Bay of Green Bay Fishing Charters — Open Water & Ice

The Bay of Green Bay isn't a typical bay — it's often described as the largest freshwater estuary in the world, the point where the Fox River's flow mixes with the open water of Lake Michigan. That mixing zone is exactly why the fishing here is so productive: nutrient-rich river water feeds an ecosystem that supports everything from walleye and smallmouth to one of the most storied musky fisheries in the country. Despite its size, the bay stays relatively shallow through most of its length, averaging around 15 to 20 feet, which keeps it fertile and lets sunlight drive strong weed growth and forage production.

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The Fox River, the bay's largest tributary, has a history as rich as its fishing. Long before it was known for spring walleye runs, it was one of the most industrialized rivers in the country, powering paper mills for well over a century. Decades of restoration work since have brought the fishery back to a point where the Fox now produces some of the best trophy walleye fishing anywhere in the Midwest each spring — a genuine comeback story that plays out every March when the ice goes out and the walleye run begins.