Midwest Deer Hunting: Door County Wisconsin

Showing posts with label Door County Wisconsin. Show all posts

Saturday, June 15, 2013

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Outdoor Report

Door County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Water levels remain high, water temperatures cool for early June

Regular rainfall across the entire state in the last week continues to keep water levels high in many areas and the Great Lakes as well as inland lakes and rivers continue to be colder than normal for early June.

Water levels on the Flambeau River remain high and paddlers are finding trips shorter between landings with the fast moving water. Mississippi River water levels continue to drop but there are still several more feet to go. Most boat landings are back in service. Kayakers heading to Door County for a sea kayak symposium this weekend are being cautioned that Lake Michigan is still unusually cold and quick forming fog is a good possibility.

With school out and as water temperatures begin to heat up people will be hitting the beach. Visit the DNR website for information about new tools and some common sense reminders that can help people find beaches and stay safe and healthy while enjoying Wisconsin’s lakes and rivers.

Lake Michigan trout and salmon fishing has really picked up in the past week with nice catches reported at most ports. Good-sized chinook salmon were reported in the Kewaunee-Door counties area. It hasn’t been an automatic limit, but several boats are bringing in double digit salmon. Lake temperatures are still really low; mid- to upper 40s at the surface and high 30s to mid-40s. Good numbers of coho along with some chinook salmon and lake and rainbow trout have been reported from all southern Lake Michigan harbors, with many trollers reporting catching limits.
Walleye were being caught on the Menominee River, and a number of impressive 50-plus- inch muskies were caught on the river the past week. Along Door County, there continues to be some excellent bass fishing along the northern portion of the peninsula on both the lake and bay sides. Walleye anglers were still having success on lower Green Bay.

Inland, there has been some very good panfish action with crappies on spawning beds and bluegills just beginning to move onto beds. The water temps where the crappies have been biting have been around 58 to 60 degrees. There have been some reports of limit catches and anglers are reminded to use discretion in fishing crappies and bluegills when they are on their nests and very vulnerable to harvest.

Reports of fawns really picked up this week, and unfortunately instances of some well-meaning people bringing in abandoned fawns. Again, doe deer normally leave their fawns for long periods of time when they are first born. This is a protective measure against predators as fawns give off very little scent. If you find a fawn all by itself, leave it be. Its mom is close by.

Canada geese broods are being seen in good numbers and wood duck and mallard ducklings are hatching. Sandhill crane colts have been seen with parents as they feed and learn the surroundings. The first trumpeter swan cygnets have been reported at the Crex Meadows Wildlife Area in Burnett County.

Jack-in-the-pulpit, smooth yellow violet, Tartarian honeysuckle, black and choke cherries, miterwort, Canadian mayflower, baneberry, nodding trillium, hawthorn, blue cohosh, and starflower are blooming in the north. There have also been reports of wild strawberries beginning to fruit and wild blueberries blossoming.

Friday, May 24, 2013

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Outdoor Report

Cool spring means colder water temperatures than usual for the Memorial Day holiday weekend

The cool spring means water temperatures across most of the state will be colder than usual for the Memorial Day holiday weekend. Water levels on streams and rivers are beginning to recede, but they remain high on many river systems. The Mississippi is beginning to drop in the lower pools, but is still rising on some of the northern pools. The Flambeau River is running

nearly 2 feet above normal on the North Fork. The Rock River had dropped from flood stage but slow-no-wake rules remain in place in Rock County.

Widespread rain has alleviated fire danger and helped “green up” vegetation around the state, but 30 wildfires still burned 32 acres in DNR Protection Areas the past week.

Many state parks and forests report that most reservable campsites are booked for the weekend, but there are still some open sites. People can also now check the DNR website for availability of non-reservable sites for camping in the Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest, which has nearly 900 campsites.

Next weekend, June 1-2 is Free Fun Weekend in Wisconsin with free fishing, free DNR trails and free ATV/UTV riding June 1 and 2 and free entry to state parks and forests Sunday, June 2 only.

[EDITOR'S NOTE: a video invitation for free fun weekend from DNR Secretary Cathy Stepp and Wisconsin Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch is available in the online DNR Outdoor Report.]

Most northern lakes and flowages currently have high water levels from recent heavy rains. The erratic weather of the past week made for some variable water temperatures ranging from the upper 40s on the large and deep lakes to the mid to upper 60s on some smaller lakes.

The variable weather also made for constantly changing fishing success, though walleye anglers have been experiencing steadily improving action and success over the past week. Daily walleye bag limits will increase May 25 on more than 440 lakes in northern Wisconsin in time for the long Memorial Day weekend as spring spearing winds down by the Wisconsin bands of Chippewa Indians. Only seven of the preliminary 197 lakes that were set at a one fish bag limit will have that limit. All others will move to a two, three four or five fish limit. Check the DNR website for the revised ceded territory bag limits [PDF].

Northern pike success has been fair and panfish activity has picked up with the warm-up in water temperatures. Bass activity has also been increasing, but the erratic weather has kept fish in deeper water. The first largemouth bass spawning activity has been observed in some lakes. Crappies and white bass were biting below the Wisconsin Dells dam on the Wisconsin River.

Bass are just beginning to move onto their beds on Green Bay and there has been some excellent bass fishing all around Door County. On Lake Michigan, salmon fishing has really begun to pick up with the arrival of coho in southern waters, especially at Milwaukee, Racine and Kenosha, with some trollers have reported catching limits.

The spring turkey season ended with hunters having better success at the end of the season with the warmer temperatures. Hen turkeys have established nests and will be sitting on eggs for the next few weeks.

Bucks are growing their antlers and does are beginning to give birth to fawns. Again, does will leave their young for long periods of time. These fawns are not abandoned…leave them where they and their mothers will return to care for them.

Butterfly species are slowly emerging including: Karner blue butterflies, spring azures, pine, horary and brown elfins, and mourning cloaks. Spring ephemerals are peaking with trout lilies, trilliums, wild geranium, bellwort, bloodroot, anemones, marsh marigold and violets blooming. And more morels are popping up with some mushroom hunters reporting finding several pounds of these spring delicacies.

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Outdoor Report

Door County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Winter continued to hang on this week, with a mid-week storm dropping from 2 to six to 8 inches across a swath from northwestern to south eastern Wisconsin. Snow depths range from a low of 6 to 8 inches in the south to nearly 2 feet in some areas the north. That could change rapidly, though with warmer temperatures and rain in the forecast for this weekend across southern and central Wisconsin.

Snowmobile trails reopened in many counties in southern and central Wisconsin with conditions generally fair to good, while many trails in the north range from good to excellent. State recreational safety wardens are cautioning snowmobilers that while many trails have reopened, rain and warm temperatures this weekend could cause conditions to deteriorate rapidly, especially on waterways. Wisconsin has already recorded 18 snowmobile deaths this winter, and wardens are reminding sledders to slow down and avoid travelling on rivers and lakes.

Some very good cross-country skiing is being reported statewide, from trails in the Southern Unit of the Kettle Moraine all the way to the Northern Highland-American Legion state forests in good to excellent condition. Again, that could change this weekend, so call ahead to check on current conditions.

Participation was quite heavy in some locations for the opening of the early catch-and-release trout season that enjoyed clear water and sunny warmer weather. Trout anglers reported success ranging from moderate to excellent. Lake Superior’s Chequamegon Bay is still locked in ice, though there is a lot of snow on top and the sunny days have been creating slush, and ice fishing has generally been slow. Along Lake Michigan, anglers were now open water fishing on the Fox River at Voyageur Park with some walleye and perch being reported. Northern pike action has been good through the ice on the bay in several locations. Some perch and whitefish were being caught along Door County. Trout and steelhead action has been spotty at Lake Michigan harbors.

Ice depths on inland Northwoods lakes continue to hold in the 18-20 inch range and travel remains tough with the deep snow and slushy conditions on many waters. Ice fishing pressure has been rather light in the past week with these difficult travel conditions and the closure of the game fish season March 3. In the south, northern pike are starting to stage for spawning at Theresa Marsh and other spawning sites.

Wisconsin fishing and hunting licenses for the 2013-14 seasons went on sale Wednesday. Licenses are available through the Online Licensing Center, from authorized license agents and DNR Service Centers or by calling toll-free 1-877-LICENSE (1-877-945-4236). Licenses for the 2012-13 seasons expire March 31.

Snow has temporarily grounded the early March bird migration. Warmer temperatures predicted for this weekend should bring significant thaw to open fields and will likely bring another large push of migrants. Expect to see eagles, red-tailed and red-shouldered hawks, red-winged blackbirds, robins, song sparrows and sandhill cranes. Trumpeter swans are beginning to claim their territory on iced over flowages and goldeneye drakes are starting to display some of their mating rituals and calls.

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Outdoor Report summary for July 26, 2012

Much needed rain has fallen across most of Wisconsin in the last week, somewhat relieving the severe drought conditions in the south, but most of southern and central Wisconsin remains dry and emergency burning restrictions remain in place in all or parts of 17 counties. Fortunately, fire danger levels have dropped in much of the state, but they remain high in some central counties.

Angling success has been generally fair across the Northwoods, but with the hot and dry weather of the last few weeks recreational boating has provided most of the activity on many waters. In the south, perch fishing has been fair to good on Lake Winnebago, and panfish continue to bite through the Madison chain of lakes. Heavy weed growth has slowed fishing on inland southeastern lakes.

Walleye action continues to be good along the west shore of Green Bay but smallmouth bass action was slower this week along the Door County peninsula. Warm water is still present in roughly the top 50 feet of water along Lake Michigan and trollers had to work harder to find fish in deeper water, but were still bring in a mixed bag of trout and salmon.

If a little rain didn’t refresh you, and the heat and humidity across much of the state has you down it might be time to begin looking to cooler fall days ahead and start getting hunting gear and licenses updated and ready, beginning with preparing for the first ever wolf hunt.

The Wisconsin Natural Resources Board approved a quota of up to 201wolves that could be harvested during the first season, and state wildlife officials say it is very important if someone has any interest in hunting wolves, that they apply for a permit this year. The quota and permits available to nontribal hunters and trappers will be determined after tribes make their declarations of the harvest quota for the Ceded Territory. The season will run Oct. 15, 2012 through Feb. 28, 2013. Unsuccessful hunters will be awarded a preference point. Permit applications may be purchased at any license vendor, online and by telephone. The permit application fee is $10. The license fee is $100 for residents; $500 for nonresidents. Information on the hunting season proposal can be found on the DNR website dnr.wi.gov search for keyword “wolf.”
Sportspeople are reminded that August 1 is also the deadline to apply for fall turkey hunting permits, Upriver Lakes Winnebago system sturgeon spearing tags, and bear, otter and fisher permits.

Karner blue butterflies started their second flight two to three weeks earlier than normal, and all Karner recovery sites in the Central Forests areas from Waupaca east to Black River Falls have finished their second flight with only a few stragglers left out there. The raspberry crop is at its peak in the Northwoods and the blackberry crop looks like it will also be good with the recent rain. The adult shorebird migration is near peak and songbird migration has begun with reports of Tennessee warbler and yellow-bellied flycatchers outside their breeding ranges. See more in a new Karner blue butterfly feature on the DNR website.

Wild bergamot, brown- eyed Susans, lesser daisy fleabane, the water lilies, some of the aster varieties, orange hawkweed, wild columbine, ox eye daisy

Saturday, June 16, 2012

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Outdoor Report summary for June 14, 2012

The Wisconsin River delta into the Mississippi River taken at Wyalusing State Park in Wisconsin. The Wisconsin flows from the near right to the Mississippi River. The Mississippi River flows from the right to the left. Iowa is visible in the distance on the other side of the Mississippi River. Prairie du Chien is just out of view to the right. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Areas of Wisconsin have received some scattered showers in the last week, but many areas of the state are quite dry, with very little rain reported so far in the month of June. Water levels on lakes and rivers are mostly dropping, with the exception of the Mississippi River, which is still running 3 to 4 feet higher than normal at Prairie du Chien because of heavy rains in northern Minnesota. The lower Wisconsin River is running very low, with numerous sandbars making navigation difficult on some stretches.

Windy and variable weather made for some tough fishing conditions at times this week, though success has continued to be pretty good. Mayfly hatches are subsiding in the north and allowed for a more consistent walleye bite. Musky success continues to be very good, with anglers reporting quite a few catches and some multiple fish days. Panfish have been the highlight of the week, with some good catches of bluegill and pumpkinseed reported. Both largemouth and smallmouth bass action during the northern catch and release season has been very good. Most bass have finished up their spawning activity, and with that, the success on larger fish should begin to improve as the northern bass harvest season opens up on Saturday.

Very good walleye fishing continued to be reported on the east shore Lake Winnebago, but there are still cautions about blue-green algae on Lake Winnebago and on other waters across the state. Exposure to this algae poses a health risk to people and pets. Avoid contact with blue-green scum, and shower or rinse off after swimming in any water body.

High water has slowed Mississippi River fishing, but some good fishing for bass and catfish has been reported in the deeper holes below sandbars and against steep banks on the lower Wisconsin River, while bass and catfish were reported farther north near Wausau.

Along Green Bay, some very good walleye action continues to be reported along both the east and west shores. Smallmouth bass fishing has kicked into high gear along the Door County shoreline, with good catches reported at many locations. Some perch have also finally been reported in some areas. The phenomenal chinook salmon fishing reported out of Lake Michigan harbors has slowed some, but fishing has still been good to very good with coho salmon and brown, rainbow and lake trout now making up more of the bag.

With Father’s Day this Sunday, kids looking for a fun way to get out with dad can download a free Father’s Day Fishing Certificate from the "Fishing Wisconsin" DNR Web page to take dad out for a fun day on the water.

White-tailed deer are wearing their red summer coats and bucks are developing velvet-covered antlers. Black bear breeding season in full swing, and sows have chased off yearling bears, so these young bears are on their own for the first time and they are being sighted at back yard bird feeders. Remove feeders to avoid unwanted black bear encounters.

Snapping turtles are being seen all over right now depositing their eggs in the gravel most often near a roadway that is adjacent to water.

Sandhill crane chicks are growing rapidly and can be viewed feeding with parents in wetlands and agricultural fields. Ruffed grouse broods are being seen in the north. Warblers, tanagers, and orioles are beginning to fledge young in the south.

Friday, May 25, 2012

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Outdoor Report summary for May 24, 2012

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

With a warm Memorial Day weekend in the forecast, conservation wardens are expecting there to be lots of activity on Wisconsin’s lakes and rivers and are reminding people to be sure they have a life jacket for each person on board that is readily accessible or, better yet, being worn. Wardens are also reminding people not to launch a boat or leave a boat landing with aquatic weeds on boats or trailers, and to follow the proper rules to avoid spreading aquatic invasive species or the deadly VHS fish disease.
Many state park and forest campgrounds are reporting that reservable sites are booked up for the holiday weekend and that they expect first-come sites to fill up quickly. People can check on availability of sites through the park reservation website. Campers are also reminded that firewood rules in place to help avoid the spread of emerald ash borer and other insects and diseases require firewood brought to state properties to be from Wisconsin, from within 25 miles of your destination, and not from a quarantine area. And despite nearly complete green-up in northern forests, fire danger remains high in some areas and there were still 74 wildfires this week, including a 74-acre fire in Vilas County.
Water levels have begun to drop and most river systems and were approaching normal summer levels in most locations. The lower Wisconsin and Mississippi rivers both dropped, and there are once again abundant sandbars on the Lower Wisconsin Riverway. Water levels were still good for paddling on the North and South forks of the Flambeau River.
Some fantastic salmon fishing was reported this week on Lake Michigan and Green bay with many reports of bag limits of chinook coming in along with some coho, and brown and rainbow trout at many harbors. Walleye fishing also continued to be good on both the east and west shores of Green Bay, and smallmouth bass action was good at many locations along Door County, with many fish caught during last weekend’s Sturgeon Bay Smallmouth bass tournament. Perch season has opened on the bay, but has been slow so far.
Inland, walleye fishing continued to be fairly good in the Northwoods, though the rain and cold front that came through last weekend seemed to put a damper on what had been a rather consistent bite for walleye and panfish. Both bluegill and pumpkinseed have begun nesting and good numbers of crappie continue to be found near shallow water cover. Largemouth and smallmouth bass activity has also been increasing. Largemouth have started to build nests on many lakes, but varying water temperatures seem to continually chase the fish back to deep water. Northern pike success continued to be good around newly forming weed beds.
The spring turkey season came to a close this week, and last period hunters were reporting some toms and jakes were alone and ready to come into calling locations, with some reports of toms still actively gobbling.
There were reports of trumpeter swan cygnets hatching this week, and loons chicks have been seen on Northwoods lakes already, so boaters are being cautioned to operate at slow-no-wake within 100 feet of shorelines were loons may be nesting, and to give loons wide berth on lakes.
There were many reports of butterflies being seen this week, including cabbage white, clouded sulphur, little yellow, spring azure, mourning cloak, American lady, painted lady, red admiral, monarch, and eastern tiger swallowtail. Dragonflies are also emerging. Eastern gray-tree and green frogs as well as toads are calling profusely.
New wildflowers that can be seen are wood betony, nodding trillium, star flower, wild ginger, and fringed polygala. Prairie plants in bloom include golden Alexanders and lupines and foxglove penstemon and pale purple coneflower are in the bud stage.

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Outdoor Report summary for May 17, 2012

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Baby fawns were being seen in good numbers across Wisconsin this week, and as usual, many people were calling DNR offices to report orphaned fawns. Fawns are rarely abandoned. Does will intentionally leave fawns unattended to prevent leaving scent around their young that can attract predators. Does are generally close by feeding and keeping an eye on their fawns. If you see a fawn in the wild, slowly back away and leave the fawn alone. Do not approach or touch it. Unless you know a doe has been killed, such as in a collision with a vehicle, please do not call DNR offices to report fawns.
Many other wildlife are also giving birth. It appears to be an excellent year for duck and goose production, with many large clutches of both being seen in many areas. Turkey poults have hatched in many areas. First of the year bluebird s are fledging from nest boxes already. Four peregrine falcon chicks hatched this week in a nest box on top of the Madison Gas and Electric Blount Street Generating Station. Trumpeter swans are still sitting on nests, but cygnets should be hatching very soon.

Water levels are very high on the Mississippi and Wisconsin rivers after last week’s rain. The Mississippi was as much as 5 feet above normal in some locations. The Wisconsin was out of its banks in many locations, but was starting to drop. The North and South Forks of the Flambeau River were both high and offering excellent whitewater paddling conditions this week.
With the warmer weather in the last week, fishing picked up in many locations and some very good catches were being reported in a number of areas. Walleye bag limits were being reported on Northwoods lakes this week, as well as on the Upper River Lake Winnebago System and along both the west and east shores of Green Bay. Some of the best northern pike fishing in years was also being reported in the north. Crappies have finished spawning on most northern lakes and bluegills and bass were now on their beds. Anglers are reminded that bluegill and bass as they are very vulnerable while sitting on their beds and can be easily overharvested while spawning.
Despite some windy days, conditions were generally better for Lake Michigan trollers to get out on the water and catching good numbers of fish, with limits of chinook not uncommon, along with a mixed bag of coho and rainbow and brown trout. Anglers fishing at harbors and piers have also been catching a few chinook, browns, and rainbows. Along Door County, bass anglers were out in good numbers prefishing for the Sturgeon Bay Open Bass Tournament this weekend.
Despite the rain in the last couple of weeks, warm, dry, and breezy weather this week kept current fire danger between moderate and very high, with 50 wildfires reported in the last week, causing the suspension of burning permits in several counties.
Turtles are crossing roads now from their wetland habitat to upland sand areas to lay eggs. Please watch for turtles crossing roads and if it can be done safely, move the turtle across the road in the direction that it was heading to help prevent it from being hit by a vehicle.

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Wisconsin DNR Outdoor Report Summary for November 23, 2011

Image via Wikipedia

Hunters generally reported good hunting conditions changing to poor conditions in the north on opening day of the 2011 gun deer season. Hunters reported that the rut was still in progress across much of the state, with many hunters reporting seeing and shooting bucks that were actively pursuing does. Light rain mid day Saturday turned to snow across much of northern Wisconsin, with reports of anywhere from just a dusting to up to 9 inches of snow in the far north central part of the state. Colder temperatures and the new snow cover provided improved conditions on Sunday, but many wardens reported it appeared the hunting ranks thinned about the time the Green Bay Packers took to Lambeau Field.

A preliminary call-in tally showed hunters registered 112,581 deer over the two day opening weekend. The preliminary count was up about 5.8 percent from the opening weekend in 2010, with the preliminary buck harvest statewide up about 7 percent and the preliminary antlerless harvest up about 5 percent.

The traditional season runs through Sunday, with mild conditions in the forecast for much of the remainder of the week. Hunters have until 5 p.m. Monday to register deer, so preliminary season totals will not be available until late Tuesday after they are compiled from the more than 600 deer registration stations scattered across the state. The regular season is followed by a statewide muzzleloader season that runs Nov. 28 through Dec. 7, so all hunters are reminded that the blaze orange clothing requirement remains in place during this season. Hunters are reminded they can post photos from their hunt on the DNR’s Facebook page and visit the page to see many photos already posted.

The cold front that brought the snow also pushed more northern ducks into the state. Divers including red heads and ring-necks. Trumpeter swans and whooping cranes and tundra swans were also on the move this week. More than 70,000 tundra swans were staging in the Upper Mississippi River Wildlife Refuge this week. The northern zone duck season closed this week, but the southern duck zone and the exterior goose zone remain open until early December, so waterfowl hunters need to continue to be very sure to identify the species.

For all practical purposes, the open-water fishing season has come to an end in the Northwoods. Musky season will close on Wednesday, Nov. 30 - but very few anglers have been out trying their luck. Many medium-sized lakes saw some skim ice late last week, but that has since gone away with the wind and milder weather. A few of the smaller lakes still have a thin layer of ice -- but thickness is less than an inch and not near thick enough for any kind of ice fishing. There continue to be some reports of a few fly fishers out having success with brown and rainbow trout on Lake Michigan tributaries.

While some areas of northern Wisconsin say their first substantial snowfall and snowmobilers are getting their sleds ready, they are being reminded that trails don’t open until the county snowmobile trail coordinator declares trails open. Using trails before they are open is trespass and can result in the loss of trail easement from landowners.

Immature snowy owls are starting to show up in Wisconsin and across the Upper Midwest. Owls have been seen this week near Ashland, Horicon, Sheboygan, and Door County and other locations.

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Wisconsin-Outdoor Report Summary for September 22, 2011

Image via Wikipedia

Temperatures were comfortable for the first few days of the archery deer, squirrel, turkey, and exterior goose seasons last Saturday, but rain on Sunday made many hunters stay home. Youth waterfowl hunters reported good success during their two-day hunt, with mostly blue-wing teal, mallards and wood ducks harvested, along with some geese. Turkey hunters report turkeys are still flocked up in family groups. Archery hunters had some success on opening weekend in southern Wisconsin, with a number of registration stations having some deer brought in, with most of the bucks having polished antlers and gray winter coats. Bucks are still grouped up and many are still in summer patterns, but the cooler weather is starting to get deer moving, so drivers should start being more aware of deer crossing roads.

The northern duck zone and new Mississippi duck and Canada goose zone seasons open this Saturday, and waterfowlers out scouting are reporting increasing numbers of migratory geese moving into the state and just a few northern ducks starting to show up. Wildlife crews have been out activating banding locally breeding ducks at major wildlife areas, and are reporting good numbers of mallards and wood ducks. Hunters that shoot a banded duck are asked to go online to www.reportband.gov and report the band number and where the bird was harvested.

With so many hunting seasons open, fishing pressure showed a sharp drop on many waters. In the north, there have still been quite a few musky anglers out and they have been seeing quite a bit of action along the deep weed edges. Some anglers have started dragging suckers with only mediocre success due to the warm early fall water temperatures. Walleye fishing has been steadily improving. Bass continue to be found in relatively shallow water with the best action late afternoons after the water has warmed up.

Bluegills were being caught throughout the Mississippi River backwaters. White bass and walleye were being caught below dams on the Rock River and catfishing has been good on the Crawfish River.

Strong southeast winds in the last week have made fishing on Green Bay and Lake Michigan difficult. Anglers continued to report some walleye and perch on the west shore off Oconto and some perch action at Little Sturgeon Bay on the Door County. Salmon were scattered up the Manitowoc and Twin rivers, but only a small number were seen by the dams with few caught. Similarly, despite some rain in the last week, water levels remain low on southeastern Lake Michigan tributaries, and few salmon have started to move upstream yet, though some were reported on the Sheboygan and Root rivers.

Sandhill cranes are flocking up and some large groups are being seen. Blackbirds are forming some very large flocks also. There have been several reports in southern Wisconsin of collared whooping cranes being seen. Waterfowl hunters are being cautioned to make sure they watch out for whooping cranes and trumpeter swans.

Fall color is really starting to come on in the north, with about a dozen counties now reporting colors at 25 to 50 percent and Vilas County reporting color at 50 to 75 percent on the Department of Tourism’s Fall Color Report (exit DNR).

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

9/15 Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Outdoor Report Update

Image via Wikipedia

Wisconsin’s fall hunting seasons move into high gear this weekend with the opening of the Canada goose season on Friday, and the opening of fall turkey, archery deer, ruffed grouse, cotton tail rabbit and squirrel seasons on Saturday. This weekend there is also a special two-day youth waterfowl hunt (pdf) open to youths 10 to 15 years of age who are hunter safety certified or participating in a mentored hunt. Participants must be HIP registered and be accompanied by and adult.

There are some changes this year for turkey hunters and archery deer hunters. It will be more convenient for turkey hunters to register their birds this year, either toll-free over the phone at 1-888-HUNT-WIS (1-888-486-8947) or usingonline turkey registration (Note: link will become active when season opens) through the DNR website. There will no longer be turkey registration stations. The fall turkey hunting season will also be extended for turkey zones 1 through 5 to Dec. 31. This late season had a two-year trial period, but is now permanent. There are still plenty of turkey permits available for these zones this fall. Archery deer hunting will now be open during the nine-day gun deer season, which will make this the longest archer deer season on record.

Pleasant late-summer weather in the past week made for very nice fishing conditions. In the Northwoods, water temperatures dropped into the mid-60s spurring on fall feeding activity for most species. Musky and northern pike action continues to improve and anglers have reported some very good success. The hook-and-line sturgeon season into its second week with moderate pressure and quite a few fish being caught, including a couple legal 60-inch-plus fish reported. Bass fishing continued to become more erratic, but some excellent action has been experienced on a couple of days, especially for largemouth. Walleye success continues to improve with some decent catches reported from on and around mid-depth structure on leaches and crawlers. In the south smallmouth bass are very active and feeding on the Wisconsin River and walleye fishing remains good below dams on the Rock River. Panfish action has been good on many southern lakes.

On Green Bay, some very good perch fishing with some limits were being reported along Door County. Anglers were targeting musky on the lower bay and Fox River with some success this week. Lake Michigan trollers continue to work outside of harbors with success for chinook and brown trout as well as farther off shore with a mixed bag of chinook and coho salmon and brown and rainbow trout reported. Lake Michigan tributaries continue to run quite low. A few chinook were reported this week on the lower sections of the Manitowoc and Sheboygan rivers, but additional rainfall is needed to draw fish up tributaries for fall spawning.

Whitetail bucks are now being seen both with and without velvet. Archers are reminded that if they shoot a buck in velvet and want to keep the antlers they must contact a conservation warden and request written authorization.

Coyotes have been very vocal over the last several weeks. Family groups have established rendezvous sites. These are typically open areas including old log landings, abandoned quarries or grassy hillsides, where family groups meet to socialize, and prepare for an upcoming hunt. Pups are especially vocal at this time and will readily respond when howled at by a human voice.

Spots of autumn color are starting especially with some maples starting to turn. Iron County in far northern Wisconsin is reporting the most color at between 25 and 50 percent on the Department of Tourism’s newly revamped Fall Color Report (exit DNR), but peak color is still several weeks off in the north and a month or so in the south.

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