Washington Island, WI

[Ted]

I'm new to fishing and a friend recommended this site. For years I've been going to Washington Island in Wisconsin, but have never fished. My friend suggested that I look into a guide when I'm there, but I don't know of any and I don't know where to look. It doesn't necessarily matter what I fish for. Any suggestions?? Do you know of any guide services close to or on the island?

Thanks,
Ted

[whitetips]

Its a little early for salmon up there, Bass I think is now open,or will open soon.For trout and salmon I recommend sturgeon bay, more fish are planted there 2nd weekend in July to 2nd weekend of August is usually when it turns on. The steelhead fishing should turn on soon.

Good luck

[cisco]

Stop at the bait shop in Fish Creek en route to the Washington Island ferry and inquire there. They have a good grasp of what's going on in northern Door and on the island. On the island itself, I'd inquire at the ferry office after you cross. The owner/manager and his son are both fishermen. There's also a northwoodsy shop (outdoors stuff) just east of the ferry dock after you get off on the island. The guy who owns and runs the store is an active outdoor person. He fishes smallmouth quite often, but also brown trout and salmon.

[Ted]

Thanks for the advice! I know the places you mentioned. I just started fishing two months ago. So far I have just fished at the local river. I will probably fish the pier while on the Island. I don't have a clue what to use or how to fish Lake Michigan so your information will help a lot. If you have any tips of your own on what to use please let me know. Thanks again!

[cisco]

Try casting a No. 5 Shadrap into the wash of the ferry just after it departs the dock. The propwash stirs up all sorts of goodies that smallmouth come in to feed on. You might be told not to fish there, but it is not posted and perhaps you can have some fun before they run you off.

On the island side, you can cast Little Cleo spoons out into the harbor for brown trout. They are heavy spoons and cast easily. Try the silver with orange.

[tim(wi)]

Detroit hbr is great for smally's and some good pike. Smallmouth just opened the 1st of july. They have been catching some 5lb smally's using a Mr twister(yellow) over in the east channel by Shipyard isl marina. But the best bait is minnows and no one sells them on the isl. We catch our own. But be carefull in there because it is rocky and very shallow in a bunch of spots and I have seen some very nice bass boats destroy some lower units in there because they feel they have to run wide open everywere. In the fall washington hbr and jackson hbr have some of the best smallie fishing on the isl. The northerns hang out in the weeds throughout detroit hbr but are harder to find these past couple of years. Some good perch fishing on the edge of the main channel comming in to detroit hbr around weeds. If ya need a boat Kaps Marina rents them. No opne is catching anything out on the lake or bay yet, Salmon fishing should pick up when the water temp rises. Good luck.