Wisconsin’s regular nine-day gun deer hunting season opens this Saturday, Nov. 20 and runs through Sunday, Nov. 28. State wildlife officials say that conditions look very good, with the white-tailed breeding season, or rut, still near peak across much of the state this week. In addition, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reports that the corn harvest in Wisconsin is nearly complete, with 93 percent of corn harvested as of last week.
The season is structured this year to have a more conservative antlerless deer harvest in much of the state. Nearly half of the state is under a “regular” season structure, where hunters may only shoot an antlered deer, unless they purchase an additional unit-specific antlerless permit if they are available for the unit. Many units have already sold out. Areas of far northeastern Wisconsin are under a buck-only season structure, where no antlerless permits were available. Roughly the other half of the state remains under a herd-control structure because the population of those units is estimated to be 20 percent or more over established population goals. In herd control units, hunters may shoot an antlered deer with their deer hunting license and may shoot an antlerless deer with the free herd-control antlerless permit that comes with their license.
Preliminary test results on a deer removed in October from a game farm southwest of Ashland indicated possible presence of chronic wasting disease, so hunters in Ashland and Bayfield counties will be asked to help with surveillance efforts to see if the disease may be present in free-ranging, wild deer the area. There will be eight registration stations where hunters will be able to bring deer for disease testing on opening weekend.
A storm last week dropped 4 to 8 inches of wet snow along a small portion of northwestern Wisconsin, with lesser amounts in north central areas. Some of that snow was still on the ground as of mid week, and there is a possibility of additional snowfall late this week and early next in some northern areas.
Skim ice has been forming on small inland water bodies, but there have been no reports of ice on lakes or flowages and it looks like any kind of ice cover is still a couple of weeks away. Water temperatures have fallen into the low 40s and this really seems to have limited fish activity. In the north, only a few die-hard anglers have been venturing out and most of the fishing pressure continues to be for musky with a few catches up to 46 inches reported. Fishing has been picking up on lakes Monona and Mendota, with nice catches of walleye on Mendota and many musky being caught on Monona. Fishing in the area has been very good on the Mississippi, with nice bluegills caught on back-water areas and very good perch action in the flooded back water areas and below the dams. Walleye and sauger action has also been good below dams. Along Lake Michigan, anglers have been catching a mixed bag of coho salmon and rainbow and brown trout on the on the Sheboygan, Milwaukee and Root rivers. Shore anglers have been catching rainbows and browns at Port Washington.
Loons are still being seen in the north, though some have started migrating and low numbers were being seen this week on Madison area lakes. There are still good flocks of diver ducks, mostly redheads and scaup, on Lake Superior’s Chequamegon Bay, along with hundereds of tundra swans. Swans are also still abundant along the Mississippi River and at Horicon Marsh. As a result of the extremely mild fall weather, Canada goose numbers have not reached their traditional fall peak at Horicon this year. The birds have been coming through in small numbers throughout the season rather than building to a typical peak. The goose count last week declined to 25,000 rather than rising toward the traditional late fall peak of 200,000 geese. As temperatures fall and strong cold fronts bring the remaining birds south numbers could still reach peak or geese could pass through during a narrow window of time and not attain a normal fall peak.
And a reminder that state forests and some areas within many state parks are open to gun deer hunting. State recreational safety specialists are urging all people who will be enjoying outdoor activities over the next several weeks to wear blaze orange or other brightly colored clothing.
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
Ashland DNR Service Center area
There are still good flocks of diver ducks, mostly redheads and scaup, on Chequamegon Bay, along with buffleheads and an initial push of common goldeneyes along with a few hundred tundra swans. There are still a few loons left in the area. It is shaping up to be good year for various winter specialties, including common redpoll, white-winged and red crossbill, bohemian waxwing, and pine grosbeak. Skim ice has been forming on small inland water bodies, and that is likely to expand and thicken with the cold forecast for the next 10 days. The last storm was almost entirely rain along immediate Lake Superior shore, with inland areas getting 4 to 8 inches of wet snow that compacted quickly. Preliminary test results on a deer removed in October from a game farm southwest of Ashland indicated possible presence of chronic wasting disease, so hunters in Ashland and Bayfield counties will be asked to help with surveillance efforts to see if the disease may be present in free-ranging, wild deer the area. There will be eight registration stations where hunters will be able to bring deer for disease testing on opening weekend.
Park Falls DNR Service Center area
Upper Chippewa Basin fisheries report (Price, Rusk, Sawyer Taylor and inland Ashland and Iron counties) - Seasonably cold weather, along with the peak of the deer rut and the upcoming gun deer season, has kept fishing pressure to a minimum on most waters across the North. Only a few die-hard anglers have been venturing out and most of the fishing pressure continues to be for musky. Nearly all of these late-season musky anglers are dragging large suckers around and success has been fair. Several anglers have said that the musky just seem to be hitting and dropping the suckers, but a few catches have been made and musky up to 46 inches have been reported. A few walleye anglers have also been sighted, but action has been generally slow. Water temperatures have fallen into the low 40s and this really seems to have limited fish activity. There have been NO reports of ice on any lakes or flowages and it looks like any kind of ice cover is still a couple of weeks away.
Antigo DNR Service Center area
Council Grounds State Park - The 2010 Gun Deer Season begins on Nov. 20 and runs through Nov. 28. There is hunting at the park by permit only. All visitors are advised to wear blaze orange during their visit to the park. There will be muzzleloader hunting in the park Nov. 29 through Dec. 8, and bow hunting from Nov. 29 to Jan. 9. All hunting permits for the 2010 season have already been purchased. The campgrounds are closed for the season. The docks at the boat landing have been removed for the season.
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NORTHEAST REGION
Peshtigo DNR Service Center area
Governor Thompson State Park - The park will be open for the nine-day deer gun season in Nov. and is part of management unit 49A. There were no antlerless permits available for this area. Hunting maps are available by contacting the park office. The park will not be participating in any early or late season antlerless only deer hunts, herd control, or youth hunts. Leafs have dropped and it's a good time to see what was hidden by summer's foliage. The boat landing and fishing pier on Caldron Falls Reservoir are open. Construction continues on the new visitor center for the state park and Peshtigo River State Forest. The new visitor center will open for business later this fall. Construction is progressing on the new 50-site campground. Throughout the summer construction crews have been working on building the new campsites, adding topsoil, leveling and graveling the driveways and loop roads. The first 45 sites of the campground and shower building are expected to open during the 2011 camping season.
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SOUTHEAST REGION
Harrington Beach State Park - Fishing has been slow. Trails are in good hiking condition. A few of the trails wind their way through an area open to hunting. Harrington Beach is open to hunting during the Regular Deer Season (Nov. 20-28) as well as the Muzzleloader Season (Nov. 29-Dec.
to hunters with a valid park permit and with a muzzleloader only. It is also open for the Late Archery Season (Nov. 29- Jan. 9) to hunters with a valid park permit. We have areas of the park that are closed to hunting that have many of the hiking trails including the Quarry Lake Trail. The campground is closed for the season.
Lake Michigan fisheries team report
Sheboygan County - In Sheboygan anglers on the Sheboygan River have been catching a mixed bag of coho, rainbows, and browns between Esslingen Park and the Kohler dam. A few northern pike have been taken as well. Most anglers have been fly fishing, but a few fish have also been taken on spawn sacs.
Ozaukee County - In Port Washington, shore anglers have been catching a mix of rainbows and browns on skein in the north slip and near the power plant. Fishing on Sauk Creek has been slow, and water levels are very low.
Milwaukee County - In Milwaukee shore fishing has been relatively slow along the lakefront. In the Milwaukee River browns and steelhead have been seen downstream of Capitol Drive, and egg sucking leeches and yarn have both been effective for fly anglers. Water levels are low and fishing has been slow on the Menomonee River and Oak Creek.
Racine County - On the Root River in Racine fishing remains relatively decent. Water temperatures are in the mid-40s, clarity is good, but water levels are low. Most anglers have been picking up coho salmon and brown trout. Catches of steelhead have been limited, and most have been taken downstream from the weir. Fish have been caught on both spawn sacs under a bobber and on medium sized, brightly colored flies. Fish were processed at the Root River Steelhead Facility on Monday, November 8, and an additional 34 chinook, 262 coho, 50 rainbows, and 2 browns were passed upstream. So far this season, DNR crews have spawned 756 coho at the Root and collected over 850,000 eggs. The facility was shut down Nov. 16.
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SOUTH CENTRAL REGION
Dodgeville DNR Service Center area
Grant County - Water levels are returning near normal on the Mississippi River. Crappie and bluegill fishing remains slow, with a few bluegills and crappie taken near the Bertom Lake and Far Nuff Landing. Sauger are biting below the Dubuque Lock and Dam off the Eagle Point fishing barge with a few 20-plus-inch walleye in the mix. Waterfowl hunters are reporting slow hunting success through out pool 11. Diver ducks continue to move into the area below Potosi Point and above the Lock and Dam 11. A large number of trumpeter swans have moved into the area near Potosi public boat landing in the area of Bode's pond an located along Hwy 133 just North of Potosi.
Horicon DNR Service Center area
Dodge County - Lots of activity early in the morning. Bow hunters were out, taking advantage of the last weekend before the gun deer season opens. New geese seem to have come down from the north along with swans. Thousands of tundra swans have now arrived in the Horicon Marsh Area. Hunters are urge not to confuse swans with snow geese. Wardens issued four citations this past weekend to hunters who had shot at swans. Hunters are again cautioned to not shoot and the "big" white birds. If uncertain, DO NOT shoot. Diver ducks are plentiful in the area and many flocks were seen flying over and around Beaver Dam Lake. Those that were willing to bear the weather had good success.
Horicon Marsh State Wildlife Area - This has been a very unusual fall with tremendously mild weather, which has been great for many outdoor activities, but not the goose migration. As a result of the extremely mild fall weather, Canada goose numbers have not reached their traditional fall peak this year. It appears that the birds have been coming through in small numbers throughout the season rather than building to a typical peak. The goose count last week declined to 25,000 rather than rising toward the traditional late fall peak of 200,000 geese. It remains to be seen whether it will yet reach a peak later in the season, as temperatures fall and strong cold fronts bring the remaining birds south, or if they will pass through the area during a narrow window of time and not attain our normal fall peak. Ducks are on the marsh in good variety, although numbers are also down a bit compared to a normal fall. Tundra swans have arrived with several hundred on the north end of the marsh.
Fitchburg DNR Service Center area
Sauk County - Some flocks of mallards are sticking around, keeping duck hunters active. Bucks continue to be on the move at all hours of the day. Crappies have been biting on Lake Redstone, but sizes are small and anglers need to be patient while looking for the big ones.
Dane County – Fishing appears to have started to pick up again. Game fishing on Lakes Monona and Mendota has started to pick up with many nice catches of walleye on Mendota and many musky being caught on Monona. The deer rut is in full swing. Archery deer hunting has been busy with many hunters on state land bow hunting throughout the day. Hunters report seeing numerous bucks and many large bucks have been harvested in the last week. People have been shining in the normal areas. Waterfowl migration is in full swing. A lot of new ducks and geese have started to show up and hunters have had some decent success. Loon numbers are starting to build on Madison lakes - but there numbers are still low. Pheasant hunters are still seen hunting on public lands at Goose Lake and Deansville. Waterfowl hunting just started to pick up again the last few days with hunters seeing a number of different species of ducks moving into the area. Goose hunters are still hunting in corn fields. Small game hunting was limited with only a couple hunters targeting squirrels. Trapping has been found in many areas with most traps being water sets. Raccoons sightings have dropped the past couple weeks. Turkeys have been seen on a regular basis in corn fields.
Columbia County - Bucks can been seen roaming the countryside all day long, the rut is on. Please be careful when driving area highways.
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WEST CENTRAL REGION
Baldwin DNR Service Center area
Around 4 to 6 inches of snow fell last weekend in the most Western areas of St Croix, Pierce and Dunn counties. Snow still remains now only in the Western portions of St Croix and Pierce counties and also Polk County. It appears some of this snow will still be on the ground by the opener of gun deer. River levels have still been high on the St Croix and Mississippi rivers and ice has only been forming yet on small ponds, but that will change soon. The heavy wet snow packed down grass cover leaving pheasants and rabbits with fewer places to find good protective cover. Willow thickets tree lines and shelter belts are where you will find then now. Deer are still moving, but it appears the rut activity has slowed.
Willow River State Park - 5 inches of wet, sloppy snow fell last weekend followed by above freezing temperatures. This made for a mud season on the hiking trails. Since then, the weather has cooled off and trails have firmed up again. As far as we know, all trails have been cleared of downed trees. Deer hunting reminder to hikers: Willow River will have parts of the property open for the nine day gun hunting season beginning Nov. 20. It is the same area as usual; land north of the Willow River and some land out to the east. Parts or all of some trails encounter, or are within open hunting areas. Hikers should keep in mind that the busiest hunting hours of the day are the low light periods. Mid-day will have fewer hunters present. Hikers should wear blaze orange or other brightly colored clothing. The opening weekend is the busiest. On weekdays, the hunters are fewer. There’s a bit more hunting activity on Thanksgiving morning. The ending weekend has hunters out but not as much as the opener. Open hunting areas will be posted as such. All trails encountering hunting areas will have full information posted including a “You Are Here” map at the trail head. The same information will be in the bulletin board at the office. Call the office if you need to. We’ll help you to make an informed decision about your hiking choices during the gun hunting season. Deer Hunting Reminders: Rifles are not allowed. Hunters will need a valid deer hunting license and a state parks sticker or daily admission on your vehicle. Parking is allowed along the park borders where it is safe to do so. Conservation Patrons without stickers can leave the license itself on the vehicle dashboard so it can be easily read. Self- registration for vehicle admission is available at the office, River Road parking lot, Trout Brook, Rattle Bridge, and the Mound parking areas. If you plan to hunt more than three days, pick up an annual sticker at the office in advance. Park Rangers do not have stickers with them at any time when they are working out of the office. Work continues in the 300 campground with several sites receiving more gravel and some grading work. There is no work on the weekends. When the construction machinery leaves, the campground will likely be closed to vehicles shortly thereafter. The dump station will also be closed.
La Crosse DNR Service Center area
There area still very good numbers of tundra swans being seen along the Upper Mississippi River.
Crawford County - The Mississippi River settled down a week ago, but heavy rains up north cause the river to rise. Earlier in the week the river approached 12 feet. The river stage as of Monday was at 10.7 feet and falling. The Wisconsin River has been on a roller coaster once again. It goes up a foot or so then settles back down. Right now in Muscoda the river stage is at 2.9 feet. The Kickapoo River rose a little last week. Even though it is in good shape. The current water levels in Gays Mills and Steuben are at 8.6 feet and 8.65 feet respectively. Fishing in the area has been very good. Bluegill fishing has been spotty but on some days very good. In the Prairie du Chien area nice sized gills are being caught on the Ambro Slough complex. Many other back water areas are producing very nice fish. Look for areas with little or no current and fish in the flooded areas. Most are using worms for bait but some are switching over to ice fishing lures. Cold Spring has had some very good days followed by some very poor days. Perch have really turned on recently. Look for perch in the flooded back water areas and below the dams. Chunks of nightcrawlers and minnows have worked very well. Crappies have been caught in flooded timber and weed edges on minnows. De Soto bay was very good earlier in the week. White bass action has been very spotty. Largemouth bass action remains very good. Bass seem to be all over in the flooded area, along weed edges, in the timber and back water sloughs. Bass are biting from Prairie du Chien up to Ferryville. Smallmouth action has been good too. Check closing dams and wing dams for smallies. Walleye and sauger action has been good. Anglers are using One Eyes and live bait. Walleyes are being taken along drop offs, in deep water slough and numerous locations along the main channel of the Mississippi River. Action below the dams has been very good. Some of the best action has been early mornings and evenings. Northern pike action has been spotty. Most northerns have taken in the flooded areas normally incidentally to bass fishing. Some really nice fish have been caught in the weeds. Sheephead (freshwater drum) and catfish action has slowed. Catfish have been feeding heavily on worms on the flooded islands. The trout season is now closed. A waterfowl survey done this week showed just over 5,000 mallards using Pool 9. The number of canvasbacks really dropped this week. Two weeks ago the number of waterfowl using the Pool 9 area approached 420,000 birds, mostly canvasback ducks. Last week a large number of ducks left the area but it is still a great area to watch waterfowl. About 90,000 canvasbacks remain. However the total number of ducks on Pool 9 is estimated around 129,000 birds. Duck hunters up on Pool 9 are finding very good hunting conditions. The water level is higher that normal but the birds have been cooperating. Canvasbacks are being taken routinely as they work the islands and east shoreline. A mixture of ducks are being taken to include canvasback, goldeneye, bufflehead, scaup, mallard, widgeon, gadwall and a few green winged teal. Hunting in the Prairie du Chien are has slowed. Canada geese are still working the area. Hunters on the Wisconsin River are still a few wood ducks and mallards, but it is generally slow. Most of the leaves are off the trees making ideal hunting conditions. Archery deer hunters are reporting a lot of activity now that the run is in full swing. Deer hunters are able to see greater distances in the woods. The corn harvest slowed a bit because of the rain that fell a few days ago. Local hunters report a fair number of decent bucks roaming around and a pretty decent doe population. Some hunters that check trail cameras are reporting a lot of night time activity. Squirrel hunters are reporting pretty good success. Frosty mornings have set back most of the insect. Even though when the sun comes out the Asian beetles become active.
Wisconsin Rapids DNR Service Center area
Buckhorn State Park - Gun deer hunting is allowed in the Yellow River Wildlife Area and 1,200 acres of state park north of County Highway G and north of 31st Street. Check the current hunting maps for areas and rules. Note: there was an error in the deer regulations. Buckhorn is a REGULAR unit, not herd control. For does you must purchase a 54A doe tag. Waterfowl and small game hunting are allowed in the Yellow River Wildlife Area and Buckhorn Wildlife Area only, not in the state park. The park and wildlife areas are open to early bow deer season. The park office registers deer when the office is open. Most campsites are closed for the season.
Roche-A-Cri State Park - The campground and main gate are now closed for the season. Parking is available at the winter lot on Czech Ave and that pit toilet is still open. Park stickers are required.
Last Revised: Thursday November 18 2010
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