EmersonFish Posted May 16, 2019 Posted May 16, 2019 I would like to make a trip up to Sturgeon Bay and go after some big smallmouth. Unfortunately, I can't really get up there until mid-August at the earliest. More likely in September, but can go anytime after mid-August if it works out. Been doing some research, but thought I'd see if I could get any input here. My biggest concern is the conditions and how my little 18' Tracker would handle them. I want to go where I have a chance to catch a memorable fish. What I don't want to happen is I drive all the way up there and the wind and lake conditions have me and my little boat either on the trailer or fishing in areas where I'm not taking full advantage of being at Sturgeon Bay. So I guess my questions are: When is the best time in late-summer/early fall to go to pursue big fish AND have the best chance of the weather being decent? OR, would I be better off going somewhere else (in the US upper mid-west) that time of year? (not sure I'd be better off at a place like Mille Lacs for example, anyway) If I go to SB, can I get away from the wind if I need to in the bay and still catch good fish (I'm not a numbers guy) and get around safely? I know it's a long-winded inquiry. Thanks for your time, even if you just read it. Hope I get the opportunity to help anyone who can help me sometime. D Quote
r83srock Posted June 22, 2019 Posted June 22, 2019 I don’t know Sturgeon Bay super well, but I’ve been out there a few times. I’ve been on Mille Lacs once, in spring, and it was very good. Sturgeon Bay is known for the spring bite, but it can be good year round. Throughout the year I have caught them in 15’ or less, but August into September can be funky. The fall bite really turns on in October, and some guys fish out there till early December. An east wind makes the sturgeon bay side of the “bay” tolerable, a west wind of 10-15 will produce 4’ers. It’s a tremendous fishery, but it takes time to learn. I’d say if it were spring, then it would be on a short list of places to fish, it’s a free for all. The rest of the year not so much. One other place that comes to mind that will produce Sturgeon Bay fish is lake metonga. It’s in upper central WI. You would have a solid chance at a PB smallie there. 1 1 Quote
r83srock Posted July 1, 2019 Posted July 1, 2019 As you may have seen with the latest MLF, Green Lake is high on the list for big smallies, and would be something to consider if the weather is iffy. It’s a bit of a drive from sturgeon bay, about 45 min south west of Oshkosh. When Angler’s Choice has their tournaments there, it can take 25 pounds to win a 5 fish event. 1 1 Quote
Super User Scott F Posted July 1, 2019 Super User Posted July 1, 2019 Wisconsin has many lakes that produce trophy sized smallmouth. No matter which you choose in August through September, they will be deep. You’ll be fishing for just a few bites a day and have to cover a lot of water. Hiring a guide who specializes in big smallies would be your best option. Ill be up there around the same time, catch some big (maybe not 6 lbs) bass in less than 6 feet of water, but I’ll be fishing rivers. 1 1 Quote
r83srock Posted July 1, 2019 Posted July 1, 2019 8 hours ago, Scott F said: Wisconsin has many lakes that produce trophy sized smallmouth. No matter which you choose in August through September, they will be deep. You’ll be fishing for just a few bites a day and have to cover a lot of water. Hiring a guide who specializes in big smallies would be your best option. Ill be up there around the same time, catch some big (maybe not 6 lbs) bass in less than 6 feet of water, but I’ll be fishing rivers. Yeah, I totally agree. Spring is easy pickings and fall is flat out fun. August into September does limit how you can fish for them. Quote
EmersonFish Posted July 2, 2019 Author Posted July 2, 2019 Thanks for the info. Would have loved to go up in the Spring. Maybe next year I'll have a chance if I don't change jobs. Just wasn't in the cards this year. I don't mind grinding it out. I'm just hoping for that one bite. I also don't mind fishing deep/offshore. Just becomes an issue with my boat. This weekend at Lake of the Ozarks, fishing main lake points, with the boat traffic, it was almost too sketchy for me to be out there. I'll keep doing my homework and figure something out. If there is a place where I can fish the main lake, weather permitting, but have a few places that might not be as good, but are safer and still gives me a chance to fish safely if it gets sketchy, that would be fine. If I end up having to wait until too late in the year to take time off, I might end up looking at Tennessee as well. Quote
Super User slonezp Posted July 2, 2019 Super User Posted July 2, 2019 I get up to Sturgeon Bay once or twice a year and have so, for the last 40 years. I'm fortunate I live only 5 hours away and have a free place to stay so I can cancel on a moments notice. Mid to late September early October would be a better option for bigger, easier to catch fish. In August, the bigger bass will be offshore. In Sept/Oct, as the water cools, they will follow the bait to shallow water flats. As far as weather, it's hit or miss. I have been there in October when it's in single digits and also when it's in the 70's 1 Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.