B.A.S.S. announced today that fish-rich Sturgeon Bay will be off-limits to Bassmaster Elite Series competitors for the June 28-July 1 event at Lake Michigan out of Green Bay. That ruling was handed down this week by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
“The Wisconsin DNR has been very conservative in setting the tournament boundaries and excluding places like Sturgeon Bay,” said B.A.S.S. conservation director Noreen Clough, who was the liaison between B.A.S.S. and state biologists who issued the permit.
Elite anglers will be able to fish the area south of a line between the Splinter Causeway breakwall near the mouth of the Oconto River on the west and the Sherwood Point Lighthouse on the east. No tournament boats will be allowed north of that line.
Clough said Wisconsin officials assured her that smallmouth fishing is excellent in the waters on the east side up to Sherwood Lighthouse. Tournament waters on the east side include Little Sturgeon Bay, Riley’s Bay and Sand Bay.
“Through negotiations, we were able to expand the western boundary up to the Oconto River, which will provide not only additional fishing area but expanded refuge for anglers in case of adverse winds,” Clough added. “We have been working closely with the Wisconsin DNR to ensure that this will be another outstanding Bassmaster Elite Series tournament.”
The permit states that anglers will not be allowed above the first bridge on the Oconto River, nor will boats be allowed within 200 feet of DePere Dam on the Fox River in downtown Green Bay.
