As anglers head out on the water this weekend for the official opening weekend of inland fishing statewide, Door County’s smallmouth bass season started early on April 1 with catch-and-release which was new this year.  Charter Captain Jimmy Doerring in Sturgeon Bay shares another rule change this year designed to protect smallmouth bass in Rowley’s Bay.

Doerring estimates that the water temperatures range from 42 to 45 degrees in the Green Bay right now.  He adds that warmer temperatures should help increase the bass activity when it rises above 55 degrees and the fish start spawning in mid-May. 

(photo courtesy of Cast N Catch Charters)