The Marina at Wagon Trail Resort is the gateway to some exceptional Door County fishing and water sports. Located on Rowleys Bay, surrounded by the Nature Conservancy and Newport State Park, the Wagon Trail Marina offers  easy access to Rowleys Bay and the Mink River Estuary.

Rowleys Bay is a large shallow bay that offers an interesting variety of fishing and 360 degrees of beautiful scenery. The Mink River is more of an estuary than a river with a current. It rises in an extensive wetland and flows about two miles before entering Rowleys Bay. This is a pristine wilderness area with abundant wildlife, and it offers a unique setting for an unforgettable day of fishing!

Dockage 2010

Docks include use of the resort amenities
plus water and electric hookup

DOCKAGE BASED ON OVERALL LENGTH

Daily Slips*

CONCESSIONS

Tax is not included in above items.

LAUNCH

Fishing Calendar

Rowleys Bay is a good spot to troll for Brown Trout in the spring after the ice leaves. This could be as early as the first week or two of March or as late as early April. Look for Browns in 6'-20' of water along the rocky shorelines of the south of the Bay or all across the outer mouth of Rowleys Bay itself. Use long lines, preferably no larger than 6 lb., at this time of year, since the water is super clear. There is also a major movement of northern pike toward the Mink River in spring, and trolling or casting around the back end of Rowleys Bay  (near the mouth of the Mink River) shortly after ice-out can produce some exceptional northern pike catches.

Shallow-water Brown Trout fishing continues to be good thru early May, but changing water temperatures sometime force fishermen to deeper water.

The Mink River is a primary spawning area for Northern Pike and Small-mouth Bass, and that is what draws the fishermen. Northern begin running up the river shortly after the ice leaves, but they usually don't spawn until mid-May. At this time, try working the big marsh at the upper end of the river, casting floating rapalas in as little as two feet of water. The edge, where the marsh drops off into about 6 feet of the main river, is also a prime holding area for Northerns. This is a good bet for 30 - inch- plus pike and l5 to 20 lb. trophies which are present each spring. The deeper holes near the river mouth can also be good for Perch in May and June. May fly nymphs are a popular bait.

In summer, some good pencil reed beds develop along the shores of Rowleys Bay, especially nearer to the river inlet. Work these reed beds and some of the nearby rock and boulder structure with soft-shell crayfish or nightcrawlers for Small-mouth Bass and Perch. A 7 lb. Small-mouth came from this area several years ago.

Small-mouth bass move into the river in June, and mid-June to mid-July provide good fishing for this species. Work the edge cover in the main river channel with nightcrawlers, soft-shell crayfish or small crankbaits. the deeper holes near the mouth of the Mink River can produce some good catches of Perch during this time of the year.

July provides some of the best deep water trolling of the entire year.
Lake Trout and Salmon fishermen enjoy consistently good action. 

July and August produce the best Small-mouth Bass fishing in Rowleys Bay itself. Fishing the reed beds is recommended.

The Mink River still yields excellent Small-mouth Bass action until about mid-July when the bass leave for deeper water.

As we head into August, Bass fishermen can still enjoy good fishing along the reed beds in Rowleys Bay.

Deep water trolling is still producing a number of Lake Trout and Salmon trolling with J-Plugs and Mister Twisters.

September sees the return of Northern action to Rowleys Bay trolling or casting along the reed beds. Shoreline fishing for Brown and Rainbow Trout also improve during this time of the year.

[HOME]  [ACCOMMODATIONS]  [RESERVATIONS]
[AMENITIES]  [MEETING & EVENTS PLANNER]
[MAIN LODGE]  [COTTAGES] [VACATION HOMES] 
[BAKERY]  [RESTAURANT]  [MARINA]
  [WHAT'S NEW]  [DIRECTIONS]  [LOCAL EVENTS]

Wagon Trail Resort
& Vacation Homes on Rowleys Bay
1041 County Road ZZ Ellison Bay, WI 54210-9711
Phone: (920) 854-2385 Fax: (920) 854-5278
1-888-559-2466 (Toll Free)

frontdesk@wagontrail.com