Sheboygan Wisconsin Charter Fishing
Reports
Provided by Captain James Schlegel of Sea Dog
Sportfishing Charters of Sheboygan, with contributing reports
from other area anglers.
Updated June 30, 2009
Stay
tuned throughout the season for current Lake Michigan
charter fishing reports from Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Area
charter captains will keep you informed with up to the
minute reports describing the latest fishing activity. Sheboygan is well known for its excellent trout and
salmon fishing, and has held numerous state records over
the years. With a plentiful bait fish supply, deep water
access close to shore, three unique rivers, and a varied
lake bottom structure, Sheboygan continues to produce a
record number of fish all season long.
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2009 Fishing
Reports
SHEBOYGAN
CHARTER FISHING REPORT 2008 - by Captain James Schlegel, April 28,
2009
The 2008 trout and salmon fishing season is now just a memory and another
bright new season is right around the corner. Great Lakes sport fishing
continues to welcome anglers to Sheboygan in search of salmon fishing
adventures. The past several years have been some of the all-time best and area
charter captains are looking forward to another action packed season. The latest
charter harvest report just released by Brad Eggold, fisheries supervisor for
the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources reported another successful
fishing season. The harvest report shows 40 licensed fishing guides operating
out of Sheboygan, two more than in 2007. The Sheboygan charter fishing fleet
reported a respectable 2,378 trips for the season, a decrease of 2.5% from last
year, and the first decrease in fishing trips in 7 years. This decrease in
fishing trips was somewhat expected due to the unseasonable weather conditions,
early season flooding and the slowing of the economy we experienced late last
year. Since 2001, the number of charter fishing trips reported by area charter
captains increased by over 71% and far exceeded everyone’s expectations.
Sheboygan charters hauled in just over 16,000 fish last year, the majority of
the catch was Chinook salmon, the prized sport fish also known as the King. The
2008 season's catch is down from the past 2 record setting seasons, but still a
good years harvest and the fifth all-time best.
There has been a renewed interest in Great Lakes fishing with area captains
and businesses catering to fishermen seeing the benefits. Sheboygan was one of
the most popular spots for fishing this year with only one Wisconsin port
running slightly more charter fishing trips. Keep in mind that charter fishing
only represents a small portion of anglers visiting our shores, with pier and
recreational anglers making up the majority of fishermen utilizing this
resource. In fact, 80% of the angler hours reported to Wisconsin DNR officials
here in Sheboygan are from recreational fishermen and only 20% are from charter
fishing anglers. The City of Sheboygan’s boat ramps and fish cleaning stations
were also active last summer. Sheboygan has long maintained its "Fishermen
Friendly" reputation among the sport fishing community, and is well known for
its outstanding fishing grounds along with its clean and modern boating
facilities popular with fishing tourists.
All of Sheboygan’s fishing tournaments went well, with above average
attendance. Only the Coho Derby which was held in August had weather related
issues and had to be canceled the second day of the tournament. Not only did
area anglers catch a lot of fish this season, they also managed to hook a few
big ones. This year’s "Sheboygan's Big Fish" winner went to Craig Schnuelle
who caught a 26.16 pound Chinook salmon aboard the boat "Aqua Fox" on 8/10/09.
It was the largest documented fish caught out of Sheboygan waters last season
and almost two and a half pounds heavier than the previous years record fish.
Craig along with other area anglers were recognized for their trophy fish and
received an award from the Sheboygan Area Great Lakes Sport Fishermen's Club.
For over 35 years the fishing club has been supporting the local fishery, as
well as, helping to promote the many area fishing events. The fishing club has
sponsored the "Sheboygan's Big Fish" contest for many years and maintains past
area big fish records.
For many years I have provided a detailed report of the area's charter
harvest to the local fishing club for review. Although the numbers are slightly
down from the record setting seasons of the past few years, I am pleased to be
able to submit a report that verifies a healthy and productive sport fishery.
The Lake Michigan salmon fishing here in Sheboygan is still a Great Lakes
success story and the envy of most sport fisheries in the world. Over the past
25 years as a Sheboygan fishing guide, it's been my pleasure to meet and visit
with the thousands of fishing visitors to our area. All the best of luck again
this fishing season.
MAY
30, 2009 - Captain James Schlegel
Stay tuned, the
boats are in the water and fishing reports are coming soon.
JUNE
7, 2009 - Captain James Schlegel
Fished this
morning from 5:30 am to 8:30 am straight out of the harbor in 80 to 100 feet of
water. Caught 5 chinook salmon and lost one. No consistent fishing pattern
today. Had some luck using a green and glow magnum spoon on a downrigger set at
80 feet. Also had some luck with the green and white plastic dodgers running
about 50 to 60 feet deep. Marked plenty of bait fish in the area and the water
temperature was in the mid forties.
JUNE
9, 2009 - Captain James Schlegel
Fished this
morning back and forth around the Chamberlain ship wreck. Caught a variety of
fish including a nice sized chinook salmon topping the scale at 19 pounds. We
boated 9 fish consisting of 4 salmon, 3 rainbows and 2 lake trout. The rainbow
trout were caught on spoons, while the salmon and trout were taken deeper on
dodger flies. Marked some good sized schools of baitfish and the surface water
temperature was around 45 degrees.
JUNE
14, 2009 - Captain James Schlegel
Had the pleasure
of guiding some first timers from South Dakota to some excellent Lake Michigan
salmon fishing. Fished north of town this morning around the Phoenix wreck. We
spoiled them right off the bat with a big king that screamed out more than a 100
yards of line. We ended our trip catching 3 chinook salmon, a coho, a lake trout
and the memories of the ones that got away. Our best luck today hooking the
kings were using a variety of 8 inch dodgers and flies running about 60 to 80
feet deep. The lake trout and coho took a silver rattlespoon trolled on the
surface behind a planer board. Surface water temperature was about 52 degrees
and had warmed up considerably the last few days.
JUNE
16, 2009 - Captain James Schlegel
Went offshore
this afternoon in search of salmon. Fished south of the harbor between 120 to
200 feet of water. Could not find any salmon today but the rainbow trout were
active. Hooked several big rainbows running spoons on the surface. As soon as
they get hooked, they completely jump out of the water and twist and spin.
Unfortunately for us, we lost a bunch that afternoon. They hit spoons trolled on
the surface and as deep as 110 feet deep on a downrigger. Surface water was up
to 55 degrees.
JUNE
21, 2009 - Captain James Schlegel
Fished offshore
again all day in 180 to 270 feet of water just south of the harbor. Had some
luck trolling a variety of spoons on the surface behind planner boards for
rainbows and cohos. Unfortunately we lost more than we put in the boat today,
but it was fun while it lasted. We also had some luck trolling white and glow
dodgers on the downriggers with about 110 feet of cable. The lake surface water
temperatures are warming up quickly with the calm sunny weather we have had this
weekend. Pictured is our afternoons catch with a group from Milwaukee of a large
chinook salmon, 2 rainbow trout, 4 coho salmon and a whitefish.
JUNE
24, 2009 - Captain James Schlegel
Had real good
luck fishing offshore the past couple of days. We've been coming in with all the
Great Lakes sport fish except the brown trout the past 3 trips in a row. More
and more chinook salmon, also known as the king are now being caught every trip
by area anglers. We had some fast action this morning catching a variety of fish
and some good sized kings. For their first time fishing Lake Michigan, the kids
battled several doubles and did awesome job of landing fish. We fished just
south of town in 140 to 240 feet of water, and our best action was in about
the 200 foot range. Actually it really didn't seem to matter. We fished spoons
on the surface behind planner boards and dodger/flies on the downriggers and
diver rods. Most of the salmon hit baits trolled about 50 to 70 feet down. The
kids told me the last time they had this much fun was when their little sister
was trampled by pigs?
JUNE
27, 2009 - Captain James Schlegel
Had our annual 6
boat fishing tournament this morning. Fished from 150 to 250 feet of water. The
Lake was again flat calm and a variety of fish have been caught. Again there was
no clear fishing pattern today. We caught fish from the surface to 120 feet deep
on downriggers. At the moment the fish just seem to be scattered throughout the
water column. A variety of spoons trolled on the surface and some dodger and fly
combinations on downriggers worked best.
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2009
Calendar of Events
- January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2009 Sheboygan's Big Fish Contest
- February 7, 2009 SAGLSF Awards Banquet
- March 14, 2009 SAGLSF Fishing Swap Meet
- May 19, 2009 Ride a Charter Boat Day sponsored by the SAGLSF
- May 25 to September 7, 2009 SAGLSF Club Fishing Contest
- June 6-7, 2009 Wisconsin Free Fishing Weekend, no license
required
- June 13-14, 2009 Sheboygan Salmon Cup Fishing Tournament
- June 18, 2009 Fishing Program at Kohler Andrea State Park
- June 27, 2009 SAGLSF Junior Coho Derby
- July 12, 2009 SAGLSF Sheboygan/Ozaukee Club Fishing Contest
- July 15, 2009 Women's Powder Puff Fishing Derby
- July 16, 2009 Fishing Program at Kohler Andrea State Park
- August 8-9, 2009 Riverfront Coho Derby
- August 13, 2009 Fishing Program at Kohler Andrea State Park
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Wisconsin's State Record
Fish
Species
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Weight
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Length
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Date
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Chinook Salmon
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44 lbs. 15 oz.
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47.5"
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07/19/94
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Coho Salmon
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26 lbs. 1.2 oz.
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38.0"
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08/21/99
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Rainbow Trout
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27 lbs. 2 oz.
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42.5"
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07/26/97
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Lake Trout
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47 lbs. 0 oz.
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na
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09/09/46
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Brown Trout
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36 lbs. 8.9 oz.
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40.5"
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08/23/04
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