The spring wildfire season is underway in Wisconsin and fire danger levels are at High or Very High for much of the state. The forecast is indicating a weather pattern dominated by a Hudson Bay High going into the weekend. This high pressure system is a dry air mass accompanied by warm weather, low humidity, and winds – perfect conditions for wildfire starts and spreading. Burning permits will be cancelled when conditions call for this safety precaution.
Debris burning is the main cause of wildfires in the state. When burning leaves and brush as part of your spring clean up routine, always adhere to permit restrictions. Put off burning entirely on windy days. People are asked to use extra caution when disposing of ash from fireplaces and wood heaters – make sure they are completely cold to the touch before dumping outdoors. Current fire danger levels and more information about fire laws, regulations, and burning permit requirements can be found on the DNR web site at
http://dnr.wi.gov/forestry/fire.
Spring turkey hunting season opens April 15, with this year’s statewide youth hunt April 11-12. The overall turkey population is very healthy and hunters can look forward to a good season. This is also the time to start getting boats ready for the upcoming fishing and boating season and now is the time to complete a boating safety course, which is now offered online at boat-ed.com/wi as well as in the classroom.
Across the state, turkey flocks are breaking up with jakes and toms strutting and displaying. Maple sap collectors have had a busy spring with the perfect weather of below freezing nights and warmer days. Bird migration is in full swing and some species are courting and nesting. Bears are out of hibernation. Some early wildflowers are blooming. As water temperatures rise, fishing activity has started to improve. Anglers are hitting the walleyes pretty hard on the Fox and Wolf Rivers. The walleyes are now spawning and sturgeon should be spawning at their normal period around the end of April. Anyone interested in viewing sturgeon may call the Lake Winnebago Sturgeon Hotline at 920-303-5444; this recording will be updated with current spawning activity and viewing locations. In Lake Michigan, on good weather days, Sheboygan boaters have been taking browns and rainbows on large crankbaits in water less than 30 feet deep. Boaters out of Port Washington have also been catching browns on spoons and crankbaits in and around the harbor. Boaters fishing the Milwaukee harbor have been catching good numbers of browns and rainbows.
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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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NORTHEAST REGION
Peshtigo DNR Service Center area
Marinette County - - Temperatures this past week have ranged from the lower 30's to the mid 40's with fishing pressure light to moderate in Oconto and Marinette counties. Water temperatures range from 38 near the river mouths to 41 closer to the dams and water clarity is good. All the docks have been installed at the landings on the Menominee River with many boats taking advantage of this. Vertical jigging with 1/2 to 3/4 ounce jig tipped with minnow has been working well in the turn basin and in front of K.K. warehouses for walleye. Fish in the 17 to 24 inch range have been common. Browns and rainbows are being caught trolling with Cleo's (blue and silver) and Rapala's ( fire tiger and chartreuse). On the Wisconsin side of the Hattie Street Dam, shore fishermen are scoring with floating jig heads tipped with minnows 1 1/2 to 2 feet below a torpedo sinker for walleye and trout. Zip baits and twister tails fished from the Hattie Street walkway are also doing well. The walleye bite at the Peshtigo River Dam has started. Crank baits and slip bobbers with jig heads and minnows is working well.
Oconto County - Suckers are being caught still fishing with crawlers at the mouth of the Oconto River. Walleye and trout fishing has been slow at both the Oconto Breakwater and Stiles Dam area. Expect this trend to change for the better as the water temperatures increase. Bird feeders should be removed at this time if you previously had issues with bear activity in the spring, as bears have come out of hibernation now. Turkey flocks are breaking up with jakes and toms strutting and displaying. Maple sap collectors have had a busy spring with the perfect weather of below freezing nights and warmer days.
Green Bay DNR Service Center area
Walleyes and an occasional Northern Pike are being caught on the Fox River below the DePere dam. Cold water temps in the 39-41 degree range have fishermen working harder for their fish. Most Walleyes caught have been in the 18 -24 inch range, but some trophy females 28-31 inches have been reported. Crank baits in bright colors have been working in the shallow rocky areas while jigs tipped with minnows or plastics are working in other areas. Some warmer temperatures would be a welcome relief for all and would improve fishing.
Door County - Not the best week weather wise in beautiful Door County. Most days were partly to mostly cloudy, with temperatures in the 30s and scattered precipitation in the form of showers and snow flurries. Reports are starting to come in of Brown Trout activity near the shores of Lake Michigan in 3 to 12 feet of water both North and South of the entrance to the Sturgeon Bay ship canal. Areas where there is a break between clear and dark water, such as where a stream enters the lake, seem to be producing the fish. Anglers fishing for Northern Pike are having some success fishing in the Bay of Sturgeon Bay, mostly on live bait.
Manitowoc County - On the East Twin River, angler pressure was steady all week. Most anglers were fishing either near the Mishicot dam or downstream around the fire station. Steelhead were active during the week, but angler success was low. A couple of anglers reported landing a few northern pike and suckers during their trips. During the past week fishing on the West Twin River started slow, but by the weekend many anglers were trying their luck on the river. Steelhead anglers had mixed success, but a few were able to land some nice fish ranging from 2 to 9 pounds. Most fishermen were using spawn sacs with a bobber, fly fishing, or casting shallow running stick baits. In Two Rivers fishing off the piers and in the harbor was slow. A couple catfish anglers have been setting up around the Coast Guard Station and picking up a couple nice cats despite the cold water temperatures. Saturday was a great day for boat anglers to troll on Lake Michigan. It was the first weekend of the year that had ideal temperatures, sunshine, and good lake conditions. Fishing success was mixed with most brown trout anglers trolling close to shore with stick baits and J-plugs. On Manitowoc River, most anglers have been fishing either the north pier stub or the south pier. On Saturday, the pier stub was busy with anglers fishing off the bottom with spawn sacs. One nice brown trout was caught that weighed 9.5 pounds. On the south pier, another angler casting spoons landed a 3 pound brown trout. The boat ramps in Manitowoc are still closed. Upstream on the Branch River, nice weather on Saturday brought out many steelhead anglers. Fishermen were concentrated around the Union Rd crossing. Catch rates were low with only a couple anglers landing steelhead that ranged from 2.5 to 5 pounds in weight.
Wautoma DNR Service Center area - Bird migration is in full swing and some species are courting and nesting. Bears are out of hibernation. Some early wildflowers are blooming. The fire danger in the area has been high, but the danger level can change daily due to the weather conditions. Compared to last year at this time, there have been more fires that have escaped and have needed assistance from local fire departments and rangers. Please be sure to get an annual burning permit and follow all of its conditions. If your fire escapes and starts a wildfire, you may be held liable for all suppression costs. Any person, whose property is injured or destroyed by your fire, may also recover, in a civil action, the value of timber or damages suffered.
Oshkosh DNR Service Center area – Starting on Monday, April 13, Winnebago County Highway Y will be under construction in the area of the Oshkosh Service Center, between County A and WIS 76. At this time, traffic on County Y will be allowed to travel eastbound only. More information regarding detours and changes will be posted on the Winnebago County website,
http://www.co.winnebago.wi.us/. Anglers are hitting the walleyes pretty hard on the Fox and Wolf Rivers. The walleyes are now spawning and sturgeon should be spawning at their normal period around the end of April. Anyone interested in viewing sturgeon may call the Lake Winnebago Sturgeon Hotline at 920-303-5444; this recording will be updated with current spawning activity and viewing locations.
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SOUTHEAST REGION
Lake Michigan fisheries team report
Sheboygan Co. – In Sheboygan flows are good on the Sheboygan and Pigeon Rivers. Fly anglers have been catching a few steelhead in the Pigeon River, and the Sheboygan has produced steelhead between Esslingen Park and the Kohler dam. A few brown trout have been taken off the south pier on spoons. On good weather days, Sheboygan boaters have been taking browns and rainbows on large crankbaits in water less than 30 feet deep.
Ozaukee Co. – In Port Washington fishing on Sauk Creek has been relatively slow, but anglers near the power plant, in the harbor, and off the pier have been catching browns and rainbows on spawn sacs, minnows, and spoons. Boaters out of Port Washington have also been catching browns on spoons and crankbaits in and around the harbor.
Milwaukee Co. – In Milwaukee, anglers on the Milwaukee River have been catching some steelhead on flies in Kletzsch Park. Steelhead have also been taken from the Menomonee River near Miller Park and from Oak Creek near the mouth. Fishing near the Summerfest grounds has been slow. Boaters fishing the Milwaukee harbor have been catching good numbers of browns and rainbows.
Racine Co. – In Racine the flows on the Root River have dropped back down to more fishable levels. Over the weekend, most steelhead were taken from below the Horlick Dam and in Quarry Lake Park. DNR crews processed fish at the Root River Steelhead Facility on Wednesday, April 1. Both Chambers Creek and Ganaraska strains of steelhead were spawned, and so far this season, 537 steelhead have been passed upstream. Fish will be processed again on Wednesday, April 8.
Kenosha Co. – In Kenosha, both shore anglers and boaters fishing in the harbor have been catching some browns and rainbows. Spawn has worked well from shore, and spoons have produced fish for those fishing from boats. Fishing on the Pike River has been slow.
Kettle Moraine State Forest, Southern Unit - The Southern Unit has experienced rain and snow over the past week. People venturing out on the trails in the forest will find some portions of the Ice Age Trail and the rest of the trail systems wet and muddy. If the weather permits, we are beginning our prescribed burns of the prairie areas. Be on the look out for signs and/or smoke that may indicate a burn is in progress. You can also call our Headquarters to see what areas may be affected. Equestrians are asked to refrain from using the trails unit they have a chance to dry out and stabilize. Mountain Bike Trails- are currently closed and will likely to remain closed thru this weekend April 11th and 12th. This is the time of year when frost is coming out of the ground making the ground soft and susceptible to damage if it were to be used. The trails will be evaluated each day beginning April 13th to determine when they can be opened for use. For more information contact the forest headquarters at 262-594-6200. Current trail conditions can be obtained at 262-594-6202.
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WEST CENTRAL REGION
La Crosse DNR Service Center area
Ruffed grouse have started drumming. Listen for the males drumming on calm, clear mornings. Males locate a downed log, tree or rock on which to display. Typically the display platform is located in thick, vertical cover which provides security from avian predators. The males attract females with a series of repeated wingstrokes with 3-4 minutes between series. As the wings compress the air, they create a vacuum which results in a thumping noise. Wildlife biologists use this drumming behavior to create an index to the grouse population. Each year the same route is traveled and drumming grouse are counted. From year to year, population trends can be determined based on the number of drumming males heard per route.
Crawford County - As of April 6, 2009 the Mississippi River stage is at 12.5 feet. A week ago the river was at 11.4 feet. The forecast for the Mississippi River is for it to crest today or tomorrow at about 12.6 feet. Then, barring any heavy rain, it will level off for a few days then start to drop. The Wisconsin and Kickapoo Rivers are in pretty good shape regarding spring flooding as flows are well below flood stage. Sunday’s snow storm produced only a couple inches of snow which will have little effect on local river systems. Most of the frost has left thus allowing snow melt and rain to absorb into the ground. A few anglers have been out in boats searching for bluegill, crappie and perch. Success has been spotty. Anglers have found a few areas where the current is not affecting panfishing. Those areas with no flow have produced some bluegill and crappie. Perch action below the Lynxville dam has been spotty. Some days perch have been taken “dead lining” a piece of nightcrawler off the bottom. Shoreline fishing at Cold Spring has been slow for bluegill and crappie. Cold Spring is considered inland water, not boundary waters. Different fishing regulations are in effect there and non-residents must possess a non-resident fishing license. Additionally the game fish (except panfish) season is now closed at Cold Spring. The boat landing at Gordon’s Bay below Lock and Dam #9 is still open, however anglers will have to be careful launching as high water and swift current will create a problem. Walleye and sauger action was very spotty this week. Some decent fish have been taken near the dam and in the McDonald’s Slough. Some of the best action has been early in the morning and late in the day. Water temperatures have not improved very much. Lock and Dam #9 reports that surface water temperature is at 41 degrees. Anglers fishing the East Channel in Prairie du Chien are finding tough sledding. A few small sauger and walleye have been taken with a few keeper sized fish. Some anglers have ventured down to the mouth of the Wisconsin River with mixed results. Many bald eagles have returned to the Mississippi River and are actively tending nests. A few Eagles have been hanging around the open water of St. Feriole Slough and below the dam at Lynxville. Turkey gobbling and displaying activity is picking up. Most of the migratory birds have returned to the area. There is some great waterfowl viewing on the Mississippi River up in Pool 9 right now (Lynxville to Ferryville). Any one interested in DNR sponsored safety courses should visit the DNR Website at
http://dnr.wi.gov/.
Brunet Island State Park - Species of birds we have been seeing or hearing include: Goldfinches, ravens, crows, phoebes, northern juncos, chickadees, nuthatches, red headed and piliated woodpeckers, great horned and barred owls, mourning doves, and blue jays. The bald eagles are moving back into the area and have been seen feeding along the roadsides. The barred owls have been aggressively trading territorial calls during the early night hours. The sandhill cranes, Canada geese, robins, and bluebirds have begun to arrive. The great blue herons have begun to arrive and claim nests. Tom turkeys are strutting in the fields. Brunet Island State Park north campground sites 59 through 69 are open with pit toilets and hand water pump available. The south campground is open with electric sites, pit toilet, and hand water pump. The park dump station is now closed. As the park office is not regularly staffed at this time of year, please use the yellow self registration pay posts located at the office and in each campground.
Buckhorn State Park - The lake is opening up quickly with the warmer weather and rain. People have been shore fishing by the Buckhorn bridge and some have launched small fishing boats at launch C, although the lake is still low due to the draw-down. Many anglers were in boats and on the shore fishing for walleyes, crappies and white bass over the weekend.
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