It’s already the start of my ninth year writing my kayak articles for Door
County Daily News! Where does the time go? As always, I want to start
the season of articles off by reminding all of you to wear your PFD’s no
matter the water and wind conditions. Yes, the water will warm into
the mid-70’s as the summer season progresses, but right now they are
cold and for much of the summer our Green Bay and Lake Michigan
water temps are at best cool.

I’ve already been out for some kayak fishing a couple weeks ago and as
always, it’s a great time. May/June and October/November is the best
chance for some big smallmouth bass in the five and six- pound range.
Sadly, with the pressure our waters have seen over the past 10 years
overall numbers with smallmouth bass are down. Along with fishing
pressure from anglers the Cormorant and White Pelican populations
have exploded, eating bass, walleyes, round gobies, etcetera. So, if you
are out kayak fishing for smallmouth bass like I do, I suggest you catch
and release and simply take a picture of the big ones, which is what I
do.

I know many who read my articles know the waters of Door County well
and know where to launch. However, some of you are new to this. At
Canoecopia in March my talk was titled Kayaking & Kayak Fishing Door
County, Wisconsin. I did talk some on kayak fishing, but the talk mostly
focused and all the places to kayak, and, importantly, all the launches
up and down the peninsula on both Green Bay and Lake Michigan. If
you would like a copy of the PDF of my talk email me at
kayakfishingwisconsin@gmail.com and I’d be happy to email it to you.
Here's to a fun and safe 2024 kayak season in Door County!