GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - The Bassmaster Elite Series fishing tournament is being forced to reel in their fishing area.  The DNR is limiting the 99 tournament angler to waters just south of Sturgeon Bay, leaving out many areas like the canal off limits.  Some anglers wanted to fish the Sturgeon Bay area because bass are reportedly hitting well there. BASS National Conservation Director Noreen Clough says this won’t be a setback only a challenge, but they were hoping to fish Lake Michigan.  The DNR wanted to limit the bay fishing area even more. “The Wisconsin DNR is being pretty conservative, and we worked them to expand the boundaries and we think we’ve got some good fishing area that will result in a good tournament”  Clough said.  Clough says the anglers are pros and have fished tough waters.  “They are good at what they do, and I expect them to get out there and find the fish.”  The DNR had concerns about the stress put on fish in live wells for an extended period of time, and releasing them in area where they were not caught with regard to cooler and warmer waters. Both concerns can be fatal for the fish.    Clough says they are required to release the fish a quarter mile out from shore once they are weighed in at the end of the day.  The Bassmaster Elite Series Tournament chose Green Bay as their mystery lake event.  The tournament will get national coverage on ESPN and the Outdoor Channel.   The anglers are competing for a purse worth $600,000, with $100,000 going to first place.  The Elite Series Tournament is June 28^th through July 1^st.