Rainfall amounts ranging from 5 to 8 inches in the north and 1 to 3 inches in the south in the last week have greatly moderated fire danger levels across the entire state. As of Thursday, fire danger levels were low to moderate across the entire state and all burning restrictions had been lifted statewide and burning permits are once again being issued.
The rain cause lake and river levels to rise considerably, especially in the north. Some lakes have come up as much as half a foot in the last week. River systems that were too low for paddling a week ago have risen dramatically, and good paddling conditions were reported on the Bois Brule and Flambeau rivers. However paddlers should use caution and watch for floating debris in rivers from the recent storms. Water levels on the lower Wisconsin River, however, were still low this week with abundant sandbars for canoe campers.
The fresh water dropped water temperatures on most northern lakes and flowages from the low 80s down to the mid-70 degree range. The hot, humid weather and the periodic thunderstorms have combined to keep fishing a bit erratic and fishing success mixed. The warmer water temperatures have kept largemouth bass very active and they have been providing the most consistent success. The sunny and hot weather seems to have pushed many larger smallmouth bass into deeper water. Panfish continue to be found in deeper water and the bite has tapered off. Walleye success has been limited with most of the activity after dusk, with leeches being the preferred bait. Musky reports have been mixed with anglers reporting very little action from shallow water. The best success was finding suspended fish in deep clear water lakes where they were being found following schools of cisco and other bait-fish suspended over deep water.
In the south, despite surface waters almost warm enough to cook live bait, largemouth bass fishing remained very good--both deep and shallow. Evening and early mornings were best for inshore bass, with fish generally moving to the deep weed line as the sun comes up. Panfish action was very good on the deeper, clear-water lakes fishing the top of the thermocline.
Trout and salmon fishing was picking up on Green Bay with the bulk of the catch still being chinook in the 5 to 15-pound range caught fishing 50-80 feet down in 100-plus feet of water. Anglers fishing have been catching good numbers of chinooks off piers in Sheboygan, Milwaukee, and Racine with a few browns and rainbows reported as well. Anglers have been catching perch off the south Kenosha pier and from boats near the Oak Creek Power Plant. Lake Michigan trollers have been catching decent numbers of fish, with chinook dominating the catch, with a few rainbows and coho mixed in.
Water levels on the Mississippi River remain low, and were at 6.2 feet this week at Prairie du Chien. Fishing has been somewhat slow on the Mississippi River due to high water temperatures but bass anglers have reported good success as shown in recent tournaments in the area.
Wetlands came to life again with the recent rains with frogs and turtle activity picking up. Bullfrogs have again begun calling. Both successful and unsuccessful turtle nests are being seen with remnants of the eggs successfully hatched or predated by an intruder found scattered about the nest site.
Wildlife managers report deer antler development is well along with some very nice bucks observed sporting well-developed forked antlers, which are still in velvet. Young pheasant poults are gaining their adult plumage. Turkey reproduction looks to have been very good as broods are commonly seen, with it getting difficult hard to tell hens from their young, which indicates early nesting attempts were often successful. Sandhill cranes seem to be grouping together during evening flights.
Raspberries are plentiful along road edges and forest openings. Recent rains should give the berries the much needed boost to ripeness. Water lilies are also providing spectacular scenery on northern wetlands with their flowers in full bloom. A mosaic of wildflowers, both native and invasive, are in bloom. Among them wild asters, milkweed and tansy are in bloom. Invasive plants blooming include Canada thistle, spotted knapweed, and wild parsnip.
