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Our Door County Fishing Calendar gives you a rough guide on what is biting and when. Before you make the drive we strongly recommend you call the Door County Fishing Hotline (920) 743-7046.
After you check out our calendar learn more about Door County Fishing.
Ice Out occurs in mid to late April in most Door County waters. Brown trout are starting bite and you should do well trolling for browns. Late in the month expect to see spawning rainbow trout in streams. Look for the browns and brookies along the Lake Michigan shoreline.
By late April Sturgeon Bay is usually clear of ice and it’s time to go for walleye. Don’t forget traditional Wisconsin smelt netting which is best around the third week of the month. For 1st time smelters please check with the Wisconsin DNR for simple but important netting regulations.
Now Door County fishing get serious. Bass season opens in the first week of May, except for the Washington Island Area. Bass anglers will do well along Green Bay shorelines. Spawning walleye are now moving into Sturgeon Bay. Walleye fishing from both boat and shore gets hot. Brown and brook trout fishing remains good in the shallows. In mid-may expect the walleye action to slow down as they spawn.
The Door County Fishing Calendar says that near the end of May walleyes finish spawning and begin to bite again. By now perch and small mouth bass are biting in Green Bay. At month’s end you may be able to take lake trout or a Chinook salmon near the bank reef, stay shallow.
Small mouth fishing is at it’s best early in June. Bass and perch are biting in Sturgeon Bay. Try Kangaroo Lake, one of Door County's inland lakes, for walleyes now. Trolling action for Chinook salmon heats up on the bank reef around mid-June. Anglers trolling in northern Door County and Washington Island will find the trout and salmon action pick up at the end of June.
Mother Nature plays a big part in the day to day June fishing conditions. Review our Door County Fishing Calendar and It’s a good month to call the Fishing Hot Line to see what’s happening.
The Door County Fishing Calendar shows that everything is sweeter in summer, including July fishing in Door County. It seems like there is no bad spot to fish in July.. All over the county lake trout and salmon anglers report great results deep water trolling. Remember to take advantage of the opening of Washington Island’s bass season on July first. Look for salmon and trout to start moving into the Sturgeon Bay shipping canal near the end of the month.
In early August fish Lake Michigan shorelines for rainbow and brown trout. Start at the Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal and work north. Troll the deep waters of the Bank Reef near Sturgeon Bay for Salmon. Fish for Sturgeon Bay walleye near the downtown bridge or just off the Stone Harbor Resort.
Our Door County Fishing Calendar indicates that in late August switch to shallow water trolling for brown trout and possibly salmon, try working the shoreline a little north of bullhead point in Sturgeon Bay. Keep trolling north working the entire shore area of Potowatomi State Park. Chinook are now starting to work their way into the shipping canal.
Summer may be winding down but our Door County Fishing Calendar says the fishing really heats up. The Sturgeon Bay area is particularly active this time of year. Early September is a great time to fish Chinook salmon. Concentrate your efforts near the mouth of the Sturgeon Bay Shipping Canal. Nighttime walleye fishing is great right in Sturgeon Bay. Nice walleye are hanging so close to shore in the bay that even fishing from shore is productive.
While trolling Sturgeon Bay don’t be surprised to get hits from Northern Pike this time of year. When the pike hit slow down and work the weed beds. September is perfect for home made perch frys. For good perch fishing launch from Sunset Park in Sturgeon Bay. The park is just north of downtown on 3rd Street. Fish the waters near the park hard.
In October both fishing action and tourism start to slow down. Weather is usually the deciding factor here. It's so up in the air don't just rely on our Door County Fishing Calendar. We recommend you call the fishing hot line before embarking on a major drive. Perch and walleye fishing is not bad in the right weather. Brown trout are still biting along the shorelines of both Green Bay and Lake Michigan.
Early October treats visitors to some of the best Door County scenery. The changing color of fall leaves is nothing short of spectacular, even more so when viewed from the water. Early October is the perfect time for a fall getaway with a little fishing thrown in. Again October is a month not just to rely on the Door County Fishing Calendar, call the hotline.
November is not a banner month for Door County Fishing. Few folks even consult our Door Fishing Calendar. Most folks are busy preparing for the Wisconsin white tail deer hunt near month’s end. Others are looking toward the upcoming holiday season. Except for the most die-hard anglers November is the time most of us clean and stow the fishing gear.
Early December’s chill starts to lay down some ice on the waters of Door County. Find some time to break out and organize the ice fishing gear, give it a good cleaning and inspection. Make those last minute improvements on the ice shanty you put off all summer. By late December Sturgeon bay is “really making ice.” But most years it’s a little early to venture out on the new ice.
It’s time for that wonderful northern tradition of ICE FISHING. Before you venture out on the frozen waters of Green Bay and Sturgeon Bay call the Door County Fishing hot line or DNR for local ice conditions. Ice fish the bays for perch, walleye, rainbow trout, brown trout, and northern pike.
Remember, in winter Sturgeon Bay is an active shipyard port. It is not uncommon for the Coast Guard icebreaker Mobile Bay to bring a mammoth 900-foot ore boat through the bay. It’s an awesome sight. Believe us, these giants won’t sneak up on you. Just the same it’s prudent to stay well clear of their path while on the ice.
In March ice conditions are a gamble. Please check the ice conditions and don’t take any risks for a fish! Nearly Every year someone puts his or her $40,000 SUV through the ice. They should have checked the Door County Fishing Calendar. besides, by the end of March you should be stowing the ice fishing gear, breaking out the summer gear, and checking out the boat. Next season is right around the corner.
We hope to see you this fishing season. Enjoy yourself and please fish safe.
Thank you for consulting the Door County Fishing Calendar
Good Luck
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