Welcome recent rainfall has reduced wildfire danger levels in eight northwestern Wisconsin counties, allowing fire control officials to lift emergency outdoor burning restrictions in Polk, Barron, Rusk, Price, Taylor, Chippewa, Eau Claire and Clark counties, effective Thursday, July 27.
Because of continued dry conditions in Douglas, Bayfield, Iron, Burnett, Washburn, Sawyer and Ashland counties, emergency burning restrictions will remain in effect in those counties until substantial rainfall arrives and conditions improve. Check the DNR website for areas affected by these regulations.
Weather across the state has been unsettled and warm for the past several days and promises to remain that way through the upcoming weekend. High humidity, temperatures in the 90s and slight chances of scattered thunderstorms over the state are forecast into early next week. When camping, boating, fishing or just enjoying nature in the outdoors, everyone needs to be careful of the heat and humidity to stay healthy. Fire control officials also want to remind everyone that the forests, grasslands and marshes remain very dry across wide areas of the state and that it’s a good idea to check with the local fire warden, DNR forester ranger or fire department before doing any burning.
Water levels remain at mid-summer lows, surface water temperatures are high and the stormy and unsettled weather over the last week have combined to make for generally slow fishing. One bright spot has been largemouth bass action, with the best fishing times in the early morning and late evening. Walleye fishing has been slow and erratic. Panfish action is reported as fair in most lakes and musky anglers are noting some improvement in the bite, although the fish seem to be holding in deeper water.
In the southeastern part of Wisconsin, largemouth bass action has been good to very good although anglers are reminded to play the fish to the boat quickly and release it immediately to minimize stressing the fish in the warm conditions. Bluegills and perch action has also been good, with the fish suspended in 12’ to 15’ of water.
Large catches of Chinook salmon and rainbow trout and decent numbers of lake trout and brown trout were reported by anglers trolling Lake Michigan out of Manitowoc. Boats targeting perch also had some real success with some very large perch caught. Nice catches of Chinook salmon, rainbows and lake trout came in to most of the Door County ports. Smallmouth bass fishing was reported as good all over Door County and southern Door bays were reporting some very good perch action. Anglers trolling Lake Michigan out of Kewaunee had a great week of fishing for both salmon and trout, with good numbers of Chinook salmon, rainbow trout and a few lake trout as well.
The hot weather has led many animals to remain inactive during the day, so early morning and evening produces a flurry of wildlife watching activity. Bats have been very active thus summer and this also seems to be a very good year for dragonflies and damselflies, the hawks of the insect world. Whitetail deer fawns are beginning to venture away from the does oftener and further, and people are reminded not to interfere with fawns or other baby animals. Ticks have been plentiful the past few weeks and mosquitoes are out in full force. Cedar waxwings, peewees, swallows, nighthawks and other insect-eaters have been feeding heavily on flying insects lately.
Fields and wood edges are filled with various wildflowers creating a colorful landscape. Choke cherries, service berries, pin cherries and other berries and fruits are ripening and wildlife is taking advantage to the food sources. Raspberries are at their peak in many areas where they grow.
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http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/caer/ce/news/or/
