Wisconsin Outdoor Report as of August 18, 2011

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Moderate temperatures and low humidity in much of the state made for more pleasant conditions for outdoors activities. Angler survey shows August is still a good time for fishing for many species, and anglers in many parts around the state proved that over the week.

In lakes and rivers in the Upper Chippewa Basin, which includes Price, Rusk, Sawyer Taylor and inland Ashland and Iron counties, anglers enjoyed some pleasant fishing conditions, with musky and bass becoming especially active. Musky success showed a nice little surge and most anglers reported some good action from small and medium-size fish. The fish seemed to be active along the weed edges and deep break lines, with jerks baits and swim baits the most productive. Action for both largemouth and smallmouth bass has been consistent and some very nice fish have been caught and released in the last week.

Rough boating conditions on Lake Michigan over the weekend in Sheboygan and Ozaukee counties kept fishing pressure down. In Racine, once the lake settled down, trollers have been catching chinooks along with a few rainbows and coho. Most fish have been found in 80 to 140 feet of water, and flashers and flies as well as spoons have produced. Green glow-in-the-dark, purple, and blue spoons have produced, as well as blue and green flies. Perch fishing has dwindled in Racine, and shore fishing for trout and salmon remains slow as well.

In Lake Michigan near Kenosha, fish have moved further offshore since the weekend winds. Trollers have recently had success catching chinooks and a few rainbows and coho in 90 to 140 feet of water. Perch fishing has slowed in Kenosha for both boats and shore anglers. A few brown trout have been caught in the harbor, but those have been few and far between.

Walleye fishing is still going good on the Wolf River in Waupaca County. Drag a half of a night crawler on the bottom and you'll have a chance at some great success. Crappies are starting to bite too.

Anglers on the Wisconsin River have been finding good smallmouth bass fishing in Columbia and Sauk counties now that waters have returned to near normal stage. Topwater lures seem to be the key.

On the Rock River, catfish are still being caught as well as some panfish. Some catfish are being found dead along that river so DNR is asking anyone finding a fresh specimen or a catfish near death to contact local fisheries staff so they can obtain a sample for testing to try to pinpoint the problem.

The cicadas are out and calling throughout the afternoon hours and it's a great time for butterfly watching. Monarchs and yellow swallowtails have been seen in numbers as well on various wildflowers like compass plant, bergamot, and cup plant.

Reports of deer are picking up. At Willow River State Park in west central Wisconsin, the deer fawns are losing their spots. Look for a doe and two fawns on the hillsides not far below the boat launch along the road. They tend to be out around evening meal time.

At Brunet Island State Park, it's been birds, birds, birds. Bald eagles, kingfishers, scarlet tanagers, rose-breasted grosbeaks, great blue herons, red winged blackbirds, sandhill cranes, red polls, and robins are just the start of the list staff have reported.

Wildflowers are putting on a show as well.

An updated web page Natural Resources Monthly, links to more information about August phenology, activities at their peak this time of the year, including butterfly watching, and online resources to help find new outdoors experiences and information to enjoy. Go to DNR's home page at dnr.wi.gov and look on the left-hand side for "natural resources."