Wisconsin Outdoor Report

Emergency burning restrictions for 11 counties in southern Wisconsin will begin at 12:01 a.m. Friday, June 29. All portions of Columbia, Crawford, Green Lake, Marquette, Richland, and Sauk, and portions of Adams, Dane, Iowa, Grant and Juneau counties that are outside incorporated cities and villages are under these restrictions, which prohibit burning any combustible material outdoors until further notice. This includes: all fireworks (restricted and non-restricted); burn piles or barrels, (all DNR burn permits suspended); campfires with the exception of developed camping areas within a fire ring; outdoor disposal of ashes or charcoal briquettes; and smoking a cigar, cigarette, or pipe, except within an enclosed vehicle or building.

State wildlife fire officials are especially concerned with the use of fireworks with the upcoming Fourth of July holiday. Fireworks are prohibited on all state properties, including park and forest campgrounds. Many communities within the emergency burn restriction area are cancelling or postponing fireworks displays, but this is a decision made by the municipality. Check with local authorities as to the status of planned fireworks display.

While the southern half of the state is very dry, with minimal rain during the month of June, northern Wisconsin has continued to receive rain last weekend that is keeping the north lush and water levels on lakes and rivers high. Lake Superior’s Chequamegon Bay is stained dark with stream run off. Pools 4 through 6 on the Mississippi River are approximately 4 to 5 feet above normal at this time due to heavy rain falls to the north. The Lower Wisconsin River has increased flow due to heavy rains to the north and sandbars have been very limited, but they are expected to return for the upcoming July Fourth week.

Some nice lake trout have been caught in Lake Superior and anglers have not had to go out in the great depths to find them. Musky activity has continued to improve on northern inland lakes and anglers have been reporting consistent action along weed edges, drop-offs, and in the light density weed beds, with buck-tail and top-water baits the most productive lures. Panfish action has been fairly consistent, with anglers making some decent catches of crappie, bluegill and rock bass. Increased water levels and dark-stained stained water has really thrown off bass action and typical early summer patterns were not producing fish. In the south, surface water temperatures over 80 degrees and low water levels on lakes and rivers has slowed fishing. Algae blooms on Lake Winnebago slowed the walleye bite considerably in the past week.

Anglers have still been catching smallmouth bass throughout Door County waters. There is an elite professional bass tournament taking place on the southern bay this week. Walleye action slowed on Green Bay, with better action along the Door peninsula. Along Lake Michigan, salmon and trout fishing was not as good as the previous week but action was still steady with some boats catching limits. Chinook and coho salmon continue to make up most of the bag but anglers fishing shallower for brown and rainbow trout were also having some success.

White-tailed bucks are in bachelor groups now and showing off some significant velvet antler development. There were many more reports this week of young loons, so boaters should take care and provide a safe swimming zone when you see loons.

Strawberries are past peak in the north, but still being found, while blueberries are already ripening. Black raspberries are ripe in the south. Gooseberries are turning black-purple. Oxeye daisies, hawkweed and buttercups are gracing roadsides.