Sheboygan Wisconsin Charter Fishing
Reports
Provided by Captain James Schlegel of Sea Dog
Sportfishing Charters of Sheboygan, with contributing reports
from other area anglers.
| Fishing Reports 2012 | Charter Specials | Free Boat Rides | Sea Dog Charters |
| Past Fishing Reports | Sheboygan's Big Fish | Area Attractions | Captain Schlegel |
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. |
SHEBOYGAN
CHARTER FISHING REPORT - by Captain James Schlegel, May 8, 2012
The 2011 Wisconsin DNR charter fishing harvest report was just released. Sheboygan charters caught 18,269 fish during the 2011 fishing season on 2028 trips. That's an average of 9 fish per trip and a 10% increase from the previous year. That’s a very respectable catch rate, with the majority of those fish being good sized salmon. In addition, 4 of the 5 big fish entered in the local “Big Fish Board” contest also beat the prior year’s entries which include a chinook salmon weighing almost 32 pounds. The 2011 fishing season was considered very successful by all measures. The Sheboygan charter fishing season is now just getting underway and all indications look promising for another record setting season. We had one of our best seasons ever, with an increase in bookings as well as a substantial increase in fish harvest. Sheboygan is still one of the best ports in Wisconsin for Lake Michigan charter fishing. This should not be a surprise considering how busy the port was with fishermen all season long. For many years I've provided a detailed report of the area's charter harvest to the local fishing club for review. I am again 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 29 years as a Sheboygan fishing guide, it's been my pleasure to meet and visit with the thousands of fishing visitors to our area and wish all a very successful fishing season.
MAY
8, 2012 - Captain James Schlegel
Well the boat is back in the water and the 2012 fishing season is underway. We fished this morning just south of the commercial fishing nets in 60 to 100 feet of water. Went 11 for 12 catching everything but a brown trout. The warmer cloudy water was as far out as 2 miles offshore. We decided to set up and fish the clear colder water. Our bigger kings were caught on a dodger fly combo set 60 feet deep on a downrigger. We also had some good luck catching several fish on a silver/green rattlesnake on 5 color lead trolled behind planner boards. This coming up Tuesday May 15th is our annual "Ride a Charter Boat Day" sponsored by the Sheboygan Area Great Lakes Sport Fishermen's club. Free boat rides will be provided by area charter boat captains starting at 6:00 pm along the boardwalk. Also present will be the Sheboygan Coast Guard and area commercial fishermen. Feel free to stop by and visit with our club membership, enjoy a few salmon recipes and enter our all new "Big Fish Challenge" fishing contest for your chance to win $500 in cash this summer.

View a short video of our fishing trip
MAY
14, 2012 - Captain James Schlegel
Fished this morning near the commercial fishing nets in 80 to 130 feet of water. Went 11 for about 16 catching everything but a brown trout. Slow start to begin with, catching only 1 lake trout the first hour fishing in 80 to 100 feet between the nets. We moved out a little deeper and the action started. Had our best luck on the wire divers running the rotating dodger and flies. Also had some success with the downriggers and our high divers on a variety of green/glow Pro-Kings. I’ll be on the riverfront Tuesday May 15, 2012 at 6:00 pm for the annual "Ride a Charter Boat Day" sponsored by the Sheboygan Area Great Lakes Sport Fishermen club. Free boat rides, refreshments and salmon recipes.

View a short video of our fishing trip
MAY
16, 2012 - Captain James Schlegel
More of the same fast action salmon fishing out of the port of Sheboygan. This is the hottest spot on Lake Michigan right now. Fished this morning south of town in 100 to 150 feet of water. Caught our 4 person limit catching a lake trout, 2 rainbows and the rest all chinook salmon. Caught fish on everything we threw at them.. This is by far, the best start to the fishing season I've witnessed in years. Magnum spoons set on downriggers at 100 feet deep were hot.

View a short video of our fishing trip
See last seasons fishing reports
Species |
Weight |
Length |
Date |
Chinook Salmon |
44 lbs. 15 oz. |
47.5" |
07/19/94 |
Coho Salmon |
26 lbs. 1.2 oz. |
38.0" |
08/21/99 |
Rainbow Trout |
27 lbs. 2 oz. |
42.5" |
07/26/97 |
Lake Trout |
47 lbs. 0 oz. |
na |
09/09/46 |
Brown Trout |
41 lbs. 6 oz. |
40.6" |
07/16/10 |
Or call 920-918-2628 for reservations
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