Fishing this spring? Sturgeon Bay named one of best spots in the U.S.
STURGEON BAY - With warmer weather (we think) on the way and outdoor recreation soon to ramp up across Door County, Sturgeon Bay is being recognized internationally as one of the best places for fishing this spring in the U.S.
Sturgeon Bay is one of nine locations named as one of the Top Spring Fishing Spots across the country for 2023 by the FishingBooker website, which claims it is the world’s largest platform for booking fishing trips between anglers and guides.
The city was recognized for its easy access to Lake Michigan and the freshwater game fish that can be found in the waters around the Peninsula, notably the walleye and bass that tend to be active before summer rolls in, as well as the trout and salmon for which the lake is well known.
"Big walleye come out to play in spring, as soon as the ice is melted," a news release from FishingBooker said. "They’re the No. 1 target both because of their feistiness and delectable taste.
"Smallmouth bass follow right behind, and this is one of the destinations to catch them in the whole state. As the days become warmer, you can expect to target more trout, as well as salmon, musky and yellow perch."
The website also noted activities anglers can do in and around Sturgeon Bay when not on the water, such as visiting its museums and taking in nature at Whitefish Dunes State Park north of the city.
Besides being known for recreational, charter and commercial fishing, Sturgeon Bay has hosted numerous professional and amateur fishing tournaments. The 33rd annual Sturgeon Bay Open Bass Tournament, part of the North American Bass Challenge series, will take place May 19 and 20 with the Fall Sturgeon Bay Open Bass Tournament scheduled for Sept. 9 and 10. The K/D (Kewaunee/Door) Salmon Tournament, which has ports in Sturgeon Bay and other locations in Door and Kewaunee counties, has taken place for the last 40 summers.
In past years, the city was the home base for the Bassmasters season-ending Angler of the Year Championship in 2015, an invitation-only tourney that featured a $1 million purse, and the National Walleye Tour has held several tournaments based in Sturgeon Bay, most recently in 2021.
Along with Sturgeon Bay, other top spring fishing locations named by FishingBooker are Ocean City, Maryland; South Padre Island, Texas; Roanoke, Virginia; Morro Bay, California; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Bozeman, Montana; Saratoga Lake, New York; and Clinton Lake, Kansas.
According to its website, FishingBooker has more than 30,000 fishing trips available in more than 2,000 destinations worldwide.
Contact Christopher Clough at 920-562-8900 or cclough@doorcountyadvocate.com.
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This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Fishing this spring? Sturgeon Bay named one of best spots in the U.S.
