A lack of snow and continued mild temperatures continue to hamper outdoor winter recreation in Wisconsin. As of early this week, only northern Iron and Vilas counties continued to report any snow on the ground and only up to three inches. However, some snow is in the forecast for northern Wisconsin later this week, and colder nighttime temperatures in the last week have firmed up the ice cover and helped thicken it to about 6 inches on many Northwoods lakes, although ice thickness does vary, with some waters having just 4 to 5 inches of ice.
Some lakes as far south as Dane County have also begun to freeze over, with Waubesa and Kegonsa ice covered, but the ice is reportedly very poor and people should not be venturing out. Early season anglers should still be extremely cautious and check ice thickness before heading out onto a lake. In addition, without snow cover, travel over the ice is difficult; cleats can make walking much easier on the slippery surface.
Reports from early-season anglers in the north indicate that fishing has been fair with walleye catches sporadic on tip-ups. Action for northern pike has also been fair. Panfish anglers were reporting fair catches of perch and bluegill. On the Winnebago system, some bluegill activity has been reported in the channels of Lake Winneconne. Walleyes were being caught in Lake Poygan and the Fox River.
Along Lake Michigan, anglers at Milwaukee and Kenosha have been catching a few brown trout and steelhead. Some steelhead and brown trout were also being found in the Milwaukee and Root rivers.
In Dane County, there has been limited ice fishing on Monona Bay, at Lake Farm Park on Lake Waubesa, and at a few other bays that froze over in early December. These areas have been yielding a few bluegills and some good northern pike action, although ice conditions are deteriorating. Ice conditions on the Mississippi River have become treacherous. Ice anglers had been having some success catching panfish in area backwaters.
The warm temperatures and a lack of snow continue to stall bird migrations across the state. Large numbers of diverse waterfowl continue to be seen on large bodies of open water. Lingering great blue herons have been noted as far north as Douglas County. More than a 100 sandhill cranes were still lingering along the Lower Wisconsin River near Arena. Trumpeter swans have been seen on the St. Croix and Eau Claire rivers. Winter finches have been found in low to moderate numbers across northern Wisconsin and multiple golden eagles were seen in and around Wood County and the Necedah National Wildlife Refuge. A flock of about 50 tundra swans was observed in open water of Lake Kegonsa.
Lots of pheasant hunters were out on public lands over the weekend, but birds were difficult to find. Pheasant, ruffed grouse and a number of other hunting and trapping seasons close Dec. 31. The late archery deer season runs through Jan. 7.
There have been reports of the first fresh white-tailed deer antler sheds being found. Deer will normally shed their antlers from December through March. The shedding of antlers is usually genetically triggered or stress related.
People looking for last minute holiday gifts can give the outdoor enthusiasts on their lists access to an entire year of outdoor activities at state parks and trails with the gift of a 2007 state park admission sticker or trail pass, which are on sale now at all park and forest offices and DNR service centers. Due to the upcoming holidays, there will be no DNR News or DNR Outdoor Report next 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
Warm temperatures and a lack of snow continue to stall bird migration across the state. Large numbers and a diversity of waterfowl continue to be seen on large bodies of open water. Lingering great blue herons have been noted as far north as Douglas County. More than a 100 sandhill cranes were still lingering along the Lower Wisconsin River near Arena. Winter finches have been found in low to moderate numbers across northern Wisconsin and multiple golden eagles were seen in the traditional areas in and around the Wood County Wildlife Area and Necedah National Wildlife Refute. Short-eared owls have been putting on good crepuscular performances at Brillion Wildlife Area, Killsnake Wildlife Area, the Arena boat landing, around Shady Lane west of Appleton, in Zelosky marsh, and in grassland areas in the Military Ridge area. Rare birds reported this week include four purple sandpipers in Sheboygan, along with 15 red-throated loons, a slaty-backed gull in Neenah/Menasha, and a lingering rose-breasted grosbeak in Ashland. There are still opportunities for getting involved with Christmas Bird Counts in your area. Check the Wisconsin Society for Ornithology Web site at
http://www.uwgb.edu/birds/wso/cbc.htm (exit DNR) for more information on getting involved with a count.. As always, people may report bird sightings to
http://www.ebird.org (exit DNR) to help document and monitor Wisconsin's avifauna.
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NORTHERN REGION
Superior DNR Service Center area
Brule River State Forest - A couple of reports have come in that some fresh white-tailed deer antler sheds have been found. Deer will normally shed their antlers from December through March. The shedding of antlers is usually genetically triggered or stress related. If people are not lucky enough to find these sheds, usually rodents such as mice, squirrels, and porcupines will gnaw on them to get the much needed calcium. The weather has been more like early spring in the Brule area lately. High temperatures have been in the high 50s to low 40s. Only small patches of snow remain after the last accumulation. Now would be a great opportunity to see some territory not normally seen due to wet conditions or deep snow. With the frozen, dry ground, and lack of snow people can explore for miles without getting feet wet or needing snowshoes. Due to the warm stretch of weather, 17 to 20 trumpeter swans have been sighted on the St. Croix and Eau Claire Rivers near Gordon. Some animals that are normally sleeping in their dens continue to be seen still awake and taking advantage of the warm weather. A young bear near the Brule DNR station has been popping in and out of a nearby culvert. The Bois Brule and Copper Range Campgrounds are open throughout the winter. The campground loop roads will remain cleared of snow but the campsites will not.
Pattison State Park - The park has no snow on the ground, and conditions are mild. Hiking trail conditions are excellent, and waterfall flows are adequate for this time of year. The park remains open for camping year around. Site #34 is plowed throughout the winter.
Park Falls DNR Service Center area
Upper Chippewa Basin fisheries report (Price, Rusk, Sawyer Taylor and inland Ashland and Iron counties) - Colder nighttime temperatures in the last week have firmed up the ice cover and helped thicken it to about 6 inches on most lakes across the area. However ice thickness does vary, with some waters having a bit more and several lakes reported to have just 4 to 5 inches of ice. As such, early season anglers should still be extremely cautious when venturing out and always check thickness before heading out onto a lake. In addition, there is no snow cover on the ice and cleats can make walking much easier on the slippery surface. Reports from early-season anglers indicate that fishing has been generally fair. Walleye have been the primary target for most early anglers and catches have been sporadic for the tip-up anglers. Some days have provided some good action with 12- to 16-inch fish and other days produce just a flag or two. The most productive areas have been the mud/muck flats and weed edges, with shiners or suckers fished at the 4- to 8-foot depth near dark. Some angling pressure has also been seen for northern pike and success for that species has been fair. Large golden shiners fished near and over any green weeds have provided the best success. Panfish anglers are also starting to venture out and some fair catches of perch and bluegill have been reported. Trout action on Patterson Lake has been good, with some anglers reporting their limit of fish in the 9- to 12-inch size.
Woodruff DNR Service Center area
Area fishing guides and Conservation Wardens report that the walleye bite is just beginning with northern receiving top billing in the Lakeland area. Exercise care when considering a venture out onto the lakes as the bigger lakes just iced up this past week. Little to no snow has allowed for ice development but has made ice travel very difficult. Warm temperatures and no snowfall now have forced local snowmobile trail systems closed. There have been some reported signs of a second rut this past week. So for you archery hunters willing to take on the colder temperatures, bucks appear to be on the move once again.
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NORTHEAST REGION
Peshtigo DNR Service Center area
Marinette County - Ice is forming once again on open waters during the night. Daytime temps are just maintaining the ice at this point. Extreme caution should be used when venturing out on any frozen waters at all times. Fishing below the Menominee River Hattie St. Dam is producing brown trout and walleye for those eager to cast a line. Scattered snow showers are predicted through the weekend.
Oconto County - Snowmobile Safety Education Classes are continuing without the snow. The Oconto Falls Fire Department will host a weekend course on Jan. 6 and 7 at 8 a.m. Please register by calling the instructor at (920) 848-2960. Hands on instruction will follow with adequate snow cover.
Shawano County - There will be no firewood permits this year on state lands managed by the Shawano DNR office. Timber harvests leave slash that breaks down to put nutrients back into the soil for the future forest. Coarse woody debris provides habitat for salamanders and other wildlife as it breaks down. People are fishing on Shawano Lake, but the ice is still too thin for vehicular travel.
Sturgeon Bay DNR Service Center area
Door County
Peninsula State Park - As of Dec. 19, all snow had melted. No winter trails are officially open. Ski and snowmobile trails remain closed. The sledding hill remains closed until at least four inches of snow falls. Water levels in Green Bay are still very low. Call (920) 854-5976 for information about winter programming.
Oshkosh DNR Service Center area
Upper Fox-Wolf basin fisheries report - Some bluegill activity has been reported in the channels of Lake Winneconne. Walleyes were being caught in Lake Poygan and the Fox River (especially in and around the Oshkosh area). Some nice northerns were being caught in Partridge Lake around Fremont. Recent reports of dead gizzard shad have been confirmed in Lake Winnebago and Little Lake Butte des Morts. They are ranging in size from 8 to 12 inches long. This is a common occurrence for this species and annual reports have been reported in the past. The most probable explanation for this event is temperature shock due to their vulnerability to sudden changes in temperatures.
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SOUTHEAST REGION
Sheboygan County - In Sheboygan, upper stretches of the Sheboygan River still have some ice cover.
Ozaukee County - In Port Washington shore fishing has been slow. The discharge at the power plant remains turned off, and in that area only a few browns have been caught on spawn.
Milwaukee County - In Milwaukee, flows are good on the Milwaukee River. Some steelhead can be found near Kletzsch Park and Hubbard Park. Anglers at the Milwaukee lakefront have been catching a few brown trout by the Summerfest grounds and Jones Island. Boaters out of Milwaukee have been finding good numbers of browns in the harbor.
Racine County - In Racine, water levels on the Root River have been receding since late last week, and the river is fishable again. Brown trout and steelhead remain in the upper end of Colonial Park as well as Quarry Park. Bright egg pattern flies or black wooley buggers and egg sucking leeches have proven effective.
Kenosha County - In Kenosha, most action has been in the small boat harbor, where browns and a few steelhead have been taken on spoons and spawn.
Kettle Moraine State Forest - Northern Unit - As of Dec. 20, hiking trails were slippery in spots due to melted snow. About 95 percent of the state forest is open to public hunting during established open seasons. Some seasons may be subject to change. Consult the Wisconsin Hunting and Trapping Regulations before going hunting. Target shooting is prohibited in all areas of the forest. Ski trails are closed due to lack of snow. For information regarding Greenbush ski trail conditions, call the Nordic Ski Hotline, (920) 467-2099. For Zillmer and New Fane Trail conditions call Forest Headquarters (262) 626-2116 or the Ice Age Visitor Center (920) 533-8322.
Kohler-Andrae State Park - Warm weather has melted most of the snow in the area. Hiking trails may be wet or icy. Electrical campsites are available in the northern loop of the campground. The park water system (showers, flush toilets, and trailer dump station) is closed for the season. Water may be obtained from the hand pump near site #3 or from the well house at the campground entrance. Vault toilets are available. The park is open for the late archery deer hunting season through Jan. 7. Only holders of an unfilled 2006 Park Access Permit for Kohler-Andrae State Park may deer hunt in the park. The open hunting area includes state land west of the Black River except for state land south of Old Park Road. The Black River Trail system is open to hunters during the entire hunting season at Kohler-Andrae State Park. Recreational users should plan on wearing blaze orange while hiking, biking, or hours riding on the Black River Trail system. The areas closed to hunting include all state land east of the Black River which includes the main recreational areas within the state park, the Kohler Dunes State Natural Area, the family campground and all picnic areas.
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SOUTH CENTRAL REGION
Horicon DNR Service Center area
Horicon Marsh State Wildlife Area - The Canada geese that were forced out of southern Wisconsin as a result of the heavy snow fall early in the month have returned in part with the recent warm temperatures, southerly winds and loss of snow cover. As of Dec. 14, Horicon Marsh had 50,000 geese on the marsh. It is common for some geese to remain throughout the winter, unless snow cover is sufficient to restrict access to food. The geese are driven by the amount of snow on the ground and not so much the cold temperatures. Ducks are still being reported on the open water areas, which are few. Much of the bird migration is dictated by access to food. Since ducks feed in open water, it is the forming of ice that forces them south. Canada geese utilize open water as roost sites, but feed in uplands. While some of the geese will depart as ice reduces safe roosting sites, other will rest on the ice for the evenings and remain as long as snow cover does not exceed about 6 to 8 inches reducing access to their foods. Other winter birds include songbirds that feed on seeds among dormant wild plants and our bird feeders, hawks and owls that rely on rodent prey, and woodpeckers which feed on the dormant insects hidden among the bark and wood of trees. Most of our summer songbirds are insectivores and therefore migrate prior to the first killing frost which eliminates their food supply. The recent Christmas Bird Count at Horicon Marsh tallied a good variety of birds, in spite of the high winds that were present on that day. Total variety and numbers are yet to be concluded as the remaining reports come in. Some of the highlights include at least one great blue heron, merlin, grackles, golden-crowned kinglet, red-breasted nuthatch and bald eagle.
Fitchburg DNR Service Center area
Sauk County
Mirror Lake State Park - Ski trails are closed due to lack of snow. Bike trails are closed until May 2007. Approximately 20 sites in Sandstone campground remain open with electric for the winter months. Reservations for the handicap cabin will be accepted postmarked Jan. 10, 2007. Archery hunting is open in portions of the park until Jan. 7. A map indicating the area open to hunting is available at the office.
Dane County - Ice fishing in the area has been limited to Monona Bay, Lake Farm Park on Lake Waubesa, and a few other bays that froze over in early December. Lake ice in those spots is only 3 to 4 inches thick with up to an inch of standing water on the ice. These areas have been yielding a few bluegills and some good northern pike action, although ice conditions are deteriorating. Lakes Waubesa and Kegonsa have frozen over, but are threatening to re-open if warm weather continues and no one is venturing out on this bad ice. Goose hunters out for the last day of the season in the Exterior Zone had some good hunting with lots of waterfowl remaining in the area. A flock of about 50 tundra swans was observed in open water of Lake Kegonsa at Fish Camp County Park. Lots of pheasant hunters were out on public lands over the weekend, but birds were difficult to find. Trappers have been out in force as fur prices are up. Bucks were observed chasing does over the weekend. Antlers are beginning to drop.
Lake Kegonsa State Park - All trails are in good condition and are open to hiking. Due to warm and wet conditions, trails may be muddy and slippery.
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WEST CENTRAL REGION
Baldwin DNR Service Center area
St. Croix County
Willow River State Park - As of Dec. 20, there was no snow on the ground at Willow River. All trails remain open for hiking. Hikers should take advantage of the one way ski trails and extra loops cut for skiers. Many warm weather hikers have never seen these trails. Take the opportunity to hike these before ski season arrives. Snowfall is predicted yet this week but not enough to trigger the ski only rule. Expect to see skiers as soon as there is any measurable snow on the trails. Anglers have been catching bluegills and one northern pike was reported over the weekend. At the peak of the cold snap earlier, Little Falls Lake was reported to have 7 inches of ice. During the warm up, the sky has been cloudy enough to prevent major damage to the ice. A Saw-Whet Owl was observed over the weekend. Trumpeter swans are frequently observed at the upper end of the lake. Robins may be found along the Trout Brook Trail. The next Full Moon Hike and bird lecture will be Saturday, Jan. 6 at the Nature Center, 6 p.m. The event is free but regular vehicle admission rates apply. The lecture will be about Snow Geese and Nuthatches. Call the park office for further information. (715) 386-5931. Adult Ski lessons are scheduled (provided there is snow) for Dec. 30 and Jan. 6 at the Nature Center, 9 a.m. Please call the park office to sign up in advance. If there is no snow for the December date, there is no lesson. Dry land training continues on Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m.
La Crosse DNR Service Center area
Ice conditions in the La Crosse area have become dangerous with the recent precipitation and warm temperatures. Outdoor enthusiasts should exercise extreme caution when venturing out on any frozen waters. Ice anglers had been having some success catching panfish in area backwaters of the Mississippi River.
Eau Claire DNR Service Center area
Brunet Island State Park – As of Dec. 18, ice fishing in the Brunet Island north campground lagoons was in full swing with panfish and a few northern being taken. Park vehicle stickers are required year round. Please remember that the park staff does not monitor ice conditions. A section of the Nordic Trail area of the park is still open for 23A permit late bow hunting. Brunet Island has yet to receive any skiable snow this season. 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 South Campground is open year round with electric sites, hand water pump, and pit toilets available. The campground showers and dump station are closed for the season. Some North Campground Sites will remain open through the winter with pit toilets and hand water pump available.
Wisconsin Rapids DNR Service Center area
Buckhorn State Park - The recent warm weather has deteriorated ice conditions on the Castle Rock Flowage. Late season bow hunting is allowed in the park and both wildlife areas. Small game hunting and trapping are allowed in wildlife areas A and B. Pick up hunting rules and maps at the park office. Deer may be registered at the park office when it is open. Campsites 8, 9, and 16 are open for camping and are non-reservable. All other campsites are closed. Water is available at the park office. The 2007 photo contest has started - remember your camera to take winter pictures for the contest. 2007 annual park stickers are a great gift idea!
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