Fall colors are now at or slightly past peak in northern Wisconsin, near or at peak in the central part of the state and about a week to two weeks from peak in most of southern Wisconsin, on the Department of Tourism Fall Color Report (exit DNR). The fall color was unusually white in far northern Wisconsin in the last week, as the region experienced a couple of early snowfalls, with some portions of the most northern tier of counties reporting from 2 to 3 inches of snow.
A four-day antlerless-only gun deer hunting season began today, Thursday, Oct. 15 and runs through Sunday throughout most of the southern half of the state. This hunt is taking place only in “Herd Control” and “CWD” deer management units. Only antlerless deer are permitted by both gun and archery deer hunters during this four-day period in these units. All hunters, except waterfowl hunters, must meet blaze orange clothing requirements, and anyone venturing out this weekend in areas open to the hunt is encouraged to wear blaze orange or other brightly colored clothing.
With the unseasonably cool weather of the past two weeks, water temperatures have plummeted down through the 50s and most small and medium-size northern lakes are now in the mid-40 degree range. This sparked the fall feeding binge for musky and action has been very good, with live suckers and quick-strike rigs have providing most of the action. Walleye fishing has been very erratic, with cold water temperatures demanding a very slow presentation. Panfish success has tailed off with the colder weather.
The chinook salmon run was in full force this week on northern Lake Michigan tributaries. Although the weather was cold for most of the week, many anglers took advantage of the opportunity to catch migrating chinook salmon in the Ahnapee, Kewaunee, Manitowoc, East and West Twin, and Branch rivers. Farther south, water levels have come up somewhat on the Sheboygan and Pigeon rivers, but were still low overall. Anglers have been catching fair numbers of chinooks on the Sheboygan and also on the Milwaukee River. On the Root River. good numbers of chinooks, along with a few steelhead and coho, were found below the Root River Steelhead Facility, which is now running and will be hosing an open house this Saturday, Oct. 17, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. DNR crews will be giving tours of the facility and spawning demonstrations, and volunteers from local fishing clubs will be teaching kid’s casting, knot tying, fly casting, fly tying and more.
The Mississippi River has leveled off at the 7.6 foot mark at Prairie du Chien. Walleye and sauger action have slowed a bit, with the early morning hours and later in the day generally the best for walleye action.
Recent rains have brought up water levels on many marshes in southern Wisconsin, so conditions should be good for the reopening of the southern zone duck season this Saturday. More flocks of migratory ducks and geese have been arriving this week ahead of the cold weather. Duck numbers, on the Mississippi, were rather low at the beginning of the southern zone split, but the first sizable numbers of canvasbacks have arrived on the Mississippi River in the La Crosse area. Coot numbers have continued to increase.
Archery deer hunters reported fairly good activity again this week. As more and more leaves fall visibility increases in the woods. Also corn and soybean fields are beginning to be picked. Deer hunters are starting to find a few scrapes and rubs.
Fall bird migrations are in full swing throughout the state with the first large influx of short-distance migrants and winter residents. The past week has brought migrant loons to southern Wisconsin as well as wintering juncos to the southern tier of counties. Blue-winged teal, wood ducks, and other early waterfowl migrants have moved through the state but recent cold fronts have pushed in our first influx of diving ducks and American wigeon. The next week should bring a the first groups of tundra swans. Look for good pushes of red-tailed hawks, harriers and wintering golden eagles and rough-legged hawks in the upcoming two weeks.
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.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statewide Birding Report:
Migration is in full swing throughout the state with our first large influx of short-distance migrants and winter residents. The past week has brought the first migrant loons to southern Wisconsin as well as wintering juncos to the southern tier of counties. Blackbirds are now gathering at large communal roosts and flying out to agricultural fields in the morning. Blue-winged teal, wood ducks, and other early waterfowl migrants have moved through the state but recent cold fronts have pushed in our first influx of diving ducks and American wigeon. The next week should bring a large influx of canvasbacks to the Upper Mississippi refuge and our first groups of tundra swans. Cold weather in Canada and the northern tier of states should have brought a large push of woodcock into the state and the first real movement of saw-whet and long-eared owls. Birders looking for migrant raptors should start seeing good pushes of red-tailed hawks, harriers and our first wintering golden eagles and rough-legged hawks in the upcoming two weeks. Birders along Lake Michigan should start seeing better numbers of migrant diving ducks, grebes and loons in the next week. This week should bring the first wintering shrikes, snow buntings and tree sparrows statewide. As always, please report bird sightings to eBird Wisconsin (ebird.org/WI) to help better track migrant bird populations.
Back to Top
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NORTHERN REGION
Superior DNR Service Center area
Brule River State Forest - The colors around the Brule River State Forest are still worth coming to see…but come soon, the leaves are beginning to fall. The fall colors were capped with snow last weekend. The contrast of the snow ant the bright colors of the leaves were quite striking. It is reported that fishing success on the Bois Brule River has been slow lately but the fish that are being caught are nice "hefty" fish. As a reminder, the four-day antlerless-only deer hunting season begins today (Thursday, Oct. 15) and ends after Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009. This gun season will take place in “Herd Control” and “CWD” units only, which make up approximately half of the units in the state. See the deer season structure map in the deer regulations booklet or online for unit designations:
http://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/wildlife/HUNT/DEER/dmu.htm. Another thing to keep in mind is that the doe tags that come with your gun deer license this year are for Herd Control and Earn a Buck units only. Most of the northern third of the state is not in a Herd Control this year. Unit specific tags will have to be purchased separately. As of Oct. 14, unit 1 had 1,024 antlerless tags, unit 2 had 6,675, unit 3 had 610, unit 4 had 0, unit 6 had 5,320, unit 8 had 1,272, unit 9 had 4,085, and unit 13 had 2,668 tags.
Park Falls DNR Service Center area
Upper Chippewa Basin fisheries report (Price, Rusk, Sawyer Taylor and inland Ashland and Iron counties) -
With the unseasonably cool weather of the past two weeks, musky have become the main highlight for anglers in the Upper Chippewa Basin. Water temperatures have plummeted down through the 50s and most small and medium-size lakes are now in the mid-40 degree range. This seems to have sparked the fall feeding binge for musky and action has been very good. Fishing with live suckers and quick-strike rigs have provided most of the action, but artificial baits have been catching a few fish in the warmer, late-afternoon hours. Most of the musky have been in the 34 to 38-inch size but a few fish up to 48 inches have also been reported. The nicest musky have been coming on large suckers - with the 40-inch-plus musky being caught on 18-inch or better suckers. Look for this trend to continue as the fall season progresses, with the trophy potential getting better as the season winds down toward its closing on Nov. 30. Walleye fishing has been very erratic, with some days producing a fair catch of small to medium-size fish and other days providing very little action for anything. The cold water temperatures seem to demand a very slow presentation, with jig and minnow combinations almost being too aggressive for the light biting walleye. Large fathead minnows, either on a slip bobber or a bare hook-split shot rig, moved very slowly along the deep break lines have produced the best success in the last week. Most action has come in the hour before dark, but cloudy days have produced some action during the daytime hours. Panfish success has tailed off with the colder weather, with just a few reports of crappie and perch being taken.
Back to Top
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NORTHEAST REGION
Peshtigo DNR Service Center area
Marinette County - Fall color is at peak, if not just past at this point. The early snowfall will probably hasten the leaf fall although for now the colors are still awesome! Asters are still attempting a late bloom and with warmer temps on the way they should succeed. Sandhill crane and herons are grouping together for migration. There is an abundance of pumpkins at the farm stands this year along with apples. The Fisheries crew has begun the fall boom-shocking on area lakes including Lake Noquebay. A portion of the county is included in an Antlerless Deer hunt, 51A and 51B. Bow hunters are required to wear 50 percent blaze orange and harvest only antlerless deer in those herd control areas.
Oconto County - Fantastic is the word to describe the fall scenery in Northern Oconto County. The alternating colors of the pines, maples, oaks and poplar create a blanket of colors to be rivaled. Bear hunting season is officially closed with a number of bruins being harvested. Bow hunters will have mild temps next week with some rain forecasted for mid week. Nursery tree order forms are available at your service center and the information is also on our web page.
Green Bay DNR Service Center area
Brown County - Walleye action has been good over the last week on the Fox River, with some nice walleye caught in the river and in the lower bay. Most anglers have been trolling for walleye with crank baits. Many anglers are targeting musky as well, with limited success. Anglers have also been catching a few walleye from shore at the metro landing. Perch fishing has been slow at Bay Shore Park, but there still has been some people out trying to find them. Best action for perch has been south of the park. Walleye anglers have been doing well out of Bay Shore, weather permitting. Most angles fishing walleye have been jigging or trolling cranks.
Manitowoc County - Many anglers this week took advantage of the opportunity to catch migrating chinook salmon in the Manitowoc and Two Rivers area although fishing was only fair. Although the weather was cold for most of the week, fishing was good at times and some nice fish were harvested from the lower Manitowoc River and harbor. In the harbor and around the marina, anglers had mixed success catching mostly chinook salmon although several anglers landed a few small rainbow trout. Most anglers were fishing with spawn just off the bottom. On the Manitowoc River, anglers had the most action fishing near Manitowoc Rapids (near Highway R). Successful anglers were casting spoons or spinners or using spawn sacs just off the bottom. Further up river near Lower Cato Falls County Park, fly fishers were working the river but success was low. On the Branch River fly fishers were starting at the Union Road crossing and fishing downstream toward the Manitowoc River. Although catch rates were slow here as well, some large chinook salmon were landed. Anglers fishing the East and West Twin Rivers were concentrated around the dams at Shoto and Mishicot this week. Fishing was only fair despite a large number of anglers trying their luck. Most anglers were casting spoons or spinners or using spawn sacs.
Sturgeon Bay DNR Service Center area
Door County - The weather this past week was much cooler with strong winds, but little or no rain. There were no reports of salmon action on Lake Michigan this week, probably due to the high winds. Action off the piers at the Coast Guard Station was poor; again the high winds and cold temperatures seemed to keep most anglers off of the piers. Some kings were reportedly taken by anglers trolling spoons and crank baits in the canal, and by anglers fishing from the canal shore. Farther north anglers continued to report taking a few fish out of most of the ports. There was a report of a nice brown trout taken out of the marina at Baileys Harbor. Again this week there was not a lot of action on the other species, probably due to high winds and waves on Green Bay. Perch fishing has slowed over the last week at Chaudoir’s Dock, with fewer perch (but larger) being reported. The weather has played a big factor at Chaudoir’s over the last week not allowing many people out. Perch fishing has been fair over the last week at Little Sturgeon Bay, with most fish being found inside the bay in 10 feet of water. Also smallmouth bass fishing has improved over the last week with some nice fish being caught. At Sturgeon Bay, anglers have been targeting bass and pike with limited success over the last week. They have been getting a few perch as well.
Peninsula State Park - Fall colors are at approximately 60 percent-plus. Expect colors to peak after Oct. 15. The park has "held up well" following three storms with winds approaching 50 mph in a 10 day period. Some trails have trees and branches down. Trails are in good condition overall. Enjoy the Sunset Bike Route early and late in the day, as use will be extremely heavy from 10am until 3pm over the next few weeks. The Sister Bay Fall Festival is Oct. 17-18.
Potawatomi State Park - Strong winds have been blowing leaves off the trees. Peak fall colors are expected by mid to late October…if there are any leaves still on the trees by then! Campers are welcome in the South campground from Nov. 1 through March on a first-come, first-served basis. (Camping reservations are not necessary from Nov. 1 through March.) Potable water is available at the campground shelter throughout the year. The fish cleaning station; sanitary dump station, shower building, campground drinking water wells will all be closed the week of Oct. 19. The accessible fishing pier on the south shoreline has already been pulled from the water for the season due to recent wind damage.
Strawberry Creek Egg Collection Facility - On Monday, Oct. 12 crews harvested chinook salmon at Strawberry Creek. They have currently collected up to about 1.5 million chinook eggs at Strawberry Creek in the fall of 2009 headed for a total quota of 1.9 million eggs. The next planned harvest is on Thursday, Oct. 15. There is a very good chance that crews will be able to harvest the rest of the chinook eggs to meet hatchery egg quota on Thursday. Even though the chinook run is likely not over for the season, if crews are successful in acquiring all of the chinook eggs that are needed for hatcheries, there is a very good chance that Oct. 15 will be the last chinook salmon egg harvest of 2009 at Strawberry Creek.
Kewaunee County - Weather this past week was much cooler with the winds hanging around most days, but the rains did hold off this past week. Strong winds out of the north and west for most of the week helped to bring in the cooler weather. King salmon are really moving up the rivers now as the salmon run is in full force this last week. Many fish are being caught in the Ahnapee and Kewaunee rivers from the mouths all the way up to the fish refuges below the dams. Many anglers have been reporting successful trips this last week. Anglers have also been having some success casting spoons for salmon from the piers and the shore areas in Algoma and Kewaunee for trout and salmon as well.
Back to Top
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SOUTHEAST REGION
Washington County - On Theresa Marsh in Washington/Dodge County, water levels upstream from the dam will be at normal seasonal levels for the second duck opener on Saturday. Duck and goose numbers are both fair on the property, with more flocks of migratory ducks and geese arriving this week ahead of the cold weather. Pheasant hunters and other non-waterfowl hunters need to remember that blaze orange is required in many zones during the four-day October antlerless hunt beginning this Thursday. Deer hunters also need to be aware that Unit 69 is a "regular" unit and is NOT open for the four-day October hunt. Theresa and Allenton Marsh Wildlife Areas are part of Unit 69. Jackson Marsh is in Unit 77M and is open to deer hunting during the four-day hunt.
Lake Michigan fisheries team report
Sheboygan County - In Sheboygan shore anglers have been catching a few chinooks off the piers and in the marina. Spawn and crankbaits have both been effective. Water levels have come up somewhat on the Sheboygan and Pigeon rivers, but levels are still low overall. In the Sheboygan anglers have been catching fair numbers of chinooks between Taylor Avenue and the Kohler dam. Most fish have been taken on flies, but spoons have caught some as well.
Ozaukee County - Shore anglers in Port Washington have been catching a mixed bag of chinooks, coho, and browns near the power plant, and in the north slip anglers have been catching chinooks and coho. Spawn and skein have taken the most fish. Fishing on Sauk Creek has been slow, and water levels are low.
Milwaukee County - In Milwaukee trollers fishing in the harbor and around the gaps have been catching a few chinooks and browns. Shore anglers have been catching chinooks on spoons behind the Summerfest grounds and in the lagoon at Lakeshore State Park. Fishing has been slow in the Menomonee River and Oak Creek, but chinooks have been caught in the Milwaukee River in Kletzsch and Estabrook Parks. Black flies and spawn have both been productive.
Racine County - Shore anglers fishing in the Racine harbor have been catching a few browns on spawn. Trollers fishing off Racine have been catching lake trout and a few coho 20 to 40 feet down in water 100 feet deep. On the Root River good numbers of chinooks, along with a few steelhead and coho, can be found below the Root River Steelhead Facility all the way down to the Main Street bridge. Spawn and skein have taken fish as well as large black or purple flies. In Colonial and Quarry Lake Parks, fish have been scattered and more difficult to locate, but there is a small concentration of chinooks below the Horlick dam. The Root River Steelhead Facility is now running. Join us at the Facility on Saturday, Oct. 17, for an Open House from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. DNR crews will be giving tours of the facility and spawning demonstrations, and volunteers from local fishing clubs will be teaching kid’s casting, knot tying, fly casting, fly tying and more.
Kenosha County - In Kenosha a few chinooks and browns have been taken in the harbor on skein under a slip bobber. Water levels remain relatively low on the Pike, and fishing has been slow.
Back to Top
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SOUTH CENTRAL REGION
Dodgeville DNR Service Center area
Wyalusing State Park - The Wisconsin Ridge Campground flush building, Homestead showers and all water faucets throughout the park are closed for the season. The Wisconsin Ridge shower/flush building remains open and is scheduled to be shut down on Monday, Oct. 19. The dump station is also closed, but campers can still dump if they have enough water to flush. A winterized faucet is available east of the shower/flush building in the Wisconsin Ridge Campground. The concession stand is closed for the season.
Fitchburg DNR Service Center area
Sauk County
Devil’s Lake State Park - About 25 percent of the leaves have turned to autumn colors. The peak of autumn color season is impossible to predict. Timing depends on night time temperatures, humidity, soil moisture, intensity and duration of sunlight exposure, and perhaps the width of the ring around the middle of the wooly-worm caterpillar. Usually the best bet for a day excursion to see fall colors are the middle two weeks in October. Deer hunting is allowed in limited areas of the park on Oct. 15 – 18 (only till noon each day) and then for regular hunting season, Nov. 21 - 29, and continuing into late bow/muzzleloader season through Dec. 9 and late bow season Dec. 14 – Jan. 3. Hunting is not allowed in the open campgrounds, in the picnic areas, near the popular bluff trails or near the lake. Hunting is allowed by permit only, but these are not limited and there is no charge. Permits are available at DNR service centers, at the park, and online. Mountain bike trails at Devil's Lake are open. If the trails get muddy after heavy prolonged rains, they may be closed to mountain bikes as long as they remain wet and easily damaged. Bike trails will remain open until the first snowfalls of the season. Northern Lights and Ice Age Campgrounds are now closed for the season. Quartzite Campground will remain open and partly reservable through the winter. Water facilities (showers, running water restrooms, water taps, vehicle dump/fill stations) will close Oct. 19. All concession operations and services are now closed for the season, and will open approximately the first weekend in May, 2010.
Back to Top
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WEST CENTRAL REGION
Baldwin DNR Service Center area
St. Croix County
Willow River State Park - October snow has fallen twice as this report is prepared early in the week. Runners had some snowfall for the Trail Run Oct. 10 and wet snow was falling early on Oct. 12. The fall color has been unusually white as the seasons seem to be ahead of themselves. Dry land training continues Tuesday and Thursday evenings for Nordic skiers. Meet near the Purple trail head. The group leaves at 5:15 or so headed out the Purple trail. A few tend to train rain, snow, or shine. Headlamps will be needed as we get later into the month. The Willow River Nordic skiers will be doing trail brushing work on a couple of Saturdays. Meet at the service building. Dates are Oct. 17 and Nov. 7. Individuals may work any time with hand tools. Do not prune Buckthorn, cut it all out. The chain saw crew has been busy in the campground this week. There are several sites with firewood in them or near the road. Buy your firewood locally or take your chance with what we cut. We cut cherry, box elder, oak, and red pine.
La Crosse DNR Service Center area
Just like clockwork, dark-eyed juncos arrived in the area this week. Noted Wisconsin ornithologist Sam Robbins stated in his book Wisconsin Birdlife that even though birds know nothing about political boundaries, the US - Canadian border approximates the summer and winter range of the dark-eyed junco. These birds generally summer north of the border and spend winters south of it. Sparrow-sized juncos are easily identified by their uniformly slate-gray head, back, and breast, along with white outer tail feathers. The bill and belly are whitish. Juncos readily patronize bird feeders, where they prefer to feed on the ground. They are fond of black oil sunflower, white proso millet, cracked corn, peanuts, and grain sorghum. Juncos often feed among tree sparrows, fox sparrows, white-throated sparrows, and white-crowned sparrows. Duck numbers, on the Mississippi, were rather low at the beginning of the southern zone split in Wisconsin's duck season. That could change rapidly, however. The first sizable numbers of canvasbacks have arrived, with many more to follow. Coot numbers have continued to increase. Cormorant numbers have decreased in most areas.
Crawford County - The Mississippi River has leveled off and is forecasted to hold around the 7.6 foot mark. Water clarity continues to be good. Floating weeds are starting to come down the river causing difficulties for anglers and at some boat ramps. Boaters are advised to use caution at some boat ramps. Drop offs might exist at the end of the launch pad so don’t back your trailer in to far as the tires might drop off the end. This is caused by large vessels “power loading”. The Wisconsin and Kickapoo rivers are starting to drop slightly after last week’s rive in water level. Both river systems have good water clarity. Water temperatures are starting to drop in area waterways. Bluegill action was very spotty this week. Some nice sized gills were being caught on wing dams and back water sloughs. Increased flow and floating weeds are making fishing difficult in some areas. Fishing at Cold Spring was spotty this week. There were some report of crappie and bluegill, but not every day. Perch fishing was slow again this week. Anglers are going to have to search around for active fish. Walleye and sauger action slowed a bit too. Generally the early morning hours and later in the day has been the best for walleye action. Most anglers were using minnows as opposed to night crawlers. A few days last week the sauger really bit well at the Lynxville dam. Smallmouth and largemouth bass action was fair. Smallmouth activity on local wing dams and rocky shore lines has been good. Largemouth bass can be found in a variety of habitats to include the “slop”, weed edges, wing dams, and in the timber. Plastics, spinner baits, and crank baits have worked well. Catfish, white bass and northern pike actions has been spotty. Some white bass have been taken at the Lynxville dam. The southern zone waterfowl season will be closed this week and reopen next weekend. Duck hunters in the Wisconsin River bottoms are still finding wood ducks and a few teal and mallards. On the Mississippi River action was spotty. Hunters in the lower bottoms and the Ambro Slough areas around Prairie du Chien are still reporting fair numbers of wood ducks, some teal and mallards. Farther up river in the Lynxville/Ferryville area (Pool 9) duck hunters found a variety of species in the bags. Mallards, wood ducks, teal, widgeon, and gadwall were the primary species found up there. Canada goose hunting was pretty good also up in Pool 9. Many ducks and geese are starting to find refuge in the closed hunting area outside Lynxville. Squirrel hunters have still been having pretty good success. After a couple weeks of hunting pressure the squirrels are becoming more wary. Hunting conditions continue to improve. Archery deer hunters reported fairly good activity again this week. As more and more leaves fall visibility increases in the woods. Also corn and soybean fields are beginning to be picked. Deer hunters are starting to find a few scrapes and rubs. Deer sightings vary greatly in the county. Some areas are more populated than others. Over night frost, cool and damp days were the norm for the past couple days. Nuisance insects have been set back because of the frosty nights. With the wet, cool and breezy conditions some tree species are loosing their leaves. Black walnut, sumac, and elm are all changing color and dropping their leaves. Other trees species, especially maple are brilliant. Fall colors are starting to show.
Wisconsin Rapids DNR Service Center area
Buckhorn State Park - The park and wildlife areas are open for the early bow deer season and deer can be registered at the park office. Waterfowl, small game hunting and trapping are allowed in the Yellow River and Buckhorn Wildlife Areas only. Fall Turkey is allowed in the Yellow River Wildlife Area and is not allowed in the new park land for fall. New maps are available at the park office that show the parkland that was acquired last fall which is now state park land and has the hunting rules on them . An accessible deer hunting blind and two accessible waterfowl blinds can be reserved by persons with disabilities. If not reserved, they are first come. Sites 8,9, 16 and sites in the group camp, A1-A4, A6-A8 and B1-B3 are still open to camping. All other sites are closed for the year. The four-day antlerless gun hunt is allowed in the Yellow River Wildlife area. The park is for bow hunting ONLY. All hunters except waterfowl hunters must wear blaze orange Oct 15-18.
Roche-A-Cri State Park - The main gate and campground are closed for the season. Parking is allowed in the winter/prairie parking lot on Czech Ave. and park stickers are required for all vehicles in that lot. Hunting is not allowed in the park. There is a hunter parking lot on Cypress Ave, east of Highway 13 at that hunting area. The pumpkin walk is Saturday, Oct. 17 from 3-9 p.m. Games from 3-4:30. Non-haunted hayrides from 3:30-5:30. Haunted hayrides 6-9 pm. Free park admission on Oct 17. There is a park and ride free shuttle bus that day from the corner of Hwy 13 and Czech Ave.
http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/caer/ce/news/or/#top
