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Data compiled by Wisconsin’s broad base of citizen scientists is verifying what's been a favorite water-cooler topic of late: spring has sprung very early. More than 150 organizations put volunteers to work every year keeping track of Wisconsin wildlife and plants through the Citizen-Based Monitoring Network. Their work is documenting that spring is running about eight days to five weeks early, depending on the species. They found 38 butterfly species arrived early, including an explosion of red admiral butterflies that has been reported in many locations in Wisconsin and the upper Midwest. Wood frogs and spring peepers were heard eight and 15 days earlier, and state records fell for the earliest arrival date for 10 bird species.
Turkey hunters out in the first spring hunting period report some hens are already in the process of laying eggs or starting to incubate, but that there are still many tom turkeys on the prowl that strutting and calling. First period hunters reported good to very good success in many areas. DNR wildlife crews encountered one party that had three generations of hunters including a son, father, and 85-year-old grandfather that bagged to turkeys in Dane County.
The walleye spawning season started very early and proceeded quickly, but the unsettled weather and cold water temperatures have extended spawning, with a few ripe male and female walleye still being found near the spawning grounds. A few musky have been observed up in the shallows but it will still be a week or two until musky spawning really picks up. Sucker fishing has also been fair with some decent catches of redhorse and white sucker coming from the deeper holes on the Flambeau and Chippewa rivers. Walleye anglers are reporting some success on the Wisconsin River.
Windy conditions in the last week along with rain and drop in temperatures kept angling pressure low along Lake Michigan. There was some walleye fishing reported on both the east and west shores of Green Bay. Trollers were finding some brown and lake trout along with some chinook and coho salmon. Water levels are up on Lake Michigan tributaries after the rainfall, but fishing pressure has been low as the number of steelhead in the rivers has dropped.
This Sunday is Earth Day and people have multiple opportunities to help celebrate by participating in a wide variety of events and activities that will be held around Wisconsin. One way people can help celebrate while helping out Wisconsin state park and forest properties is to participate in the fourth annual Work*Play*Earth Day volunteer events sponsored by the Friends of Wisconsin State Parks. Volunteers help plant trees, rake campsites, pull invasive species and make minor repairs, then when the work is done they enjoin hiking or biking park trails, visiting nature centers, or take part in any of the recreational opportunities available at the different parks. The remaining events will be held April 21, 27, 28 and May 5.
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