STURGEON BAY, WI (WLUK) — Dozens of anglers in Door County are back on the water Friday and Saturday in search of trophy fish.
COVID-19 concerns canceled the competition last year, but the 31st Sturgeon Bay Open Bass Tournament is on, but there are some changes to this year’s event.
On a sunny Friday morning, anglers test their skill along the eastern shoreline of Little Sturgeon Bay, 143 two-person teams from 13 U.S, States and one Canadian Province are in the competition.
“There’s anglers chasing fish that are super shallow. There’s anglers that are chasing fish that are still schooled up a little bit deeper. And it’s interesting to see the techniques that these anglers are going to use to try to catch these fish,” said Jeff Kelm, Sturgeon Bay Open Bass Tournament Director.
Kelm is running the 2021 spring event, which returned to its original Sturgeon Bay location, Sawyer Park. The Sturgeon Bay Open Bass Tournament Committee partnered with Federation Angler, and its subsidiary North American Bass Challenge to help manage the tournament.
“We bring this great trailer, and everything to display here in Sawyer Park. And we’ve got a great boat to be able to give away as well,” said Kelm.
Sturgeon Bay Open Bass Tournament Association President Wendy Heim says it takes a lot of work to organize and operate the catch-and-release tournament, and the move gives the non-profit group a bit of a break.
“It alleviated a lot of pressure that we had with our volunteers. Now, we have our raffle, we sell our beverages, and we also sell clothing. That’s how we make our income as a non-profit organization, to give back to the community, Door County area,” said Wendy Heim, Sturgeon Bay Open Bass Tournament Association President.
Heim says over the years, tournament proceeds helped build this pavilion, buy a rescue boat for a local fire department, and install flag poles at area boat launches.
The two-day tournament wraps up Saturday with raffles, food, and of course fish.
Organizers say anglers are vying for about $113,000 in cash and prizes.
