A co-worker and I are planning to go to sturgeon bay in october and we wanted to catch some smallies? Wondering if that time of year would be good(I believe it is)? Well they still be on the flats or moved out to the reef edge? Never fished it before, it's on my bucket list to fish, so needless to say am pretty exceited. Any tips or suggestions would be greatly appercated thanks.

You might have chosen a bad time to go. Because in mid September they hold a 200 boat bass tournament. So you might not have much luck. To tell you the true. If you have never fished that place. I would hire a guide. They know the waters. They might or might not get you on fish though. Do to the shear size of the water. Even the guides who almost live on the water. Can not predict were the fish are.

 

Also due to the size of the water. Normal "patterns" do not exist on that water. What I mean by that. Is usually around mid-late October. The fish around me start staging for winter. Sturgeon bay is about a month behind. They are also about a month ahead in the spring. This is due to the size and clarity of the water. Even once the day temps hit 45 in late November. The shallows can still be 50-60. The main lake will be around 60-70 by that time. The canal ALSO doesn't start to ice up in till around Xmas. While local lakes and waters around me. Start to ice up around late November early December. And I am living straight west of Sturgeon bay.

I will also give you advice. Do not venture to far out in the the bay. If your boat is under 20ft and has less then 150 hp. Other wise you might not be coming back. The bay can go form bright sunny day. To heavy rains and 40mph winds. With 3-4ft waves. With out any warning.