time to hit the rivers for some eyes.

Three of us went back out to the harbor yesterday afternoon for another round. Started fishing at 1:30 or so, and spent most of our time in the marina area, but also did a little exploring in the river and main harbor areas. Water temps ranged from 39 to 44 degrees. Only boated two yesterday, largest at 8 lbs, lost two on thrashing jumps boatside, and had several short hits. All action came in the marina on 5 inch gulp jerk shads…in hindsight, should have used a stinger…might have gotten a few of the short hits. Downsized to smaller gulp for a while, but no takers on that. Threw spoons and cranks, too, but again no takers. Quit at 6:30,…the breeze cut right through us by then, and we were all ready for a warmer-upper.