While much of southern and central Wisconsin has received much needed rainfall in the last week, northern Wisconsin remains very dry and state forestry officials are cautioning that wildfire danger is high across the north and they are asking people to be very caution with any possible source of fire. DNR fire crews have responded to numerous fires across the north this week. With the dry conditions, most northern rivers and streams, as well as many seepage lakes, remain at very low levels. The low river flows are also causing some of the larger flowages to experience dropping water levels.
The hot, humid weather of the last week limited fishing activity somewhat, but has also kept most game fish in an active feeding mode on most waters across the state. Both largemouth and smallmouth bass have provided the most consistent action. In the north, musky continued to be very active with most anglers seeing a lot of follows and a few anglers boating some 40-plus-inch fish. Walleye action has continued to be fair with fish still being found on the deep weed edges and the deeper rock humps. Panfish success has been fair with some decent crappie and bluegill catches still being made in deeper water due to the warm water temperatures.
On Green Bay, a few limit perch catches were reported but perch fishing generally slowed. Walleye fishing was also slower, but some anglers had luck trolling on the reefs on the east side of the Bay in 10 to 30 feet. Anglers out on Lake Michigan had successful trips throughout the week with fair catches of chinook salmon with a few rainbow trout and coho salmon landed as well. Shore fishing for trout and salmon in Milwaukee has been slow with warm water near shore, but perch anglers have at times been successful off piers.
The Mississippi River rose to 6.8 feet at Prairie du Chien this week and is expected to stay near that level for several days. The Wisconsin River also rose but dropped quickly. Navigating the Wisconsin remains tricky because of the numerous sandbars. Walleye fishing was pretty good, with anglers primarily targeting wing dams. Bass fishing on the Mississippi River remains very good and catfish continued to bite fairly well. The Lower Wisconsin River has been producing some very good smallmouth bass and some spotty walleye/sauger action. Inland trout anglers reported fair action. Many of the Coulee Region trout streams produced decent brook and brown trout; however, fishing is difficult due to the heavy vegetation and insects.
Blue-green algae is back with a vengeance again this summer on Lake Winnebago and health officials in Winnebago, Calumet and Fond du Lac counties are urging the public to be cautious. Blue-green algae can produce toxins that can make people and animals sick.
There have been numerous reports of impressive white-tailed bucks displaying velvet antlers across the state. Bucks have about another month for their antlers reach full size, at which point the blood supply flowing to the velvet diminishes, and the velvet dries, loosens, and falls off. Deer fawns are loosing their spots. Many turkey broods are being observed, with the young ones now almost as big as adult hens
Yellow warblers have already left for their wintering grounds and yellowlegs and other sandpipers are gathering on Horicon Marsh as they begin their retreat from their arctic breeding grounds. Non-breeding sandhill cranes are gathering in preparation for fall migration. Red-winged blackbirds are starting to flock.
The signs of late summer are becoming apparent as the crickets and katydids sing their evenings songs and the may apples are withering among the woodlands. Some early fall colors are beginning to show up in areas of the north where trees have been stressed by drought and bracken fern have already turned golden brown in the forests.
The invasive plants purple loosestrife and spotted knapweed are now blooming across the state. Please report infestations of purple loosestrife to DNR service centers and check the DNR Web site for information on controlling these exotic invasive plants that are crowding out native species.
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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NORTHERN REGION
Superior DNR Service Center area
Brule River State Forest - As of August 9 at 7:30 a.m. the Bois Brule River was flowing at 108 cubic feet per second (cfs). The 62 year average is 135 cfs. A nice downpour of rain came down at 10:15 a.m., which should bring the flow up for a short while. The Bois Brule River has a new and improved stream gage to measure the height and flow of the River. This stream gage will be much more sensitive to change in water conditions. While this information is useful for paddlers and anglers, it has many other useful attributes. According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) "Stream gages are the monitoring tools used to track the flux of water and associated components in streams and rivers. Stream flow data from these stream gages are used for planning and decisions related to agriculture, industry, water supplies, navigation, riverine and riparian habitat, and flood hazard identification. Stream gaging under the National Stream flow Information Program (NSIP) provides the Nation with stream flow information to help protect life and property and manage our water resources. The mission of NSIP is to provide the stream flow information and understanding required to meet local, State, regional, and national needs." For more information about the NSIP see the USGS Web site at [http://water.usgs.gov/nsip/] (exit DNR).
Park Falls DNR Service Center area
Upper Chippewa Basin fisheries report (Price, Rusk, Sawyer Taylor and inland Ashland and Iron counties) -Very dry conditions continue across the north and most rivers and streams, as well as many seepage lakes, remaining at very low levels. Boaters and recreationalists should check local conditions before starting any extended boat or float trips on most rivers or flowages in northern Wisconsin. The low river flows are also causing some of the larger flowages to experience dropping water levels as evaporation has started to exceed what the rivers and streams are adding. With area lakes and flowages at these low levels, boaters should be cautious as more underwater obstructions are starting to appear in areas that used to be passable. The continued hot and dry weather of the past week has kept most game fish in an active feeding mode on most waters across the Northwoods. Both largemouth and smallmouth bass have provided the most consistent action. Most of the largemouth were being found in and near mid-depth woody cover and could be coaxed to bite with soft plastic baits. Some were also being found in the thick weed beds and were hitting top-water baits in the early morning hours. Smallmouth were a bit more erratic and many have moved back to deeper water with the warm temperatures. The best success was coming on smaller finesse baits fished near the deeper woody cover and the deep break lines. Musky continued to be very active with most anglers seeing a lot of follows, swirls and “porpoise'ing.” Catching, however, hasn't been quite as good -- though a few anglers have reported some boating some 40-plus-inch fish. The most productive lures have been stick baits and slow-moving surface lures, with the best areas being the weed edges and shallow break lines. Some of the best times have been in the mid-day hours during the middle of the week when boat traffic is lightest. Walleye action has continued to be fair with fish still being found on the deep weed edges and the deeper rock humps. Crawlers and leeches have still been the favorite baits, but crankbaits cast along shore near dark have also produced a few nice fish. Panfish success has been fair with some decent crappie and bluegill catches still being made over mid-depth cover.
Woodruff DNR Service Center area
Fishing activity has backed off a bit lately. Panfish can still be found in the deeper water weed lines with walleye action best very early mornings on the bigger clear water lakes. Both raspberries and blackberries are now ripening. There have been numerous reports of impressive bucks displaying their velvet antlers across the Lakeland area. Additionally, turkey broods have been observed throughout the north woods with the young ones almost as big as mom right now. With fall just around the corner, hunter safety courses are being offered. Now is a good time to enroll your children in these sessions if they will be eligible to hunt in the upcoming hunting seasons. Check the DNR Web site for updates on the class offering dates and schedules. With the increase in ATV use and popularity, we remind ATV operators that it is a good idea to brush up on the rules and regulations for operation of ATVs. This summer area conservation wardens are encountering a number of ATV operators who are, for the most part, inadvertently committing violations. One of the bigger problems is ATV trespass. Operators need to remember that ATVs can only be driven on designated routes and trails or on property with permission of the owner. ATVs need to be registered in order to operate in Wisconsin. A trail pass is needed for any out of state registered ATVs.
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NORTHEAST REGION
Peshtigo DNR Service Center area
Marinette County - Dry is the word that covers conditions in Marinette county. The sandbars continue to grow on the Menominee River upstream and boat ramps are inching away from the water. Fall colors are coming early this year with bracken fern already golden and brown in the forests. Wild cherry trees have ripening fruit which are attracting birds at this time along with other fruiting trees and bushes. Whitetail deer bucks are in velvet with nice racks forming. Some young deer are already loosing their spots. On the Menominee River, bass have been the hot ticket over the last week with some very nice fish being caught. There have been a few walleyes caught over the last week, but fishing has been pretty slow. The perch seem to be still spread out over depths ranging from 12 to 50 feet of water. Little River is starting to produce some smaller size perch. Salmon action has slowed down over the last week with only one or two fish being caught per outing.
Oconto County - Fishing on Green Bay this week showed some limits of perch coming off the west shore with the better size fish coming from the deeper holes. People fishing the weed beds report catching lots of small perch. Inland water fishing has been slow but some reports of some nice bluegills being caught suspended over deeper water. Small leeches and worms seem to be working the best. The walleye action has been slow over the past week with more sheepshead and perch being caught while trolling for walleye. The walleyes that are caught, are creeled mainly on harnesses. A reminder to deer hunters it is illegal to place any bait in the woods for this years upcoming bow season until the day before the season starts.
Shawano County - Non-breeder cranes are gathering in preparation for fall migration. Deerflies were not as terrible this week. Blackberries are good where there was rain. The Wolf River water levels have dropped and there are sandbars showing. At Navarino Nature Center, Junior Camper Summer Camp is next week, Aug 15-17 (orienteering, archery, shelters, canoeing, astronomy, camping, campfire cooking), Aug 12 at 10 p.m. is a program on the Perseid Meteor Shower, Aug 25 is a program on "The Day the Great Lakes Drained Away." Call the center at (715) 758-6999 or
www.navarino.org.
Green Bay DNR Service Center area
Brown County - Fishing picked up considerably this week, although remains slow overall. Anglers targeting large walleyes had luck trolling crawlers on the reefs outside of Chaudoir’s and Bay shore parks targeting depths of 10 to 30 feet. Many of these fish were stuffed with alewives. Most of these fish were in the lower 20-inch range although the occasional 30-plus-inch walleye was reported. Channel cats, flathead cats, and numerous drum also were cooperative to the walleye anglers. The perch scene remained slow this past week, although some of the diehards still brought in limits. The occasional 12- to 13-inch perch was showing up, although much smaller fish comprised most of the catch. The bite seems to be best in the mornings although some anglers report good catches after 10 a.m. and into the evening hours. Smallmouth bass were showing up for anglers outside Little Sturgeon Bay, providing some excitement although catches seem fairly limited to small numbers. Some nice chinook were also taken outside of Sturgeon Bay mostly on the Lake Michigan side.
Manitowoc County - In Two Rivers, anglers had another good week of trout and salmon fishing. Anglers out on Lake Michigan had successful trips throughout the week with fair catches of chinook salmon with a few rainbow trout and coho salmon landed as well. Angers reported the most action fishing near sunrise and sunset in 50 to 70 feet of water. Anglers preferred to run bright colored spoons or fly and flasher combinations. Anglers angling from the north or south pier picked up a few chinook salmon, but the catch rate has slowed down from last week. A couple of nice brown trout were harvested off the north pier by an angler fishing early Tuesday morning casting a white and blue stick bait. In Manitowoc, anglers had another good week of fishing that produced nice catches of salmon and trout. Saturday morning was great for most anglers that hit the water early, but those who arrived later found high rolling waves. Perch anglers had some success fishing off the breakwater across from the marina with night crawlers near the bottom. Perch ranged in size from 6 to 8 inches. Smallmouth bass anglers were out in higher numbers this week and had great success. A few anglers were targeting bass just outside of the marina's entrance using crank baits. Also, some anglers fishing from the short piers adjacent to the marina for smallmouth bass had success with tube jigs and landed many quality smallmouth bass between 2.5 to 3 pounds.
Sturgeon Bay DNR Service Center area
Door County - The weather this week was best described as summer like. Hot and humid temperatures and very dry conditions prevailed throughout the week. Be aware that there are burning bans in several areas of the county, so please be extra careful with fire. Angling activity continues to be good. Anglers fishing out on Lake Michigan continue to bring respectable catches of trout and salmon. The early morning bite continues to be the most productive. Anglers fishing the Bank Reef reported success on fly and dodger combinations fished 40 to 80 feet down along the edges of the reef. Later in the day the action continued to be out in deeper water with anglers fishing from the surface to 80 feet down over 140 to 300 feet of water. Off of Baileys Harbor, the action was good on fly and dodger combinations, spoons and cut bait. Rowley’s Bay, Ellison Bay, Sister Bay and Washington Island also reported some nice catches. As for smallmouth bass action, Little Sturgeon, Riley’s Bay and the Sturgeon Bay flats all produced some smallmouth early mornings on spinner baits fished in 15 to 20 feet of water. Later in the day the best bet for smallmouth was over structure in 15 to 25 feet of water. Tube jigs and Goby imitating baits continue to produce some nice smallmouth in the deeper waters. Perch fishing continued to be on the slow side; however, the southern shore of Green Bay, along with Little Sturgeon and Riley’s Bay were producing some perch, although the fish were well scattered. Early mornings produced a few perch from weed edges between the bridges in Sturgeon Bay and along the buoy line from the Bay View Bridge to the Sturgeon Bay ship canal. The Southern area of Green Bay produced a few walleyes on night crawler harnesses fished over weed beds. The areas around Larsen’s Reef and Monument shoals also reportedly were producing a few walleyes in 15 to 20 feet of water, again on crawler harnesses.
Peninsula State Park - Conditions are very dry. All of Door County is under a fire ban with the exemption of campfires in campgrounds only. The upcoming month will be very busy as Door County is now its peak season. Water levels in Green Bay and Lake Michigan are still very low. Prevailing east northeasterly winds occasionally create a build-up of cladophora algae along the park's shoreline. Swimmers are advised that algae may be present along the first 10 to 20 feet along the waterline. During hot weather, visitors should be aware that sometimes Nicolet Bay Beach reaches capacity. When all parking spots are filled, no more vehicles are permitted into the beach areas. Solution: Plan on bicycling to the beach!Trails are ready for summer use, and in very dry condition. Some of the more interesting and commonly seen summer birds: white pelicans, cormorants, wood ducks, mergansers, bald eagles, osprey. Peninsula is a birders paradise. There is a bumper crop of cherries in the orchards this year.
Kewaunee County - Weather over the last week has been hot and humid. The winds started out to be favorable, but a wind shift over the weekend really slowed down the fishing. Increased water temperatures have moved the fish to deeper water. Anglers fishing off of the piers in Algoma and Kewaunee had a slow week with only a few fish being caught each day. Spoons have still been the tackle of choice for these anglers. Anglers that have been trolling out on the lake have been coming in with some very small catches of fish. Anglers have been able to find some fish out in water of depths over 75 feet, but the fish were few and far between. With not much action this week there really isn’t any tackle that is working the best.
Oshkosh DNR Service Center area
Blue-green algae is back with a vengeance again this summer on Lake Winnebago and health officials in Winnebago, Calumet and Fond du Lac counties are urging the public to be cautious. Blue-green algae can produce toxins that can make people and animals sick. Effects can occur when lake water is swallowed, through contact with the skin, or when airborne droplets containing toxins are inhaled. People may experience eye, ear or skin irritation as well as vomiting and diarrhea. If exposed to large amounts of toxins, nerve and/or liver problems may develop. When large amounts of the toxin are ingested it can kill animals. Animals are at greater risk as they may ingest significant amounts of toxins by licking their fur after leaving the water. Blue-green algae, more properly known as Cyanobacteria, is different from the normal green algae that are common to most lakes. Lake Winnebago is an ideal incubator for blue-green algae blooms because of its large surface area and nutrient-rich waters.
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SOUTHEAST REGION
Milwaukee County
Havenwoods State Forest - Fifteen mallards, great blue heron, red-tailed hawk, herring gull, downy woodpecker, yellow warblers, common yellowthroat, indigo buntings, and a flock of cedar waxwings have been seen or heard around the forest. Cup plant, rosin weed, tall coreopsis, whorled milkweed, iron weed, blazing star, Culver's root, grass-leaved goldenrod, flowering spurge, and Jerusalem artichoke are currently blooming.
Lake Michigan fisheries team report
Sheboygan County - Sheboygan shore anglers fishing the north pier have been catching just a few chinooks on glow-in-the-dark spoons or alewives fished on the bottom. Trollers off Sheboygan have been catching primarily chinooks, along with occasional rainbows and coho. Most fish have been found in 80 to 130 feet of water.
Ozaukee County - In Port Washington anglers fishing off the end of pier have caught a few keeper size perch while jigging. Trollers out of Port Washington continue to catch good numbers of fish. Chinooks and rainbows have been taken on glow spoons and J-plugs 30 to 50 feet down in 50 to 80 feet of water.
Milwaukee County - Shore fishing for trout and salmon in Milwaukee has been slow with warm water near shore, but perch anglers have at times been successful off the end of McKinley pier and off Cupertino pier. Boaters looking for perch have been catching good numbers at the boils. Minnows and crab tails have been taking the most perch. Milwaukee trollers have been catching good numbers of chinooks and a few rainbows in 60 to 80 feet of water. Browns have also been taken in water less than 50 feet deep. Cracked ice or blue spoons, as well as flies in white & green have been producing.
Racine County - In Racine perch fishing for shore anglers has been slow overall, with only a few caught off the south pier and near the mouth of the boat launch at Pershing Park. Crab tails and jigs have provided the only action. Racine trollers have been have been finding good action in as shallow as 50 to 70 feet of water or out over 100 feet. Fish have been scattered from 30 to 80 feet down, and white spoons or aqua flies have been productive.
Kenosha County - In Kenosha shore fishing has been generally slow. Kenosha trollers have been catching good numbers of chinooks and rainbows 60 to 80 feet down in 100 feet of water. Fish have been hitting spoons and flies in green, blue, or white.
Inland fisheries team report
Washington, eastern Fond du Lac, and inland Sheboygan counties - Bluegills and bass have been active on Pike Lake near Hartford. Largemouth bass and walleyes were being caught on Big Cedar Lake near West Bend. Few other reports have been coming in. Water levels are extremely low in the larger rivers such as the Sheboygan River.
Waukesha County - Some nice bluegills and crappies have been caught on Little Muskego Lake, and North Lake has produced good numbers of keeper size panfish as well. These fish seem to be holding in a little deeper water due to the recent warm weather. Live bait fishing seems to be the preferred method on both of these waters. A number of quality sized bass have been caught on Okauchee Lake. Fish up to 5 pounds have been taken from the deeper water on the main basin. Dark colored jigs and larger bodied plastics have been the most productive lures.
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SOUTH CENTRAL REGION
Horicon DNR Service Center area
Horicon Marsh State Wildlife Area -The signs of late summer are becoming apparent as the crickets and katydids sing their evenings songs and the may apples are withering among the woodlands. Canada geese are again a common sight at Horicon Marsh as the young are taking flight and the molt migrants are returning to Wisconsin. Broods of ducks are a rather common sight among many other kinds of marsh birds that have reared their young this summer, as are the first signs of fall migration at this time of year. The yellow warblers have already left for their wintering grounds and yellowlegs and other sandpipers are gathering on the marsh as they begin their retreat from their arctic breeding grounds. August is the peak of the fall flight for many shorebirds and birdwatchers are flocking to Horicon Marsh to seek them out, as well as some of the uncommon visitors. Recent sighting include an American avocet, black-necked stilt, marbled godwit and little blue heron. Water levels are slightly below normal at this time, due to a lack of rain during mid to late July, but recent rains are replenishing this. Low water levels are not a problem for wetland wildlife, in general, but are a concern for waterfowl hunters later in fall as it restricts their access to potholes and backwaters in the marsh. Conditions for the fall hunt will be dependant on the amount of rain received over the next 6 to 8 weeks. As the heat of summer begins to let up later in the season, hiking will again be a popular activity on Horicon Marsh and other state wildlife areas.
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WEST CENTRAL REGION
La Crosse DNR Service Center area
White-tailed deer bucks have about another month for their antlers to grow. Antlers are bony outgrowths which protrude from the skull. Antlers begin growing in late spring or early summer, at which time they are tender and soft, and covered with a skin known as velvet. This velvet contains a network of blood vessels that nourish the growing bone. By late summer, usually sometime in September, the antlers reach full size, the blood supply diminishes, and the velvet dries, loosens, and falls off. What remains on the bucks' heads are the widely recognized antlers, which are highly prized by some hunters. Soon common nighthawks will be winging south. They and most shorebirds are among the first migrating birds passing through our area. Red-winged blackbirds are starting to flock. Fall is not far off. The warm days of summer can bring disease potential to our wildlife species. Bird feeders, water sources and bird bath can be a reservoir for avian pox (virus) and/or avian cholera (bacteria). These diseases are normally local out breaks but can become a widespread problem if left unchecked. If you have feeders or bird baths you need to clean them regularly to keep the virus and bacteria from infesting these bird congregating areas. You can use a bleach and water solution to help clean the feeders or bird baths. In the summertime you may even not want bird feeders out being that there is enough natural foods available.
Crawford County - All three major rivers in the Crawford County rose last week because of locally heavy rains. The Mississippi River is up to 6.8 feet and is expected to stay near that level for several days. The Wisconsin River also rose but dropped quickly. Navigating the Wisconsin remains tricky because of the numerous sandbars. The Kickapoo River also settled down and is near normal flow for this time of year. Navigating the Kickapoo River is difficult because of the many downed trees and snags. All the trout streams in the area in good shape. Boaters who are unfamiliar with the Mississippi River need to use extra caution because wing and closing dams, dead heads, logs, mud flats and sand bars are exposed or very close to the surface of the water. Boaters using the Mississippi River are urged to slow down when traveling outside the main channel. Fishing action was pretty good even though heavy rains entered the picture last week. Bluegill action remains very good. Bluegills have been biting on the Mississippi River. In the Prairie du Chien area anglers are having very good success on wing dams and in some deeper slow moving sloughs and even on the East and Main Channels. The Ambro Slough Complex continues to produce some nice bluegills in downed trees. However the low water in the Ambro Slough is causing navigation problems. Some very nice catches of bluegills have been reported in the East Channel near Indian Isle side and along the Iowa side of the Main Channel. The wing dams below the Wisconsin River on the Iowa side have produced well as have many of the wing dams up near Lock and Dam 9. Perch action was pretty good this week. Perch have been biting on St. Feriole Slough along the weed edges, in Garnet Lake, and any other location where there is a weed edge. The perch action in Pool 9 near the Ferryville wasn’t bad but anglers have to search for active fish. Some Crappie action has been reported in backwater areas around downed trees or along deeper water drop offs. Walleye fishing was pretty good. Anglers are primarily targeting wing dams. Trolling or working wing dams with crank baits have produced some nice fish. Some anglers have had success using jigs tipped with night crawlers or leeches. Another tactic is dead lining above the wing dam. Walleye action in the McDonald Slough area and the Lynxville dam has been spotty to good. In the area of the “S” curve near Harpers Ferry many anglers have been drifting with a jig and night crawlers or leach or trolling with fair success. Some anglers are drifting or trolling the west shoreline below Harper’s Ferry slough in about 10 feet of water. Saugers and walleyes have been active outside Cold Spring on some days. The best baits have been chartreuse crank baits or live bait rigs. Bass fishing on the Mississippi River remains very good. Anglers are catching decent fish using plastics, crank and spinner baits. The bass seem to utilizing weed or wood cover in backwater areas. Wing dams have produced smallmouth and largemouth bass. Many of the rocky shore lines with steep drop off have produced some very nice smallmouth bass. Catfish continue to bite fairly well. Most cat anglers are using cut bait, stink bait or night crawlers. The Lower Wisconsin River has been producing some very good smallmouth bass and some spotty walleye/sauger action. Panfish action has been spotty primarily due to the low water. Trout anglers report fair action. Many of the local trout streams produced decent brook and brown trout; however, fishing is difficult due to the heavy vegetation and insects. Poison ivy and stinging nettle, deer and horse flies and mosquitoes are out in force. Most of the parsnip is starting to die back, however it should still be avoided. This is the time of the year where hornets begin to be a real pest at out door events. The Wisconsin Trappers Association along with the DNR will be holding a trapper’s education course at the Boscobel Sportsman’s Club off Highway 133 East on August 25 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and August 26 from 8 a.m. to noon. Camping will be available. The course fee is $8 and pre-registration is required. Contact Alan Krieg at (608) 875-6251 or Warden Mike Cross at (608) 326-2915 for additional information.
Eau Claire DNR Service Center area
Brunet Island State Park - The open water game fish action has been good this past week. Bass action on spinner baits has been productive, and there has been good musky action on Cornell flowage and below the Cornell dam. Birds seen or heard include: scarlet tanagers, indigo buntings, towhees, golden finches, ravens, rose-breasted grosbeaks, loons, robins, red polls, a variety of wrens, phoebes, Canada geese, turkey vultures, northern juncos, pileated woodpeckers, great blue herons, green herons, barred owls, osprey, bald eagles and belted kingfishers. Harebell, common milkweed, water smartweed, rabbits foot clover, marsh hedge nettle, wild bergamot, brown eyed Susans, lesser daisy fleabane, the water lilies, some of the aster varieties, orange hawkweed, ox eye daisy, wooly yarrow are flowering.
Wisconsin Rapids DNR Service Center area
There is still time to enter this year’s annual amateur photo contest at Buckhorn and Roche-A-Cri state parks. All pictures must be taken within the boundaries of Buckhorn or Roche-A-Cri state parks between Oct. 1, 2006 and Sept. 30, 2007. Photos may be entered in the following categories: plants, wildlife, people using the park, and open (landscapes etc.). The contest deadline is Sept. 30, 2007. The weather is still great for visiting the parks and there are many opportunities for taking photos. Winning photos are published in the Star Times, Juneau County Messenger and the Adams County Times newspapers. They will also be displayed at the Mauston and Adams County libraries and in park offices. First place winners will receive a $25 gift certificate from one of the sponsors and second place winners will receive a $10 gift certificate. For more information please contact staff at Buckhorn State Park at (608) 565-2789.
Buckhorn State Park - Park users have been catching fish off the pier and at the kids fishing pond. Hot summer weather has been great for swimming, canoeing and kayaking. Canoes and kayaks are available for renting. There is starting to be algae in the lake - it blows around with the wind. There are a couple beaches at the park, so usually one is clear. There is a cold water rinse shower in the beach picnic area. Many visitors are using the beach in the park. Campers on the weekend saw muskrat, deer, herons, and huge carp while canoeing on the interpretive trail. Reservable sites are filled on weekends. Two baby turkey vultures were seen in a tree in the park. Mosquito activity is low. There have been biting flies with the hot/dry weather. There are 6 non-reservable/ first-come sites that fill up as well. Some sites are still available during the week. Check out the new signs on the barrens nature trail. The trail is great for bird watching.
Roche-A-Cri State Park - Come and enjoy the quiet campground setting. Many summer wildflowers are in bloom in the woodlands and prairies, including Wild Bergamot and Goldenrod. Take a hike through the prairie to try and catch a glimpse of the Karner Blue Butterfly. Deer and Turkeys have been abundant throughout the park. Take an evening hike and listen to the owls, coyotes, and turkey vultures of Roche-A-Cri. The 2007 photo contest is underway - remember your camera to catch great summer photos for the contest.
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VHS Update
as of Aug. 9, 2007
Test results for the virus
Test results returned Aug. 6 for seven fish collected from the Lake Winnebago System, Green Bay and Lake Michigan waters, and five from inland waters are all negative for viral hemorrhagic septicemia, or VHS. Fish testing negative included freshwater drum from Lake Wisconsin in Sauk County, northern pike from Wind Lake in Racine County, white sucker and redhorse from Deertail Creek in Rusk County; freshwater drum from the Wisconsin River in Columbia County, largemouth bass from Lake Pokegama and walleye from Staples Lake, both in Barron County. Brown bullhead in Beaver Dam and channel catfish from Lake Winneconne also tested negative. The tests were done in response to fish kills or because DNR fish biologists or anglers thought the fish had symptoms of the disease. DNR has suspended planned surveillance testing for VHS until water temperatures decrease. Fish immune systems are stronger with warmer water temperatures and better able to withstand the virus; although such infected fish continue to carry VHS, the resulting low viral loads in fish are more difficult to detect, leading to false negatives. Updated test results (pdf; 141 kb) can be found on a map on the DNR VHS Web pages.
Meanwhile, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has announced three new locations in that state have been found with fish infected with Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia, or VHS. Fish infected with the disease have been previously documented from New York waters of Lake Ontario, Lake Erie, the Niagara River, the St. Lawrence River, Conesus Lake and Skaneateles Lake. Information is available on their Web site at [http://www.dec.ny.gov/environmentdec/36614.html] (exit DNR).
And researchers at the State University of New York are reporting that VHS is responsible for “a dramatic downward spiral” in the muskellunge population in the St. Lawrence River, where the disease was diagnosed in fish killed in 2005 and 2006. Learn more about their research on the State University College of Science and Forestry Web site at [http://www.esf.edu/communications/news/2007/07.19.fishvirus.htm] (exit DNR).
Public Hearings start next week on VHS Permanent Rules
Public hearings start Aug. 14 statewide that would make permanent the emergency rules already in place for controlling and preventing the spread of VHS in Wisconsin’s waters. More information on the dates, locations and times of these hearings, as well as other ways comment on the rule proposals, can be found on the fisheries Administrative Rules pages.
Outreach and information
Wisconsin Natural Resources magazine provides quick answers to anglers’ common questions about VHS in its August 2007 issue, now available at newsstands and online.
Bait harvest permits
Information for bait harvesters has been updated on the DNR VHS Web pages. Under emergency rules, all registered bait dealers who collect minnows, crayfish or frogs from the wild are required to obtain permits to collect from specific lakes or river stretches, and to keep records. The permits and record-keeping requirements are aimed at monitoring possible sources of VHS.
Most frequently asked question of the week
What’s lies ahead for Wisconsin fish? It’s too early to say, given the virus’s recent arrival in the Great Lakes, and the fact the strain affecting fish in this region is different than the strain that’s been found in Pacific Northwest fish. Fish that survive the infection will develop antibodies to the virus which will protect the fish against new VHS virus infections for some time. However, the concentration of antibodies in the fish will drop over time and the fish may start shedding the virus again, creating a cycle of fish kills that occurs on a regular basis. Experiences from other states vary. Fisheries can and have bounced back, but some waters where VHS caused fish kills in 2005 or 2006 are suffering a dramatic downward spiral, as seems to be happening with musky populations in the St. Lawrence River in New York. Information is available on State University College of Science and Forestry Web site at [http://www.esf.edu/communications/news/2007/07.19.fishvirus.htm] (exit DNR).
Last Revised: Thursday August 09 2007
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