On a windy spring day in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, Howie’s Tackle & Archery was bustling with activity. Lance LaVine, the store owner, was busy assisting anglers as they prepared for the start of the spring fishing season. With open water and an early start to the season, many customers were eager to hit the water and make the most of it.
LaVine shared his excitement about the upcoming fishing season, predicting that they would see phenomenal catches of bass, walleye, and northern pike. He noted that while winter had been unusual in Door County, with a lack of ice affecting ice fishing and sales, he saw this as a nice opportunity to start early and make up for some lost revenue.
Jon Jarosh of Destination Door County also shared his thoughts on the impact of winter on tourism in the area. While traditional activities like ice fishing and snow-related activities had been negatively affected by the warmer temperatures, some businesses had seen increased traffic due to clear roads and favorable travel conditions.
As they looked ahead to spring and summer seasons, both LaVine and Jarosh expressed hope for warm weather to continue throughout the year. Despite facing unusual challenges during winter months, businesses in Door County were adapting to changing conditions and finding creative ways to attract customers and generate revenue.
