Sturgeon Bay
Door County, Wisconsin
About Sturgeon Bay
Sturgeon Bay is a scenic Door County lake worth knowing about, covering 4,945 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, Phragmites (non-native), Purple Loosestrife, Spiny Waterflea, Starry Stonewort, Zebra Mussel) have been documented here — clean your boat before leaving.
Type: lake
Lake Location
44.86830° N, 87.39740° W
WBIC 88 · 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
Sturgeon Bay has limited visibility and a mixed bottom, making it generally good for swimming with gradual entry in most areas. With 4,945 acres of water, there is plenty of room for boats and swimmers to share the lake comfortably.
Nearby Dining
Local dining recommendations for Sturgeon Bay are coming soon. Know a great spot near 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
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 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, Phragmites (non-native), 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 Phragmites (non-native) and Purple Loosestrife and Spiny Waterflea and Starry Stonewort and Zebra Mussel have been documented in 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 Sturgeon Bay?
Yes — Sturgeon Bay has 4 boat landings providing watercraft access. Check for posted local ordinances at the landing before launching.
How big is Sturgeon Bay?
Sturgeon Bay has 4,945 acres in surface area.
Are there invasive species in Sturgeon Bay?
Yes — Curly-Leaf Pondweed and Eurasian Water-Milfoil and Phragmites (non-native) and Purple Loosestrife and Spiny Waterflea and Starry Stonewort and Zebra Mussel have been documented in 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 Sturgeon Bay located?
Sturgeon Bay is located in Door County, Wisconsin. GPS coordinates: 44.8683° N, 87.3974° W.
Are there vacation rentals on Sturgeon Bay?
Stay Northern is building the most complete rental directory for Door County lakes. Check our 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 Sturgeon Bay
Regulation data is not available for this lake. Check with the Wisconsin DNR for current season rules before fishing.
Regulations sourced from Wisconsin DNR fisheries data. Always verify current regulations before fishing.
Lake Details
- WBIC
- 88
- County
- Door County
- Surface Area
- 4,945 acres
- Lake Type
- lake
- Coordinates
- 44.8683, -87.3974
Boat Rentals Nearby
Pontoon
Listing soonFishing Boat + Motor
Listing soonKayak / Canoe
Listing soonKnow a local boat rental operator near Sturgeon Bay? Let us know.
Boat Landings (4)
NA · NA
Potawatomi State Park · (920) 746-2890
Sturgeon Bay Parks & Rec Dept. · (920) 746-2914
Sturgeon Bay Parks & Rec Dept. · (920) 746-2914
Lake data sourced from the Wisconsin DNR. Last updated 4/30/2026.