Wisconsin Report May 26th 2011

FisherMan

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Some more seasonably spring weather is finally arriving in Wisconsin, with spring bird migrations and spring wildflowers near peak just in time for the Memorial Day holiday. Cool weather and strong winds have continued over the last week, but the forecast is for more seasonable temperatures, scattered spring showers, and milder winds for the holiday weekend.

All of the state has received additional rainfall in the last week, and green up is now complete in most areas and state forestry officials say the spring wildfire season has pretty much come to a close. The cold wet weather kept this spring’s wildfire season to a minimum. With a total of just over 300 fires burning around 300 acres in DNR wildfire control areas this spring.

Water temperatures are just starting to creep into the low 60s on northern lakes, and this is beginning to spur on fish activity. The erratic weather of the last week made for some tough fishing conditions and kept fishing pressure a bit low. Walleye anglers have been experiencing some real inconsistent fishing, but anglers were able to find some fish after a bit of searching. Northern pike success has continued to be good. Panfish activity has picked up with the slight warm-up in water temperatures. Increased numbers of bluegill and sunfish are also being observed in shallow water and look for them to start spawning when water temperatures reach the mid 60-degree range. Largemouth bass have started to build nests on many lakes, but varying water temperatures seem to continually chase the fish back to deep water.

Along Lake Michigan, fishing pressure last week was moderate and heavier on the weekend, with many shore anglers trying their luck. Strong northeast winds during the week switched out of the southeast by the weekend. Water temperatures remain cooler along the lakeshore. Harbor temperatures rose to 62 degrees, with Lake Michigan surface temperatures were in the low to mid 50s.

Walleye fishing remained good out of Oconto and along the lower part of Green Bay were limits were reported. Smallmouth bass activity picked up considerably along the Door County side of the bay, with good catches at Sturgeon Bay and Little Sturgeon Bay. In the southeast, good reports of coho salmon fishing were reported out of all ports, along with some chinook and lake trout. Shore fishing was good at times at Port Washington and Milwaukee, again with coho salmon the main catch.

Turkey hunters in the final spring turkey hunting period continued to report good success, again probably due to the late spring. Reports of fawns being born are coming in from across the state, including a report of triplets seen at Willow River State Park in St. Croix County. Remember, does intentionally leave fawns alone in sheltered areas as a way of protecting them from predators. A fawn in the woods is not abandoned: its mother is nearby keeping watch. If you see a fawn in the woods, leave it alone and slowly leave the area.

A number of wildflower hikes are scheduled at parks and forests this weekend, and spring wildflowers are at their peak, with a wide variety in bloom including, trilliums so thick in some areas it looks like the forest floor is covered with snow. Other flowers in bloom include hoary and fringed puccoon, anemones, bellwort, wild ginger, rock cress, jack-in-the-pulpit, shooting star, columbine, wild geranium, wild strawberry, wood phlox, and lupine.

Southern Wisconsin saw a large influx of flycatchers and shorebirds in the past week. Connecticut warbler, Canada warbler, alder and yellow-bellied flycatchers and other late migrants have moved into the state. Wood duck, hooded merganser, mallard and Canada geese broods have been reported from wetlands across the state. Gnats have been out in the north, and while the cool weather has kept mosquitoes a minimal nuisance so far, there were more reports of them hatching out this week.




A three-minute audio version of this report can be heard by calling (608) 266 2277.

A new report is put on the line each week.













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Statewide Birding Report

Bird migration is moving along toward its peak and should culminate in early June. Southern Wisconsin saw a large influx of flycatchers and shorebirds in the past week. Connecticut warbler, Canada warbler, alder and yellow-bellied flycatchers and other late migrants have moved into Wisconsin in the past week. This past weekend saw the first large pushes of boreal migrants across northern Wisconsin. Hudsonian godwits, white-rumped sandpipers, semipalmated sandpipers, red-necked phalaropes and other shorebirds bound for the arctic have just started to show up in the past week. Many birds are now fledging from early nests. Wood duck and hooded merganser broods have been reported from wetlands across the state along with mallards and Canada geese. Rare birds reported this past week include a prairie warbler in Madison, white-faced ibis at Horicon, red-necked grebes at numerous nesting sites, a continued influx of summer tanagers, and Kirtland's warblers appear to be back on territory in Adams County. Birders should still expect many new migrants over the next week as many female Neotropical migrants and boreal/arctic migrants are still on their way north to nesting grounds. As always, please report sightings to eBird.org/WI (exit DNR) to help better track migratory bird populations.




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NORTHERN REGION


Brule River State Forest - The outdoors is looking lush and green with the forest floor vegetation up and the tree leaves sprouted out. Wildflowers such as goldthread, wild ginger, fringed polygala, downy yellow violet, jack-in-the-pulpit, wild oats, and early meadow rue, and wild ginger are blooming. Several baby animal reports have been coming into the Brule Ranger Station recently. Baby raccoons, cottontail rabbits, and a fawn are just a few that have been sighted. It is a good time to remind people that many animals will leave their young for long periods of time. These babies are not abandoned…..leave them where they are so their parents can find them later. No one takes care of them better than their parents. Many well meaning people will bring these animals home only to have these animals die of stress, sickness, or improper nutrition. The Brule Ranger Station had a very interesting family visit yesterday. A mother and three of her kids stopped by to check things out. They took a walk around the yard and explored what was to be seen, checked out the picnic area and then peaked in the windows of the office to see what the staff at a ranger station does. The family -- of black bears -- then meandered on to discover what else could be seen in the Brule River State Forest. Although this "visit" was brief and entertaining, some visits from bears are not as enjoyable. Some bears will decide to extend their stay and make themselves at home. Pet food, garbage cans, bird feeders, grease from grills can entice a bear to stick around a little longer than many landowners would wish. The best way to discourage these bear are to take the bird feeders down for a couple of weeks. Keep garbage in a secure location such as a garage or shed until garbage pick up day or dump day. If these tactics don't work call the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Wildlife Services at 1-800-228-1368 (out of state area codes use this number) or 715-369-5221 for the northern half of Wisconsin. Under no circumstances should the bears be fed. It may be cute and exciting to see the bears up close but they are wild animals. These unpredictable animals can come to expect handouts creating unsafe situations. For more information about living with bears, see the 2009 Wisconsin Natural Resources magazine story Bear in mind or the DNR Living with Bears fact sheet (pdf).

Superior DNR Service Center area

Pattison State Park - The trees are finally starting to green up. The trails have dried out, and hiking conditions are good. The waterfalls are flowing at a higher than usual rate, and are quite spectacular. The beach is open and ready for use. The campground is full for Memorial Day weekend, but we still have quite a few openings until later in June. Mosquitoes are not out yet, although the gnats have started to be noticed.


Park Falls DNR Service Center area

Upper Chippewa Basin fisheries report (Price, Rusk, Sawyer Taylor and inland Ashland and Iron counties) - The erratic weather of the last week has made for some tough fishing conditions and kept fishing pressure a bit low, but fishing success has continued to be fair to good. Water temperatures are just starting to creep into the low 60s and this is beginning to spur on fish activity. Walleye anglers have been experiencing some real inconsistent fishing, but many anglers were able to find some fish after a bit of searching and changing tactics. Jig and minnow combinations and minnows under slip bobbers provided the bulk of the action and most of the walleye were in the 12 to 15-inch size. Casting stick baits along shore near dark did provide fair action and the fish tended to run larger than what was being caught on minnows. Northern pike success has continued to be good, with most fish being found in and around the newly forming weed beds. Panfish activity has picked up with the slight warm-up in water temperatures. Crappie abundance is increasing in shallow water and most fish are being found along emergent weed lines and around shallow brushy cover. Increased numbers of bluegill and sunfish are also being observed in shallow water and look for them to start spawning when water temperatures reach the mid 60-degree range. Largemouth and smallmouth bass activity has also been increasing, but the erratic weather has really been affecting both of these species. Largemouth have started to build nests on many lakes, but varying water temperatures seem to continually chase the fish back to deep water. Look for bass spawning activity to explode with any warm and stable weather pattern. Anglers are reminded that the catch-and-release season is still in effect in the Northern Zone and all bass should be quickly returned to the water.




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NORTHEAST REGION



Peshtigo DNR Service Center area

Fishing pressure during the week was moderate and heavy on the weekend, with many shore anglers trying their luck. Water temperatures are in the 60 degree range, although the water is a bit high and murky.


Marinette County - Peshtigo Harbor area anglers have been keying on smallmouth bass, northern pike, and were still catching a few walleye in the river proper. High water has kept the fish numbers down a bit. Some musky action is being reported on big stick baits by anglers launching out of Klingsborn's landing. Shore anglers on the Menominee River have been catching a mixed bag of carp, rock bass, and walleye, fishing a modified crappie rig set up. Musky anglers have been successful fishing the breaks and islands in the river throwing spinners and stick baits.


Oconto County - Stiles Dam anglers were catching some nice panfish on the north and south side of the dam, crawlers and minnows fished in conjunction with a slip bobber works well. Down from the dam some nice smallmouth bass, carp, red horse suckers, and the occasional pike were being caught. Walleye were snapping in the bay in front of the Pensaukee River. Some nice limits were reported on crawler/harness in 3 to 9 feet of water. The bass bite in the lower Pensaukee is also picking up. Walleye anglers from Oconto Breakwater Park to Oconto Park II were reporting some nice catches of fish trolling crawler/harness and stick baits. The bullhead bite is on at Oconto Park II fishing on bottom using crawlers in the launch area.


Green Bay DNR Service Center area

Brown County - Fox River anglers have been finding numbers of large catfish around the bridge pilings with some fish pushing 15 pounds. Most have been using cut bait to entice the catfish. Anglers have been fishing the lower Bay for walleye in the shallows in 4-10 feet of water with good catches of fish. Crank baits in hot colors have been producing well for most anglers. Perch fishing has been good for the Bay Shore Park anglers willing to put in their time, with some 10 inch perch being caught. Most have been fishing 15-30 feet of water. Anglers fishing early in the morning produced the best catches. Minnows and leaf worms were the bait of choice. Walleye fishing has been a bit slow but is now picking back up. Most have been trolling harnesses or cranks. Anglers are finding walleye in 10-30 feet of water.


Manitowoc County - Strong northeast winds during the week switched out of the southeast at 15-20 mph by the weekend. Thursday through Friday brought dense fog with visibility less than a quarter mile mixed with on and off rain showers along the lakeshore. Temperatures remain cooler along the lakeshore in the low to mid-50s. Harbor temperatures rose to 62 degrees, with Lake Michigan surface temperatures at 52 degrees. Shore anglers continue to have little to no success in Two Rivers and Manitowoc this week for trout and salmon. In both harbors, anglers continue to catch a few catfish 10-15 pounds using sucker guts or creek chubs. An occasional smallmouth bass can be had using various colored crank baits and plastics in the Manitowoc marina. The few boaters that ventured out this week resulted in a few incidental catch small lake trout and several empty coolers. The lake trout came between 20-45 feet of water off Manitowoc and south to the dome house. Orange and chartreuse spoons were a common theme for the lake trout higher in the water column. For the most part, the strong northeast winds early week followed by dense fog and rain showers for the weekend kept most anglers off the water.


Sturgeon Bay DNR Service Center area

Door County - Sturgeon Bay anglers have found it tough to find walleye due to the constant windy conditions over the last week. Most have been trolling cranks inside the bay with some success. Smallmouth bass have started showing in good numbers the last few weeks with some fish topping out around 6 pounds being caught. Most anglers have been targeting the warmer water in the back of the bays. Tube jigs or small jerk baits have been working the best. Northern pike have been active with large pike being caught by walleye and bass anglers. At Little Sturgeon Bay, smallmouth have been the hot bite the last week or so with some big bass being caught in shallow water. Most anglers have been using jigs to catch fish. Anglers are reporting water temperatures in Little Sturgeon Bay between 50-60 degrees. An occasional northern pike was being caught as well; most anglers have been finding them in 5-10 feet of water. Chaudoir’s Dock anglers have just started perch fishing with mixed reports. Most have been targeting 25 feet of water. Minnows on slip bobbers worked the best. Walleye fishing has been slow with a few fish being caught trolling cranks.


Potawatomi State Park - Anglers launching at the park are having some luck catching smallmouth bass, perch, and walleye. Follow the buoys for the deepest channel out of the harbor. The fishing pier on the south shoreline is in place. All hiking and biking trails are open. The last of the trilliums are in bloom, and morel season is coming to an end. Gaywings, wood anemone, large-flowered trillium, yellow violets, and wood violets are in bloom. Wild columbine and Canada mayflowers should be blooming next week. The accessible cabin, shower building, and sanitary dump station are also open. Nature Programs for the Memorial Day weekend include Wildflower and Water Walk, Saturday, May 28, 4-4:45 p.m.; Folk Music Under the Stars, Amphitheater, 7:30 pm. Saturday, May 28; and Wildflower and Water Walk, 11 am - 11:45 a.m. Sunday, May 29.




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SOUTHEAST REGION



Kohler-Andrae State Park - All hiking and nature trails are open. A Henslow’s sparrow has been visiting the office bird feeder. Sandhill cranes and geese can be seen daily with their young. Warblers are migrating. Common yellowthroat can be seen in the marsh area. Volunteers are being sought for the annual Garlic Mustard Pull on June 4. Groups, service organizations, and individuals are invited to participate. Please contact the park office if you are interested in sharing your time and talents.


Lake Michigan fisheries team report


Sheboygan County - – In Sheboygan, trollers have been fishing in 30 to 100 feet of water, with 50 to 70 feet being the most productive. The main catch has been coho salmon with a few chinook and lake trout reported as well. Most fish have come off of flies on downriggers or planer boards, and the hot colors have been green or orange. A few fish have also been caught while trolling spoons. Fishing pressure off the Sheboygan piers has been light. Most anglers have been casting spoons or using minnows off the bottom with limited success.


Ozaukee County - In Port Washington most trollers have been catching limits of fish, with coho being the main catch, although some lake trout and chinook have also been caught. The water temperature has been holding steady around 47-52 degrees, and anglers have caught fish anywhere from 20 to 100 feet of water with 20 to 60 feet being the most productive. Trolling with flies in either green or gold has been very productive. Fishing pressure at the power plant in Port has been light, with very few fish being caught. Most anglers have been casting spoons, spinners, stick baits or fishing off bottom with spawn sacs. A few brown trout and steelhead have been reported, but the catch has been very inconsistent and slow. Fishing of the Port Washington pier, however, has been decent. Most anglers have been using live bait and have been catching coho salmon.


Milwaukee County - In Milwaukee, trollers have been successful fishing for coho. Peanut flies in blue or green have taken fish near shore in 20 to 30 feet of water. The Bender Park boat launch has been reopened, and trollers fishing that area have been catching coho around the boils. When the winds are consistently out of the west, Milwaukee shore anglers have been able to catch some salmon off McKinley pier as well.


Racine County - In Racine, fishing for coho has been very good with most action in 15 to 30 feet of water. Coho have been hitting orange dodgers combined with small flies in green or blue. There have been a few chinook caught with the coho, and they have been taking spoons in blue or orange.


Kenosha County - Kenosha trollers have, at times, had success fishing offshore in 150 to 250 feet of water. Flies have been successful for coho, and chinook have been taking spoons.




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SOUTH CENTRAL REGION



Horicon DNR Service Center area

Dodge County - Strong winds are keeping boats off of Beaver Dam Lake. Fishing pressure has slowed below the Lowell and Beaver Dam. Increase pressure has been seen at bride crossing on the north end of Beaver Dam Lake. Most fish being caught were bullheads with some catfish being caught. Other area lakes have little fishing pressure on them. Turkey hunters were having moderate success


Fitchburg DNR Service Center area

Badger State Trail – The trail is now open for use. New self registration stations are located at Market Place drive and Purcell road. The Eighth Street bridge in Monroe is under construction. Trail users should follow the designated detour posted by the City of Monroe.


Military Ridge State Trail - The trail has been graded and packed and is in great condition. Trail passes are required for people 16 years and older who are bicycle riding, roller blading or roller skiing. Please keep pets leased and under control at all times.


Janesville DNR Service Center area

Rock County - Fishing has been excellent around the county over the last couple weeks. Walleye have been biting on the Rock River north of Highway 59 to Lake Koshkonong and below the Centerway dam. Most anglers were catching fish with a twister tail and night crawler or just a twister tail. Crappie continue to bite below the dams on the Rock River with minnows being the preferred bait. White bass were also starting to bite all over the Rock River. Storr's Lake has been producing some decent bluegill and largemouth bass with crawler and artificial spinner baits being the most popular baits respectively. The water level on the Rock River has been dropping steadily; however, the slow-no-wake ordinance remains in effect until the posted notice is removed at boat landings. Morel mushrooms were being found around the county under dead elm trees, but some report the numbers are down. Rain over the weekend may help the morel numbers over the next week. Anglers reported seeing nesting bald eagles near Lake Koshkonong and osprey in the Indianford area over the weekend. Young songbirds are starting to try out their new feathers and are being seen trying to fly and find their own food. People are reminded to leave baby wildlife alone and let mother nature take its course.




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WEST CENTRAL REGION



Baldwin DNR Service Center area

Willow River State Park - The rain gauge had about 4.5 inches in it since it was last drained a week to perhaps ten days ago. The Willow River is running chocolate color. The weather has been generally wet and cool. There has been a little bit of panfish action along the lake side of the dam. Trails have held up well since the rain has rarely come in downpours. White-Tailed deer fawns are starting to arrive. There has been one report of triplet fawns. All campsites are taken for the Memorial Day weekend. Campers who don’t arrive to camp on the scheduled day, and who don’t call to tell the park they are late, will forfeit their campsite reservation at 3 p.m. one day after the scheduled arrival. Campers lose both the campsite and the payment. This may sound a little harsh, but it is the rule. There are many other campers asking for campsites. The 300 campground has a camp host who sells firewood from 7-8 p.m. daily. We are still a couple of weeks out on having wood available at the office. Various projects are still in the works including reseeding of the bare spot near the office, the by-pass lane still needs work, the office wood shed, and parking areas on the north side.



La Crosse DNR Service Center area

Many spring woodland flowers are still blooming, especially trilliums. Some woodlands are so carpeted with trilliums that it looks as though there is a blanket of snow in the woods. Mayapple, mitrewort, waterleaf, early meadow rue, columbine, downy yellow violet, and jack-in-the-pulpit are other woodland flowers now in bloom. Turkey hunters reported fair success during the final spring turkey hunting time period. Morel mushroom hunters did not fare too well this spring with morels appearing sporadically at best.


Perrot State Park - The Trempealeau River is close to normal levels now and the bay is returning to normal. Canoeing is enjoyable in the higher water and parts of the bay are accessible now that won't be in a few weeks. The carp are spawning and can be found backed up by the electric fish gate along the dike. Fishing is slow. Hiking trails are open and in overall good condition. Riverview Trail is a fabulous way to see the power of the flood waters. Wildflowers now blooming in the park include: hoary and fringed puccoon, anemones, bellwort, wild ginger, rock cress, jack-in-the-pulpit, purple, yellow and white violets, *****toes, prairie smoke, shooting star, wild oats, columbine, wild geranium, yellow star grass, blue-eyed grass, wild strawberry, wood phlox, false Solomon’s seal, trillium, blue cohosh, wild sarsaparilla, baneberry, swamp buttercup, harebell, bird's foot violet, lupine, Virginia waterleaf, showy orchids, Canada anemone, false lily of the valley, sweet cicely, anise root, and harebell. All campground facilities and shower buildings are open. Bird sightings in the park have been incredible, but have recently dropped off drastically. Warblers can still be seen for those with sharp eyes and ears. All campsites are in good condition and the shower buildings are open. The boat dock at the boat landing is not yet installed, but we are still hoping to have it in by Memorial Day Weekend. The park will host a National Trail's Day event at the park on June 4 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. and volunteers are invited to help us with a myriad of trail projects! If possible, please let us know if you will be helping us at this event by calling the park.


Great River State Trail - The trail is in good condition and wildflowers are lining the trails. Turtles and snakes are awakening and enjoying the warmth of the trail surface, so keep your eyes open as you ride. Lots of warblers are moving through the area. Anemones, columbines, and strawberries are blooming. Baby turtles are emerging from their nests and making their way to waterways.


Black River Falls DNR Service Center area

Black River State Forest - Wet weather has created a slow start to this years all-terrain vehicle season. Trails are in fair to rough condition with some wet areas. Remember that it is never OK to leave the trail surface to avoid a wet area or seek one out. This year the State Forest along with Jackson and Clark counties will participate in the UTV pilot. UTVs will be allowed on the trail from May 14 through October 16, but not during the winter season. The pilot program will allow the State Forest and counties to assess the viability of adding UTVs to the trail system on a permanent basis. As part of the assessment a user survey will be available online in the fall. This spring the state forest will be working on rehabilitating the ATV trails running just south of the Seventh Street parking lot. Much of this trail was closed periodically last year due to wet conditions. All wetland crossings in this section of trail will be upgraded similar to those that have already occurred north and south of the Highway 54 parking lot. These upgrades will reduce the amount of weather-related trail closures and protect the long-term integrity of the system. During this time, the trail will be closed to traffic on Monday through Thursday's and open Friday through Sunday. We appreciate your patience during this time.


Eau Claire DNR Service Center area

Brunet Island State Park - Marsh marigolds, hepaticas, bellwort, and the false rue anemones are in bloom. The trilliums are in full bloom with a lot of color variations this year. A variety of turtles have come out and are sunning themselves whenever possible. Birds seen or heard include: scarlet tanagers, rose-breasted grosbeaks, great blue herons, red winged blackbirds, sandhill cranes, red polls, robins, mallard and bufflehead ducks, mourning doves, ravens, black capped chickadees, northern juncos, piliated and red headed woodpeckers, barred and great horned owls. The bald eagles are on their nests. Maples have leafed out and the cherry species have begun to bloom. The ferns are in the process of unfurling. Miterwort, spring beauty, common and wood strawberry, dog violet, marsh marigolds, trillium, wild columbine, hepaticas, bellwort, and the false rue anemones are in bloom. The tread of the park’s trail system has begun to dry out. Hikers have many great opportunities within the park. Whether it’s using the island’s trail system, exploring the wilder areas of the park, or a brisk walk on the park road, you’re sure to enjoy these beautiful woodlands. The campground showers and dump station are open.


Wisconsin Rapids DNR Service Center area

Buckhorn State Park - Spring migration is making for great birding and the weather is great for hiking and fishing! Boat boarding piers and the accessible fishing pier are in and people have been out fishing. Canoes, single and double kayaks are available for renting. An adapted kayak for individuals with mobility impairments is also available for use in the park. Fawns and other wildlife babies are being seen in the park. Please leave these young animals alone, as the mothers are often close by. Mosquitoes have hatched so remember to bring your bug spray. Also - check for ticks as they are out as well.


Roche-A-Cri State Park - Fawns and other wildlife babies are being seen in the park. Please leave these young animals alone, as the mothers are often close by.

Mosquitoes have hatched so remember to bring your bug spray.