Lake Michigan — shoreline smallies???

I tend to fish north/south of the Milwaukee area for salmon each year. Last year we ran into some unique conditions, which had us fishing very close to the shore. While we were in 10-30 feet of water at times, and I could see some pretty cool bottom content – mainly rock/boulder areas.

I have heard of fantastic smallmouth fishing in Lake Michigan, but have never actually tried it, nor would I know what areas do / don’t hold smallies.

So my question as it pertains to the Port Washington – Milwaukee – Racine shoreline areas — does the entire shoreline area (in general) support smallie populations through the summer? When the salmon fishing slows mid-day, would it be worthwhile casting the rocky-bottom shorelines up/down the beach with jigs/plastics, cranks, etc?

Or are these areas devoid of smallies or have such low populations that its not worth trying for them?

(Same question could be asked of walleyes, I suppose…)

Thanks

Mike

I believe some are there but the populations may not be that large.

I grew up in NW Indiana fishing the big lake for most of my childhood. Smallie locations were a tightly held secret on the lake, even today. I will say this though. The biggest smallie I caught in my life was off lake michgan by the steel mills. No scale but as a high school kid at 5 feet 8inches. I could put my fist in its mouth and holding it at my side from the lip, it’s tale curled on the ground (released ) From what I can remember you are looking for the right structure but some water is not as productive as others.

Personally I heard the same thing and I plan to fish the big pond in Milwaukee a couple of times and target smallies and big northerns to see if I can find some. The shoreline here is siignificantly different than NW indiana.

D

Mike:

When I lived in Kenosha, I heard many more things about the smallies than the walleyes. Now that they have stocked ‘eyes back in the Milwaukee River, that might change. I would suggest tubin’ or drop shotin’ to see if you can find an untapped smallie fishery…

Mark

I grew up in Racine and have fished the “south-of-Milwaukee” region for nearly 30 years. In that time span, have only caught a few bass. Before they built the marina in Racine, we caught huge pike pushing the 20# mark. I have caught a VERY few smallies and walleyes at the Oak creek Power plant and a few more in the Milwaukee harbor. At best, they are a rare catch. The southern WI shoreline tends to be more clay.

Up near Schuyler Creek, the Lake side of Door County becomes much more rock and sand. I’m not real sure of the actual transition line. But I have had some outstanding days in most of the Lake MI side bays for smallies. The biggest problem I have encountered up there is the fluctuating water temps. Compared to the Green Bay side of Door County tend to have a more stable water temp. I’ve often wondered about the areas around Algoma???