It’s Memorial Day weekend in one of the most beautiful vacation spots in the country. With more than 300 miles of shoreline along Green Bay and Lake Michigan, Door County is a kayaker’s paradise for paddling and, for anglers, outstanding fishing.

I’m beginning my 11th year writing these kayak and kayak fishing articles for Door County Daily News, and I look forward to sharing many useful tips again this year.

It’s been a cool spring, with water temperatures in many locations still in the 50-degree range and even lower farther north. When you take your kayak onto the water, be sure to take precautions. Wear your personal flotation device, keep your phone in a waterproof plastic bag, wear proper clothing in case you tip over and make sure to tell someone where you are launching and where you plan to kayak.

Also, be aware of weather conditions. In Door County, the wind can shift quickly, making conditions dangerous. Because of the big water and rapidly changing weather, I stay close to shore.

Now that I’ve touched on some important safety tips, it’s time to get on the water and enjoy kayaking. From top to bottom, there are no bad places to paddle or kayak fish in Door County. You are surrounded by beauty everywhere you go. There are also dozens of kayak and boat launches throughout the county, along with many roads that dead-end at the water’s edge where you can launch. Just be sure to park your vehicle off the road.

For anglers — especially smallmouth bass anglers — the water will continue warming, with smallies heading into the shallows to spawn. You should have good luck from Little Sturgeon Bay to Gills Rock, as well as at several spots on the lake side.

As always, I hope you catch, photograph and release those smallies. Or, as the Wisconsin Smallmouth Alliance says, “Free the Fighter.” Also, please avoid trying to catch smallmouth bass that are guarding nests.

If you are new to kayaking, several kayak outfitters in the county would be happy to guide you. I’m also always happy to answer your questions. Just email me at kayakfishingwisconsin@gmail.com