Sturgeon Bay, WI chinook run

[JB]

Back in the early 80s I fished the channel at Sturgeon Bay for chinook salmon in August and September. We caught some monsters.<br /><br />Is that run still active? Are the catches still good?<br /><br />Who has fished there recently that can give me an update? I live about 1200 miles away now and don't want to plan a trip to a defunct fishery.<br /><br />I will appreciate any help or advice.<br /><br />Thanks<br /><br />JB

 

[fishinchips]

Re: Sturgeon Bay, WI chinook run

JB,<br /><br />The Lake Michigan salmon fishery is alive and well. I don't fish out of Sturgeon Bay much but do alot out of Algoma. The fishery crashed during the late eighties with the over predation of baitfish but has recovered nicely. August and early September again produce 30-40 lb. (biggest in the K-D Tourney was 39+) four year-old Kings. Come on up.<br /><br />Fishin'Chips

 

[JB]

Re: Sturgeon Bay, WI chinook run

Thanks for the good news, fishnchips. I'll be there.<br /><br />Cheers<br />JB

 

[T-290]

Re: Sturgeon Bay, WI chinook run

J.B. The creek that runs into Sturgeon Bay is called Strawberry Creek However you would not want to be fishing there unless you want a view through tubular see through walls! I'ts protected and off limits and has been for years.The Chin run is still pretty strong.Good fishing can be had if you are in a boat no shore fishing unless in Harbors. Nelsons harbor has been replaced by a brand new Goverment facility plenty of slips w/ nice showers and bathrooms. Plenty of good fishing from the piers! Good luck and Tight Lines!

 

[JB]

Re: Sturgeon Bay, WI chinook run

Thanks, T290. We used to camp at a state campground and launch there. Trolled the channel from the bridge out to the Lake through the canal and back. Dragged J-plugs and spoons 20' to 25' down on Pink Ladies and Dipsey Divers. Is that still the drill?<br /><br />Can you tell me how to get info on the new Govt. facility, etc.? One forgets a lot in 20 years. I tried to get the SB CofC on the net and drew a blank.<br /><br />Appreciate your help.<br /><br />Red sky at night. . . <br />JB

 

[T-290]

Re: Sturgeon Bay, WI chinook run

The Goverment Facility is located next to Nelsons in Baileys Harbor. I'm not sure what they use to catch the Chins out on the Boat last time up, which was last year we used a combination of different Fly patterns and fresh Spawn sacks! Good Luck & Tight Lines have fun on your Vaca! Talk with you soon!

 

[JB]

Re: Sturgeon Bay, WI chinook run

I am headed to Sturgeon Bay this week. First to Kansas on Thurs. to pick up a Son-in-Law and a Grandson, then to Sturgeon Bay on Fri evening. Expect to fish most of Sat and all of Sunday. Have to have Son-in-Law back to Grad School Mon. night.<br /><br />I am equipped to troll four Dipseys and have an assortment of 20-year-old J-plugs and spoons.<br /><br />I would welcome advice on where to launch if I want to fish the Canal to Lake MI (I hope that isn't the creek mentioned by T290), where to get licenses, tackle, etc. Is the new Gov't facility located in town on the Bay?<br /><br />I also welcome suggestions on anything you think would help Grandson #5 have a successful first salmon fishing trip.<br /><br />Red sky at night. . . <br />JB

 

[T-290]

Re: Sturgeon Bay, WI chinook run

Sorry I missed your post JB,<br />As you may have found,the Govt. facility was in town Baileys Harbor, on Lake Michigan. And there is a public launch in downtown Sturgeon Bay which if you went through the canel that would send you right out to Lake Michigan to the East and Green Bay to the West. I would have liked to have pre-warned you that there is a posted speed limit in the channel, and also there is a no wake posting.We found out the hard way as we were greeted by the Coast Guard on the big pond! And oh yes, we were awarded with a certificate of achievement! A lesson well learned! How did you do out there as far a fish go?

 

[JB]

Re: Sturgeon Bay, WI chinook run

Salmon? What salmon? There were none in the channel or the canal.<br /><br />Drove 22 hours to get there. I suppose I could have been very frustrated, but the weather was great and we had a grand boat ride. The perch were biting so Andy (grandson) had a good time. <br /><br />Nobody that I talked to even remembered when the chins were stacked like cordwood in the canal. The run has been gone that long. I guess they stopped stocking in Strawberry Creek back in the 80s.<br /><br />On Labor Day, 1979, 1980 and 1981 the Chinooks were packed in the ship canal and in the channel west to the bridge. Several hundred boats trolled back and forth from the bridge to Lake MI. Everyone caught a few 15 to 35 pound kings.<br /><br />On Sunday we went out into the big lake. Eagle-eyed Eagle found some fish at 200', but we had no downriggers and the other boats that did caught a couple of 2 - 3 pounders. Montauk Sunshine III is not comfortable for 10-year-olds in 3 to 6.<br /><br />Not going back there again.<br /><br />Red sky at night. . .<br />JB

 

[T-290]

Re: Sturgeon Bay, WI chinook run

I'm sorry to hear that you didn't get into any fish(Salmon)I can remember back in the 70's when we would catch them in the small creeks (Heinz,Hibbards,Logans)at that time Door County was how I like to remember it, somewhat uninhabited. It's a "MUCH" different place now. It never seems to amaze me how in our grand scheme of things we destroy the natural wilderness and beauty of such areas and replace it with Condo's. Oh well! That surprises me about the stocking program not being in place since that time! Obviously pressure from Charters Boats have not been that great,it seems that they have a major influence on where D.N.R. stock fish nowadays! Did you by chance talk with anyone at "Macks" bait and tackle shop in downtown Sturgeon Bay? Usually they are very good at putting people on areas where the fishing might be hot.How about Smallmouth did you get into any of them? Right about this time they seem to put on the feed bag.I wouldn't give up that easy on the Door,in the spring they catch monster Walleye in the canal and it's still a great Brown Trout fishery on the big pond.