Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Outdoor Report summary for August 9, 2012

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Get ready to pitch your tent, wet a line, or lace up the hiking boots. If the forecast holds, this could be one of the nicest weekends of the summer.

All of Wisconsin received rain in the last week, ranging from about a quarter of an inch in the southeast to up 2 inches in some central areas. The Flambeau River in the north continues to be at good levels for paddlers, but the Lower Wisconsin continues to remain very low and it is getting more difficult to follow the main channel, but there are lots of great sandbars for camping.

Fishing has been good on both the Flambeau and Chippewa rivers and catches of walleye and smallmouth bass were being reported on the Turtle Flambeau Flowage. Smallmouth were also being caught on the Peshtigo and Oconto rivers. The Fox, Wolf, Manitowoc and Wisconsin have all been productive areas for catfish, which have been very active with the warm water temperature.

Some nice catches of bluegills have been reported of shore in Lake Monona along the Monona Terrace and anglers in boats have been drifting parts of Lake Monona have been catching limits of decent sized bluegills. Lake Mendota has been pretty good lately as well. Many fishermen are catching nice bluegills and perch anywhere along the weed lines in 12-30 feet of water. Smallmouth bass are still really biting on Lake Mendota as well.

Walleye action continued along both shores of Green Bay and smallmouth action continued along most of the Door County Peninsula, but was better on the bay side. Lake Michigan trollers have been catching mostly chinook, along with a few rainbows, coho, and lake trout.

Bear baiting is in in full swing, and some hunters are worried that the large berry and acorn crop in the north may keep them off baits. Deer are roaming, with many sightings of does with two fawns. White-tailed bucks are still in full velvet.

Wild blackberries are near their peak in the north, but raspberries and blackberries are past peak in the drought prone areas of the south. Native prairie flowers such as blazing stars, asters, rosinweed, wild bergamot, and various goldenrod species are flowering. Unfortunately, several invasive plants are also blooming; keep an eye out for bull thistle, tansy, and spotted knapweed. Burdock is also blooming now. Check the DNR website for how this plant’s flowers not stick to clothes and pets, but have been found to be yet another threat to bats.

We salute Smokey Bear, long-time champion of forest protection and wildfire prevention, who turns 68 today. Despite recent rain, emergency burning restrictions remain in effect in 11 counties in central and southern Wisconsin.
Mid-August marks the beginning of the peak of the fall migration for many species of birds bound for far-flung wintering grounds in central and South America. People will be able to join DNR biologists Kim Grveles and Andy Paulios for a live chat at noon on Wednesday, August 15 to get answers where to go birding, what birds to expect, and how to make yards or properties a migratory “hotspots.” Check the DNR website on Tuesday Aug. 14 for details on participating.

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Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Outdoor Report summary for March 15, 2012

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Unseasonably warm – and in some cases record temperatures – have all but erased the Leap Year snowfall and have hampered fishing success, but continue to bring songbirds, sandhill cranes and trumpeter swans to the state.

Snowmobile trails in Eagle River will close at noon Friday and Trails listed on the Wisconsin Department of Tourism’s Snow Conditions Report (exit DNR) are increasingly moving from poor to closed.

With the extremely warm temperatures this week, ice is rapidly disappearing from lakes. Lakes Mendota and Monona in Madison are completely ice-free. Lakes in northern Wisconsin still have ice, but what ice remains is honeycombed and dangerous and there are areas of open water in many locations. Wardens are urging all people to stay off any remaining ice.

Open water fishing continues to pick up with the spring steelhead run already underway on Lake Michigan tributaries. Steelhead were moving up the Sheboygan, Menominee and Root rivers and Oak Creek. Shore anglers have been catching brown trout at Port Washington and boaters have taken brown, steelhead and some lake trout out of the Milwaukee harbor. River anglers were reporting fair to good walleye action below dams on the Wolf, Wisconsin, Rock and Crawfish rivers.

The pleasant weather if bringing people out to parks and trails to hike, or plan camping trips. While the nice weather is tempting for a bike ride, state trails managers are asking bikers to stay off the state rail-trails with crushed limestone screening if the trails are soft and damp. Riding the trails in these conditions can leave deep ruts that are difficult to repair and that make riding dangerous once the trails have dried out. Several parks are reporting they are getting camping areas cleaned up early in anticipation of campers heading out this weekend to enjoy the unseasonably warm weather. Call parks and forest directly to find out if campsites are open and current conditions.

There is still time to share your thoughts on deer by taking part in one of the remaining public deer hunting forums. The forums began last week and will continue to March 29. An on-line survey is also available for you to provide input. These “virtual deer forums” allow you to take part without traveling. The online survey will be available until April 3.

Bears are increasingly on the move and bird feeders should be removed, or raised out of the reach of hungry bruins. Turkeys are beginning to gobble and a roughed grouse was heard drumming recently. Eagles are actively nesting and are defending their Northwoods territories. Barred owls have been aggressively trading territorial calls during the early night hours. A large flock of as many as 250 trumpeter swans were reported moving along the Lake Michigan shoreline at Whitefish Dunes State Park on March 13-14.

Trees, especially in central and southern Wisconsin are budding. Maple sap is running and it’s uncertain how this warm spell will affect the season this year. Pussy willow catkins are budding out and pasque flowers are already in bloom in some locations.

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• Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Outdoor Report summary for February 2, 2012 (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
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• Wisconsin DNR Outdoor Report Summary for December 22, 2011 (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
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Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Outdoor Report summary for January 19, 2012

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Much of Wisconsin received snowfall last weekend and this week, but snow depths continue to be marginal for outdoor winter recreation through much of southern, central and northwestern parts of the state. Anywhere from 4 to 6 inches of snow fell last weekend, but the snow was light and fluffy and strong winds caused drifting and bear spots in many locations. Snowmobile trails remain open only in about a dozen northern counties, and are only rated as good in a few of those according to the Wisconsin Department of Tourism’s Snow Conditions Report (exit DNR). Cross-country ski conditions faired better, but many trails in the southern half of the state have had minimal grooming and many are reporting there are some bare or thin spots. The good news is that snow is forecast for later this week into the weekend, with higher amounts expected in the southern part of the state.

Cold temperatures that moved into Wisconsin this week have finally frozen over most of the larger lakes that still had open water last week, including Winnebago and Mendota. However, some areas are reporting that certain spots are still being kept open by large numbers of waterfowl that were staying in the area. And conservation wardens are continuing to caution that much of the ice that formed is still very thin, and now covered by a protective layer of snow. There were numerous reports of snowmobiles and ATVs going through the ice on Lake Winnebago in the last week. Wardens are still advising foot traffic only on southern waters and for people to check ice depths regularly and be prepared should they fall through thin ice.

Ice conditions in the north through the central part of the state are generally good with a foot or more being reported in many locations. Many areas reporting fishing action slowed this week, likely due to the new snow cover. The best action continued to be for panfish, with some reports of very nice crappie and bluegill being caught, but with anglers having to move around a lot to find them. Action for walleye was slower, but there were still some reports of nice northern pike being taken on tip-ups.

While ice has also begun to form on some Lake Michigan harbors, there were still anglers open water fishing this past week. None of the harbor ice is considered safe at this time. Similarly, ice is again forming on the Bay of Green Bay and Lake Superior’s Chequamegon Bay, but it is not safe. Anglers on Sawyer harbor and Little Sturgeon Bay were reportedly fishing along the shore ice, but with open water not too far out in the bay.

Mid-January generally is the onset of coyote and red fox breeding cycles that last into March. Cold, crisp winter nights afford opportunities to listen for the raspy barks of red fox or the high pitched yipping of coyotes. Pup litters of both species are born in March or April.

Among the waterfowl keeping areas of some lakes open were more than 300 tundra swans that have been on Lake Mendota for a couple of weeks. And more than 100 trumpeter swans have been reported on open water at Willow River State Park in St. Croix County. Visitors to bird feeder have included nuthatches, pine siskins, black-capped chickadees, dark-eyed juncos, blue jays, tufted titmice, northern cardinals and American goldfinches.

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Wisconsin DNR Outdoor Report Summary for October 20, 2011

Some very windy conditions have dominated the weather scene in the last week, providing a bit of a challenge for hunters and anglers alike. The drop in temperatures and the strong winds have, however, spurred on waterfowl migrations.

The pheasant opener saw some nice weather in areas, and some rain in others. But the high winds were what made it hard for the hunters. Birds were getting up and they were gone quickly. The cooler temperatures were especially welcomed by those hunting with dogs.

The strong winds also brought down many leaves across the state, greatly improving visibility for grouse and archery hunters. Grouse hunting reports have been mixed. In some areas hunters are finding grouse by the tag alders and along areas that are holding water, but other hunters reported seeing few birds. Similarly, reports of woodcock are mixed, with only a few areas reporting migrating woodcock so far this year.

With the re-opening of the southern zone waterfowl season, hunters were seeing a larger variety of ducks making their migration south. Most hunters have still been bagging mallards, wood ducks, and teal, but increasing numbers of diver ducks have begun to move into the state. Ducks and geese have been rafting up on the larger waters.

Wardens reported participation seemed down for the antlerless deer hunt in the chronic wasting disease management zone, though some stations reported decent registrations. Hunters in some areas are reporting that bucks have already entered the chase phase of the rut, which is early for this activity, but most areas are still reporting pre-rut activity with scrapes and rubs common.

Strong winds limited fishing activity, but musky anglers continue to work Northwoods lakes and there were reports across the north this week of some large 50-inch musky being caught. Walleye action also continues to improve, with most anglers now using live bait for walleye as well as musky. In the south, fishing picked up on the Madison Chain of lakes, with decent walleye action on Lake Mendota and musky fishing has picking up on lakes Monona and Waubesa.

Fall salmon and trout runs continue on most Lake Michigan tributaries, but action has slowed slightly, with anglers finding it more and more difficult to hook fish in the mouth and with many chinook very dark. Fish were still reported in the Manitowoc, East and West Twin, Sheboygan, Milwaukee, Menomonee and Root rivers.

Turkey vultures are starting to migrate and groups of 20 to 50 vultures have been seen at Devil’s Lake State Park. Very large flocks of sandhill cranes and blackbirds are also being seen. And there were numerous reports of the strong winds bringing juncos into the state, with hundreds sighted in some areas.

Eastern gray tree frogs were still being heard but they are hard to see as they blend in quite well to the natural colors of tree bark.

Conditions are right for DNR crews to conduct fall prescribed burns. These controlled burns will be conducted throughout southern and central Wisconsin in the next few weeks. Fire played a crucial role in the development of Wisconsin's native plant communities, and remains a critical tool for management of these same landscapes today.

Fall color is still being reported at near peak in about a dozen counties, mostly in the south, but most of the state is reporting color past peak on the Department of Tourism’s Fall Color Report (exit DNR). More than a dozen Halloween and fall festival hike and events are scheduled at state parks, forests and other properties over the next two weekends. Check the events schedule on the DNR website for details.

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