Recent cold fronts have brought a few scattered frosts to the Northwoods over the past couple of weeks, and have triggered autumn like conditions. Some additional fall colors are showing up in the far north, but most of that color is attributed to drought and other stress on trees. The Department of Tourism Fall Color Report (exit DNR) still lists the entire state as being below 25 percent color change, but some northern forests are reportedly getting close to 30 percent change.
The cold front also triggered a significant bird migration, with the peak of the warbler and other long-distance migrants probably moving through Wisconsin in the next week. Large flocks of Canada geese are congregating on the upper Wisconsin River in preparation for their migration, probably later this month.
Water temperatures are continuing to drop, triggering increased musky feeding on northern lakes. A musky tournament in Vilas County last weekend attracted more than 700 anglers who registered 64 muskies over 35 inches, including one 49-inch fish and four more over 45 inches. The hook and line sturgeon season opened last Saturday on inland waters and reports indicated just fair success. Opening day pressure was considered moderate and there were quite a few sub-legal sturgeon caught and released, but there were very few reports of any legal-sized 60-inch fish being caught.
Fall run Lake Superior and Lake Michigan trout and salmon are staging below tributaries waiting for rains to trigger their fall spawning runs upriver. A mixed bag of Lake Superior run fish were being seen in the Bois Brule River, but dry conditions have the river very low. Along Lake Michigan, adult salmon were starting to enter in the channels of the Kewaunee and Ahnapee rivers, drastically increasing pier fishing action and success. Fish were also reported staging below the Menominee, Oconto, Twin and Manitowoc rivers.
Despite two major flood events in less than ten months, inland trout stream fishing in Coulee Region of southwestern Wisconsin has been very good. One fish in the 30-inch category and numerous fish over 20 inches were caught this year. Even with what looked like severe flood damage, trout numbers remain high. During this last month of the fishing season, terrestrial forage like crickets and grasshoppers becomes an important food source and fishing pattern.
Fall hunting seasons move into high gear this weekend with the opening of the fall turkey season, early archery deer season, ruffed grouse season, cottontail rabbit season, squirrel season and fall crow season. Check the current hunting regulations for zones and bag limits.
Wisconsin’s wild turkey population continues to grow, and fall turkey permits increased to 95,700 from last year’s 94,800. Wisconsin’s grouse population also continues to climb as it is still on the upward side of this popular game bird’s 10-year population cycle. Wisconsin’s deer herd is estimated at 1.5 to 1.7 million animals, and deer remain over population goals in most areas of the state. Archers are reminded that Earn-a-Buck rules are in place, so they need to check the status of the deer management unit in which they will be hunting. White-tailed bucks are now being reported with polished antlers, but some are also still being seen in velvet.
The popular Horicon Marsh fall naturalist programs also kick off this weekend. A variety of programs are held each Saturday and Sunday morning and afternoon. Check the DNR Web site for a schedule.
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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Statewide Birding Report:
Fall passerine and shorebird migration is now in full swing statewide with the recent cold fronts sweeping across Wisconsin. Birders have reported heavy migrations of warblers, thrushes, vireos and other long-distance migrants in patches of forest statewide. The next week should bring the peak of most of the migrants through Wisconsin and start to begin the downward slide of migration. Birders should seek forest patches with lots of complexity and fruit. This time of year the more mesic or wet sites with lots of shrubs tend to be better for migrants. Shorebirds continue to be seen in good numbers where shallow, muddy habitat exists. Look for shorebirds at the Lake Mills Wildlife Area - Zeloski Marsh unit, Crex Meadows and Fish Lake wildlife areas and in remaining flooded farm fields across south central Wisconsin. This seems to be an exceptionally good year for observing red-necked phalararopes in Wisconsin. Other good birds spotted this week include buff-breasted sandpipers at various locations, peregrine falcons harassing shorebirds, migrant Connecticut warbler, olive-sided flycatchers, and LeConte's sparrow. It also appears that this year's heavy June rains delayed or disturbed nesting for quite a few birds. In the last week there have been numerous reports of young duck broods and late nesting from various passerine species. As always, please report sightings to Wisconsin eBird [www.ebird.org/wi] (exit DNR) to help track migratory bird populations.
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NORTHERN REGION
Superior DNR Service Center area
Brule River State Forest - Signs of fall are becoming more predominant. The majority of bucks have shed their velvet. Flickers are grouping up in preparation for their migration...they are now easily seen along the roadways. Color change in trees and vegetation are another reminder that fall is on its way. The leaves on trees are just starting to show some color but will be a while before the color is at peak. Peak color in the last four years was around the last week of September. A mixed bag of Lake Superior run fish are being seen in the Bois Brule River but a good rain would help bring more numbers in. Rain is forecast this week, and if it arrives would be of help to anglers and canoeists/kayakers. As of Sept. 11 the Bois Brule River was flowing at 112 cfs (cubic feet per second). The 63 year average is 135 cfs. Canada geese that nested in Manitoba and Ontario this summer will be migrating south into and through the area by the end of this week. Migration of these Canada geese is largely regulated by photoperiod, the change in the length of daylight. The first fall migration of geese into and through the area almost always occurs within a day or two of Sept. 13 each fall.
Park Falls DNR Service Center area
Upper Chippewa Basin fisheries report (Price, Rusk, Sawyer Taylor and inland Ashland and Iron counties) - The cool but pleasant late summer weather that we've had across northern Wisconsin has made for some very good fishing conditions - but just mediocre success. Sturgeon season opened this past Saturday on the inland waters and reports indicated just fair success. Opening day pressure was considered moderate and most of the anglers were catching some fish. There were quite a few sub-legal sturgeon caught and released, but there were very few reports of any legal-sized 60-inch fish being caught. The best success came on cut bait or a plain old gob of night crawlers, and fished on the bottom in the deepest parts of the main river channel. Musky continue to provide some very consistent action and most musky anglers have been reporting a lot of follows and sightings, with quite a few hook-ups and catches as well. The early morning and late afternoon hours have produced the best action, and the preferred lures have been bucktails and top-water baits fished over the weed bed and near the deep weed edges. Walleye fishing continues to improve and more anglers are starting to target this species. Quite a few walleye are still relating to weed beds and weed lines, but gravel shores and rock humps have also produced some decent catches. Minnows are starting to produce some catches, but crank baits have been producing the most consistent catches. Bass fishing has continued to get more erratic, with some days producing some very good action and other days finding bites hard to come by. Largemouth have been found near mid-depth structure such logs/stumps, weed lines, and bog edges. Soft plastics and jig/craw combinations have been the lures of choice and the late afternoon period has been most successful. Smallmouth fishing has gotten a bit tougher as well, as the colder temperatures seem to be pushing the fish to deeper water haunts. The best success has come on finesse plastics fished near cover along the deep break lines. Northern pike, an often overlooked fish, has produced some good fishing in the last several weeks. Continued cool water temperatures seem to have favored this species and action has been good around the near-shore weed beds. Spinner baits and medium-sized crank baits have worked the best, and a wire leader is suggested to minimize the bite-offs. Panfish action has been improving, with some nice bluegill being found suspended just off the bottom in 12 to 15 feet of water. Crappie are starting to be found along the deeper weed edges and around mid-depth cover.
Flambeau River State Forest – Fall is definitely in the air. The forest is at about 30 percent fall leaf color. Many of the roadside ferns and flora have turned due to lack rain. There have been a few scattered frosts over the past couple of weeks. Local geese are starting to flock up. The North Fork of the Flambeau River is low, but recent rains have helped a little bit. Paddlers have still been paddling it, but often find the need to get out to push off the rocks occasionally. The south fork would be very difficult if even possible to paddle. Connors Lake Campground closed after Labor Day Weekend, but Lake of the Pines Campground will be open till December 15.
Antigo DNR Service Center area
Council Grounds State Park - Large flocks of geese are congregating on the Wisconsin River. The campground is open until Nov 1 on a first come first serve basis. The flush toilet buildings will close on September 15. The dump station will remain open weather permitting.
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NORTHEAST REGION
Peshtigo DNR Service Center area
Water temperatures at the boat landings has dropped into the low 70s with a drastic cool down in air temperatures. Water clarity at the landings were good with light fishing pressure during the week and becoming moderate on the weekends. The big surprise this week came when I stopped at the Iron Bridge by the Stiles Dam, it's gone!
Marinette County - The perch bite has remained elusive with few boats reporting more than a couple of fish for their efforts. The salmon and trout are staging for the fall run with a few chinooks and browns being caught from the piers on the Menominee River. Spoons are what the fisherman have been catching fish on. The walleye bite is strong around Green Island trolling crawlers/harness.
Oconto County - Bluegills are still providing lots of fun at the Stiles Dam using leaf worms and slip bobbers and the walleye bite out off the rock reefs in Green Bay is proving once again this week to be very rewarding. Chinook and brown trout have been providing shore fisherman with some good action at the Oconto Breakwater Harbor. Fishermen are casting from the pier into the Bay using Cleo's ( blue/silver, and pounded gold/green) and catching some nice browns in the 6 to 9 pound class with the occasional chinook also being caught.
Green Bay DNR Service Center area
Brown County - On the Fox River of Green Bay, the occasional angler will catch a walleye in deeper water while casting. All other fish activity in the river has been slow. The walleye bite in the lower bay is fair. On the west side of the bay, anglers are having some luck between Suamico and Geano. Anglers fishing the east side of the bay are having luck from the Point Sable area to Macco Reef area and out as far as 2-mile Reef. Walleye are also being found on North Reef near Chaudoirs. Crawler harnesses seem to be working as well as anything. Over the past few weeks finding the fish has become more of a challenge. The yellow perch bite is still very spotty. Finding the perch is the biggest challenge. Anglers fishing near Sugar Creek seem to have slightly better luck than others. Anglers have found luck fishing away from crowds as well.
Manitowoc County - In Manitowoc anglers had a good week of fishing this past week. Boat anglers had success throughout the week with good catches of chinook salmon, a few brown trout and a couple of rainbow trout as well. Many boaters who were trolling in shallow water, 20 to 50 feet of water, landed some large chinook salmon that ranged in weight from 12 to 16 pounds. Successful anglers used mostly either dipsies or down riggers with spoons and dodger flies. However some anglers who used planner boards with deep diving stick baits or J-plugs also landed some very nice fish. Other anglers were trolling out in deeper water, in 100 to 150 feet of water, also landed some nice chinook salmon. Pier anglers had some success during the week landing some nice chinook salmon and a few brown trout. Over the weekend, inside the harbor near the bud tower and submarine, many shore anglers were harvesting fish with spoons or diving stick baits. Two Rivers anglers also had a good week of fishing with some nice chinook salmon harvested. Many boat anglers were concentrating near the mouth of the river around the pier heads or north of the pier heads in between 20 and 60 feet of water. Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning produced good lake conditions which allowed many boat anglers to pick up some nice chinook salmon. Some boaters were trolling out as far as 160 to 190 feet of water and they were able to land some very good catches of chinook salmon and a few coho salmon. Most chinooks were between 9 and 15 pounds and cohos were between 5 and 8 pounds. Anglers fishing the south pier landed a few chinook salmon over the week casting spoons. Inside the harbor anglers were fishing off the bottom with alewives or casting spoons and stick baits but catch rates were slow. On the West Twin River bass anglers have had success during the week fishing just below the Shoto dam and above the dam. Most anglers were casting spinners or shallow running stick baits. Most smallmouth bass were between 8 and 12 inches. Further down stream one angler picked up a couple northern pike caught off a red buck tail spinner.
Sturgeon Bay DNR Service Center area
Door County - In the Little Sturgeon Bay/Sawyer Harbor area, there is very little fishing activity to report. Some yellow perch have been caught in Riley's Bay. The northern pike bite is fair.
Kewaunee County - Salmon in Lake Michigan are into the staging process now and spawning adults are starting to enter in the channels of the Kewaunee and Ahnapee rivers. This has drastically increased the pier fishing action in both Kewaunee and Algoma as well as success. There are good days and bad days, but salmon as well as brown trout have been steadily caught off the piers this past week. As for trolling on Lake Michigan, many anglers were fishing from 60 feet into shore seeking migrating salmon; however, some anglers have gone out to as far as 100-150 feet and found success with non spawning salmon and a rainbow trout here and there. Water temperatures at the surface were in the mid to high 60s this past week.
Oshkosh DNR Service Center area
Waterfowl and coots are starting to stage on the local marshes. Nighthawks have been moving through in loose groups for the last couple weeks. They are usually the first to migrate. Other Neotropical birds including warblers and hummingbirds are also beginning to move through. Fishing action has somewhat slowed down on the Lake Winnebago system. Walleyes and perch have reportedly been pretty lethargic since the cold weather moved in.
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SOUTHEAST REGION
Lake Michigan fisheries team report
As of Sept. 15, there is no hook and line fishing allowed at night in area Lake Michigan tributaries. Although Southeast Wisconsin did have some rainfall in the past week, water levels in the rivers fell back down to relatively low levels.
Sheboygan County - In Sheboygan anglers fishing off the piers have been catching a few chinooks and browns on spoons. Trollers have been catching fair numbers of browns, coho, and chinooks. Fish have been taken both near the Sheboygan harbor as well as 40 to 80 feet down in 70 to 130 feet of water.
Ozaukee County - In Port Washington, shore fishing has picked up, and chinooks and browns have been caught near the power plant on spawn. Trollers in Port Washington have had the most success fishing 45 to 80 feet down in 100 to 150 feet of water. Chinooks and coho have been taken on J-plugs and flasher and fly combinations.
Milwaukee County - Shore fishing in Milwaukee has been slow overall, but a few chinooks have been taken from Oak Creek. Milwaukee trollers have been catching chinooks and a few coho in 40 to 100 feet of water. Flasher and fly combinations and glow spoons have been most productive in the early morning hours.
Racine County - In Racine shore fishing has been slow overall, but a few chinooks have been caught in the harbor near the mouth of the Root River and off the south pier. Glow in the dark spoons fished early in the day have provided the most action. Racine trollers have been catching a few chinooks and lake trout in 100 to 200 feet of water, and mature chinooks have been taken inshore near the mouth of the Root River.
Kenosha County - For shore anglers in Kenosha, a few chinooks have been caught in the harbor on crankbaits and near the mouth of the Pike River on spoons. Kenosha trollers have been catching chinooks and a few lake trout, but fishing has been inconsistent. Most fish have been caught from more than 100 feet of water, but some chinooks have also been caught off the mouth of the Pike River.
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SOUTH CENTRAL REGION
No reports.
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WEST CENTRAL REGION
Baldwin DNR Service Center area
St. Croix County
Willow River State park - Bird sightings this week at the office include roufus sided towhees and cedar waxwings, which are coming through in flocks. The monthly Full Moon Hike will be Saturday, Sept. 13. Meet at the Nature Center classroom at 7 p.m. for a discussion of birds, and then go out hiking. The event is free with vehicle admission. The 7th Annual Trail Run will be Saturday, Sept. 20. This is a fundraiser for the Willow River OWLs, the park’s Friends group. Pick the 5K or 10K course, both will be challenging with the hilly terrain. Registration is at 7:30 a.m. with the run events leaving at 8 a.m. Fees are $15 for adults, $5 for those under 13 yrs old. Vehicle admission is also required. Call the park office for a form to register early. (715) 386-5931. Campers take notice; only three weekends remain with full services in the campground. Water gets turned off in all campground and day use areas the week of Sept. 29. Flush toilets and showers will be closed from then until May 2009. Electric sites tend to be reserved first for these last few weeks of full services.
La Crosse DNR Service Center area
Despite two major flood events in less than ten months, trout stream fishing in the La Crosse area has been very good. One fish in the 30-inch category and numerous fish over 20 inches were caught this year. Damage from the floods was restricted to the upper ends of most streams. Even with what looks like severe damage - trout numbers remain high. During flooding, as long as the fish can find some place to hunker down, most come through these events unharmed. The biggest issue is the temporary reduction in invertebrate forage (usually resulting in better fishing). During this last month of the fishing season, terrestrial forage (crickets, hoppers) becomes an important food source and anglers do well fishing a hopper pattern. As the water temperatures cools and the fish enter their pre-spawn period, trout become more active and feed more freely during the daytime. An overcast day will also increase the time of fish activity. With some of the hunting seasons starting, anglers will also find crowding less of an issue than it is earlier in the season. In short, it's time to fish. After Sept. 30, it's a long time until spring.
Black River Falls DNR Service Center area
Eau Claire DNR Service Center area
Brunet Island State Park - The open water game fish action has been good this past week. Bass action on spinner baits and float baits has been productive. Walleye action has been spotty. There has been good musky action on Cornell flowage and below the Cornell dam. Panfish have been fairly active in the evenings near weed beds. Park trails are generally dry and in very good condition. Species of birds seen or hears include: ravens, loons, robins, red polls, a variety of wrens, phoebes, turkey vultures, piliated woodpeckers, great horned and barred owls, osprey, and bald eagles. Indian pipe, harebell, wintergreen, common mullein, white snakeroot, marsh skullcap, lesser daisy fleabane, Joe Pye weed, pearly everlasting, the pale and spotted jewelweed, rabbits foot clover, marsh hedge nettle, the water lilies, some of the aster varieties, a few great blue cardinal flowers, and wooly yarrow are flowering. A note to our Fall season campers. The paved roads in the South (electric) campground are being ground and surfaced after this year. Please be aware that this is very noisy work involving large road equipment.
Wisconsin Rapids DNR Service Center area
Buckhorn State Park - The park is open for early and late season for bow hunting (no special hunting permit is required). New hunting maps are available for the park and wildlife areas. Small game, waterfowl and trapping are allowed in the Yellow River Wildlife Area and in Buckhorn Wildlife Area only, not in the park. Deer can be registered at the park office when it is staffed. All other hunting is allowed in Yellow River Wildlife Area. Visitors have been enjoying the picnic areas and beaches and renting canoes/kayaks. Remember, park stickers are required for Launch C and D and there are no additional launch fees. There are still a couple openings for the youth deer hunt - contact the park office for more information. The photo contest ends Sept 30. Categories are people using the park, open, plants, animals, and one for photographers under 18 yrs old.
Roche-A-Cri State Park - There are many quiet sites available during the week and on the weekend. There are a few mosquitoes so remember your bug spray. If the office is closed, please self-register in the parking lot. Friendship Lake is about 1 mile south of the park and has a nice beach and swimming area. If you self-register for an annual sticker, it will be mailed to you. Hunting is not allowed in the park. There is a hunter parking lot on Cypress Ave for the Roche-A-Cri natural area east of highway 13. The photo contest ends Sept. 30. Categories are people using the park, open, plants, animals, and one for photographers under 18 yrs old.
Last Revised: Thursday September 11 2008
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