Canada goose populations are now at their fall peak at Horicon Marsh, with about 200,000 geese currently on the marsh. The best time to see the daily flights of geese is during the first two hours of the day as they fly out to feed in the surrounding uplands and the last two hours of daylight when they return to Horicon Marsh to rest on the open water areas for the evening. There area also a nice variety of other birds on Horicon Marsh, including a wide variety of ducks, coots, sandhill cranes, bald eagles and other late migrant marsh birds. The warm front that moved into Wisconsin last week created a bit of stagnation in bird migration. However, the cold front forecast to move through late this week could get birds moving again.
Fall colors are past peak in most areas, but some areas continue to report near peak colors on the Department of Tourism Fall Color Report (exit DNR). In the north, tamaracks are dropping needles and some are now more bare than gold, but many are still blazing in some spots. Devil's Lake State Park reports 80 percent leaf drop, making for some fantastic fall hiking conditions with leaves crunching underfoot and open vistas that visitors don't see in the summer.
Brook trout are well into their fall spawning activities and are actively building redds in most of the traditional spawning areas. Lake Michigan whitefish are beginning to stage for spawning in the Lower Menominee River with numbers increasing.
A few late season musky anglers took advantage of mild weather last weekend to ply northern lakes. Fish were being caught on both suckers and artificial baits depending on the water temperatures on the lake being fished. Anglers have been successful targeting walleye on the Fox River in Green Bay. Musky have moved into the river. Many were being seen and some were being caught. Perch were still biting well around the Bayshore and Chaudoir’s dock areas when anglers move around to find the fish.
Lake Winnebago anglers have reported a slow down on the walleye action. The Wolf River was still producing some good panfish bags. Brook and brown trout have started spawning in central Wisconsin streams.
Shore anglers fishing off Lake Michigan piers have been catching a few brown trout, as well as some coho salmon and rainbow trout. Anglers on the Milwaukee River continued to report a few salmon. Water levels on the Root River remain low, but coho, chinooks, browns, and a few steelhead were still being found throughout the river.
With most of the leaves now down in the north, grouse hunters are finding birds much easier to see. Duck hunters are reporting that a few more divers are now starting to show up.
Tundra swans have arrived on Green Bay. Tundra swans, also called whistling swans, breed and nest in the tundra and in sheltered marshes on the Alaskan and Canadian coast near the Arctic Circle. They will overwinter in flocks along the east coast, primarily in Virginia and North Carolina.
Robins and cedar waxwings have been feeding on red osier dogwood, mountain ash, and winterberry. Bird feeders are attracting: blue jays, cardinals, juncos, chickadees, nuthatches, and gold finches, which are now in their dull winter plumage.
And with the warm weather of the last week, snakes were still being seen warming themselves in the sun, but they will be moving into their hibernacula soon.
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
The warm front that moved in this created a bit of stagnation in bird migration. However, there appears to be somewhat of an irruption of snowy owls going on this year in Wisconsin. Birds have turned up in the north and in the eastern portions of the state.
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NORTHERN REGION
Superior DNR Service Center area
Brule River State Forest - Lake Superior sure has an amazing impact on local weather. Depending on where visitors were in the Brule River State Forest on Monday, Nov. 3, they could have been in the fog with cold temperatures or in sunny, 70-degree conditions. Deer are on the brink of peek breeding season but lately archery hunters are saying that the deer are not moving too much lately. People with game cameras are reporting the deer have "gone nocturnal." The weather is expected to start cooling down this weekend, which should get the deer moving around much more. With the rut starting, keep in mind that many more deer will be crossing roads without paying attention to oncoming traffic. Most car/deer collisions occur during this time of year.As of Nov. 6, the Bois Brule River was flowing at 130 cfs (cubic feet per second). The 62 year average is 150 cfs. The rest of the Bois Brule River (Highway 2 to Lake Superior) closes for fishing Nov. 15. The Brule River State Forest fall annual public meeting will be held on Nov. 13 at 7 p.m. at the Brule Town Hall. The meeting agenda is available on the DNR Web site at [http://dnr.wi.gov/master_planning/Brule/pdf/fall2008meetingAgenda.pdf]
Hayward DNR Service Center area
A lot of buck scrapes have been seen on the CAMBA (Cable Area Mountain Bike Assoc.) bike trail around Patsy Lake. There are very few leaves left on trees except oaks. The tamaracks were more bare than colored.
Park Falls DNR Service Center area
Upper Chippewa Basin fisheries report (Price, Rusk, Sawyer Taylor and inland Ashland and Iron counties) - Fishing activity was down this past week, as most sportsmen and women were concentrating on hunting (both grouse and the deer rut). There was a light amount of pressure for musky and nearly all of the anglers were dragging suckers around. Very little success was reported. A few walleye anglers also tried their luck but action was very slow, with even the small fish being hard to find. Fisheries crews report that brook trout are well into their fall spawning activities and are actively building redds in most of the traditional spawning areas.
Woodruff DNR Service Center area
Area Conservation Wardens and guides report that fall is the best time to catch musky. Good numbers of late season anglers took advantage of mild weather last weekend to ply northern lakes. Fish were being caught on both suckers and artificial baits depending on the water temperatures on the lake being fished. This type of flurry should be prevalent until ice up. The bucks are definitely exhibiting signs of rut activity and leaving their marks in the woods. Scrapes and rub lines are now common and indicate the buck activity is picking up. The next couple of weeks should prove to be good hunting. With most of the leaves now down, grouse hunters are finding birds much easier to see. Duck hunters are reporting that a few more birds are around indicating the migration is taking place. A few divers are now starting to show up. Recent steady weather will help hold the birds before they take on the next leg of the trip south.
Bearskin State Trail – The Iron Trestle bridge has been reopened to recreational use following an inspection by a private engineering contractor. The former railroad bridge was damaged when hit by a truck on October 30 and was temporarily closed by state officials pending a safety inspection. The state Department of Transportation along with officials from the Department of Natural Resources were on hand this past week when the bridge was inspected and found safe for use. The 18- mile Bearskin State Trail passes through the communities of Minocqua, Hazehurst, Goodnow and Harshaw in Oneida County. The trail is used by hikers, bicyclists and snowmobilers.
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NORTHEAST REGION
Peshtigo DNR Service Center area
Marinette County - Warmer temperatures have brought up the water temperatures temporarily to the low 50s in the Menominee River. The whitefish are beginning to stage for spawning in the Lower Menominee River with numbers increasing. Fisheries have been out collecting seeforellen trout for the Wild Rose Hatchery for spawning. Brown trout are common with walleye of various sizes from the Hattie Street Dam through the riffle area to Stephenson Island. The chinook salmon run is finished with spent salmon black in color. Boating traffic is minimal except for musky anglers.
Oconto County - Whitetail deer activity is increasing across roadways with more car killed deer being reported. The increase in vehicle incidents can be due to the increase in deer activity and travel during dusk hours. Archery hunting pressure is increasing along with registering more deer. Tundra swans have arrived on Green Bay. Turkey are active searching agricultural fields and flocking up.
Green Bay DNR Service Center area
Brown County - Anglers have been successful targeting walleye on the Fox River in Green Bay,. Trolling and casting crank baits and jigging have been working. Musky have moved into the river. Many were being seen and some were being caught. Trolling and casting artificials have been working best, but the musky bite is fair to slow. In the bay, fishing activity has been very limited due to high winds and rough water. It seems that perch were still biting well around the Bayshore area when anglers move around to find the fish. Minnows seemed to work best. Perhaps, once the system settles down some, the perch bite will look better.
Sturgeon Bay DNR Service Center area
Door County - Due to high winds and rough water, fishing activity in the bay of lower Door County has been limited. What little has been seen indicates yellow perch were still biting near Chaudoir’s and possibly better near Sugar Creek. Once the system settles down, the perch bite may improve. Fishing activity in the Little Sturgeon Bay/Sawyer Harbor area has also be very slow. Some perch are still being caught in this system. The occasional walleye is caught in deeper waters of the bay. Occasionally, musky and northern were also being caught.
Potawatomi State Park - With temperatures in the 50s into early November, campers and visitors are still enjoying some colorful leaves still on the trees. Warm weather activities are winding down. The accessible fishing pier and boat launch piers were pulled from the water during the last week of October. The shower building, dump station, and fish cleaning station are closed until spring. A well located at the campground shelter remains open year-round. Camping is available on a first-come basis throughout the winter. Construction on the new group camp sites continues. The group sites should be ready for use in 2009.
Wautoma DNR Service Center area
Brook and brown trout have started spawning in area streams. More people have been using DNR properties for deer bow hunting and there were a few turkey hunters out also. There have been reports of more grouse in this area than there have been in the last eight years. Sandhill cranes are finally heading south. Snakes have been spotted warming up in the sun, but they will be hibernating soon. Car-deer collisions have been increasing as the deer get more active.
Oshkosh DNR Service Center area
Lake Winnebago anglers have reported a slow down on the walleye action. A few are smallmouth fishing in the reefs. The Wolf River was still producing some good panfish bags. Tundra swans are migrating through the area. Tundra swans, also called whistling swans, breed and nest in the tundra and in sheltered marshes on the Alaskan and Canadian coast near the Arctic Circle. They will overwinter in flocks along the east coast, primarily in Virginia and North Carolina. A black swan which has apparently escaped from someone's home has been sighted all week near the Hwy. 41, Butte des Morts bridge. This bird is not a native species. Last weekend a portion of the Deppe Marsh Wildlife Area was planted in rye as a cover crop for the winter to protect the soil. In June, the sharecropper will who did the planting will remove the rye and plant native grasses. A public meeting and open forum for the High Cliff State Park master plan will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 12, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Sherwood Village Community Center, W489 Clifton Road, Sherwood. At this meeting DNR staff will present information, answer questions, and receive comments about possible master plan revisions and answers. DNR specialists will remain to talk with anyone who wishes, on a one-to-one basis. Maps and charts used in the formal presentation will be available for viewing and reference.
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SOUTHEAST REGION
Lake Michigan fisheries team report
Sheboygan County - In Sheboygan shore anglers fishing off the piers and near the Deland Park boat launch have been catching a few browns on spawn and spoons. In the Sheboygan River some coho and browns have been caught on flies near the Kohler dam and in Esslingen Park.
Ozaukee County - In Port Washington, shore anglers have been catching a mix of browns, coho, and rainbows on spawn near the power plant and on spoons in the harbor.
Milwaukee County - Shore anglers in Milwaukee have been catching a few browns and chinooks on spawn and spoons near the base of McKinley pier and near the Milwaukee Yacht Club. Anglers on the Milwaukee River have reported a few salmon below the falls in Estabrook and Kletzsch Parks. Fishing on the Menomonee River and Oak Creek has been slow. Brown trout have been seen near the Bender Park ramp, but effort there has been minimal.
Racine County - In Racine water levels on the Root River remain low, but coho, chinooks, browns, and a few steelhead can be found throughout the river. Fishing has been slow overall, but small natural flies have taken some fish in faster current, and drifted spawn has caught fish in the deeper holes. The Root River Steelhead Facility is running, and fish were processed on Monday, November 3. So far this season, 1,373 chinooks, 804 coho, 171 browns, and 10 rainbows have been passed upstream of the facility. The next processing day will be Wednesday, November 5.
Kenosha County - For shore anglers in Kenosha, a few browns have been caught in the harbor and off the piers on spawn and tube jigs. Fishing on the Pike River has been relatively slow, and water levels are low.
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SOUTH CENTRAL REGION
Dodgeville DNR Service Center area
Grant County
Wyalusing State Park - Trails that are open are in good hiking condition. An outstanding view of the confluence of the Mississippi and Wisconsin Rivers can be seen from the Green Cloud Picnic Area and the Passenger Pigeon Monument. Birds being seen at the park bird feeder include: blue jays, cardinals, juncos, chickadees, gold finches, purple finches, and nuthatches. Other birds sightings include: robins, flickers, bluebirds, cedar waxwings, turkeys, bald eagles. Robins and cedar waxwings have been feeding on red osier dogwood, mountain ash, and winterberry. Goldfinches are now in their dull winter plumage. The Friends of Wyalusing will meet Monday, Nov. 10 at 6:30 p.m. in the park office. Homestead Campground is closed for the season. All sites in the Wisconsin Ridge Campground are open on a first come basis. The showers, flush toilets, dumping station and all water fountains throughout the park are shut down for the season. A winterized water faucet for filling water containers is located to the Wisconsin Ridge Campground
Horicon DNR Service Center area
Horicon Marsh State Wildlife Area - Canada goose populations at Horicon Marsh are currently at their fall peak, at about 200,000 geese. The best time to see the daily flights of geese is during the first two hours of the day as they fly out to feed in the surrounding uplands and the last two hours of daylight when they return to Horicon Marsh to rest on the open water areas for the evening. One of the best places to observe this from is the Hwy. 49 viewing area, which provides a nice view of flocks coming in from nearly all directions. The larger open water areas are located in the national wildlife refuge portion of Horicon Marsh, so this viewing site has always provided a great view of this seasonal event. At this time of year, there also remain a nice variety of other birds on Horicon Marsh, including a wide variety of ducks, coots, sandhill cranes, bald eagles and other late migrant marsh birds. Winter birds are also beginning to appear in the area, with the arrival of some winter finches, juncos, and rough-legged hawks. Also, muskrats have been constructing their winter huts which are now more visible and while the water remains open there is a chance of seeing muskrats or even river otters.
Fitchburg DNR Service Center area
Sauk County
Devil's Lake State Park - The fall colors are well past peak, and autumn foliage is now about 80 percent fallen and is past peak color. Hiking is ideal: cool and breezy with scrunching leaves underfoot, and open vistas that you don't see in the summer. Water facilities, including running water bathrooms, showers, and RV dump/fill stations, have been turned off for the season. Mountain bike trails are open to bicycles until first snowfall. Concession operations, including boat rentals, are now closed for the season. Parfrey's Glen is closed and will remain closed until repairs can be done, likely at least throughout the fall, winter, and spring. Barricades are posted at the entrance. No admittance is allowed, including walking in on foot.
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WEST CENTRAL REGION
Baldwin DNR Service Center area
Willow River State Park - The campground has become a good are for wildlife viewing with the relatively low human use. Park staff saw white-tailed deer and wild turkeys just a few sites apart on Wednesday morning. The Canada geese were at the beach area. This is among the best times to see the overlooks above Willow Falls since leaves are down. Dry land training for cross country skiing continues Tuesdays and Thursdays; meet at the Trout Brook trail head 5:30 p.m. The trainers don’t go in ugly weather. This is not skiing instruction. It is fitness training, which will help when ski season starts (last year that start was only four weeks from now!) The Orange \ Knapweed trail has been re-routed around the construction area. The new route gets off the prairie and a bit more into the woods. Some of the ski trail signs are up. More trail work will be done randomly as volunteer time allows. Asphalt was laid in the new office area this week. The new building has walls and the roof trusses were going up Wednesday. The next Full Moon Hike is Saturday, Nov. 15. Meet at the Nature Center at 7 p.m. A park sticker is required.
Wisconsin Rapids DNR Service Center area
Buckhorn State Park - Visitors have been enjoying the fall weather hiking, fishing, camping and checking out sites for future visits. The weekend of November 8 and 9 is the Buckhorn State Park Youth Deer Hunt. Check with park staff for areas that will be open for other hunters. 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. Remember, park stickers are required for Launch C and D and there are no additional launch fees. Campsites are now first come. The group camp will close when we get a significant amount of snow. Launch C and the section of 33rd St past the group camp will not be plowed this winter.
Roche-A-Cri State Park - The main gate is now closed. Parking is allowed in the Czech Ave/Prairie lot and vehicle stickers are required there. The parking lot will not be plowed this winter and trails will not be groomed. People will still be able to cross country ski and snow shoe in the park. Visitors have been hiking and enjoying the fall weather. Camping is now closed for the season. 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.
Last Revised: Thursday November 06 2008
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