Fall color is now coming on rapidly in northern Wisconsin with some areas at 50 to 75 percent peak colors on the Department of Tourism Fall Color Report (exit DNR). The Brule River State Forest in Douglas County and Copper Falls State park in Ashland County are reporting some brilliant red and gold colors from maple and birch.
Water temperatures on northern lakes were in the low to mid 60s this week, although recent mild weather will likely force temps to rebound several degrees. Musky fishing has slowed somewhat, but walleye action continued to pick up. Perch action has slowed down on the Winnebago system, but walleye anglers were having some success in shallow weeds.
Anglers fishing on Lake Michigan had another fine week. Chinook and trout continue to stage at harbors and river mouths with additional rain needed to draw fish up rivers. Many boat anglers who were trolling near the shore in 20 to 50 feet of water were able to land mostly chinook salmon with an occasional brown trout mixed in. Pier and shore anglers also reported success at many locations.
The Mississippi River has been holding around 7 feet at Prairie du Chien for most of the week. Bluegills have been biting throughout the river. Large and smallmouth bass fishing has been good. Walleye and sauger action was spotty.
The coming weekend is the last weekend for inland trout season, which closes Tuesday Sept. 30. Check the current trout fishing regulations for waters such as Great Lakes tributaries, that remain open after this date.
This coming weekend will see the opening of the duck season in the north. Reports vary but teal, wood duck and geese should be in fair numbers. Low water levels continue to be a concern so hunters should do some scouting to see if favorite spots have water.
Horicon Marsh currently has about 25,000 Canada geese, which is a bit behind schedule for this time of year, but due to recent warm weather and southerly winds few have come into the area.
Bear season reports have been very good with multiple bear making visits to the bait stations due to the lack of natural foods in the woods this year. Archery deer season is producing some deer still in the velvet. Should a hunter harvest a deer in velvet they need to contact the local conservation warden to get a free permit to keep the antlers. Some fawns still have faint spots on their coats.
A reminder that it is now illegal to shine wild animals between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. and some municipalities prohibit the practice altogether so check with local law enforcement officials for laws in your area.
Fall bird migrations continue to push forward. Warblers are lingering in the north with the majority being yellow-rumped, palm and orange-crowned and the first push of sparrows. There have also been very good numbers of pine siskins around with the abundant white pine cone crop. Some hummingbirds are still present in southern Wisconsin. The raptor migration is picking up with the recent peak broad-winged and sharp-shinned hawk movements. Sandhill cranes are quite visible as the flocks begin to grow in preparation for eventual migration out of the area. Large numbers of double crested cormorants are migrating into the La Crosse area.
Fox and grey squirrels are currently busy harvesting and gathering black walnuts and hickory nuts, but they will turn their attention to acorns as black walnuts and hickory nuts become depleted.
A nice variety of asters, goldenrod, gentians and native grasses are blooming.
Bumper crops of frogs, particularly leopard frogs, are being seen in many areas, including Horicon Marsh. They will be very active in nearby uplands while temperatures remain warm. The flooding earlier this year provided ideal conditions for survival so numbers are extremely high.
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
Despite the warm temps and south winds bird migration continues to push forward. Birders in the north report lingering warblers with the majority being yellow-rumped, palm and orange-crowned and our first push of sparrows. There also seems to be very good numbers of pine siskins around with the abundant white pine cone crop. Many of the warblers, thrushes, and some hummingbirds are still present in southern Wisconsin with the warm temps. The Wisconsin Society for Ornithology field trip to Wisconsin Point in Superior found a number of rare birds including parasitic Jaeger, Franklin’s gull, Sabine's gull, red-necked phalarope, pacific loon and red-throated loon. Raptor migration is picking up with the recent peak broad-winged hawk and sharp-shinned hawk movements. Future cold fronts should bring more sharpshins and some peregrine falcons. As always, please report bird sightings to Wisconsin ebird (
www.ebird.org/WI) to help better track migrant bird populations.
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NORTHERN REGION
Superior DNR Service Center area
Brule River State Forest - The Northland is painted up in a variety of brilliant colors now. Unfortunately the forecasted weather does not look like it will cooperate for those wanting to view the colors as chances of showers and thunderstorms are forecasted through the weekend.
Fall color at Brule River State Forest
Photo by Catherine Khalar
With fall coming on, many people are thinking of heating houses and collecting firewood for the winter. Forest products such as firewood, balsam boughs, and Christmas trees can be collected in the Brule River State Forest by permit. For more information about these permits call the Brule River State Forest office at (715) 372-5678 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday-Friday. Even though the forest has lost a number of oak trees in the past few years due to drought, forest tent caterpillars, the two lined chestnut borers, and age, the remaining oaks are producing a good crop of acorns this year. As of Sept. 25, the Bois Brule River was flowing at 126 cfs (cubic feet per second). Last Tuesday’s rain helped bring the flow back up to a better level. The 63 year average is 143 cfs. Don’t forget to wear blaze orange or some bright colored clothing when fishing during the upcoming deer hunts. Rifle seasons will take place Oct. 11 and 12 for the Youth gun hunt and October 16-19 for the herd control season (antlerless season). Although non-hunters are not required to wear blaze orange, it is just a good safety precaution since the forest is a multi-use recreational area.
Pattison State Park - This is an outstanding time of year to visit the park. The trees are changing colors…as of Sept. 22, the colors were about 10 to -15 percent changed. The waterfalls remain at moderate levels, and the wildlife is more easily viewed. The hiking trails are in very condition.
Ashland DNR Service Center area
Copper Falls State Park - The fall colors are about 50 percent turned. The reds, orange and yellows are just beautiful. Sept. 27 there will be an Art and Craft Fair in the park. There will be a guided hike on the Doughboys' Trail beginning at 1 p.m. Meet at the concession shelter. Off Season Camping is also an option at Copper Falls this time of year. For those willing to brave the elements, camping this time of year offers peace and solitude. Reservations are still recommended for weekends at the park. For those who prefer camping when the weather is a little warmer, camping reservations can be make 11 months in advance by calling 1-888-947-2757.
Woodruff DNR Service Center area
Fall colors are showing up with some spectacular sights around the area. Muskie action is picking up and again, this has been a great summer for this particular species of fish in the area. Bear season reports have been very good with multiple bear making visits to the bait stations due to the lack of natural foods in the woods this year. Archery deer season is producing some deer still in the velvet. Should a hunter harvest a deer of that nature, be sure to contact the local conservation warden to get a free permit if you intend on keeping the antlers. Some fawns still have faint spots on their coats. Grouse numbers are up as compared to last year with a few flushes of covey’s reported so far. Heavy foliage hampers bird visibility at this point. This is also a time to remind people that it is illegal to shine wild animals between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. Some areas prohibit the practice altogether so local law enforcement officials should be consulted for information regarding specific regulations/laws in your area. This coming weekend will see the opening of the waterfowl season in the north. Hunters will hit their favorite spots in good numbers. Reports vary but teal, wood duck and geese should be in fair numbers. Low water levels continue to be a concern so do some scouting as you may find your favorite spot high and dry.
Upper Wisconsin Basin fisheries report (Oneida, Vilas, Lincoln, Langlade, Forest and Florence counties) - Trees are just beginning to show color; mainly maples right now and colors should peak within the next week to two weeks. Water temperatures in the area are currently in the low to mid 60s, although mild weather this week will likely force temps to rebound several degrees. This warming pattern is usually a good thing for fishing, until the next cold front comes through. Musky fishing has been tough. The most successful anglers have been using live bait (suckers) - casting with bucktails and jerk baits seems to interest musky into following but hook ups on the artificial baits have been tough to come by. Most often they follow in a bait, and then see the sucker floating down below the bobber near the boat and hit that instead. Walleye were being caught at the deep weed lines, again most success has been on live bait. Slip bobbers and minnows have been working best while casting with a jig and minnow is a close second. Fishing pressure in general is way down and has been since Labor Day weekend -- it's a good time to be out on the water since there is very little pleasure boating going on by the weekenders.
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NORTHEAST REGION
Peshtigo DNR Service Center area
Marinette County - Water temperatures at the landing are ranging in the 65 to 68 degree mark. Water clarity is good with light fishing pressure, with the exception of the salmon anglers at the boat landings. Many fish have been jumping at the Hattie Street Bridge, mostly salmon, but none were being landed during the day. Weather may have played a factor in why fishing pressure was so light, or maybe with hunting season opening up anglers are changing gears. Fall has arrived!
Oconto County - Anglers at Oconto Park II reported perch being caught in 22 feet of water but limits were the exception. Little River is showing a strong night bite for chinook salmon; the strike starts about 45 minutes before sunset, until a half hour before dawn. Most anglers have been are using egg sacks.
Green Bay DNR Service Center area
Brown County - On the Fox River of Green Bay, fishing activity has been slow. Some anglers were having occasional luck jigging for walleye near the channel. The walleye bite in the bay has slowed down significantly in the last couple weeks. They seem to be spotty and moving to different locations on a nearly daily basis during daytime hours. The night bite for walleyes seems to be picking up. Crank baits seemed to be working the best. Finding the walleye has become the biggest challenge. The yellow perch bite has been spotty, but with indications that it may not only be picking up but also larger perch are being found. Near Bayshore, perch were moderately hard to find but anglers who put in the time were able to find them. Near the breakwall near Suamico, perch anglers have been having fair luck. Northern pike anglers are having luck with crankbaits on the reefs. Bay water temperature is around 65 degrees F.
Manitowoc County - Anglers fishing on Lake Michigan out of Two Rivers had a fine week of fishing this past week. Many boat anglers who were trolling near the shore in 20 to 50 feet of water were able to land mostly chinook salmon with an occasional brown trout mxed in. Trollers were running planner boards and dipses with success off J-plugs, spoons, and dodger fly combinations. On average, harvested chinook salmon ranged from 12 to 16 pounds in weight and brown trout have been between 6 and 10 pounds in weight. Pier anglers had some success early in the week catching salmon, but success declined as the week progressed. Most anglers were casting heavy spoons. Inside the harbor fishing pressure was high all week; however, anglers only had limited success in landing fish. Anglers were casting spoons and crank baits or fishing off the bottom with spawn sacs, with the best success in early morning or later in the day. On the West Twin River anglers had a good week of fishing. Pressure was concentrated near the Shoto Dam or along the Shoto Island. Anglers were drifting spawn sacs or casting spinners and spoons. Some nice chinook salmon were harvested over the weekend ranging from 12 to 17 pounds. On the East Twin River, fishing pressure has been very low over the past week. Some anglers have fished near Maplewood Road and reported some salmon activity but they were unable to land any. In Manitowoc, anglers had a fair week of fishing on Lake Michigan trolling in anywhere from 20 to 80 feet of water. Some nice catches were landed, with the salmon ranging in weight from 8 to 17 pounds. Anglers also had some success inside the harbor near the river mouth, marina and the 8th Street Bridge. Anglers were mostly casting heavy spoons or diving stick baits. On the Manitowoc River, chinook anglers have been mostly concentrating around Manitou Park or near Mill Road in Manitowoc Rapids. Catch rates have been variable although a few lucky anglers have landed a few large chinook salmon. Anglers here had the most success off spawn sacs with a bobber.
Sturgeon Bay DNR Service Center area
Door County - The perch bite has been good especially north of Chaudoir’s dock, near Sugar Creek and Rite’s Cove. Worms and minnows were attracting fish. Yellow perch were also biting well in Riley’s Bay along the weeds. Many larger fish have been caught on worms, minnows, and crabs. Walleye and northern pike have been successfully targeted in the Henderson’s area. Also, in the Little Sturgeon Bay/Sawyer Harbor area, musky and northern were biting consistently near the weeds. Musky have been a bit slower to come up, but with patience, anglers will get the bite. Many larger northern and musky have been seen following lures to the boat. The walleye bite has been consistently better at night, especially near Larson’s Reef. Crank baits were working well. There has been some luck with smallmouth bass near the shipping canal. The bass were biting on worms as well as artificial bait. Salmon are starting to move into the system. Water temperatures in these areas are in the lower to mid 60s.
Kewaunee County - Most of the action through the week was focused on the piers and harbors of Algoma and Kewaunee. Both coho and chinook salmon continue to be caught from the piers with spoons being the most common lures used. Most success continues to be best in morning and evening periods. As for trolling on Lake Michigan, most anglers have concentrated on the spawning run, and are trolling right out of the harbors along the shoreline. Some boats in Kewaunee have cruised the harbor, casting for salmon, with some success. There is not much for stream action to speak of as of this past week, and water levels are low in areas.
Oshkosh DNR Service Center area
Perch action has slowed way down on the Winnebago system. Walleye anglers were having some success in shallow weeds off the west shore. Sturgeon spearers have until October 31 to purchase their licenses.
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SOUTHEAST REGION
Richard Bong State Recreation Area - Fishing continues to be good on Vern Wolf Lake. Legal northerns were being caught and bluegills have been biting. A nice variety of asters, goldenrod, gentians and native grasses are blooming. Warblers, thrushes, kinglets are migrating. Sandhill cranes are roosting in the wildlife refuge at night. Geese and ducks are just starting to fly. The beach house has closed for the season. Sunset campground has closed for the season. The shower house in the 100 loop closes Oct. 6. The accessible cabin, dump station, 200 loop shower house, the 100 loop and the 1-30 camping loop close Oct. 13. The 200 loop will remain open until Dec. 14. Sites 140-150 will be available for non-electric camping. There will be no camping on the property from December 15 to March 6. Hikers and other non-hunting park users should consider wearing blaze orange clothing when hunting season are open. There are portions of the horse trail and the hiking trail on the eastern end of the park that are in the “No Hunting” area.
Lake Michigan fisheries team report
Sheboygan County - In Sheboygan anglers fishing off the piers have been catching a few chinooks and coho on spoons and spawn. In the Sheboygan River some chinooks have been caught in upstream stretches and near the Kohler dam. Sheboygan trollers have been catching browns, coho, and chinooks in and around the harbor.
Ozaukee County - In Port Washington, shore fishing has picked up somewhat, and chinooks and browns have been caught in the harbor, off the pier, and near the power plant on spawn and spoons. Trollers in Port Washington have had the most success fishing near the harbor, but some fish have also been caught 40 to 70 feet down in 80 to 120 feet of water. A mixed bag of chinooks, coho, rainbows, and browns has been taken on J-plugs, spoons, and flasher and fly combinations.
Milwaukee County - Shore anglers in Milwaukee have been catching a few chinooks off McKinley pier before sunrise. Glow in the dark spoons have produced the most fish. A few chinooks have also been taken from just below the dam on Oak Creek. Milwaukee trollers have been catching chinooks in the gaps and around the harbor.
Racine County - 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 at dawn have provided the most action. Racine trollers have been catching a few chinooks and lake trout in 100 to 120 feet of water, and mature chinooks have been taken inshore near the mouth of the Root River. Water levels on the Root River are relatively low again, and anglers fishing the river have caught some chinooks and browns from below the weir in the Lincoln Park area, and small flies and spawn have taken the most fish there. Some chinooks have also made their way upstream to Quarry Lake Park and the Horlick dam, and anglers there have been catching a few on small egg imitation flies in chartreuse, orange, or green. The Root River Steelhead Facility is not yet in operation, but the facility should be running once the region gets some more rain or in a couple of weeks.
Kenosha County - For shore anglers in Kenosha, a few chinooks have been caught in the harbor on crank baits and near the mouth of the Pike River on gold spoons. Kenosha trollers have been catching chinooks and a few lake trout. Most fish have been caught from 100 to 130 feet of water, but some chinooks have also been caught off the mouth of the Pike River.
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SOUTH CENTRAL REGION
Horicon DNR Service Center area
Leopard frogs
Horicon Marsh State Wildlife Area - The fall migration is well underway with many birds flocking up on state wildlife areas and other sites with attractive habitat. Horicon Marsh currently has about 25,000 Canada geese, which is a bit behind schedule for this time of year, but due to recent warm weather and southerly winds few have come into the area. By mid to late October that will increase to around 200,000 geese. Duck numbers are also increasing in the area as new birds have been coming in to join local nesting birds. At present, good numbers to blue-winged and green-winged teal can be seen along with wood ducks and mallards and smaller numbers of other waterfowl species. Likewise, sandhill cranes are quite visible as the flocks begin to grow in preparation for eventual migration out of the area. And for birdwatchers numerous songbirds are present, including a variety of warblers, thrushes, sparrows among the woodlands and forest edges and shorebirds in areas with mudflats. The shorebird migration should be peaking at this time of year, but recent dry conditions have reduced areas where they may concentrate. However, with so many birds gathering in flocks and a variety of species coming through the area there should be plenty to see at this time of year. Visitors to Horicon Marsh will also notice the bumper crop of frogs this year, particularly leopard frogs. They will be very active in nearby uplands while temperatures remain warm. The flooding earlier this year provided ideal conditions for survival so numbers are extremely high.
Fitchburg DNR Service Center area
Sauk County
Devil's Lake State Park - The middle of October is usually the best time for prime fall colors. At the north shore boat landing, only small boats may be launched by hand, but barricades may not be moved and vehicles and trailers may not by-pass the barricades. The south shore boat landing is open. Mountain bike trails are open to bicycles. Concession operations are open, including boat rentals. Retirees and senior citizens come out in force in September and October. Campsites generally are readily available during the week. The annual Badger Trails youth camping weekend (more than 3,000 Scouts and youth campers) is October 3-5 this year. That weekend, only Quartzite Campground is open for public camping. Parfrey's Glenn State Natural Area is closed and will remain closed until repairs can be done. Barricades are posted at the entrance. No admittance is allowed, including walking in on foot. Parfrey’s Glen will likely remain closed at least throughout the fall, winter, and spring.
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WEST CENTRAL REGION
Baldwin DNR Service Center area
St. Croix County
Willow River State Park - Color change is in progress and there are also some green leaves starting to come down. Green ash, box elder, and red maple are showing color now. The deer hunting season flyer for Willow River will be available at the office next week. Hikers that are uncomfortable with open hunting areas nearby should plan their activities elsewhere for the nine day gun hunt, which runs from Nov. 22 -30. Some of the most popular trails border on open hunting areas. Campers take notice; only one weekend remains 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. The dump station will be available to unload water. Fresh water is available at the service building just down the hill from the office. Electric sites tend to be reserved first for these last weeks of full services and into October. Construction work will begin soon on the new office and campground. Heavy equipment is coming in and the construction office is in place. Construction work will impact the Knapweed trail north of the road. There will be more information to come as the work progresses. Ski season dry land training sessions started this week. Meet at the Nature Center at 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Bring adequate trail shoes, ski poles, and your own drink. Pole walking, hill bounding, and balance drills are the core of the training. These sessions are not difficult but you will work going up the hills. The exercises use ski specific muscle groups which will help prepare you for skiing. Typically the sessions end around 7 p.m. The route goes out and back on the Purple Trail, up the Brown, around the Red, then back down the Brown trail. If you arrive a bit late and find vehicles but no people, head out the Purple and go left at the split to meet up with the trainers coming the other way. Someone will be out training every week until skiing starts or the trainers move off site for man made snow. Beyond the ski group training, light and generally slow traffic on park roads makes for good roller skiing at Willow River and Kinnickinnic. There are flat areas so you aren’t compelled to deal with big hills and high speed on asphalt. Engaging the speed reducers helps flatten out the slight hills for a slower trip down. The roads are not the smoothest. The inflatable tire (6-inch size) roller skis handle the cracks well. Most roller skiers are skaters.
La Crosse DNR Service Center area
Large numbers of double crested cormorants are migrating into the La Crosse area. The peak of the blue-winged teal migration should occur in about a week. Many green-winged teal and small numbers of wigeons are present. This fall's nut crop, comprised of acorns, walnuts, and hickory nuts, appears to be about average. Fox and grey squirrels are currently busy harvesting and gathering black walnuts and hickory nuts, but they will turn their attention to acorns as black walnuts and hickory nuts become depleted. Ever wonder how a squirrel can successfully open the extremely hard shells of black walnuts and hickory nuts? Squirrels typically chew a groove around the entire nut until it splits into two perfect halves. Sharp incisors and perseverance pay great dividends for squirrels in their pursuit of nuts, which are excellent sources of fats, proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals.
Crawford County - It is just the beginning of the fall colors in the area. Peak is still a week or more away. A few maple and sumac are turning color while walnut trees are starting to fade to a dull yellow. Otherwise, most trees are maintaining their green leaves. Warm temperatures and dry conditions settled in for this week. River conditions remain at normal levels for this time of year. The Mississippi River has been holding around 7 feet for most of the week. The forecast for the Mississippi River is to hold around the 7-foot mark until mid-week, then drop a couple tenths of an inch. Surface water temperatures on the Mississippi River are in the upper 60s and water clarity is very good. The Wisconsin River is in good shape as water clarity is good and many sand bars are high and dry. The Kickapoo River has settled into normal summer time flow and is clearing up too. The Kickapoo River stage has been holding around the 8 foot mark most of the week. All the trout streams are in good condition. All of the boat landings in the Crawford County area are open and usable. However, a word of caution regarding some landings. Be careful backing in large boats at some ramps because drop offs have developed at the end of the landing pad. Boaters on the Mississippi River are urged to use caution now that the river is at or below 7 feet. Wing and closing dams can be dangerously close to outboard motor lower units. Boaters who are unsure of where they are traveling should stay in the navigation lane or slow down and use a depth finder. Besides wing dams, sunken trees and snags are starting to “rear their heads.” Fishing action was pretty good this week. Bluegills are biting all over the place, but again this week the real big ones have been hard to find. Some decent action in the Prairie du Chien area was reported around the barges by the city boat ramp, wing dams on the Main Channel, in downed trees on the Ambro Slough or on the Main Channel in around 8 feet of water. Main channel “gills” have to be sought out…move frequently until fish are located. One tactic that has been used with some success is to drift a piece of crawler along the bottom until fish are located. Some decent bluegill action was reported farther upstream near the “S” Curve by Harper’s Ferry Slough. Up in Pool 9 near the Lynxville/Ferryville area bluegills have been biting out in the flats and long the deeper channels. Cold Spring has been very spotty. Most days at Cold Spring have been slow. Large and smallmouth bass fishing has been good for the most part. Anglers have been using a variety of artificial baits to include plastics, spinner baits, and crank baits. Look for bass on wing dams, closing dams, weed edges, flats, under water points, and in the timber. Walleye and sauger action was spotty. Some decent action reported on some of the wing dams and near the dam at Lynxville. Most anglers believe walleye action will pick up once the water cools down. Walleye and sauger anglers were either trolling crank baits along wing dams, flats, or drop offs along the main channel or dead lining or casting a jig tipped with crawlers. Some anglers have had success drifting a chunk of night crawlers off the bottom. Crappie and perch action was very spotty. Some days anglers will find a school and have very good action. But the next day those fish have moved on. Crappie have been taking small minnows, tube jigs, and small spinners. Perch were still taking a liking to live bait like night crawlers chunks. White bass action was spotty also. White bass have been seen feeding on the top of wing dams, along rocky shorelines, below the lock and dams and at the mouth of the Wisconsin River. If you find a school of actively feeding white bass, cast a small jig/twister tail, small spinner, or just about anything bright colored and flashy. Northern pike action slowed a little this week too. Look for northerns in areas were cooler water might be entering the river or in slow moving deeper sloughs. Casting crank baits, spoons, or spinner baits have worked pretty good also. Try these baits in the timber and weeds. Some decent fish have been caught trolling on Big Lake, the bottom end of the Ambro Slough, and the Lower Bottoms outside Prairie du Chien and up by the Lynxville dam. Trout fishing is good for those who can tolerate the dense vegetation and bugs. Both live and artificial bait have produced quality fish. Mosquitoes, deer and horse flies are still out. Mosquitoes have been bad in the river bottoms and some upland areas especially since the weather has been warm. In the river bottoms mosquitoes can be a nuisance all day and night long. Stinging nettle and poison ivy is still out and awaits outdoor users so be careful and dress accordingly. Most of the early summer grasses are starting to seed out and die back. There appears to be a decent acorn crop this year. Other nut trees like walnut and hickory are producing fair crops this year.
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 action has been increasing in the bays as the water temperature begins to drop. Park trails are generally dry and in very good condition. Species of birds seen or heard include: ravens, loons, robins, a variety of wrens, phoebes, piliated woodpeckers, great horned and barred owls, and bald eagles. Wintergreen, common mullein, white snakeroot, the water lilies, some of the aster varieties, a few great blue cardinal flowers are flowering.
Wisconsin Rapids DNR Service Center area
Buckhorn State Park - Fall colors are starting to change along Highway 58 between Mauston and the 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. Several spike bucks were seen by hunters during opening weekend. 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 a couple openings for the youth deer hunt - contact the park office for more information. The photo contest ends on Sept 30. Categories are people using the park, open, plants, animals, and one for photographers under 18 yrs old. Campsites will be closed to reservations after Oct 6. Some campsites may be open as first-come sites, depending on the weather. Please check with the office to see what is available. 8, 9, 16, A1-A8, B1-B3 will be open longer.
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. Fall colors are just starting and should be nice in 2-3 weeks. Camping will close Sept 30 and the main gate will be closed Oct 27. 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 on Sept. 30. Categories are people using the park, open, plants, animals, and one for photographers under 18 yrs old.
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