Area provides pressure-free angling, trophy `eyes and nearby greens
DOOR COUNTY, Wis. – Plan to head to Sturgeon Bay in Door County, Wis., during the late summer and early fall this year to tie into trophy walleyes in the 8- to 12-pound range. Bring a variety of tackle as well as your golf clubs so you can take a whack at bagging a big-water trophy and your Titlist all in the same trip.
One of the bonuses of this fabulous fishery is that there are few anglers chasing fish in this area when there is not a tournament taking place. Many anglers are also happy to hear there’s a golf course nearby.
“There are definitely some very large walleye to be caught out of Sturgeon Bay and Green Bay in general,” said Ranger pro and RCL Angler of the Year Tim Minnema of Markesan, Wis. “I have weighed in some nice fish over 11 pounds out of this area. The late summer and early fall is a good time to find plenty of active walleye in Sturgeon Bay.”
If walleyes are your prime target, then the Sturgeon Bay area is for you. Look for plenty of walleye action from Sturgeon Bay up north to Egg Harbor and the various reefs and shoals throughout the area.
“The prime areas to target are the reefs and shoals,” said Minnema. “A couple of the most popular spots are Larsen’s Reef and Monument Shoal, but there are all sorts of reefs in the area that hold walleyes. I feel that you need to target the shallower ambush areas on these structures. You want to look for the points coming off of the reefs. The best spots are where the walleyes can ambush the alewives or gizzard shad.”
Find the baitfish, and you will find the walleyes.
“You generally need to be fishing the reefs to find the walleyes, but if the baitfish are not present, it doesn’t matter how good the structure is; you won’t find the walleyes,” said Minnema. “You really need to rely on your electronics to tell you if there are schools of baitfish. If there are baitfish on the structure, then you will find walleyes.”
For late-summer and early fall walleyes, it is tough to beat using planer boards and crawler harnesses on the reefs. Planer boards are the ideal tools for presenting your offerings in a big-water fishery.
“You can’t go wrong fishing with planer boards and spinners out of Sturgeon Bay,” said Minnema. “I use the planer boards made by Bruce DeShano’s company, Offshore. I really like the product.
“As far as spinners, I use blades ranging from size 5-7. Stick with the hammered silver, copper or gold colors,” he said. “I seem to have my best success using the metal finishes in this area. I dress my spinner rigs with a night crawler. The night crawler seems to be the best bait for this area, although leeches and some soft plastics can work too.”
Crankbaits are also an option in Sturgeon Bay.
Crankbait colors need to have plenty of silver tones in them, too. Prism-colored cranks or silver colors with chartreuse, orange or red will all work well. Stick with Reef Runners, Rattling Rouges or Wally Divers.
As the season progresses, expect a large movement of walleyes into the shallower areas in Sturgeon Bay and some of the other bays in the area. When the big ‘eyes start moving into the bays to put on the fall feedbag, it is time for you to get out at night to try to land a trophy weighing in excess of 10 pounds.
If you are slightly intimidated by the big-water fishing of Sturgeon Bay but still want to give it a shot, then check out Camp Walleye.
“Camp Walleye is a program developed by Walleye Central,” said Sonja Pinkert of Walleye Central. “The camp is designed for both men and women of all levels and ages.”
Walleye Central produces a live leader board of every Wal-Mart RCL Walleye Circuit tournament.
“Camp Walleye provides a hands-on learning atmosphere with top walleye pros,” said Pinkert. “This year we will have … Angler of the Year Tim Minnema … as one of the instructors along with Land O’ Lakes pro Eric Olson at our Sturgeon Bay camp.”
The Sturgeon Bay Camp Walleye takes place September 5-8. The cost for three days and nights is $699.99. This includes lodging and food at the Alpine Resort in Egg Harbor, Wis.
“This resort has excellent accommodations and a golf course to use when you are not out fishing,” said Pinkert. “In addition to the instruction on the water, you will also find the meals an excellent time to talk with the pros to learn more of their techniques and secrets.”