DNR was a day late getting this out. Nontheless, enjoy...Wisconsin’s white-tailed deer are moving into the rut, or mating season, so motorists will need to be especially alert for deer suddenly darting out into roadways. Remember if you see one deer run out into a road, it is highly likely that another deer will be following it. October and November are peak months for deer-vehicle collisions. Last year motorists struck and killed nearly 39,500 deer in Wisconsin, according to Department of Natural Resources records and the Department of Transportation reported there were more than 17,500 reportable deer-vehicle crashes that caused more than $1,000 damage in to vehicles.
White-tailed bucks are now actively marking territories by using scrapes on the ground and rubs on trees that are scent marked to "stake claim" to their territory and signal to other deer their social rank and their readiness to breed. Younger bucks have been seen sparing over territory, and bucks should be entering the active chase phase of the rut pursuing does over the next few weeks.
Chinook salmon fishing has come to an end on Lake Superior tributaries, but was still going on fairly strong this week on Lake Michigan tributaries. Coho fishing should be picking up as the weather turns colder.
Water temperatures are cooling rapidly on Northwoods lakes and ice is forming in shallow bays. With the unseasonably cool weather of late, fewer and fewer anglers have been venturing out on waters in the north. Most of the angling pressure has been for musky and action continued to be good, with most anglers dragging large suckers around, but many continuing to cast artificials. Walleye action was varied with some areas generally slow and few reports of catches being made, while other areas were steady with action in 10 to 12 feet of water in or near green weeds. Some nice crappies have been found along and near the mid-depth cover.
Perch were stilling biting throughout the Lake Winnebago system, but walleye action has been slow. White bass were still being caught on lakes Winneconne and Poygan and on the Fox River. There has been some recent walleye activity at the mouth of the Wolf River. Some walleye were still being caught below dams on the Rock River but most are under the legal size limit. Perch fishing was good to excellent on Green Bay from Sturgeon Bay south, though angling pressure was down. Walleye fishing on the bay picked up with most of the action coming during the warmer parts of the day.
The Mississippi River rose a little by the end of last week up to 7.1 feet at Prairie du Chien. With cooler water temperatures the bigger crappie have really started biting. Bluegill action was also good with bluegill having moved into winter areas and anglers getting limits of nice bluegills even from shore. Walleye action was also getting better on wing dams.
A reminder that Oct. 31 is the deadline to purchase Lake Winnebago sturgeon spearing licenses for the 2007 season that opens Feb. 10. Under the new season structure, there are separate spearing seasons for Lake Winnebago and for the system’s five upriver lakes. Spearers can only participate in one or the other, and the Upriver Lakes season is controlled by a drawing that took place earlier this year. Spearers who did not receive a permit for the Upriver Lakes season can participate in the Lake Winnebago season if they buy a spearing license by Oct. 31.
Waterfowl hunters are still finding a few wood ducks but most have migrated south. Green-winged teal, mallards, ring-necks, pintails, and gadwalls are moving into the state, but colder weather and storms in Canada are needed to bring down larger flocks of diving ducks. Grouse hunters are having increased success as leaf drop progresses. Hunters are reporting more flushes and more multiple bird flushes than in the last three years. The peak of the woodcock flight has passed but some birds were still being found.
The first significant numbers of tundra swans have arrived along the Mississippi River, although the peak numbers are probably three weeks away. Numbers of white pelicans are declining as more migrate.
Tree color is generally past peak statewide, according to the Wis. Deptartment of Tourism Fall Color Report (exit DNR), though some nice colors are still present in the south. Heavy winds and frequent rains have caused some leaves to drop prematurely. Many trees, particularly maples, dried out and lost their leaves while still green.
NORTHERN REGION
Superior DNR Service Center area
Brule River State Forest - The Brule area has been cooler than average lately. High temperatures have been in the 30s to low 40s. The low temperatures have been cool enough to create a skim of ice on small lakes overnight. The extended forecast calls for high temperatures in the 40s and low temperatures around 30 degrees. Chances of rain and snow are forecasted Friday and Saturday. The Bois Brule River continues to remain low. The flow for Oct. 25 was 101 cubic feet per second (cfs). The 60 year average is 143 cfs. The current flow beats the 1949 record low (for this day) of 110 cfs. Deer are in the pre-rut stage. The bucks are marking their territory by using scrapes and buck rubs. These are scent marked, which signal to other deer their social rank, their readiness to breed, and to "stake claim" to their territory. The peak of the rut usually occurs Nov. 5 to the 15. With the rut around corner drivers are advised to be extra alert as deer will be much more active and will be crossing roads and not paying attention to oncoming traffic. Grouse hunting is reported to be spotty. This is to be expected as they are still on the bottom end of their population cycle. A small number of woodcock are still migrating through the area.
Ashland DNR Service Center area
Chinook salmon fishing on area tributaries has come to and end. This season saw fewer fish. Low water conditions may have been the main cause. Coho fishing should be picking up as the weather turns colder and the fishing season ending on November 15. Most of the boats are off Lake Superior but a few die-hards continue to fish for walleyes and salmon along the shorelines. Waterfowlers are having mixed success. Chequamegon Bay has a few ducks every morning but the first shoots make the birds head for safer waters. A few divers are on the Bay but colder weather and storms in Canada are needed to bring in the larger flocks. There are plenty of geese in the area but most are staying within the safety of the Ashland City limits and close to shore. Whether fishing or hunting when out on the water this time of year use extra caution and do not take risks. The cold water conditions can turn and outing into a tragedy if a boat overturns or someone falls overboard. Grouse hunters are having some success. The leaves are falling faster every day which is providing good visibility for grouse hunters. Look for birds along stream beds and areas that have available water. Bow hunters are also having a successful fall. The rut is on and a number of large bucks can be seen following does. Most fields in the farm areas of Douglas, Bayfield and Ashland Counties have a large number of deer present. Car vs. Deer accidents are up in the Lake Superior basin and each fall season drivers are advised to slow down and watch out for deer along the roadways.
Cumberland DNR Service Center area
Polk and Barron counties - Ruffed grouse hunters in the area are finding more birds than in previous years. Hunters are experiencing more flushes and have more multiple bird flushes than in the last three years. Birds are in alder, young aspen, hazel habitats often associated with water because of the dry conditions. The peak of the woodcock flight has passed but some birds can still be found. Scattered, single bird flushes are more common now than last week, when birds were more concentrated and numerous flushes were experienced in a small area. Waterfowl hunters are still finding a few wood ducks but most have migrated south. Green-winged teal, mallards, ring-necks, pintails, and gadwalls are present in the area now to provide some good later season hunting for hunters. Plenty of Canada geese are in the area and they are mainly field feeding on picked corn. Bow deer hunters are having excellent early season success, especially harvesting antlerless deer. As the peak of the rut nears, hunters will begin to harvest more bucks and plenty of rutting activity has already been observed over the last two weeks.
Park Falls DNR Service Center area
Colder fall temperatures have arrived in the Park Falls area. Water temperatures are cooling rapidly and ice is forming in shallow bays on smaller lakes. Trappers have to contend with the unexpected early ice formation that can make access difficult. A few anglers hearty enough to endure the colder temperatures are taking advantage of late season fishing opportunities. Anglers have had good success with minnows. Deer are exhibiting territorial behavior and aggressive behavior between bucks. Does are avoiding close contact with bucks. Bird feeding activity is brisk and it is a good idea to provide high quality high energy food if you feed birds this time of year. Also provide a source of fresh water. Grouse hunters are reporting good success with the improved visibility in the woods. A number of out-of-state hunters are visiting the area taking advantage of the improved grouse hunting opportunities. Beaver and otter trapping season opens on Nov. 4.
Upper Chippewa Basin fisheries report (Price, Rusk, Sawyer Taylor and inland Ashland and Iron counties) – With the unseasonably cool weather of late, fewer and fewer anglers have been venturing out on waters in the Upper Chippewa Basin. Most of the angling pressure has been for musky and action could be considered good. Nearly all of the anglers have been dragging large suckers around, but many continue to cast artificials. Those fishing suckers have been having generally good success with most fish in the 30- to 38-inch size. Action on artificials has been hit or miss, as the colder water temperatures have made the fish more reluctant to hit fast-moving baits. The slower moving lures such as jerk baits and bulldogs have been the most productive. Walleye success continues to be generally slow with only a few reports of catches being made. Some nice crappie have been found along and near the mid-depth cover, such as deep weed lines and brush/cover in 8 to 15 feet of water. With the cold water temperatures, bass fishing is all but over for the year.
Woodruff DNR Service Center area
Area Conservation Wardens and guides report that water temperatures are ranging in the 40-50 degree area. The smaller lakes are in the low 40s while some of the larger lakes remain in the upper 40s. Walleye activity continues to remain steady and predictions are that this trend will continue through the first ice up. Best action right now is in 10-12 feet of water and in or near green weeds. Minnows are the meal of choice right now. Try using smaller minnows in the same areas if you would like some crappies for the frying pan. If you can find baitfish the muskies won’t be far away. Time of day is noted as the biggest factor, with reports of many strikes in the late afternoon. Area guides recommend that anglers get out onto the water no matter what lake they choose. Suckers are the bait of choice for this species right now in the warmer waters while jerk or glide baits in the cooler waters are working best. As a reminder, dragging a sucker at the same time you use a motor to maneuver your boat, even if casting and immediately retrieving, constitutes a violation of the trolling law. Although you can maneuver your boat while casting and retrieving a lure or bait, trailing another line at the same time is not allowed. With the leaves down, grouse hunters are reporting greater numbers of visible flushes. Woodcock numbers are good right now as the migration moves through the northern part of the state. Pre-rut activity for deer is reported as ongoing with the appearance of small scrapes and rubs. The acorn crop this year is fair and hunters should concentrate some of their scouting around oak stands. Waterfowl reports indicate a few divers are moving through the area right now. Larger bodies of water will hold these birds while they rest for a few days before continuing their journey south.
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NORTHEAST REGION
Peshtigo DNR Service Center area
Marinette County - Cool temperatures are continuing with deer transitioning into the rut period. Decreased visibility during late afternoon and morning hours should keep automobile drivers on their toes with deer movement increasing this time of year. The Menominee River below the Hattie Street Dam continues to be a focal point for fishing in the area. DNR Fishery crews are wrapping up the population surveys on inland lakes and flowages. Water temperatures on inland lakes are in the low 40's. Fall foliage has turned golden on the tamarack and russet brown on the oaks with scattered holds of scarlet red maple leaves. Nighttime temps are in the low 20's with moderate frost.
Oconto County - Deer are on the move and are being seen very early in the day feeding in fields. Hunters also report seeing new scrapes. There was also a report of two large bucks being locked together. The hunter shot one of the bucks which was alive. The other deer was already dead. Perch fishing on Green Bay is still going very well. Anglers checks showed a large number of limits coming from 25 to 40 ft. of water.
Shawano County - The woodcock migration is winding down. White-tailed deer hunting is picking up due to the beginning of the rut. There are still some Canada geese and other waterfowl in the area. Sandhill crane viewing at sunrise and sunset on Pike's Peak Flowage is spectacular.
Green Bay DNR Service Center area
Manitowoc County - Salmon anglers fishing the Two Rivers piers had a little slow week. Anglers fishing from boats in and just outside the harbor had some success catching chinook salmon by casting lures. Anglers fishing the East Twin River had a good week for chinook. Many anglers were able to hook fish near the Mishicot dam and the Hillcrest Road crossing using spawn sacs and spinner baits. The West Twin River was still experiencing a good run of chinook this past week. Anglers were successful throughout the day using spawn sacs. Boaters that launched downstream of the Shoto dam also had some success catching chinook and a couple of brown trout. In Manitowoc, fishing inside the harbor for chinook was fair with a few salmon taken. Anglers had the most action fishing the north side of the harbor. The Manitowoc River was still having a nice run of chinook salmon. Anglers fishing near Clarks Mill Dam had a fair week for salmon. Fishing at the Mill Road public river access (Highway R) was good for salmon anglers that used either spawn sacs or artificial flies. Anglers fishing the Branch River have also had fair chinook fishing this past week.
Sturgeon Bay DNR Service Center area
Door County - Most days were cloudy with scattered showers and very cool temperatures. Friday was better with partly sunny skies and more moderate temperatures. Saturday was beautiful with sunny skies and mild temperatures. The fall colors are past there prime and the windy weather this past week eliminated a lot of the leaves; however, there are still a fair number of brightly colored fall vistas. Three are still a lot of big chinook salmon and brown trout cruising the waters of Door County, and a fair number of anglers catching them. Baileys Harbor, Ellison Bay and Sister Bay along with Sturgeon Bay continued to produce big salmon in big numbers. Perch fishing was good to excellent from Sturgeon Bay south however the fish seem to be scattered and there was not a lot of angling pressure. Walleye fishing seemed to be picking up with most of the action coming during the warmer parts of the day.
Peninsula State Park - As of Oct. 23, tree color was past peak. Heavy winds and frequent rains have caused leaves to drop prematurely. Many trees, particularly maples, dried out and lost their leaves early. The Tennison Bay campground is open year-round. Water to flush toilets and the trailer dumping station will be shut down Oct. 30. All hiking and biking trails are in great shape. Water levels in Green Bay are still very low. Peninsula State Park golf course is open though October
Kewaunee County - Action along the piers and harbors has been slow with very low fishing pressure throughout the week. The chinook salmon run is winding down and anglers are starting to catch fewer chinook, however, anglers are reporting an increase in the amount of brown and coho caught. Anglers fishing the Kewaunee County tributaries are still catching chinook farther upstream fishing with spawn sacs and yarn flies. Look for coho and brown trout action to increase in the tributaries in the coming weeks.
Oshkosh DNR Service Center area
Upper Fox-Wolf basin fisheries report - Due to inclement weather and the opening of hunting seasons, fishing activity has slowed down considerably. However, for anglers still out and about, perch were stilling biting on both artificial and live baits throughout the Lake Winnebago system. Walleye action is still slow. On Lake Winneconne, white bass were still being hooked off of the Winneconne bridge. They have been ranging in size from 7 to 10 inches. There has been very little to no walleye activity being reported. Perch and white bass were still being hooked on Lake Poygan and in the various channels running in/out of the system. White bass activity has still been good on the Fox River. There has been some recent walleye activity at the mouth of the Wolf River where the Rat and Wolf rivers meet.
Lakeshore team wildlife report - Fall hunting seasons are in full swing and hunters have been busy chasing pheasants, waterfowl, and deer. The opening weekend of pheasant season was cool and windy, however reports from hunters were positive. DNR stocking rates are significantly up over last year so hunters working stocked properties should be seeing lots of birds. The DNR Habitat Restoration Areas are only receiving light to moderate pressure but hunters have been seeing a fair amount of birds. Be advised these birds are wild and a good dog is needed to even out the odds. Concentrate hunting on the edges of grass and grain fields and marshes and also berry producing shrubs like dogwoods. Waterfowl hunting should improve as recent steady rains continue to raise water levels on local marshes. Eldorado Marsh is now accessible from the east boat landing as water continues to rise flooding out the myriad of duck foods. Deer are in the pre-rut stage and hunters would do well to set up over active scrapes as the bucks will be busy working these over for the next week or two. Don't forget to harvest an antlerless deer to pre-qualify for next years Earn A Buck season and help bring our herd closer to goal and prevent the spread of CWD. Hunters are reminded that dove season will close on Oct. 30.
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SOUTHEAST REGION
Sheboygan County - In Sheboygan action in the harbor and off the piers has been slow. On the Sheboygan River water levels have risen and the water is muddy. Chinooks, coho, steelhead, and browns have all been reported near the Kohler dam. Drifting spawn has taken the most fish, but catching them has been difficult overall.
Ozaukee County - In Port Washington shore anglers have been catching a mixed bag of chinooks, coho, rainbows, and browns near the power plant. Spawn has produced the most fish, but some have also been hitting spoons. Water levels remain low on Sauk Creek, but chinooks can still be found in the deeper holes downstream of the Wisconsin Street bridge. When Port Washington trollers have been able to get out on the lake, they have been catching good numbers of trout and salmon on spoons and flies in 60 to 85 feet of water.
Milwaukee County - In Milwaukee, flows are good on all of the tributary rivers. On the Milwaukee River, good numbers of chinooks and a few coho have been taken in Kletzsch and Estabrook Parks. Pink, red, and black yarn flies have been effective. Oak Creek anglers have reported chinooks and coho on spawn sacs and wooly buggers. On the Menomonee chinooks have been caught near Miller Park. Shore anglers in Milwaukee have been catching a few chinooks in McKinley Marina. When the weather cooperates, Milwaukee trollers have been catching good numbers of chinooks and browns on spoons in 50 feet of water off the main gap.
Havenwoods State Forest - Juncos, tree sparrows, and bluebirds have been seen. To the surprise of many observers, between eight and 10 large Coho salmon have been seen in the retention ponds that feed from Lincoln Creek.
Racine County - In the Racine harbor, a few browns have been taken near the boat launch on small green glow spoons. Fish were processed at the Root River Steelhead Facility on Monday. Nearly 11,000 fish have been handled at the facility so far this season. We plan to process fish again on Thursday, October 26. On the Root River, water levels have come up, making it more challenging to find the fish. Good numbers of chinooks can be found throughout the upstream portions of the river from the Steelhead Facility to the Horlick dam. Drifting orange or black flies or yarn eggs has been effective. Action has also been good downstream of the weir in Lincoln Park, where more coho, browns, and steelhead can be found in and amongst the chinooks. Purple and black flies have been productive. Angling pressure has been lighter in Island and Washington Parks, but fish can still be found in those areas as well.
Kenosha County - In Kenosha, most action has been in the small boat harbor, where good numbers of browns have been taken on spawn. Anglers have been taking fish from the Best Western all the way to the boat launch.
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SOUTH CENTRAL REGION
Fitchburg DNR Service Center area
Jefferson County - Fishing success is slow all over in northern Jefferson/southern Dodge counties. Some walleye are still being caught below the dam in Hustisford but most are under the legal size limit. Jigs with minnows and twister tails have produced the best success. Additional rain and a dusting of snow have added to the water levels keeping them up above the average for this time of year. Recent frosts have caused a majority of the leaves to drop aiding squirrel hunters in seeing their quarry. Deer hunters are reporting seeing bucks starting to chase the does around but the does aren’t quite receptive yet. Some bucks taken by hunters during the CWD gun hunt showed signs of fighting already, having scrapes by the head and antler punctures in the neck. Pheasant hunters are having good success on the public hunting grounds with DNR personnel stocking the pen raised birds. Many hunters are getting their limits with the increase in numbers of birds being stocked.
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WEST CENTRAL REGION
Baldwin DNR Service Center area
St. Croix County
Willow River State Park - Leaves are down and visibility along the trails is opening up. This is a great time of year to see beyond the wall of vegetation along the trails. There are no open hunting seasons inside the park boundaries until Nov. 18. Water is turned off and all flush toilet buildings are closed for the season. Pit toilets are open near the beach, the boat launch parking lot, and near site 63 in the campground. Water for trailers or portable containers is available at the service building just down the hill from the park office. The dump station remains open to unload tanks only until freeze up. The campground road will be closed to vehicles when snow falls. Reservable dates for camping end Oct. 31. From then until April 27, all campsites will be first come-first served. All exhibits for “Into and Out of Nature” are installed. Various artists have their works displayed along trails that are easy to walk. The exhibit is in partnership with the Phipps Center for the Arts in Hudson. A companion exhibit is on view in the galleries for the run that ends Oct. 29. Pick up a map at the park office or at the Phipps showing the artwork locations. The Willow River Nordic dry land cross country ski training group meets at the Nature Center Wednesday evenings at 5:30 p.m. A park sticker is required on your vehicle. A small fee is charged for those that are not members of the Willow River OWLs. Participants (age 13 and older) need good trail shoes, clothing appropriate for the weather, ski poles, and a headlamp. Bring a sports drink since these sessions are physical fitness training. Expect a mix of stretching, pole walking, hill bounding, balance drills, and strength exercises spread over 90 minutes. The sessions have been drawing primarily race skiers. Anyone wanting to prepare for ski season would benefit by learning the training skills. If the concept of “boot camp for skiers” is how you read this, it is not. The group is willing to split in order to help the more casual skier or those who are planning to ski this year. Not all participants in the group are racers. The group that trained on Oct. 18 saw plenty of deer, heard some buck snorting, and saw a great horned owl. The Willow River Nordic skiers installed about 40 trail sign posts on the past weekend. The ski trail signs are ordered and will be installed when they arrive. Saturday, Nov. 11 will be a ski trail brushing day for the Willow River Nordic group along with a work day for the Willow River OWLs, the park’s Friends group. Trail brushing work is welcome any time and not limited to skiers only. For more information on the Willow River Nordic ski training or work events, call (715) 386-5931. The Halloween Bash will be Saturday, Oct. 28 at the Nature center from 6 to 8 p.m. This is a non scary event for younger children. A story teller, games, and a night hike to meet some woodland animals is planned. Costumes are optional. The event is $1 per person at the Nature Center and a park sticker is required on all vehicles.
La Crosse DNR Service Center area
La Crosse area bucks are working their scrapes hard and starting to chase does aggressively. Drivers should be aware that this time of year has increased car vs. deer crashes as deer are moving at all times of day and night with little concern for traffic due to the deer's breeding season. With cooler water temperatures the bigger crappie have really started biting. The bluegills have moved into their winter areas and anglers are getting limits of nice bluegills even from shore. The bigger bluegills seem to bite best near dusk. Walleye action is also getting good on wing dams. Waterfowlers are seeing more migrating ducks arrive. Even though the weather has cooled and birds are arriving, calm winds did not provide for the best shooting opportunities this weekend. Most groups were getting 1 - 3 ducks per outing this weekend. Widgeon, pintail, ringneck, gadwall, mallard, shoveler, green-winged and blue-winged teal were common in Hunters bags around Goose Island. Hunters harvesting geese are reminded to call their goose harvest in within 48 hours to 1-800-99GOOSE. Hunters visiting the Mississippi River are also reminded to clean all vegetation, mud and water from their boats and trailers before launching their boats and again before returning home so as not to transport nuisance species from one water to another. Bird watchers will have increasing viewing opportunities of migrating birds along the Mississippi River from Highway overlooks over the next few weeks. Woodcock have been steadily filtering into the area. Bottomlands along the Kickapoo River are prime areas to hunt for these erratic-flying migratory game birds. Woodcock may also be found in upland shrubby habitats with an herbaceous ground cover, especially where soil moisture is adequate to support earthworms, a woodcock's primary food source.
Mississippi River - Duck numbers on the Mississippi are at very good levels. Many species are present. Coots are well distributed from lower pool 4 to pool 11, near Dubuque. The first significant numbers of tundra swans have arrived, although the peak numbers are probably 3 weeks away. Numbers of white pelicans are declining as more migrate.
Crawford County - Temperatures were a bit below normal this week and by the end of the week rain entered the picture. Sunday was breezy and cold. A little snow also fell in the area but nothing stayed on the ground. The Mississippi River rose a little by the end of the week up to 7.1 feet. Waterfowl hunters continue to find that navigating in back water areas was very difficult once the duck season re-opened last weekend. Anglers were also finding wing dams and closures that are dangerously in reach of lower units. The Wisconsin River and the Kickapoo River water levels are about average for this time of year. Bluegill action continued to be pretty good this week; however, the weather played a big part in angler success. Action around the wing dams on the East and Main Channel near Prairie du Chien was spotty. Some action was reported in the deeper slow moving sloughs around Prairie du Chien. Bluegill action at Cold Spring was good again this week, but not every day mainly due to the weather. Some very nice catches were taken. Bluegill action in the Ferryville/Lansing area was pretty good this week also. Crappie fishing has been spotty but some have been found along weed beds and in the downed tree tops. Perch action was spotty again this week. Walleye fishing continues to improve, with action reported on the wing dams on night crawlers or minnows or casting or trolling crank baits. Some anglers are switching over to willow cats. Largemouth bass and smallmouth bass action this week wasn’t as good. Most anglers blame the cold front that moved into the area and the slowly rising water. There are many locations where bass have been biting along the Mississippi River and on the Wisconsin River. Catfish action has slowed. Again, weather is blamed for the slow bite. Area farmers continue to harvest corn and soybeans however some field work was hampered by the rain. Most of the soybeans in the area have been picked, but a lot of standing corn remains in the fields. Most of the grasses have turned brown. Fall colors have peaked in the area as many tree species have lost their leaves. A few Hickory and Maple trees are brilliant yellow and red while many oaks are just turning brown. For the most part nut trees have dropped this year’s crop, which looked pretty good. Cardinal flowers are still in full bloom in the river bottoms. White pelicans were still being seen but they appear in fewer numbers. Pool 9 near Lynxville and Ferryville has good numbers of Pelicans. Cormorants are also using Pool 9 in large numbers. A variety of other waterfowl species are starting to show up in the area. Some duck hunters found low water conditions a bit of a problem. Duck hunting this past week were very good. The Lower Wisconsin River produced some wood ducks, mallards, and teal. Hunting in the Prairie du Chien was also good. The Lower Bottoms (Wisconsin River Delta) produced mallards, pintail, widgeon, gadwall, teal and wood ducks. The Ambro complex produced teal, wood ducks and some mallards also. Hunters up in Pool 9 reported pretty good success. In the Ferryville-Lansing area success was good as quite a few mallards, some pintails, gadwall, and widgeon were in the area. In the main body of Pool 9 some divers are showing up. Canvasback, scaup, ring, and bufflehead are present. Hunters who were able to access certain backwater or shallow water areas did very well. The islands outside of Lynxville had some action but not as good as the Ferryville area islands. Canada Goose hunters report fair amount of geese in the area. Archery deer hunters report pretty good activity. Visibility in the woods is getting a lot better. The heavy brush and leaf cover is starting to diminish and standing crops are being harvested. Bucks are starting to actively tend scrapes.
Eau Claire DNR Service Center area
Brunet Island State Park - Fall colors are well past peak in the area. Barred and great horned owls, Canada geese and pileated woodpeckers, have been heard or spotted recently. Fishing on the Cornell Flowage has been a bit slow, though some large panfish have been biting in the north campground lagoon. Hikers have many great opportunities within the park. Whether it’s using the island’s trail system, exploring the wilder areas of the park, or a brisk walk on the park road, you’re sure to enjoy these beautiful woodlands. The South Campground is open year round with electric sites, hand water pump, and pit toilets available. The campground showers and dump station are closed for the season. The North Campground will remain open through the first weekend in November with water and pit toilet facilities being available.
Wisconsin Rapids DNR Service Center area
Buckhorn State Park – The early bow season is allowed in the park and both wildlife areas. Small game, waterfowl and trapping are allowed in wildlife areas A and B. Fall turkey is allowed in Wildlife Area B only. Pick up hunting rules and maps at the park office. Deer may be registered at the park office when it is open. Park visitors have been enjoying the fall weather for hiking and fishing. Most backpack sites have been closed but there are sites open during the week and on the weekend. Water is available at the park office and in group camp. The fishing pier and boat boarding piers have been removed.
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