Door County, WI · Lake
Sturgeon Bay (Door County)
The Door County bay on Green Bay famous for trophy smallmouth bass and a renowned spring walleye fishery, plus muskellunge and yellow perch. A national-caliber smallmouth destination fished hard each spring around the shipping canal and reefs.
Live · updated
Top pick today
Walleye — Marginal conditions for Walleye.
Best conditions of 4 species tracked at Sturgeon Bay (Door County).
Heat Advisory issued July 12 at 1:33PM CDT until July 14 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Green Bay WI
Atmosphere
Water
Sun & Moon
Species at Sturgeon Bay (Door County)
4 species tracked, ranked by today's conditions. The top pick is open below — tap any species to expand it, or a chip to focus.
#1 Walleye Marginal conditions for Walleye. In season 51/100
What's helping
- Dark moon — walleye feeds aggressively in low light
- 13 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- NWS alert active — check the alert before heading out
About. Sander vitreus — Maryland's premier cool-water gamefish. Deep Creek Lake is the flagship fishery; also found in the non-tidal Potomac and the Youghiogheny River. Low-light feeder — dusk, dawn, and overcast/windy days are prime. Jigs, crankbaits, and nightcrawler harnesses are standard.
Prefers. Water 50–72°F (ideal 62°F) · either tide · depth 10–40 ft.
Last verified 39 days ago on 2026-06-03. Open source page →
- Min size
- 15"
- Daily creel
- 5
Wisconsin Great Lakes / Green Bay (Lake Michigan): 5 walleye/day, 15" minimum.
Source: Wisconsin regulations · verified 2026-06-03.
#2 Smallmouth Bass Marginal conditions for Smallmouth Bass. In season 43/100
What's helping
- 13 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- NWS alert active — check the alert before heading out
About. Micropterus dolomieu — Premier gamefish of the non-tidal Potomac, the Upper Susquehanna, and Deep Creek Lake. Pound-for-pound one of the hardest-fighting freshwater fish. Hits tubes, crayfish imitations, spinnerbaits, and topwater poppers.
Prefers. Water 55–78°F (ideal 68°F) · either tide · depth 3–30 ft.
Last verified 39 days ago on 2026-06-03. Open source page →
- Min size
- 14"
- Daily creel
- 5
Wisconsin Great Lakes / Green Bay: 5 bass/day, 14" minimum (a renowned trophy smallmouth fishery).
Source: Wisconsin regulations · verified 2026-06-03.
#2 Muskellunge Marginal conditions for Muskellunge. In season 43/100
What's helping
- 13 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- NWS alert active — check the alert before heading out
About. Esox masquinongy — The "fish of 10,000 casts." MD's primary fisheries are Deep Creek Lake and the upper non-tidal Potomac. Apex freshwater predator that hits oversize glide baits, bucktails, and live suckers. Tiger muskie (musky × northern pike hybrid) regulated identically.
Prefers. Water 55–78°F (ideal 68°F) · either tide · depth 10–40 ft.
Last verified 39 days ago on 2026-06-03. Open source page →
- Min size
- 40"
- Daily creel
- 1
Wisconsin: 1 muskellunge/day, 40" minimum (50" on trophy waters). Green Bay is a world-class muskie fishery.
Source: Wisconsin regulations · verified 2026-06-03.
#4 Yellow Perch Marginal conditions for Yellow Perch. In season 37/100
What's helping
- 13 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- incoming tide — yellow perch prefers slack tide
- NWS alert active — check the alert before heading out
About. Perca flavescens — Late-winter and early-spring favorite. Schools up in tidal tributaries for the pre-spawn run in February and March, taking small minnows, shad darts, and small jigs. A classic Eastern Shore "neds" fishery.
Prefers. Water 45–70°F (ideal 58°F) · slack tide · depth 5–30 ft.
Last verified 39 days ago on 2026-06-03. Open source page →
- Daily creel
- 15
Wisconsin Great Lakes: 15 yellow perch/day (Lake Michigan; Green Bay zones may differ).
Source: Wisconsin regulations · verified 2026-06-03.
Location Info
Water Body
Lake
Access
Pier, shore, and ramp
Jurisdiction
Wisconsin
Coordinates
Notes
Wisconsin Great Lakes: walleye 5/day (15" min); a catch-and-release smallmouth season precedes the harvest opener. Trophy smallmouth water — handle big fish with care.
Local reports & rules for Sturgeon Bay (Door County): Wisconsin DNR fishing & regulations → · fish-consumption advisory →
Nearby Access Points
Frequently Asked
Do I need a fishing license to fish at Sturgeon Bay (Door County)?
Yes (anglers age 16 and older). To fish at Sturgeon Bay (Door County) you need the appropriate state fishing license. See the agency's current rules: the state agency website
What fish are commonly targeted at Sturgeon Bay (Door County)?
Sturgeon Bay (Door County) is listed on this site for 4 commonly-targeted species: Walleye, Smallmouth Bass, Muskellunge, Yellow Perch. Which species is currently in season and which is scoring highest today is shown in the per-species ranking on this page.
When is the best time to fish at Sturgeon Bay (Door County)?
It depends more on the species and the day's conditions than on a fixed "best hour." Water temperature, weather, and — at tidal locations — the stage of the tide drive activity most. The per-species ranking on this page scores every target species at Sturgeon Bay (Door County) against today's live conditions, so the fish near the top are your best bets right now; check back as conditions change through the day.
What kind of access does Sturgeon Bay (Door County) have?
Sturgeon Bay (Door County) has multiple access types — pier, shoreline, and at least one public boat ramp. Wisconsin Great Lakes: walleye 5/day (15" min); a catch-and-release smallmouth season precedes the harvest opener. Trophy smallmouth water — handle big fish with care.
Which state's fishing regulations apply at Sturgeon Bay (Door County)?
state agency regulations apply at Sturgeon Bay (Door County). Size limits, creel limits, and seasonal closures are listed per species on each species page. Always confirm against the agency source linked from each regulation block — emergency closures can take effect mid-season.
Is Sturgeon Bay (Door County) tidal water?
No. Sturgeon Bay (Door County) is non-tidal — water level varies with rainfall, seasonal flow, and (where applicable) upstream dam releases rather than tidal exchange.