There are many public docks and marinas around the county that allow
people to fish from them. However, people fishing on marinas should be
reminded to stay on the main docks and to stay away from launch ramps,
slips, and finger docks that are rented by boaters. It is also recommended
that such fishermen fish away from the boats that are kept in the marinas.
Often, the rocky breakwaters on the outside of the docks hold more fish
anyway.
The shoreline of the peninsula holds smallmouth bass, a slowly rebounding
perch population, occasional northern pike and walleye, and in the right
season even trout and salmon move in close to the public docks and marinas.
Through most of the year, anglers can enjoy success pursuing one or another
of these species from public access areas with some basic equipment. From
most local spots in the late spring and early summer, smallmouth bass
and perch are going to be the most likely catches. In recent years an
invasive, alien fish, the round goby, has become a prevalent nuisance
commonly caught all over Lake Michigan and Green Bay – though perhaps
they are fun for young kids to catch. Carp and lately sheepshead, both
considered rough fish, are also sometimes taken.
Fishing licenses and fishing equipment appropriate for local waters are
available at Jungwirth Ace Hardware in Sister Bay. If you need equipment
to get started fishing, they can provide you with the basic things you
need. Roger Jungwirth recommends his customers head to the Sister Bay
Marina or Anderson Dock in Ephraim for smallmouth bass, perch, and the
occasional northern pike. “You will be catching mostly smallmouth
bass; the perch haven’t been bouncing back as well here up north.”
He adds, “Baits are largely a matter of personal choice. Lots of
people use rubber grubs on jigheads, others throw light spinners, Rapalas,
or other crank baits. I’ll throw lures myself, but it seems nightcrawlers
work as well as anything, especially for smallmouth.”
Jerry Daubner of Nan & Jerry’s, the bait and tackle shop in
Fish Creek, often recommends Weborg Dock in Peninsula State Park (park
sticker required) and the Fish Creek Municipal Dock for bass and perch.
“Perch seemed to really start coming back last year, with people
catching limits occasionally,” he says. “People were also
doing well fishing perch from the Egg Harbor dock and from Murphy’s
Park south of Egg Harbor last year.” Jerry also recommends nightcrawlers
as the best all-around bait. “We also sell shiners in the early
season and fathead minnows as it gets hotter. Leeches have been good for
bass, too. Soft shell crabs are an excellent bait for perch and bass,
but they are a little expensive for fishing with kids. Hellgrammites are
a super excellent bait for perch, but we have a hard time getting them
early in the season; usually they become available in the beginning of
July,” he adds.
Nan & Jerry’s meets a lot of tourists that are interested in
taking their kids out fishing or are interested in learning to fish themselves.
They make a point of stocking inexpensive rod and reel packages that are
spooled with fishing line and are ready to go for those new to the sport.
“If a father comes into the store with a couple of kids and wants
to get equipment to take them fishing, he doesn’t have to spend
a hundred dollars,” he says. Jerry also had a tip for avoiding hooking
gobies one after another, explaining, “We tell people to keep their
bait six to 12 inches off the bottom. The goby is a bottom feeding fish
and you can avoid them by setting your bait a little higher.”
Both Jerry Daubner and Roger Jungwirth recommend the causeway over Kangaroo
Lake, outside Baileys Harbor, for those who wanted to try inland fishing.
Kangaroo Lake holds bluegill, perch, largemouth and smallmouth bass, northern
pike and walleyes, all of which can be taken from the County E causeway
that divides the lake. Spoons, spinners, and crankbaits attract northern
pike in the spring and summer, and live baits like nightcrawlers and minnows
work well for bluegills, perch, and bass. As a word of caution, it should
be noted that the causeway is a highway with regular traffic. While it
is a popular fishing location, one should take special care if fishing
with children.
A bit of fishing while visiting Door County is a nice way to pass some
time and enjoy the waters that make this area unique and beautiful. It
is also a great way for families to spend time together. Before you head
out, be sure all adults have valid licenses and check the rules and regulations
for size and bag limits on the body of water you are fishing. Lastly,
a word of advice from personal experience: If you are fishing for larger
species from one of the docks, be sure to bring an adequate net with a
long handle – otherwise landing the fish you have hooked can become
quite a puzzle!
