Additional snowfalls have added 6 to 10 inches of new snow to many areas across the Northwoods this week, greatly improving outdoor recreation conditions in the north, but unseasonably warm weather continues to hamper winter activities in the south, where most areas are reporting bare ground. Snowmobile and cross-country ski conditions (Exit DNR) in the most northern counties were being reported as good to excellent. In central Wisconsin, most snowmobile trails were closed or in poor condition while cross-country ski conditions ranged from closed to fair condition. The Wausau area received about 6 inches of snow in the last week, and at this point Badger State Winter Game (Exit DNR) officials are reporting that both free-style and classic style cross-country ski races will go on as scheduled this weekend at Marathon Countys Nine Mile County Forest Recreation Area (Exit DNR).
A number of candlelight ski events are scheduled for this weekend. The Black River Falls State Forest has cancelled do to lack of snow, and most other events will be held as hikes. C heck the DNR Web site or contact the park or forest directly for details.
Ice thickness on most inland lakes varies from 10 to 15 inches in the north while in the south ice conditions are highly variable ranging from open water up to 7 to 8 inches of ice. Some significant slush is beginning to be seen on northern lakes and the ice on Lake Superiors Chequamegon Bay is getting dangerous.
Ice fishing seems to have hit its mid-winter low with success for most species being poor. Panfish have been providing the best action with a few fair catches of perch and bluegill being reported. Walleye fishing continued to be slow with the best success in early morning or late afternoon on suckers being fished in 4 to 10 feet of water. Northern pike action has also been slow.
There is still some ice fishing taking place on southern waters, but anglers should use extreme caution and be sure of ice conditions before venturing out onto any lake. A significant amount of open-water fishing has been occurring on southern inland lakes. A new state record inland waters rainbow trout was caught recently from Lake Geneva by an angler fishing from shore. A 28-pound, 4-ounce northern pike was taken from a Walworth County lake last week on a tip-up and a medium golden shiner. However, the angler reported the ice was literally rotting-away while he was fishing. Fisheries managers say this is the largest northern pike taken in the region in the last decade. Panfish action has been mixed, with anglers reporting seeing a lot of fish on underwater cameras and finder, but the fish haven't been very cooperative. Walleye are providing excellent action for open water anglers on the Rock River.
Along Green Bay, ice anglers reported catches of perch, smelt, and even whitefish in Sawyer Harbor. Smaller yellow perch were also being caught in the Oconto harbor. Along the southeast Lake Michigan shore some boat launches are open and boaters were catching good numbers of brown trout near the Oak Creek power plant. The Root River is open, with high but steadily dropping flows, and anglers have been catching a few browns and steelhead.
On the Mississippi River, many boaters were taking advantage of the open water to fish the entire river. A lot of small saugers are being caught but there are some reports of 16 to 18 inchers being taken. Most of the backwater areas that were accessible a week or so ago are now very difficult and dangerous to access. Bluegill action was very spotty this week with some average to good days and some very slow days.
Gray squirrel breeding activity is occurring and they can be seen chasing about quite actively during the day. With the recent warm weather, tufted titmice and cardinals have been heard singing near wooded residential areas. A few ducks such as buffleheads have already begun showing up along Lake Superior tributary streams.
A flock of more than 30 trumpeter swans has gathered on Little Falls Lake at Willow River State Park in St. Croix County, and many waterfowl and other migratory birds have returned to the Mississippi River, with most looking especially striking now in their breeding plumage.
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