Wisconsin continued to experience some unseasonably warm and mild conditions in the last week, with no additional rainfall. Most of the state has now gone without measurable rainfall so far this September. Current fire danger has risen to moderate statewide, and a number of wildfires have been reported in the last week. Fall color is picking up with the Department of Tourism Fall Color Report (exit DNR) now listing about half a dozen northern counties at between 25 and 50 percent peak colors. Fall officially arrives next week with the autumnal equinox on Tuesday.
Water temperatures have remained in the upper 60s to low 70s on most Northwoods lakes and the pleasant weather has kept many anglers out on lakes and rivers, with fishing been generally good. Musky fishing continues to be a big draw and action has been generally good, with nearly all musky anglers seeing fish and having follows, and numerous catches of mid-size fish have been made. Artificials such as bucktails and top-water baits continue to the favorite lures. Walleye success continues to improve with some decent catches reported from on and around mid-depth structure and gravel bars.
With the lack of rainfall, Great Lakes tributaries continue to run very low and the mild weather has kept surface water temperatures relatively high. This has continued to delay any major fall trout and salmon runs. The sunny, warm weather and light winds have allowed for a large variety of boats to troll the Lake Michigan shoreline, with some boaters targeting chinook salmon in 25 to 35 feet of water, but others finding more salmon out farther this week due to warmer water. Perch and smallmouth bass action both continued to be good this week along the shores of Green Bay.
Early season Canada goose hunters had fair success over harvested fields. Dove hunters are having limited success on the public hunting grounds as the sunflower plots are still green. Bear season reports indicate bait station visits are becoming less predictable with all of the available natural foods. Blackberries and mushrooms are still abundant, acorns are beginning to drop and the cherry trees are full.
With the early opening to the archery season, some bucks will still be in velvet antlers. These bucks are legal game, but hunters need an additional free tag to keep the velvet antlers. Contact the local conservation warden to get the tag.
The bird migration is in full swing across the state. Sandhill cranes are beginning to flock, with flocks from 100 to 200 or more fairly common. Shorebirds continue to migrate through the state with many young birds now heading for wintering areas. This week marks the peak of fall migration for long-distance migrants, including warblers, thrushes, vireos and other birds that winter in the tropics. The next week should bring the first real push of later migrants like sapsuckers, kinglets, palm and yellow-rumped warblers and sparrows into the southern parts of the state. A shift in winds on Sept. 15 brought cool north winds and the first migrant Canada geese to Horicon Marsh. Canada geese will continue to build through September, reaching close to 100,000 by early October and attaining a fall peak at Horicon Marsh of 200,000 geese by late October.
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:
Bird migration is in full swing across the state of Wisconsin. This week marks the peak of fall migration for long-distance migrants including the warblers, thrushes, vireos and other birds that winter in the tropics. Birders have reported mixed results for warblers due to the persistent weather patterns and lack of cold fronts and north winds. Shorebirds continue to migrate through the state with many young birds now heading for wintering areas. With the dry weather many temporary ponds have dried up making good habitat harder to find. Blackbirds are now beginning to stage in large numbers in wetlands in the evenings. The next week should bring the first real push of later migrants like sapsuckers, kinglets, palm and yellow-rumped warblers and sparrows into the southern parts of the state. This is a good time of year to bird the forest patches along the Great Lakes for warbler fallouts and to scan the great lakes for migrant jaegers and Sabine's gulls. Please report sightings to Wisconsin eBird (
www.ebird.org/WI) to help better track migratory bird populations.
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NORTHERN REGION
Spooner DNR Service Center area
Governor Tommy G. Thompson State Fish Hatchery - Staff have been harvesting large walleye fingerlings from one of the facility's half-acre rearing ponds. Crews use a 100-foot nylon seine to collect the fish in one end of the pond, where they are removed from the gathered seine and bucketed-up to a waiting fish distribution truck. The fish are then hauled to a nearby water body for immediate stocking or to the hatchery building itself, where they are held overnight for following day stocking. With half of the annual harvest completed as of Sept. 16, the facility is on pace to meet its total production goal of slightly more than 36,000 (approximately 3,500 pounds), for this age group of walleye. The large walleye fingerlings produced by the Thompson hatchery typically measure from 6.5 – 8 inches and weigh anywhere from 5 to 15 fish per pound. All the larger walleyes scheduled to be produced by the work-unit this year are targeted for stocking in the northwest part of the state. It's likely that some surplus fish will be available at the completion of the harvest and may be used to stock other lakes in this part of the state (including Lake Superior), as well as some in the southern part of the Wisconsin. Photos of the operation are available on the Fish Wisconsin Flickr Web site.
Park Falls DNR Service Center area
Upper Chippewa Basin fisheries report (Price, Rusk, Sawyer Taylor and inland Ashland and Iron counties) - With the continued pleasant and mild weather of the past week, fishing success has been generally good on most waters across the Northwoods. Water temperatures have remained in the upper 60s to low 70s and this has maintained some consistent feeding activity for most species. Musky fishing has been drawing quite a bit of attention and action has been generally good. Nearly all musky anglers are seeing fish and having follows, and numerous catches of mid-size fish have been made. The most successful baits continue to be artificials, with bucktails, top-water baits, and soft-bodies lures being the favorites of late. A few anglers have been trying suckers, but the warmer water makes it hard to keep the bait alive. However, look for the sucker bite to improve as water temperatures cool down into the 50s. Sturgeon season is into its second week and many anglers were having mediocre success catching these ancient fish. The local rivers have been most popular, with quite a few small fish being caught and just a few 60-inch-plus legal-size fish being reported. Cut bait and gobs of night crawlers, fished in the deep holes or river bends, have shown the best success. Bass fishing has started to become erratic on local waters, but some excellent action has been experienced on a couple of days. Largemouth have been a bit more consistent than smallmouth, with the larger lakes and flowages providing some decent action around mid-depth weeds and structure in 5 to 10 feet of water. Soft plastics such as 7-inch worms, craws and tube baits have been the more successful lures, especially when fished slowly along the weeds tops and weed lines. Smallmouth fishing has been an on-again, off-again experience - with some good days of fishing mixed in with some poor days. The most consistent action for smallmouth has been near mid-depth woody cover, near sharper drop-offs to deep water. Small finesse plastics have been the best bait. Northern pike fishing has been fair and casting spinner baits in or near any weeds has provided some good action. Walleye success continues to improve with some decent catches reported from on and around mid-depth structure and gravel bars. Small jigs tipped with leaches, crawlers or minnows have all provided some fair action. Panfish success has been generally good, with some nice perch, crappie, and bluegill showing up along the deeper weed edges.
Woodruff DNR Service Center area
Walleye reports are good with some very nice catches being taken on minnows. Musky action is picking up as they begin the fall feed. Bluegills and crappies continue to whip about in the water and are always nice catches, especially for the kids. Bear season reports indicate bait station visits are becoming less predictable with all of the available natural foods. Blackberries and mushrooms are still abundant, acorns are beginning to drop and the cherry trees are full. 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. With the early opening to the archery season it is entirely possible that some of the antlered deer may still be in velvet. These are legal targets that will require an additional free tag if you plan to keep the antlers – consult with your local warden to get a tag. Fall colors are making their way across the Northwoods. While peak colors are a ways off there is no question that fall is just around the corner.
Florence DNR at the Florence Natural Resource Center
Pine Popple Wild Rivers – The big story is leaf color, which is probably around 15 percent of peak. There are some nice blackberries available in areas. Bucks have been rubbing the velvet off their antlers; does and fawns are still viewed readily. Hunting seasons are open, so visitors might want to wear high visibility clothing. Ruffed grouse, black bear, and archery deer are currently the most popular game. There has been no measurable precipitation for the month of September. The last rain fell on August 29 and water levels are very low. Boating is challenging, fishing is necessarily limited to areas with water deep enough to hold fish. Anyone wishing to kayak or canoe the Pine River is encouraged to wear water shoes, good quality sandals, or some other kind of footwear, because walking across rocky stretches is a must. Folks that want to get out on the Pine with watercraft would do best to put in downstream of the Oxbow takeout--the carry-in access on Johnson Creek road might be a good bet. The trails that access waterfalls on the property are primitive and soil surfaced; consequently, they are variable and uneven in places. The property has three campsites available for free use by river users, accessible by the river only. Each site has a tent pad, fire ring, picnic table, and a privy. Currently, all three campsites are open, and availability is on a "first come" basis. The Wild Rivers Interpretive Center is now open six days a week, M-F 9-5, Sat 9-4 on Highway 70 in Florence. Staff are available for providing more information, and property maps, canoeing guides, field guides, and license sales are available. Currently all access roads are open and accessible, although a vehicle with good clearance is recommended, and four wheel drive is preferred for some of the more remote locations.
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NORTHEAST REGION
Peshtigo DNR Service Center area
Marinette County - Peshtigo Harbor smallmouth bass have been biting on spinner baits and plastics, with fish found close to structure. Some perch and catfish were being caught at the harbor on leaf worms and crawlers. The walleye bite in the Menominee River has been consistent even with the warm temperatures. Early morning and evenings were best times to fish; trolling and jigging have both been working well. The trout and salmon bite remains slow but with the coming weather changes, things should pick up. No sturgeon have been registered during the Hook and Line season on the Menominee River although quite a few have been caught and released.
Oconto County - Water temperatures at the landings are in the low 70s with good water clarity. The weather has been great which has kept the landings full and the fish for the most part have been actively feeding. Perch are the main story on the bay this week. From the landing at Pensaukee to Oconto Park II most anglers were reporting nice catches of fish in 7 to 14 feet of water using minnows with crappie rigs or slip bobbering. Stiles Dam continues to produce nice catches of bluegills free floating leaf worms or crawlers.
Green Bay DNR Service Center area
Manitowoc County - This past week anglers in the Two Rivers and Manitowoc area had a fair week of fishing. The weather was sunny and warm with light winds that allowed for a large variety of boats to troll the Lake Michigan shoreline. Some boaters targeting chinook salmon were trolling around the piers and along the adjacent shoreline in 25 to 35 feet of water. Some good catches this past week came near sunrise using glow in the dark spoons or brightly colored J-plugs. Other boaters voyaged out to 200 to 300 feet of water targeting younger chinook salmon. These anglers had some success, but fishing was slow. On the West Twin River, chinook anglers had fair success this past week. By late in the week, a couple of anglers were able to land a few chinook salmon by Shoto Dam but fish were scarce. In the Manitowoc harbor anglers were landing a few chinook salmon this week. Anglers were fishing from the mouth of the Manitowoc River up to and around the first bridge. Most anglers were casting spoons or crank baits while others were using spawn with a bobber. On the piers, anglers had slow fishing. Although fishing was slow at times, the chinook salmon that were harvested were large in size. Anglers that had the most success were casting spoons. Smallmouth bass anglers had a good week fishing around the north pier and along the break water of the marina. Bass anglers were using tube-jigs, spinners, crank baits, and worms on a bobber.
Sturgeon Bay DNR Service Center area
Door County - Another beautiful week with warm temperatures during the day and cool temps at night, combined with moderate breezes made it great to be outside. The salmon action on Lake Michigan was only fair this week. The bank reef north of the Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal continued to produce a few fish. Anglers trolling spoons and fly and dodger combinations in the top 75 feet over 150 to 250 feet of water were having some success. A few fish were taken off the piers at the Coast Guard Station and in the canal. Farther north anglers reported taking a few fish out of Baileys Harbor, Gills Rock and the waters around Washington Island. Smallmouth bass action was fair to good on Green Bay from Little Sturgeon all the way up to Washington Island. The reefs and points are all producing some smallies. Tube jigs, stick baits, grubs, Katelands fished in 15 to 25 feet of water all were producing a few smallies. Top water lures fished in 2 to 10 feet of water were also relatively productive. Look for structure to find the smallies. Walleye action continued to be fairly good throughout the county. Anglers trolling over Henderson Reef and Monument Shoals as well as around islands such as Chambers and the Strawberries reported some success, mostly on crank baits and crawler harnesses fished in the top 25 feet of water. Perch action was good this week. The usual areas off of Chaudoir’s dock, the weed beds in Sturgeon Bay and Little Sturgeon Bay, the flats and the area between the bridges in Sturgeon Bay all were producing some perch, minnows and night crawlers remain the baits of choice.
Kewaunee County - Weather this past week continued to have above average temperatures with lots of sun and no rain. Winds were calm out of the south and the east for most of the week. Some salmon have already begun to get darker as the fall spawning run gets closer, and there have even been some fish being spotted up the Ahnapee and Kewaunee rivers. Anglers have been reporting some success casting spoons for trout and salmon off of the piers in Algoma and Kewaunee. Most of the fish were being caught at sunrise and sunset, as well as in the middle of the night. Anglers that have been going out on the lake had a tough week of fishing this week. Kings accounted for most of the catch this week, but a few steelheads were also caught as well. Anglers are finding more salmon out farther this week due to warmer water. Water temperatures have risen on the surface this week to the upper 60s and even 70 degrees by the end of the weekend. Most fish are being caught in water depths between 75 and 125 feet with most anglers fishing over water that is in the 125 to 200 feet range. Some anglers have been going out to even deeper water up to 500 feet to try to locate fish, but not many fish were caught this last week. Anglers have been using a combination of J-plugs, spoons, dipsies, flashers, and flies in various color patterns.
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SOUTHEAST REGION
Kettle Moraine State Park - Pike Lake Unit - Some early fall color has arrived. All trails are open to hiking and in good condition. The campground is still open for the season and all campground facilities are up and running. Oct. 17 is the last night of camping for 2009. Swim area buoys have been removed for the year. The annual community campfire will be held on Saturday, Sept. 19 at 7 p.m. at the beach area. This year's performer will be "Fox and Branch."
Lake Michigan fisheries team report
Sheboygan County - In Sheboygan anglers fishing on the piers have been catching a few chinooks and rainbows in the late night and early morning hours. Blue or silver spoons have been producing the most. Sheboygan trollers have been taking mostly chinooks along with a few coho and rainbows, and most fish have been found in 100 to 150 feet of water. Water levels are low on the Sheboygan and Pigeon rivers, and there has been no sign of fish movement upriver.
Ozaukee County - Shore fishing in Port Washington has been slow, but trollers out of Port have reported mostly chinooks and coho taken 100 feet down in 125 to 160 feet of water. Green or orange spoons have produced fish, as well as glow-in-the-dark J-plugs.
Milwaukee County - In Milwaukee near-shore waters are warm, and shore fishing has been slow. Trollers out of Milwaukee have been catching a few chinooks, coho, and lake trout 60 to 80 feet down in 100 to 160 feet of water; and a few browns have also been taken by boaters in the harbor and around the gaps. Fishing on the Milwaukee and Menomonee rivers and Oak Creek has been slow, and water levels are low in all area tributaries.
Racine County - Shore anglers fishing off the Racine piers and shoreline have been catching a few chinooks. Most fish have been taken before dawn on spoons. Trollers out of Racine have been finding mature chinooks and a few coho in front of the harbor, and J-plugs and crank baits have produced the most fish. Trollers working offshore have been taking chinooks and lake trout in 100 to 140 feet of water as well as chinooks and rainbows in 275 to 325 feet of water. Cracked ice spoons or flasher & fly combinations have taken the most fish. Water levels on the Root River are very low, and there have been no signs of fish in upstream stretches.
Kenosha County - In Kenosha shore fishing and trolling have both been generally slow. A few browns and coho have been taken in the harbor on spawn sacs and white tube jigs. A few chinooks have been caught on by trollers off the mouth of the Pike River.
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SOUTH CENTRAL REGION
Horicon DNR Service Center area
Horicon Marsh State Wildlife Area - A shift in winds on Tuesday, Sept 15 brought cool north winds and the first migrant Canada geese to Horicon Marsh. These same winds provided good travel conditions for some of the songbirds that have been resting in the area and aided their departure while bringing some northern birds into the area. The first migrant Canada geese always show up between Sept. 15 and 20 and this year was right on schedule. As periodic cold fronts bring north winds, they provide ideal flying conditions for birds. With each passing front we will see resident birds depart as northern migrants come into the area. This means that in a normal fall, the birds present in any one area will change to some degree about every 10 days to two weeks throughout the fall season. Canada geese will continue to build through September, reaching close to 100,000 by early October and attaining a fall peak at Horicon Marsh of 200,000 geese by late October. These same changes in the weather will bring migrant ducks into the area before the end of the month with a stream of waterfowl passing through the area during much of the season. Blue-winged teal will soon depart, followed by wood ducks, as shovelers, wigeons, gadwalls and others begin to arrive. Diving ducks, such as lesser scaup and ring-necked ducks tend to arrive later in the season, providing a procession of fall migrant waterfowl. Sandhill cranes are beginning to flock in the Horicon Marsh area with flocks from 100 to 200 or more being fairly common. White pelicans will soon leave as water temperatures cool and food becomes more difficult to find, follow soon after by great egrets and black-crowned night herons. Great blue herons will remain a bit longer into the season and eventually departing with some of the other late migrant birds. So this is a great time of year to get out and experience the passage of these many species of birds and each week is likely to provide different experiences and different assemblages of birds as the fall season progresses.
Fitchburg DNR Service Center area
Jefferson County - Canada goose hunters had fair success harvesting geese in the early season. The geese were being hunted over harvested fields. Dove hunters are having limited success on the public hunting grounds as the sunflower plots are still green. The birds are feeding in harvested wheat fields. Fishing success is slow due to decreasing water levels on the upper Rock and Crawfish rivers. Most of the wetlands are drying up as well due to the lack of moisture so waterfowl are congregating to the lakes and rivers.
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WEST CENTRAL REGION
Baldwin DNR Service Center area
St. Croix County
Willow River State Park - There is patchy fall color showing on some of the maple and ash trees. Trout anglers have only until Sept. 30 till trout season closes. There is no angling of any kind allowed in designated trout waters after Sept. 30. There are some anglers that fish the trout waters for other species and that ends with the closing of trout season. Typically there is a stocking in the trout water the last week of the trout season with sub-legal length fish. With the ending of peak use season, camping availability is good on weeknights and there are still weekend openings as of Tuesday. If your goal is to see the park without a lot of people, weekdays are the time to be here. Campers who your firewood at another Wisconsin state park, then took some wood home need to leave the wood at home. Firewood bought in a state park is not exempt from the 50-mile radius within Wisconsin regulation when transported between parks. People travelling between parks, should leave leftover wood where it was bought for the next camper. The Willow River Nordic skiers will begin their twice weekly dry land training sessions by the end of the month or in early October. Past participants were mostly endurance athletes varying from Iron Man finishers to the occasional 5K runner. The training sessions are a tune up for skiing rather than a workout. Any Nordic skier is welcome. The skiers will also have some trail brushing days after the leaves are down. Look for more specifics in coming weeks. Full Moon Hikes are scheduled through December. Dates are all Saturdays: Oct. 3, Nov. 7, and Dec. 5 all at 7 p.m. at the Nature Center. The Nature Center will be open limited hours on Saturdays and Sundays with the last day being Saturday, Oct. 3. Hours depend on volunteer availability which varies this time of year.
La Crosse DNR Service Center area
Perrot State Park - Trails are in good condition. Water levels are low and fishing is slow. Goldenrods and white snakeroot are currently blooming in the park: Birds are regularly seen flying overhead in migrational directions. Large groups of pelicans, vultures and egrets can be found in and around the park. Virginia creeper is blazing red and cottonwoods, birch, walnuts, and ironwoods and turning yellow; a few maples are crimson and the Bay is going to sleep for the winter. All campsites are open. The shower building in the Upper Loop will be closed Sunday afternoons through Friday morning, but will be open on weekends. Water shut-off is scheduled for October 15, but may happen earlier if freezing weather approaches. Resurfacing of Sullivan Road from Trempealeau into the park is scheduled to begin on Monday. Campers hauling trailers may need to take the North Road into the park. Call the park (608-534-6409 ) for details.
Great River State Trail - The trail is open and in good condition. Watch for the reds of sumac and Virginia creeper as you ride along. Gnats are rather thick right now, so eye protection is recommended! Resurfacing will begin soon. Please be aware of heavy equipment occasionally on the trail. Work will only be done on weekdays.
Black River Falls DNR Service Center area
Black River State Forest – The section of All-terrain Vehicle (ATV) trail from Campground Road to the Clay School Parking lot is temporarily closed again due to excessive water on the trails and riders going off trail to avoid these sections. During this time of closure a temporary route has been authorized with the Town of Komensky. Work is complete on upgrading the wetland crossings on a 1.1-mile section of trail from Wildcat Road heading west. There is some top dressing to be done on the crossings but this work will be done the week after the trails close for the season. The entire trail system has been groomed within the last three weeks and trails are in fair condition. The region has not received rain in over two weeks so trails are very dry and dusty. Please ride with your lights on at all times. Campgrounds remain open for the season.
Wisconsin Rapids DNR Service Center area
Buckhorn State Park - The park and wildlife areas are open for the early bow deer season and deer can be registered at the park office. Waterfowl and small game hunting and trapping are allowed in the Yellow River and Buckhorn Wildlife Areas only. Fall turkey hunting is allowed in the Yellow River Wildlife Area and is not allowed in the new park land for fall. New maps are available at the park office that show the parkland that was acquired last fall which is now state park land and has the hunting rules on them . An accessible deer hunting blind and two accessible waterfowl blinds can be reserved by persons with disabilities. If not reserved, they are first-come. People have been hiking all over the park and taking pictures for the photo contest. GPS units are available to check out as well as a binder of geocaches at Buckhorn and Roche-A-Cri. Blazing stars, goldenrods, and asters are blooming in the prairies and oak barrens areas. Some campsites will remain open for the weekend and are non-reservable.
Mill Bluff State Park - Day to day the leaves are changing colors within the park. Climb the bluff for a birds-eye view of the beautiful colors of the area. Goldenrod and blazing stars are in bloom at the park, along with a few varieties of daisies. There are still a few pesky insects so it is advised to bring a repellent. All trails are open and in good condition. The swimming pond and beach are in good condition and is a big draw to the park.
Roche-A-Cri State Park - The first loop of the campground is open and there have been many sites open on the weekends. Camping is now closed in the second loop. The weather is perfect for taking photos for the annual photo contest and hiking the trails. Hunting is not allowed in the park. There is a hunter parking lot on Cypress Ave, east of Highway 13 at that hunting area
Last Revised: Thursday September 17 2009
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