Wisconsin Hunters: Outdoor Report as of September 8, 2011

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The pleasant late summer weather that prevailed across the northern part of the state made for some very good fishing conditions. Musky continued to provide very consistent action and most musky anglers are reporting a lot of sightings and follows. Bass fishing -- for both largemouth and smallmouth -- is just starting to become erratic, with smallmouth fishing showing the most consistency on the rivers and flowages. Walleye fishing continues to be fair, with a few more anglers starting to target walleye. Panfish action continued to be good with bluegill, crappie and rock bass all providing success.

In the south, walleye fishing has been excellent below dams on the Rock River. Limits of catfish were also being reported on various sections of the Rock. Smallmouth bass fishing has been good on the Lower Wisconsin River and on some Rock and Jefferson county lakes. Water levels continue to drop on the Mississippi River and are nearing normal low water levels for September. The level at Cassville was 7.8 feet this week. Bluegills were biting throughout both Mississippi River pools 10 and 11. Bass anglers noted good numbers of smaller 10- to 12-inch fish with few over 14 inches. Walleye and sauger anglers were trolling wing dams with some success.

The sturgeon season opened this weekend and good numbers of sturgeon were caught below the Prairie du Sac dam, including a 63-inch sturgeon that was kept and several 50-plus-inch sturgeon released. Initial success on northern rivers was fair, with good numbers of sub-legal fish caught, but legal-size 60-inch sturgeon hard to come by.

On Green Bay, anglers off Oconto continue to report good catches of perch and walleye. Perch fishing was good off Door County at Little Sturgeon Bay and Chaudoir’s dock. Along Lake Michigan, most tributaries are running low and fall salmon and trout runs have not begun. Many trollers were working closer to harbors, with chinook salmon making up most of the catch, but also brown and rainbow trout and some coho.

Early Canada goose and mourning dove hunters were greeted with very warm conditions for the opener last week, but conditions have improved after the recent cool down. Some hunters had early success, but are now finding it difficult to locate geese due to standing crops and geese taking refuge in towns and in the federal refuges Dove hunters have had good success over sunflower fields on the public hunting grounds in the south.

There have been increasing reports of whitetail bucks rubbing velvet from their antlers from archery hunters out scouting before their opener Sept. 17. Many fawns are losing their spots and getting adult coats.

The slow but steady southward raptor migration has begun, with numerous red-tailed hawks, broad-winged hawks, and kestrels being seen moving along the Mississippi River. A variety of ducks have been gathering on Horicon Marsh, with thousands of mallards, blue-winged teal and wood ducks feeding on the north end of Horicon Marsh. Several hundred great egrets were also seen on the marsh last week.

Just a few maple and birch leaves have begun to turn in the north. Walnut and oak trees have begun dropping nuts, and the white oak family that also includes bur and swamp oaks are producing a tremendous acorn crop this year.