Door County

[srj]

My lady wants to take a trip to Door County in August. She is overdue to pick the destination and I will be leaving the boat behind. However, I can't imagine passing near all that water without wetting a line. Are there any shore fishing opportunities? Any advice on gear to pack appreciated. Taking the car so space is a bit of a problem. How about boat rentals? I'm an experienced inland fisherman (old) but have done little great lakes fishing. We plan on driving up the peninsula so won't be staying in the same place very often. Hiring a guide for a half day is a possibility. Trade-a-trip maybe---an outing on the big lake for a day or two on Lake of the Woods (I have a cabin on the south shore).

Back to the lady....any don't miss places? Great burgers? Great steaks? Places to stay?

Things seem so difficult when the Yarcraft isn't part of a trip.

Thanks for any suggestions.

[Nimstug]

Been to Door County many times in early October when the salmon come in the harbors. There is shore fishing at any of the municipal docks in each town, but I don't know what might be available that time of year. There are charters that you can take out of Gills Rock or Ellison Bay and Bailey's Harbor for salmon and trout. I would lean toward the Ellison Bay / Bailey's Harbor Charters charters.

Plan on going to the White Gull Inn for their fish boil. Call them and make a reservation now. There are other places that do fish boils but no one is as good as the White Gull.

Sister Bay Bowling has excellent steaks. It's more restaurant than bowling alley. Al Johnson's is a bit touristy but has good food and goats on their roof. The Greenwood Supper Club is off the beaten track and had great food. The Summer Kitchen has excellent soup and is my wife's favorite place to eat after the Sister Bay Ice Cream Company

Don't miss Peninsula State Park and Newport beach State Park which is quiet and mostly undeveloped. If there's a strong east wind head over to Cave Point County park to watch and feel the waves pound the shoreline.

The last time we were there we stayed at the Scandinavian Lodge in Sister Bay. We'd do that again.

Nimstug

Where to even begin! Seeing that this is a fishing site, I'll talk fishing first. You will have a hard time finding better trophy walleye fishing in the midwest than Door County in August. If you can find a morning I would highly recommend hiring a guide. Smallmouth bass fishing is also going strong this time of the year. Walleyes over 30 inches and Smallmouth pushing 5 lbs is very common. There is not place to fish walleye from shore. Smallmouth can be found fishing from the piers at Murphy Park, Egg Harbor and the lauch in Peninsula State Park.

For the Lady...I would recommend stopping at the Visitor's Center on your way into Sturgeon Bay. They will have a lot of information on things to do in the area. Make sure you get the "Fun Map" it will be the best map of the county. They also have a book called either "Go Guide" or "Your Key to the Door." They should also have a Dining Guide for you as well. It will have all of the resturants and there menus in it. Peninsula State Park and Whitefish Dunes are can't miss stops while your in county. There is also a lot of wineries in the area as well. She can "shop till she drops." Personally, I wouldn't waste your time going to Washington Island. If you decide to go over there, make sure you take the tour.

Places to eat. Breakfast...you are going to want to hit up Village Cafe, it's just on the North side of Egg Harbor. Whtie Gull Inn won the Good Morning America's best breakfast, located in Fish Creek. Al Johnson's in Sister Bay is ok, but worth stopping just to see the goats on the roof.

Lunch can be tricky...Plenty of places to go but most places are know for either breakfast or dinner. A really neat place to sit by the water and have lunch is Fred and Fuzzy's in Sister Bay. Food I would say is a little bit above average. Bayside in Fish Creek is a step up from bar food but good portions and typical Door County prices. Places to eat lunch are dime a dozen, I don't think you will be disappointed in any of the places you pick.

Dinner...There are 2 must go to places(IMHO). English Inn in Fish Creek and Coyote Roadhouse in Bailey's Harbor. At the English Inn, if you like Salmon you won't find better. The Filet Mignon is outstanding. It's my favorite place to eat in Door County. My 2nd place is Coyote Roadhouse. If you are into Ribs and Shrimp, this is the place to go. You won't be disappointed. Glidden Lodge is also one of the top places to eat in the county.

I hope you enjoy stay! It's a great place to live and run a business. I wish I had more time to go and see more of this great county.

One last thing...I would definitly have a plan for lodging in place before you come up. Door County is super busy in August and you may have a hard time finding places to stay without reservations. Also most places require a 2 night minimum especially over the weekends. Fish Creek is going to be the most centrally located but also the most pricey. Bailey's Harbor on the Lake Michigan side is nice but can get cold at times. It's usually 10 degrees cooler on the lake side than the bay side. Egg Harbor is centrally located on the peninsula for going to both sides but a little farther drive to the tip.

Have fun and again if you have time hire a guide!

[hairyminnow]

Heading up to Sturgeon Bay on Aug 1.

As for eating out, around Sturgeon Bay there is a great fish boil at Trocano's, also great bakery goods. Nightengale's has fabulous Prime Rib and the Sturgeon Bay Yacht Club has a good pasta bar on Thursday nights.

For multi-species fishing guides in the area I would call Mike Karempolis, 920-495-7009, walleyecharters@charter.net or Tim Dawidiuk, 920-559-3420, fishdoorcountytv@gmail.com

Check out their website at www.fishdoorcountytv.com

Good luck!

[BCLII]

Originally Posted by srj

My lady wants to take a trip to Door County in August. She is overdue to pick the destination and I will be leaving the boat behind. However, I can't imagine passing near all that water without wetting a line. Are there any shore fishing opportunities? Any advice on gear to pack appreciated. Taking the car so space is a bit of a problem. How about boat rentals? I'm an experienced inland fisherman (old) but have done little great lakes fishing. We plan on driving up the peninsula so won't be staying in the same place very often. Hiring a guide for a half day is a possibility. Trade-a-trip maybe---an outing on the big lake for a day or two on Lake of the Woods (I have a cabin on the south shore).

Back to the lady....any don't miss places? Great burgers? Great steaks? Places to stay?

Things seem so difficult when the Yarcraft isn't part of a trip.
Thanks for any suggestions.

I like the maritime museum in sturgeon bay! Lots of history of the lake!

[thump55]

Door County is great if you like wine, cherries, and spending money.

My advice: get some fishing in somehow, some way, or your head will explode.

[srj]

Guys, thanks for the replies.
I expected shore fishing would be limited and will probably go the guide route. Lodging is a concern as the whole trip is more or less a wing-it operation. Sounds like some great eats coming up. I'm not very good at sight-seeing but I do enjoy being near big water.

Thump, you got me laughing. I'm more beer, burgers and hanging onto my retirement. She's quite accomplished at spending, however.

Another question----it appears my best route leaving from Bemidji in Northern MN is heading to Duluth then down 53 and eventually heading east to Green Bay. Going south to Mpls then east on 94 looks longer. Is 53 a good route? A bit scenic? Travel tips appreciated.

Any other thoughts on fishing, to-do stuff, lodging, whatever very welcome.

[MrD]

Great Italian food is Cucina Pasta Vino in Ellison Bay.

Some charters out of Baileys Harbor for salmon.

http://www.doorcountycharterfishing.com/

http://www.fishingdoorcounty.com/

http://lynnscharterfishing.com/pages/directions.html

First weekend in August is boat building at Sturgeon Bay. 2 sheets of plywood, case of caulk, 100 zip locks, and 8 hours to build a boat. Lots of fun watching them race them on Sunday. Or sink.

[rwl]

I always do 53 when I go from Green bay to LOTW, just last week I made the trip. Take 2 to duluth, 53 To Chippewa Falls and across to Green Bay on 29 works best for me.

Ever been salmon fishing? I would try to grab a charter some morning.

I try to stay away from DC until after Labor Day myself, but I realize this isn't about you and I respect that. It is crazy busy.
Stay out of Efraim, it's a dry town. NO

[Laker10]

Yes 53 to 29 is the way to go, good and fast.