Little Sturgeon Bay
Door County, Wisconsin
About Little Sturgeon Bay
Little Sturgeon Bay is a scenic Door County lake worth knowing about, covering 1,068 acres. The lake has public boat landing access, making it easy to launch for a day on the water. Note that invasive species (Curly-Leaf Pondweed, Eurasian Water-Milfoil, Flowering Rush, Purple Loosestrife, Spiny Waterflea, Starry Stonewort, Zebra Mussel) have been documented here — clean your boat before leaving.
Type: lake · Hydrology: DRAINAGE
Lake Location
44.83890° N, 87.54960° W
WBIC 92 · Wisconsin DNRLocal's Guide
Fishing
Species-specific tips above. Wisconsin fishing license required for ages 16+. See current season regulations below.
View fishing regulations ↓Swimming
Little Sturgeon Bay has limited visibility and a mixed bottom, making it generally good for swimming with gradual entry in most areas. With 1,068 acres of water, there is plenty of room for boats and swimmers to share the lake comfortably.
Nearby Dining
Local dining recommendations for Little Sturgeon Bay are coming soon. Know a great spot near Little Sturgeon Bay? Share it at staynorthern.com/contact. Looking for restaurants near Door County lakes? Visit staynorthern.com/eats for our full northwoods dining guide.
Insider Tips
Little Sturgeon Bay is one of Door County's lesser-known gems — the kind of place locals return to year after year. Early mornings before 9am offer the calmest water and best fishing before boat traffic picks up. If you're visiting for the first time, check the DNR boat landing locations before you arrive — some are well-marked, others take a local to find. Know something about Little Sturgeon Bay that visitors should? Share a tip at staynorthern.com/contact — we add the best ones to this page.
Lake Conditions
Water Clarity
—
No data
Trophic Status
—
No data
Invasive Weeds
Present
Curly-Leaf Pondweed, Eurasian Water-Milfoil, Flowering Rush, Purple Loosestrife, Spiny Waterflea, Starry Stonewort, Zebra Mussel
Seasonal Notes
See below
Ice-out dates, peak fishing windows
Ice out arrives in late March to early April on southern Wisconsin lakes. Bass and panfish fishing is excellent from early May onward. Swimming season runs from early June through September. Fall color peaks in mid-October. Ice fishing is possible in most winters but season length varies — check conditions before heading out.
Condition data sourced from Wisconsin DNR surveys. Real-time weed and clarity reports coming soon.
Invasive Species Present
Curly-Leaf Pondweed and Eurasian Water-Milfoil and Flowering Rush and Purple Loosestrife and Spiny Waterflea and Starry Stonewort and Zebra Mussel have been documented in Little Sturgeon Bay. Clean, drain, and dry all watercraft and equipment before leaving.
Report sightings to the Wisconsin DNR invasive species hotline.Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a public boat launch on Little Sturgeon Bay?
Yes — Little Sturgeon Bay has a public boat landing providing watercraft access. Check for posted local ordinances at the landing before launching.
How big is Little Sturgeon Bay?
Little Sturgeon Bay has 1,068 acres in surface area.
Are there invasive species in Little Sturgeon Bay?
Yes — Curly-Leaf Pondweed and Eurasian Water-Milfoil and Flowering Rush and Purple Loosestrife and Spiny Waterflea and Starry Stonewort and Zebra Mussel have been documented in Little Sturgeon Bay. Please clean, drain, and dry your watercraft and all equipment before leaving any Wisconsin water body to prevent the spread of invasive species.
Where is Little Sturgeon Bay located?
Little Sturgeon Bay is located in Door County, Wisconsin. GPS coordinates: 44.8389° N, 87.5496° W.
Are there vacation rentals on Little Sturgeon Bay?
Stay Northern is building the most complete rental directory for Door County lakes. Check our Little Sturgeon Bay vacation rentals listing — if none are available yet, check back soon or browse nearby Door County lake rentals.
Fishing Regulations
Current season regulations for Little Sturgeon Bay
| Species | Season | Min. Length | Daily Bag |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullheads | , to March 31, 2027 | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited. | — |
| Bullheads | Closed | No fishing allowed. | — |
| Bullheads | May 2, 2026 to October 15, 2026 | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited. | — |
| Bullheads | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited. | — |
| Bullheads | Open All Year | There is no minimum length and the bag limit is unlimited. | — |
| Catfish | , to March 31, 2027 | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10. | — |
| Catfish | Closed | No fishing allowed. | — |
| Catfish | May 2, 2026 to October 15, 2026 | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10. | — |
| Catfish | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10. | — |
| Catfish | Open All Year | There is no minimum length and the bag limit is unlimited. | — |
| Cisco And Whitefish | , to March 31, 2027 | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10. | — |
| Cisco And Whitefish | Closed | No fishing allowed. | — |
| Cisco And Whitefish | May 2, 2026 to October 15, 2026 | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10. | — |
| Cisco And Whitefish | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10. | — |
| Cisco And Whitefish | Open All Year | There is no minimum length and the bag limit is unlimited. | — |
| Lake Sturgeon | Closed | No fishing allowed. | — |
| Lake Sturgeon | Closed | There is no minimum length and the bag limit is unlimited. | — |
| Largemouth Bass | , to June 12, 2026 | The minimum length limit is 14" and the daily bag limit is 5. | — |
| Largemouth Bass | Closed | No fishing allowed. | — |
| Largemouth Bass | May 2, 2026 to June 19, 2026 | The minimum length limit is 14" and the daily bag limit is 5. | — |
| Largemouth Bass | May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027 | The minimum length limit is 14" and the daily bag limit is 5. | — |
| Largemouth Bass | Open All Year | There is no minimum length and the bag limit is unlimited. | — |
| Largemouth Bass And Smallmouth Bass | Closed | No fishing allowed. | — |
| Largemouth Bass And Smallmouth Bass | June 20, 2026 to March 7, 2027 | The minimum length limit is 14" and the daily bag limit is 5. | — |
| Largemouth Bass And Smallmouth Bass | Open All Year | There is no minimum length and the bag limit is unlimited. | — |
| Muskellunge And Hybrids | May 2, 2026 to December 31, 2026 on open water | The minimum length limit is 40" and the daily bag limit is 1. | — |
| Northern Pike | , to March 7, 2027 | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 5. | — |
| Northern Pike | Closed | No fishing allowed. | — |
| Northern Pike | May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027 | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 5. | — |
| Northern Pike | May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027 | The minimum length limit is 26" and the daily bag limit is 2. | — |
| Northern Pike | May 2, 2026 to October 15, 2026 | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 5. | — |
| Northern Pike | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 5. | — |
| Northern Pike | Open All Year | There is no minimum length and the bag limit is unlimited. | — |
| Paddlefish | Closed | No fishing allowed. | — |
| Paddlefish | Closed | There is no minimum length and the bag limit is unlimited. | — |
| Panfish | , to March 31, 2027 | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 25. | — |
| Panfish | Closed | No fishing allowed. | — |
| Panfish | May 2, 2026 to October 15, 2026 | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 25. | — |
| Panfish | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10. | — |
| Panfish | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 25. | — |
| Panfish | Open All Year | There is no minimum length and the bag limit is unlimited. | — |
| Rock, Yellow, And White Bass | , to March 31, 2027 | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited. | — |
| Rock, Yellow, And White Bass | Closed | No fishing allowed. | — |
| Rock, Yellow, And White Bass | May 2, 2026 to October 15, 2026 | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited. | — |
| Rock, Yellow, And White Bass | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited. | — |
| Rock, Yellow, And White Bass | Open All Year | There is no minimum length and the bag limit is unlimited. | — |
| Rough Fish | , to March 31, 2027 | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited. | — |
| Rough Fish | Closed | No fishing allowed. | — |
| Rough Fish | May 2, 2026 to October 15, 2026 | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited. | — |
| Rough Fish | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited. | — |
| Rough Fish | Open All Year | There is no minimum length and the bag limit is unlimited. | — |
| Round Goby | , to March 31, 2027 | The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office. | — |
| Round Goby | Closed | No fishing allowed. | — |
| Round Goby | May 2, 2026 to October 15, 2026 | The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office. | — |
| Round Goby | Open All Year | The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office, Hook and line fishing is open all year for fish species except muskellunge, lake sturgeon, trout, paddlefish and threatened or endangered species. | — |
| Round Goby | Open All Year | The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office. | — |
| Round Goby | Open All Year | The daily bag limit is 0. One may be killed and transported to a WDNR Office. | — |
| Round Goby | Open All Year | There is no minimum length and the bag limit is unlimited, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office. | — |
| Ruffe | , to March 31, 2027 | The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office. | — |
| Ruffe | Closed | No fishing allowed. | — |
| Ruffe | May 2, 2026 to October 15, 2026 | The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office. | — |
| Ruffe | Open All Year | The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office, Hook and line fishing is open all year for fish species except muskellunge, lake sturgeon, trout, paddlefish and threatened or endangered species. | — |
| Ruffe | Open All Year | The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office. | — |
| Ruffe | Open All Year | The daily bag limit is 0. One may be killed and transported to a WDNR Office. | — |
| Ruffe | Open All Year | There is no minimum length and the bag limit is unlimited, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office. | — |
| Shovelnose Sturgeon | Closed | No fishing allowed. | — |
| Shovelnose Sturgeon | Closed | There is no minimum length and the bag limit is unlimited. | — |
| Smallmouth Bass | , to June 12, 2026 | Fish may not be harvested (catch and release only). | — |
| Smallmouth Bass | Closed | No fishing allowed. | — |
| Smallmouth Bass | May 2, 2026 to June 19, 2026 | Fish may not be harvested (catch and release only). | — |
| Smallmouth Bass | Open All Year | There is no minimum length and the bag limit is unlimited. | — |
| Trout | See specific regulations | https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/fishing/trout/ . | — |
| Walleye, Sauger, And Hybrids | , to March 7, 2027 | The minimum length limit is 15" and the daily bag limit is 3. | — |
| Walleye, Sauger, And Hybrids | May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027 | The minimum length is 15", but walleye, sauger, and hybrids from 20" to 24" may not be kept, and only 1 fish over 24" is allowed. The daily bag limit is 3. | — |
| Walleye, Sauger, And Hybrids | May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027 | The minimum length limit is 15" and the daily bag limit is 3. | — |
| Walleye, Sauger, And Hybrids | Open All Year | The minimum length limit is 15" and the daily bag limit is 3. | — |
| Walleye, Sauger, And Hybrids | Open All Year | Three walleye and sauger may be kept. Sauger must be at least 15" and walleye must be at least 18". | — |
| White Perch | , to March 31, 2027 | The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office. | — |
| White Perch | Closed | No fishing allowed. | — |
| White Perch | May 2, 2026 to October 15, 2026 | The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office. | — |
| White Perch | Open All Year | The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office, Hook and line fishing is open all year for fish species except muskellunge, lake sturgeon, trout, paddlefish and threatened or endangered species. | — |
| White Perch | Open All Year | The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office. | — |
| White Perch | Open All Year | The daily bag limit is 0. One may be killed and transported to a WDNR Office. | — |
| White Perch | Open All Year | There is no minimum length and the bag limit is unlimited, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office. | — |
Regulations sourced from Wisconsin DNR fisheries data. Always verify current regulations before fishing.
Lake Details
- WBIC
- 92
- County
- Door County
- Surface Area
- 1,068 acres
- Lake Type
- lake
- Coordinates
- 44.8389, -87.5496
Boat Rentals Nearby
Pontoon
Listing soonFishing Boat + Motor
Listing soonKayak / Canoe
Listing soonKnow a local boat rental operator near Little Sturgeon Bay? Let us know.
Boat Landings (1)
Door County Parks Dept. · (920) 746-9959
Lake data sourced from the Wisconsin DNR. Last updated 4/30/2026.