Smokeys weekly fishing report by Captains Claus and Ruffolo 10/7/25

The very warm weather over the weekend drove fishing activity up once again. Looking ahead this
week, we will now start sliding into a little more mild weather but the signs of a bigger cool down do not
look like we will see that until mid-month.
The Walleye bite continued to be solid when the wind allowed folks to venture out. Most reports were
from the trollers working the east shore areas from 10 out to 18 fow. Volks to Vincent and the area
from Red River to Dykesville both provided some action to anglers trolling #7 or #9 Flicker Minnows.
Perch colored cranks along with purple and white baits were the best. Anglers could also be sure to find
a few more Pike than normal along that east shore while trolling cranks due to the increase in Perch in
the area. A few reports of a decent mud bite have popped up from Geanos north to Pensaukee. Anglers
working 26 to 30 fow trolling #9 Flicker Minnows with snap weights saw some catches. In the evenings
reports have been of a good shallow trolling crank bait bite along the east shore areas and the reef tops
like Volks and Vincent.
With the continued warm water the Perch activity has still been red hot for the most part. Anglers
working just off the east shore reefs have reported finding fish in 14-16 fow. Reports have also come in
from Chaudoir’s Dock up to Sugar Creek of good action from 22-30 fow. Also anglers working off the
deep edge of Oconto Shoal have seen great catches of big Perch. Dead sticking methods with minnows
and crawlers have been reported to be working equally.
Musky anglers have seen an up tick in the action on the trolling bite as of late. Trolling cranks like Super
Shads has been reported taking several nice fish around Geanos, Suamico and University Bay. Do not
overlook the casting bite just yet until this water temperature cools off a little more.
Please consider releasing all your big Perch over 12” !
If you go, please be safe, and take a kid fishing
Brought to you by
Capt. Robert Claus Capt. Jerry Ruffolo
FinFanatic Charters Anglers Plus Guide Service
920-360-2904 920-973-2868
finfanaticcahrters@yahoo.com anglersplus@yahoo.com
www.finfanatic.net www.anglerspluswi.com

Smokeys weekly fishing report by Captains Claus and Ruffolo 9/29/25

The continued warm weather has certainly provided anglers looking to get out for some early fall fishing
with some spectacular fishing friendly weather. It looks like this trend may continue doe the next week
or so.
Walleye anglers around the lower bay are reporting good action for walleye. Reports have been of the
best action being in the first few hours of day light and the last few. Some of the best action is trolling

7 Flicker Shads and Minnows behind Off Shore planar boards. The areas around Kidney Island, College

Reef and the East University Bay shoreline have all produced some good catches. Anglers trolling the
shorelines from Vincent Reer all the way to Dykesville have also reported having good walleye success.
If there is a good “Walleye Chop” troll your baits into less than 10 fow. If it is calmer move out to 12-16
fow. The early morning and evening bites right on top of Vincent, Volks, and Macco’s reefs have also
been good. If you like to jig or cast for your walleye anglers throwing Shiver Minnows and jig and
crawler combos along with some purple hair jigs are having some success again early mornings and
evenings right on top of the reefs.
The night bite up in Door County has turned on decent the last week or two. Trolling #7 and #9 Flicker
Minnows and P-10’s shallow along shorelines from Sugar Creek to Little Sturgeon Bay has been
productive after dark. Also the shallow reef tops on Larsons Reef has been producing some decent
catches after dark most nights.
As has been the case all summer Perch fishing continues to be the best action for anglers across the
whole Bay most days. Currently the best bites have been in 14-18 fow off Volks and Vincent reefs. Also
20-24 fow around Bayshore launch area and Dykesville. Many anglers this week reported the action
picking up off Chaudior’s Dock North South reef and Sugar Creek areas also. 22-30 fow. There have
been reports of decent action aro und Little Sturgeon and downtown Sturgeon Bay along the shipping
channel and weeds. With the warm waters most reports are that pieces of Night crawlers have still
been out producing minnows but most anglers are using both with good results. Dead sticking with a
bell sinker on the bottom or a drop shot rig have been productive, but do not overlook slip bobbers. A
few anglers I spoke with reported having some success with small 2” plastics on a 1/8 oz jig.
Musky anglers have been reporting the casting bite has remained strong, throwing Buck tails and bi
plastics. Pensaukee, Geano’s and even along shoreline areas from Macco’s Reef to Chaudoir’s Dock
Stop in a Smokey’s on the Bay for all your Fall bait and tackle needs! Minnows to Buck tails ha has it all!
If you go, please be safe, and take a kid fishing
Brought to you by
Capt. Robert Claus Capt. Jerry Ruffolo
FinFanatic Charters Anglers Plus Guide Service
920-360-2904 920-973-2868
finfanaticcahrters@yahoo.com anglersplus@yahoo.com
www.finfanatic.net www.anglerspluswi.com

Smokeys weeklyfishing report by Captains Claus and Ruffolo 9/22/25

Anglers trolling crank baits around the southern bay continue to report success for Walleye. University
Bay areas 10’ of less have been good both along the east shoreline and the rock areas in front of Kidney
Island and College Reef. Reports of a good bite around Vincent reef and Volks reef and the Dykesville
area have all come in these last few days. Trolling Flicker Minnows in size #7 has been the best with
Purple/White patterns and Perch patterns being the most productive. Speeds under 1.8mph have been
the best. The areas around Sturgeon Bay have begun to show signs of a good night Walleye bite as of
the last week also. Henderson Point and Larsons Reef have all seen some action trolling cranks at night.
Chrome color baits have been the best in that clear water at night.
Perch fishing continues to be strong everywhere on Green Bay. Volks, Vincent, Dykesville, and North
South Reef, Geanos reef, Oconto Shoal, and the shipping channel up in Sturgeon Bay all reporting good
bites through out the week. Pieces of night crawlers dominate the action but in the early mornings Fat
head minnows continue to be productive. Slip Bobbers, drop shot, and dead stick rigs all reported to be
catching fish.
Musky anglers around Pensaukee and Geanos have reported still seeing sporadic activity. Most anglers
are casting buck tails with mild success. The anglers using trolling tactics have seen an up-tic in action
due to the fish moving on some of the Shad movements in the lower Bay. Trolling Super Shads has been
a favorite as usual.
If you go, please be safe, and take a kid fishing
Brought to you by
Capt. Robert Claus Capt. Jerry Ruffolo
FinFanatic Charters Anglers Plus Guide Service
920-360-2904 920-973-2868
finfanaticcahrters@yahoo.com anglersplus@yahoo.com
www.finfanatic.net www.anglerspluswi.com

Smokeys weekly fishing report by Captains Claus and Ruffolo 9/15/25

Warming weather trends have helped with a slight (very slight) increase in Fishing activity. Although
with the opening of WI Bow Season this weekend showed light pressure on the waterway.
Anglers trolling crank baits still have been reporting the best success. Some activity out in University Bay
around Geanos Reef, and out in the “mud” seemed to be the best reports. #7 Flicker minnows in shad
colors were reported to be some of the best baits around shallower structure. Out in the deeper mud
basin from 26-32 fow #9 Flicker Minnows using the 50+2 method were reported to be the best with the
always popular purple tones being the best. Some reports have surfaced of a few Walleyes being caught
at night around the Larsons Reef area and the Hendersons Point area on crank baits.
Perch fishing has saw an increase in angler activity with areas around Volks, Vincent, Dykesville, and
North South Reef all reporting good bites through out the week. The West shore has seen a good deep-
water bite for Perch with areas off Geanos, Pensaukee, and Oconto in 25-35 fow all producing good
catches. Earlier in the week Minnows were working better but as the water warmed Crawlers began to
dominate the action. Slip Bobbers, drop shot, and dead stick rigs all reported to be catching fish.
Musky anglers reported a slowdown in activity with the warmer temps. More anglers were back to
casting techniques vs trolling.
If you go, please be safe, and take a kid fishing
Brought to you by
Capt. Robert Claus Capt. Jerry Ruffolo
FinFanatic Charters Anglers Plus Guide Service
920-360-2904 920-973-2868
finfanaticcahrters@yahoo.com anglersplus@yahoo.com
www.finfanatic.net www.anglerspluswi.com

Smokeys weekly fishing report by Captains Claus and Ruffolo 9/8/25

Most of the fishing on Green Bay this last week can be described as “Not Great” the cold front that hit
with the winds and cold overnight temperatures dropped water temps from the low 70’s to the low 60’
all over the lower Bay. Reports of water temps in the upper 50’s have come in from the norther bay.
Anglers trolling crank baits have had the best success for Walleye. The best reports have come from the
East shore around Volks, Vincent and Bayshore. Flicker minnows in purple color variations have been
the best both in #7 and #9 size. Slow your trolling speed down with this cooling water temperature. In
stead of trolling 2.0mph slow your speed to 1.5mph until the water temps begin to warm up.
Perch fishing has also slowed with the weather but still has provided some good angler action. Minnows
below slip bobbers or on drop shot rigs or perch rigs have been the best. Using your electronics to
locate some fish has been key as they have been tight to the bottom on the outsides of the reefs both
along the east and west shore.
Musky anglers have seen and increase in activity and an increase in fishing pressure. Many anglers have
switched to trolling this past week with the cool down and running Super Shads has produced a few nice
fish for a few lucky anglers. The main target areas continue to be Pensaukee and Geanos.
Some schools of Shad have begun to make their way toward the Fox river and some reports of shore
anglers catching a few walleye in the mornings and evenings up at the dam casting have begun to
surface.
If you go, please be safe, and take a kid fishing
Brought to you by
Capt. Robert Claus Capt. Jerry Ruffolo
FinFanatic Charters Anglers Plus Guide Service
920-360-2904 920-973-2868
finfanaticcahrters@yahoo.com anglersplus@yahoo.com
www.finfanatic.net www.anglerspluswi.com

Smokeys weekly fishing report by Captains Claus and Ruffolo 9/2/25

Green Bay Walleye fishing can best be described as so/so this last week. Many anglers are reporting
very inconsistent fishing from University Bay all the way to northern Door County. One day you may
find active fish in a location and the next day they just do not want to eat your baits. With the big cold
front approaching do not expect things to improve much until the weather stabilizes.
Trolling crank baits or harnesses along shorelines or around reef areas has been one of the tactics that
has been producing a few Walleye catches at times. Flicker Minnows in purple and white patterns along
with Perch patterns have been the best. Anglers pulling crawler harness are reporting purple and gold
blades working to fool a few fish on occasion. The same tactics have produced a few catches out in the
deeper mud areas off Geanos and Pensaukee at times. Snap weighting Flicker minnows have worked
along with inline weights with harnesses both trolled fairly slow have produced some results when the
feeding windows open. Use your electronics out in the mud to locate schools of fish before dropping
your baits in the water to at least get you in the ballpark of some fish.
Anglers in search of a trophy Walleye are reporting having only some success with search baits or Shiver
Minnows up around the Door County islands and northern reefs.
Perch fishing continues to be outstanding most days. Activity around Geanos reef and the weeds north
of there and up around Pensaukee have been one of the better bites this past week. Don’t overlook the
deeper water off Dykesville as that has also been consistent. Minnows on dead sticks or drop shot rigs
have been producing along with slip bobbers with crawler pieces.
Musky anglers have been tight lipped as of late but there has been in increase in musky fishing activity
along the weeds north of Geanos and Pensaukee. Anglers have reported not a great deal of success and
most are throwing buck tails and Jerk baits. Look for that action to increase as the water temps begin to
cool over the next few weeks. Schools of Shad have already been seen making their way down the bay.
If you go, please be safe, and take a kid fishing
Brought to you by
Capt. Robert Claus Capt. Jerry Ruffolo
FinFanatic Charters Anglers Plus Guide Service
920-360-2904 920-973-2868
finfanaticcahrters@yahoo.com anglersplus@yahoo.com
www.finfanatic.net www.anglerspluswi.com

Smokeys weekly fishing report by Captains Claus and Ruffolo 8/25/25

Green Bay walleye activity continues to show its moody side from day to day. Anglers paying attention
to their electronics will see bait fish in most areas around reefs and in the mud off structure from
University Bay up to Door County. This is the biggest reason the fish do not always want to cooperate.
If weather allows be a versatile angler and be able to move around to various spots to locate active
Walleye. This weeks windy forecast will certainly shake things up a bit.
Trolling crank baits around the rocky reef tops of Volks, Vincent and Geanos has proven productive at
time this last week. Anglers running #7 Flicker Minnows or Flicker Shads have both been finding some
active Walleye at times. Most anglers reporting depts of 8-12’ of water being the most productive.
Also, anglers trolling crawler harnesses or crank baits like #7 Flicker Minnows along the shorelines from
Chaudior’s Dock up to Little Sturgeon have reported good success at times this last week. Not many
reports of anglers having success in the mud off Geanos to Pensaukee this last week.
Walleye chasers in search of a trophy are still reporting having success with search baits or Shiver
Minnows up around the Door County islands and northern reefs.
Perch fishing continues to be outstanding most days. Anglers fishing the area around Dykesville and
Vincent point have all reported good catches even some days with fast limits of nice 9” to 12” fish.
Many Perch chasers have also had very good success around Geanos reef in the last week. Minnows
and crawler pieces have dominated the caches. Drop shots and dead sticking perch rigs have been the
best presentation. Do not forget your slip bobbers as those have also been productive with a tail
hooked minnow near the bottom.
More Musky anglers continue to fish areas with weeds around Geanos, Pensaukee, Oconto and
University Bay. If you are looking to get away from the boats do not overlook the areas along the East
shore from Chaudior’s down to Dykesville. Bucktails and large plastics have been both reported as
producing some activity. A couple anglers I spoke with have had some relative success with glide baits
also.
If you go, please be safe, and take a kid fishing
Brought to you by
Capt. Robert Claus Capt. Jerry Ruffolo
FinFanatic Charters Anglers Plus Guide Service
920-360-2904 920-973-2868
finfanaticcahrters@yahoo.com anglersplus@yahoo.com
www.finfanatic.net www.anglerspluswi.com

Smokeys weekly fishing report by Captains Claus and Ruffolo 8/18/25

Even though this seems like a common theme this summer on Green Bay the Walleye bite continues to
show how fickle it can be from day to day. With lots of bait schools around and Perch seemingly all over
the system the Walleye can be a bit moody for lack of a better term from day to day.
The mud bite off Pensaukee down to Geanos has been one day on the next off. Trollers using harness
with in-line weights seem to be still reporting the best overall action. Colorado blades in Antifreeze or
purple colors have been doing the best. Reports from anglers casting or trolling around Geanos reef
have been similar from day to day. #7 Flicker Minnows have been good on days and casting shiver
minnows have been good at times. East shore areas like Macco’s reef, Chaudoir’s Dock and Sugar Creek
have all had days where trolling harnesses or Crank Baits have produced some good catches of both
eater and bigger Walleye. The Lason’s reef area has also produced decent catches of Walleyes both
casting and trolling at times just like most areas the fish have been moody on some days. Anglers
looking to chase trophy Walleye have been reporting having success up in northern Door County around
the islands and reefs. Most anglers chasing those big Walleye are having the best luck using search baits
with Crawlers or Jig and Crawler presentations.
Perch fishing continues to be outstanding most days. Geanos reef, around the reef and the weeds have
been good. Macco’s reef and Chaudoir’s dock area have been very consistent. Also, Sugar Creek and
Oconto Shaol are starting to show consistent catches of Perch again. Minnows and crawler pieces have
dominated the caches. Drop shots and dead sticking perch rigs have been the best presentation.
More Musky anglers have ben starting to venture out in search of action. Areas with weeds around
Geanos, Pensaukee Oconto and University Bay have all been targets areas. Bucktails and large plastics
have been both reported as producing some activity.
If you go, please be safe, and take a kid fishing
Brought to you by
Capt. Robert Claus Capt. Jerry Ruffolo
FinFanatic Charters Anglers Plus Guide Service
920-360-2904 920-973-2868
finfanaticcahrters@yahoo.com anglersplus@yahoo.com

Smokeys weekly fishing report by Captains Claus and Ruffolo 8/11/25

Green Bay walleye fishing over the last 7-10 days is still best described as inconsistent, with some great days and tough days too. The mud bite keeps showing potential, and then shows how tough it can be too. Trolled inline weights with crawler harnesses and trolled crankbaits are both putting out walleyes. University bay, Vokes reef, Vincent point, 2 mile reef, Geanos reef, Maccos reef, Pensaukee shoal, Oconto shoal, Young’s reef and Larsons reef all put out walleyes for us last week, with no particular structure outdoing the other. Perch fish remains good, with many 8-10” perch, along with good numbers of 11-13” perch showing up in anglers bags. Oconto shoal, Geanos reef, Bayshore near Dykesville, Vincent point and Vokes reef all had good populations of perch, with minnows and crawler pieces leading the way as best baits. To the north, big walleyes are on a good bite, with the rock structures of Door county waters leading the way. Pitching labby lures, shivers, spoons or trolled cranks/harnesses were the best lure/bait options. Musky action has heated up, with big fish hunters finding good action on large plastics and Bucktails casted around Pensaukee shoal, Charles pond, and the rock/weed areas off Chaudoirs. Smallmouth bass anglers are finding good fish in deep rock areas around Larsons reef, with drop shot rigs, Ned rigs, and jerk baits taking fish. If you go, please be safe, and take a kid fishing!
Capt Jerry Ruffolo
Anglers Plus Guide Service
920-973-2868
Capt Robert Claus
FinFanatic Charters
920-360-2904
Sent from my iPhone

Smokeys weekly fishing report by Captains Claus and Ruffolo 8/4/25

Well Green Bay Walleye fishing continues to be a grind some days and others they cooperate. Anglers
willing to and able to jump around to spots and prepared to switch tactics have been rewarded with
some decent catches. The Mud bite has many anglers scratching their heads as some days trolling
harnesses has produced some OK fishing and other days nothing but Sheephead. Anglers casting death
jigs or jigs and crawlers in the mud using Live Sonar have had some success but be prepared to cast at
10-15 targets before getting one to respond. Reports many days are that the Walleye have tended near
the bottom of the water column and the higher marks are mostly Sheephead.
Folks choosing to cast or troll structure like Vincent, Volks and Geano’s reefs have had some success at
times and most days the first several hours of the day and the last have been the best. Trolling
harnesses or cranks like #7 Flicker Minnows have worked most days.
Reports from Oconto Shoal and Larson’s Reef are that Walleye up in those areas are starting to
cooperate a bit more. Casting Shiver Minnows in the hammered gold patterns have been good and
trolling Harnesses with gold blades have been reported to be the best tactics.
Perch fishing continues to be outstanding most days. Remember to use your electronics to locate
schools along the bottom before you just anchor up to fish. This can be the difference in catching 15 or

  1. Reports are better fishing around Macco’s reef and Chaudoir’s dock area. Also, Sugar Creek and
    Oconto Shaol are starting to show consistent catches of Perch again. Both the weeds outside of Geano’s
    reef and the areas around the shallow tops of the reef have been producing good catches at times.
    Crawler pieces have dominated the caches with the warm water, but do not leave your minnows behind
    as they have also done some damage catching the better sized fish. Drop shots and dead sticking perch
    rigs have been the best presentation.
    If you go, please be safe, and take a kid fishing
    Brought to you by
    Capt. Robert Claus Capt. Jerry Ruffolo
    FinFanatic Charters Anglers Plus Guide Service
    920-360-2904 920-973-2868
    finfanaticcahrters@yahoo.com anglersplus@yahoo.com
    www.finfanatic.net www.anglerspluswi.com