Sheboygan Wisconsin Charter Fishing Reports
Provided by Captain James Schlegel of Sea Dog Sportfishing Charters of Sheboygan, with contributing reports from other area anglers.

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2011 Fishing Reports

SHEBOYGAN CHARTER FISHING REPORT - by Captain James Schlegel, May 10, 2011

After another successful fishing season in 2010, we are looking forward to more of the same this year. Last year we had one of our better seasons, with an increase in bookings as well as a substantial increase in fish harvest. Sheboygan is now Wisconsin's leader in charter fishing, having guided more fishing trips than any other port in the state. This should not be a surprise considering how busy the port was with fishermen all year long. Sheboygan witnessed a huge increase in harvest last year up almost 150% from the previous season. The majority of that harvest increase is contributed specifically to the Chinook salmon and rainbow trout fishery. 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 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 successful fishing season.

MAY 10, 2011 - Captain James Schlegel

Well the boat is now in the water and the 2011 fishing season is underway. We fished today in 20 to 30 foot of water straight out of the harbor and went 4 for 7. We caught 3 brown trout and a lake trout working just outside the harbor. And just to start the fishing season out true to form, the big one really did get away. We used a variety of stick baits trolled behind planner boards and spoons on the downriggers and side poles. The lake water temperature was between 52 and 46 degrees today. This coming up Tuesday May 17th 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 18, 2011 - Captain James Schlegel

We didn't want to over shoot 'em this morning, so we started right outside the harbor. Had some good luck catching everything but a rainbow today. Caught 2 cohos, 2 chinook salmon and a brown trout during our morning trip. Then went back out again in the evening and went 7 for 10, catching 2 lake trout and 5 chinook salmon. Fished 20 to 30 feet of water just south of the harbor. Surface water temperature was around 49 degrees. A variety of spoons worked best for us today. It's good to see plenty of salmon around our harbor this early in the season. On behalf of the Sheboygan Area Great Lakes Sport Fishermen's club I would like to thank all the captains and volunteers who made Tuesday nights "Ride a Charter Boat Day" another successful event.

MAY 21, 2011 - Captain James Schlegel

We fished this weekend just outside the harbor area in 30 to 40 foot of water. We had some good luck catching all salmon. Saturday afternoon we picked up 3 cohos and 3 chinook salmon. There was no real pattern other than large magnum spoons seemed to work best. We also tried a variety of dodger fly combinations and picked up a coho on an orange flasher/fly. Water temperature was in the mid 50's today and I'm seeing more schools of bait fish daily.

View a short video of our fishing trip

MAY 25, 2011 - Captain James Schlegel

The fish were a little slippery this morning as we went 8 for 14, catching 2 kings and 6 cohos. We fished just outside the harbor where huge schools of alewives were being targeted by both fish and birds. Although this years weather has not been the best, the fishing has been ahead of schedule. The amount of cohos hanging around our port is a welcome sight. Most of our fish today came on smaller spoons. Looking forward to a big temperature warm up for next week.

View a short video of our fishing trip

MAY 28, 2011 - Captain James Schlegel

Didn't want to over shoot 'em, so we starting fishing right outside the harbor area this morning. Went 8 for 11 this morning, catching 5 kings and 3 cohos. We haven't had to travel far all year. Small spoons worked well for us today. Water temperatures are now in the upper 40's. Nice to see plenty of boats now on the water.

View a short video of our fishing trip

MAY 29, 2011 - Captain James Schlegel

Fished the harbor area this morning and had plenty of action. We lost count of how many got away, but still had another successful outing. Huge schools of bait fish are holding the salmon right at our doorstep. Trolling back and forth across the river water exiting our harbor consistently produced fish.

JUNE 1, 2011 - Captain James Schlegel

Fished the harbor area every day for the past nine days. Tons of baitfish have gathered around the harbor and river holding salmon near by. We caught our limit yesterday afternoon and 2 shy of our limit this morning. This has got to be some of the best early coho salmon fishing I've experienced in years. All cohos and one king salmon today. Our best luck was working the stained water just outside the pier heads.

View a short video of our fishing trip

JUNE 5, 2011 - Captain James Schlegel

After weeks of fishing the harbor area we moved offshore this afternoon. We set up in 150 feet of water just south of the harbor and kept trolling east. We had all kinds of action fishing the top 50 feet of water out to a depth of 250 feet. Our best action was using the small orange dodger and fly combinations trolled behind planner boards. We also had several fish on downriggers and diver rods using smaller spoons. We lost a lot of hard hitting fish on the planner boards, but still landed 9 cohos and a rainbow trout.

View a short video of our fishing trip

JUNE 11, 2011 - Captain James Schlegel

Fished offshore this morning in 130 to 200 feet of water just south of the harbor. This has been some of the best early season fishing I've ever witnessed in 28 years as a fishing guide. Limit catches have been the norm on almost all our trips this week. The majority of fish being cohos, with some nice kings and rainbows. Our best action has been using the small orange dodgers and any color fly.

JUNE 14, 2011 - Captain James Schlegel

Fished offshore this morning in 130 to 240 feet of water just south of the harbor. Still the most consistent coho fishing in years here in Sheboygan. We limited out many of our groups who witnessed some spectacular salmon fishing the past few days. The small orange dodgers and flashers did most of the damage trolled behind planner boards. Also had some good luck with smaller spoons on the diver rods and shallow downriggers. A number of exceptional large fish have been caught this past week, including a 27lb lake trout and a 15lb rainbow trout. Consider joining the local fishing club and participate in the club fishing contest for your chance to win up to $1175 in prize money to be awarded this year. For as little as $20 per individual and $25 a couple you can become a member of the award winning Sheboygan Area Great Lakes Sport Fishermen's club.

View a short video of our fishing trip

JUNE 19, 2011 - Captain James Schlegel

I know it sounds like a broken record now, but the fishing here in Sheboygan is simply fantastic. Double digit catches have been the norm for the past several weeks. Coho salmon make up the majority of the harvest, as well as a few king salmon and rainbow trout. Our best action has been using orange dodger and flies in the top 15 feet of water in depths ranging from 120 to 200 foot. We have also had some success with deep downriggers for the larger salmon.

JUNE 23, 2011 - Captain James Schlegel

Double digit catches have still been the norm for the past several days. Fished this morning between 100 and 200 feet of water straight out of the harbor. We are now seeing a variety of fish being caught. The past couple of trips we caught everything but a brown trout. The small orange dodger and flies are still catching most of our fish.

JUNE 28, 2011 - Captain James Schlegel

Still fishing offshore between 80 and 150 feet of water. A good mixed bag of fish are now being caught and the weather is finally improving. Bigger kings are now showing up, and we are having luck using a variety of dodgers on downriggers and wire dipsy rods.

JULY 8, 2011 - Captain James Schlegel

Fished this morning north of town in about 90 to 110 feet of water. Caught a total of 10 fish catching kings, cohos and rainbow trout. Almost all the fish taken today were caught on the surface using the small orange dodgers and flies trolled behind planner boards. We have had almost dead calm seas now for the past week and its been a pleasure compared to our cold and windy early season.

View a short video of our fishing trip

JULY 31, 2011 - Captain James Schlegel

I've been on the water fishing every day this month and its only fitting to end with a bang. Found a nice pocket of fish this morning out in 240 feet of water. Caught our 3 person limit by 6:37 am and headed back to the dock. Some of the fastest fishing of the season catching 4 rainbows, 6 chinook salmon and 6 cohos. Flat calm water has still been the norm for weeks now and the fishing continues to only get better. Cold water and plenty of bait fish are holding these fish here in Sheboygan.

View a short video of our fishing trip

AUGUST 6, 2011 - Captain James Schlegel

Limit catches all weekend long with some past customers. Calm waters and warm temperatures make for some enjoyable fishing on Lake Michigan.

SEPTEMBER 2, 2011 - Captain James Schlegel

We have been busy all week long, focusing on the larger king salmon gathering around our harbor. Cold water has been pushed to our shoreline and the big kings are here. Caught some the the largest fish of the season the past few days including a 26 pounder Thursday morning. A variety of spoons, plugs and some stick baits have worked well. Pictured is our Friday mornings catch.

SEPTEMBER 8, 2011 - Captain James Schlegel

Still fishing the harbor area several times a day for the larger king salmon. This is the time of year our guests visit Sheboygan to target that trophy fish. A variety of spoons, plugs and some stick baits have worked well. Went 7 for 12 this morning catching all king salmon and one coho salmon.

View a short video of our fishing trip

SEPTEMBER 11, 2011 - Captain James Schlegel

Fished the harbor area this morning and hauled in several hundred pounds of fish. This is the best time of year to target some of the largest fish of the season close to shore. Caught 14 chinook salmon and 2 cohos fishing just outside the harbor. A variety of spoons, plugs and some stick baits have worked well.

SEPTEMBER 14, 2011 - Captain James Schlegel

Despite a cold front moving through this morning we still had some good action at sunrise. Lost a few during the early morning chaos but still managed 6 nice kings in the boat. Fished the harbor area this morning with fish jumping all around us. This is a great time to catch that trophy fish in shallow water. Our best luck this morning was using a variety of old school J-Plugs

View a short video of our fishing trip

SEPTEMBER 20, 2011 - Captain James Schlegel

Had fast action early around the harbor then went offshore. Caught 2 cohos and 2 kings at sunrise trolling plugs around the harbor. Fish were again jumping all around us but decided not to bite as the sun was up. Packed up and traveled to 150 feet of water where we caught a lake trout and one more king trolling magnum spoons.

SEPTEMBER 22, 2011 - Captain James Schlegel

West winds turned the lake over and cold water is now at our shoreline. Fished the harbor area this afternoon for a few hours and had some good luck catching 2 browns, 1 coho and 7 kings. If conditions stay as forecast, expect some fast paced fishing action the next few days.

View a short video of our fishing trip

SEPTEMBER 25, 2011 - Captain James Schlegel

Fished this morning starting in 60 foot of water and worked out to 120 foot. Good steady action all morning long on downriggers using magnum spoons and dodger fly combinations. Strong east winds picked up and we had to end our trip early after 3 hours. Caught 2 rainbow trout and 9 chinook salmon. This was a great week for catching some big salmon. The Sheboygan Area Great Lakes Sport Fishermen's club which sponsors the "Sheboygan Big Fish Board" just registered 2 trophy fish. Theodore Hocevar caught a huge 31.85 pound chinook salmon on the south pier on 9/21/11, while Jim McCauley aboard the boat Tonka Toy landed a 15.09 pound coho salmon on 9/22/11.

OCTOBER 9, 2011 - Captain James Schlegel

Caught our limit for our guests every trip this weekend. Fished straight out of the harbor in 120 to 160 feet of water catching mainly 2 and 3 year old king salmon. Best action was on downriggers and wire diver rods running 60 to 110 feet deep. Had luck using a variety of old school magnum spoons and standard white and green dodgers. This week was a real pleasure fishing with mild weather, calm seas and good consistent fishing. This time of the season is your best opportunity to fill the freezer with quality salmon before the snow flies.

View a short video of our fishing trip

OCTOBER 12, 2011 - Captain James Schlegel

The hot fishing out of the port of Sheboygan continues. Caught 19 kings this morning fishing straight out of the harbor in 120 to 150 feet of water. The downriggers did most of the damage running 60 to 110 feet deep. Standard magnum spoons and a few dodger flies worked well all morning long. Surface water temperature was around 54 degrees and the lake was again flat calm. This will certainly be one of the best fishing seasons to date.

View a short video of our fishing trip


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