Gear & Tackle

Lakes & Reservoirs

Spin, Cast & Bait

Lake Michigan (Sheboygan) Fishing Guide

Wisconsin

Lake Michigan off Sheboygan, where state creel surveys counted more than 13,000 Chinook salmon kept in 2023, along with coho, lake trout, and rainbows.

Trip at a Glance

Anglers come to Lake Michigan (Sheboygan) for rainbow trout, brown trout, lake trout, chinook salmon and coho salmon. In October, rainbow trout, brown trout, lake trout, chinook salmon and coho salmon are in season, and Suspending Jerkbait, Paddle-Tail Swimbait and Inline Spinner are a good place to start. There are 8 shops within 25 miles (1 fly, 7 bait and tackle); the closest is Lady Angler in Sheboygan, about 1 mi away. Lake Michigan (Manitowoc) is about 25 mi away if you want to make a trip of it.

Season at a Glance

Rainbow Trout
Brown Trout
Lake Trout
Chinook Salmon
Coho Salmon
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What You'll Catch

Lake Michigan (Sheboygan) Species

Rainbow Trout

Rainbow Trout

Prime Now
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Best: Mar to Jun, Sep to Nov

Brown Trout

Brown Trout

Prime Now
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Best: Mar to May, Sep to Nov

Lake Trout

Lake Trout

Prime Now
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Best: May to Jun, Oct to Feb

Chinook Salmon

Chinook Salmon

Prime Now
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Best: May to Oct

Coho Salmon

Coho Salmon

Prime Now
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Best: Aug to Nov

Images: Duane Raver, USFWS; USFWS; Timothy Knepp, USFWS; Michael Humling, USFWS. Public domain.

Plan by Month

What to Use

Month
Fish

6 picks for October. marks species in season in October.

  • Casting Spoon 1/4 to 1 oz

    Lure

    Spoon · Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout · Shallow after ice-out.

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  • Suspending Jerkbait 4 to 5 in

    Lure

    Hard Bait · Brown Trout

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  • Paddle-Tail Swimbait 3 to 5 in

    Lure

    Soft Plastic · Lake Trout · Jigged deep.

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  • Inline Spinner 1/16 to 1/4 oz

    Lure

    Spinner · Rainbow Trout

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  • Nightcrawlers Whole or half

    Bait

    Live Bait · Rainbow Trout · Where bait is legal.

  • Trout Dough Bait Pea size

    Bait

    Prepared Bait · Rainbow Trout · Stocked lakes.

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Rod & Reel

Recommended Setups

Rainbow Trout

Fly 9 ft 5 wt rod, weight-forward floating line, 9 ft 4X to 5X leader. Add a sink-tip and 3X for streamers.

Spin / Cast 6 to 7 ft ultralight or light spinning rod, 1000 to 2500 reel, 4 to 6 lb mono or fluorocarbon.

Brown Trout

Fly 9 ft 5 or 6 wt rod, floating line for dries and nymphs, sink-tip with 0X to 2X for streamers.

Spin / Cast 6.5 to 7 ft light spinning rod, 2500 reel, 6 to 8 lb line. Jerkbaits and inline spinners.

Lake Trout

Fly 8 to 9 wt rod with a full-sink line when fish are shallow after ice-out.

Spin / Cast 7 ft medium-heavy spinning or baitcasting rod, 20 to 30 lb braid with a fluorocarbon leader, or downrigger trolling gear.

Chinook Salmon

Fly 10 ft 9 or 10 wt rod, sink-tip line, 15 to 20 lb leader.

Spin / Cast 9 to 10.5 ft medium-heavy casting rod, line-counter or levelwind reel, 20 to 30 lb line.

Matched to These Species

Gear for Lake Michigan (Sheboygan)

Bait

Berkley PowerBait Trout Dough

Floating scented dough for stocked trout in lakes.

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Spinners

Mepps Aglia Inline Spinner

A classic spinner for trout, bass, and salmon in moving water.

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Rods

Ugly Stik Bigwater Trolling Rod

A long, forgiving trolling rod for downriggers and planer boards.

Check Price

Nets & Tools

Frabill Rubber Mesh Landing Net

A fish-friendly rubber net that does not tangle hooks.

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Spoons

Acme Kastmaster Spoon

A dense spoon that casts a mile and flutters on the fall.

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Rod & Reel Combos

Ugly Stik GX2 Spinning Combo

Nearly unbreakable and sensitive enough for most freshwater fishing. A safe first combo.

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Rod & Reel Combos

Ugly Stik GX2 Ultralight Spinning Combo

Light enough to feel crappie bites and cast small spinners for trout.

Check Price

Reels

Shimano Sedona Spinning Reel

A smooth, durable reel in sizes for trout through inshore saltwater.

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Within 25 Miles

Shops Near Lake Michigan (Sheboygan)

Within 25 Miles

Guides and Charters Near Lake Michigan (Sheboygan)

Make It a Trip

Nearby Water

Lakes & Reservoirs · Wisconsin · About 25 mi

Lake Michigan (Manitowoc)

Lake Michigan off Manitowoc and Two Rivers, where state creel surveys counted more than 17,000 Chinook salmon kept in 2023, plus rainbows, coho, and lake trout.

Chinook Salmon · Rainbow Trout · Coho Salmon

Lakes & Reservoirs · Wisconsin · About 40 mi

Lake Winnebago

Wisconsin's largest inland lake with walleye, white bass, and a sturgeon spearing tradition.

Walleye · Yellow Perch · White Bass

Lakes & Reservoirs · Wisconsin · About 50 mi

Milwaukee Lakefront

Harbor and river mouth fishing for kings and coho on Lake Michigan.

Chinook Salmon · Coho Salmon

Lakes & Reservoirs · Wisconsin · About 60 mi

Green Bay

A Lake Michigan bay with trophy walleye, musky, and smallmouth around Sturgeon Bay.

Smallmouth Bass · Walleye · Muskellunge

Lakes & Reservoirs · Wisconsin · About 61 mi

Lake Michigan (Algoma)

Lake Michigan off Algoma in Kewaunee County, where state creel surveys counted more than 42,000 Chinook salmon kept in 2023, plus rainbows and coho.

Chinook Salmon · Rainbow Trout · Coho Salmon

Rivers & Streams · Wisconsin

Wolf River

A spring spawning run river where walleye and white bass push up from Lake Winnebago.

Walleye · White Bass