A little late, but here it is:
Wisconsin is experiencing a dichotomy of extremes this week with heavy rains deluging the southern part of the state, while drought conditions in the far north continue to keep water levels low and fire danger moderate. More than a foot of rain has fallen in some areas of the south in the last week, with the Coulee Region in the southwest and the Racine, Kenosha and Walworth county area in the southeast experiencing the worst flooding, but water levels are very high throughout the south. Many major river systems are running out of their banks in the south, especially the Kickapoo River in the southwest and the Illinois Fox in the southeast. The Mississippi Rivers is also on the rise and expected to crest at Prairie du Chien later this week at over 12 feet. Some southern communities are putting emergency slow-no-wake rules in place on lakes that are so high that water is well over the banks of shorelines and even some piers are submerged. The Sugar River and Badger state trails have been closed to all users due to flood damage until further notice while clean-up and repairs are completed. With many communities throughout southern Wisconsin experiencing flooding, the Department of Natural Resources has developed a new emergency flood response page on their Web site that has important information for people, including how to disinfect wells contaminated by floodwaters, how to make emergency repairs to culverts and shorelines, and more.
Meanwhile, while northern Wisconsin also received some much needed rain in the last week -- ranging from half an inch to an inch or more -- in most areas it was not enough to alleviate the drought conditions and fire danger remains moderate and rivers remain low. Burning permits remain suspended in Ashland, Bayfield, Douglas, and Iron counties and 11 more wildfires were reported in the last week.
Cloudy and cooler weather in the north and stormy weather in the south kept both fishing activity and success low this week. Most fishing pressure in the north has been for musky and bass, but walleye and panfish anglers have also been out. With cooling water temperatures, musky activity is increasing and some nicer fish have been showing up along deep weed edges. Bucktails, jerk baits, and surface lures were getting most of the strikes. Action for both largemouth and smallmouth bass has been consistent and some nice catches have been made in the last week. The steady flow of stormy, rainy weather kept many anglers off southern waters this week.
Fishing on Green Bay also remained overall very slow this week. There were very few limits of perch reported. Shore fishing for smallmouth has been getting better with some keeper size fish being taken. The rain and strong winds made fishing difficult on Lake Michigan this week too. Anglers that have been trolling out on the lake have been coming in with some decent catches, but fishing was generally slower. Most boats are coming in with chinook, but there have been some brown trout, cohos, and steelhead being caught as well.
Fishing on the Mississippi has been put on hold due to the large increase in water from the rain, with many local public boat landing docks removed due to the flooding.
Whitetail bucks are beginning to lose there velvet and some large antlered bucks are being seen.
The fall bird migration is moving into full swing. The peak of shorebird migration is underway. Recent cold fronts brought the first large push of warblers, orioles, and flycatchers through the state. The next three weeks will be peak fall warbler migration. Observers at Wisconsin Point in Superior reported 15 species of warblers late last week. Migrating nighthawks were also seen this week as they make their way south in the late afternoon and early evening. This is also an excellent time to provide nectar for migrant hummingbirds, which can also bee seen now feeding on stands of jewelweed at the edge of wetlands.
Raspberries and some blackberries were still being found in the north. Wild rice is ripening and some of the regulated waters have opened. Check out the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission Web site [http://www.glifwc.org/] (exit DNR) for updates to lake openings and closings and remember to obtain the necessary permits required for harvest.
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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Wildfire Conditions as of August 23, 2007
Wildfire conditions have improved a bit due to recent precipitation across the state, although the northern and northeast regions are still considered to be under moderate to extreme drought conditions. Wildfire danger is moderate in Brule, Peshtigo, and Woodruff and low across the rest of the state. Burning permits are still cancelled in Ashland, Bayfield, Douglas, and Iron counties. There were 35 wildfires that burned 11 acres this past week. The leading causes of fire starts were equipment, campfires, and debris burning. 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/ Firewise Tip: Keep roofs, gutters and yards free of leaf and pine needle debris. Firebrands from a wildfire could easily ignite these fuels, which in turn could ignite your home.
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Statewide Birding Report
Late August is upon us and fall bird migration has begun in full swing! Recent rains in the south have eliminated mudflats for migrating shorebirds and a lack of rain in the north has made things largely too dry for great shorebird habitat! Nonetheless, the peak of shorebird migration is underway with some buff-breasted sandpipers seen at Crex Meadows Wildlife Area and a Red Knot in Milwaukee. Passerine migration is speeding up with recent cold fronts bringing our first large push of warblers, orioles, flycatchers and hummingbirds through the state. The next three weeks will be peak fall warbler migration and birders should check their favorites preserves, parks, wildlife areas, etc. for migrants. Observers at Wisconsin Point in Superior reported 15 species of warblers and hundreds of individuals late last week. Birders are also reporting migrating nighthawks this week as they make their way south in the late afternoon and early evening. Keep an eye out for nighthawks on clear days with light winds for the next two weeks. This is also an excellent time to provide nectar for migrant hummingbirds, which can also bee seen now feeding on stands of jewelweed at the edge of wetlands. As always please provide your observations to
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 - Although rain has been drenching a good part of Wisconsin in the past week, the northern area has only received minimal amounts of rain. So far for August the Brule DNR station has received 1.21 inches of rain (most of that in one day). The average August precipitation is 3.97 inches. The Bois Brule River is flowing at 113 cubic feet per second (cfs). The 62 year average is 131 cfs.
August is a good month to find uncommon shore birds in wetland areas along mudflats on Lake Superior. Shore birds from the Arctic will use Lake Superior as a stopping point as they are making their way to South America. They have an early and long migration. On their northern tour, Gov. Jim Doyle and some of his staff, the new incoming DNR Secretary Matt Frank, and several other local officials and citizens stopped by the Brule River State Forest on August 16. They canoed from the Winneboujou Canoe Landing (County Rd. B) to the Bois Brule Canoe Landing. From here they went on to visit more northern tours and events. The Wisconsin DNR has an interactive mapping site that can lets people develop a personalized map of state owned lands or see an air photo of a favorite hunting area. With this useful tool people can personalize their own maps by adding hunting units, roads (major highways, county roads and local roads), sections/quarter sections, open water, rivers and streams and several other layers. The maps can also be made into topographic or air photo maps. To start creating your personalized map go to the DNR home page [dnr.wi.gov] and look under “Favorites” and click on maps. Then click on DNR managed lands.
Park Falls DNR Service Center area
Cooler weather has arrived in the Park Falls area with some cooler temperatures in the evenings. Rain finally arrived and several days of possible rain is forecast. Vegetation was showing signs of stress from the dry conditions. Water levels in area rivers remain low and some difficulties can be expected for paddlers. Fishing success should begin to improve as some cooling of water temperatures occur. Some nice muskies in the 40 inch range have been reported. Smallmouth bass action has been good. Walleye action is also improving with the cooler water temperatures. Raspberries are still available and some blackberries can also be found. Whitetail bucks are beginning to lose there velvet and some large antlered bucks are being seen. As fall creeps around the corner cooler temperatures will quickly lower water temperatures and late season boaters should make sure personal flotation devices are worn while on the water enjoying the outdoors. Waterfowl hunters should inspect their watercraft and all safety equipment before the season. Early goose season runs from September 1 – 15. Sturgeon hook and line season opens September 1 with a new 60 inch size limit and a shortened season. On Inland non-boundary waters the season will close two weeks early on September 30, 2007. Wild birds are enjoying the developing sunflower seeds and are feeding heavily before the cooler evening temperatures. Goldenrod is in bloom along with coneflowers and Joe-Pye weed.
Upper Chippewa Basin fisheries report (Price, Rusk, Sawyer Taylor and inland Ashland and Iron counties) - The Hayward and Park Falls area received some much needed precipitation over the weekend - but amounts were not real great and the rainfall total amounted to just over an inch. This did little to increase lake or stream levels and most waters have remained at very low levels. Overall, conditions remain very dry in the Upper Chippewa Basin. The cloudy and cool weather of the past few days has kept both fishing activity and success at below normal levels. Most of the fishing pressure has been for musky and bass, but good numbers of walleye and panfish anglers have also been trying their luck. With cooling water temperatures, musky activity seems to have increased and some nicer fish have been showing up along deep weed edges. Nearly all musky anglers are reporting good numbers of follows and sightings, with bucktails, jerk baits, and surface lures getting most of the strikes. Any time of day has produced action and was mostly dependent on local weather conditions. Action for both largemouth and smallmouth bass has been consistent and some nice catches have been made in the last week. Largemouth are well settled in to their typical summer pattern and have been relating to the heavy cover such as thick weed beds, woody structure and deep bog edges. Soft plastics and rubber frogs have been the most productive and have to be fished tight to the cover. Smallmouth have been a bit more erratic than largemouth but action continued to be fair on the flowages and larger rivers. Soft plastics fished near deep cover and crankbaits fished on deep rocky drop-offs have produced the best success. Walleye action has been a bit inconsistent and a few anglers have been reporting some decent catches, especially in the river sections of the larger flowages. Leeches and crawlers fished along the deep edges, and in/along the weeds have produced most of the fish. Panfish action continued to be fair with some decent catches of crappie, perch and rock bass being made along deeper weed edges and suspended over mid-depth cover.
Woodruff DNR Service Center area
Blackberries are for the most part a non event this year due to lack of rain however what chokecherries exist are beginning to turn color. Wild rice is ripening and now open in some of the regulated waters. Check the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission Web site [http://www.glifwc.org/] (exit DNR) for updates to lake openings and closings and remember to obtain the necessary permits required for harvest. Area fishing guides report that bass, pike and bluegill action continue to be steady. Walleye and musky action has become spotty to fair. Bear season begins Sept. 5 with “dogs only” and with the aid of “bait” starting on the Sept. 12. Most reports are that bait sites are very active due to the lack of berries this year. Hikers should remember that it would be a good idea to wear blaze orange when out in the woods or on the trails once the bear season begins. Bucks are still sporting full velvet antlers while many of the fawns are beginning to lose their spots.
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NORTHEAST REGION
Peshtigo DNR Service Center area
Marinette County - Another successful sturgeon survey on the White Rapids section of the Menominee River was completed with the assistance of the Michigan DNR. Four boom-shocking boats and two processing boats were used as in the past. Michigan DNR had a crew with us for both days. The survey was conducted on August 14-15. Crews caught, tagged and released 92 lake sturgeon, ranging in size from 15 to 58.5 inches. The average length was 33 inches, which is similar to previous surveys in this section of the river. There has been some rainfall mostly in the southern portion of the county leaving the north end still very dry. Water levels remain low on area waterways. Bonus tags for the 2008 deer seasons go on sale this Saturday at noon at license vendors around the state. There are limited amounts of tags for regular deer season units and one purchase per day is allowed. Sandhill cranes are grouping for migration time. A Hunter Safety Course is being offered in Wallace, Michigan at the Menominee Woods Field & Stream Club from Sept. 7 through 9. Please contact the instructor to sign up at (906) 863-5197.
Oconto County - Perch were still biting in good numbers out of the Oconto Harbor as well as the Oconto Park. Most fish are being located in the weed beds in 12-40 feet of water. An ATV Safety Course will be held at the Oconto City Hall on Sept. 24 through the 29. Contact the instructor to register at (920) 834-4532.
Green Bay DNR Service Center area
Brown County - Fishing remained overall very slow again this week. Some decent weather allowed anglers and pleasure boaters alike to enjoy the last few days of summer. This past week some of the birch trees began to change colors and with some cooler temps late in the week it's really starting to feel like fall. The water temps remained in the 70s although may drop with this new cold front upon us. Again this week there were very few limits of perch reported, although some anglers are having some luck on soft shell crabs near sand bay. A few perch along with some decent walleyes including a 29.5incher caught by a teenage young man that is making its way to the taxidermist, were taken late this week out of Chaudoir’s and Bayshore County Parks. A few smallmouth and northern are being caught outside of Sturgeon Bay with the occasional Salmon fisherman still having some luck with the kings. Fishing off the shores of the Fox, Duck and Suamico rivers remains steady for drum and catfish with the occasional walleye or northern. The hardcore musky fisherman are starting to make their way to the fox, but haven't reported any large fish yet. Contaminant extraction work remains in full swing outside the mouth of the fox and up river near the fair grounds on the fox.
Sturgeon Bay DNR Service Center area
Door County - The weather started out as usual this week, hot and humid. However by the end of the week cooler temperatures had moved in along with cloudy skies and even a little rain on Saturday afternoon. Despite the rain on Saturday the conditions are still very dry and burning bans remain in effect throughout the county, so please continue being extra careful with fire. Salmon and Trout remain active out on the big lake. Anglers fishing out on Lake Michigan continue to bring in respectable catches including a few nice Brown Trout. As in the past the early morning bite continues to be the most productive. Anglers fishing the Bank Reef reported success on fly and dodger combinations fished 50 to 75 feet down along the edges of the reef. Starting from about 8 to 10 am the action continued to be out in deeper water with anglers fishing plainer boards and dipsys from the surface to 80 feet down over 140 to 300 feet of water. Off of Baileys Harbor the action was good both north and south of town on fly and dodger combinations fished in 80 to 120 feet of water. The Washington Island and Ellison Bay areas were producing fish on fly and dodger combinations fished in 90 to 129 feet of water. Northern pike fishing has improved this week with some nice northerns being taken from the weeds in front of the marines and along the channel in Sturgeon Bay, as well as from Little Sturgeon, Riley’s and Sand Bays. Smallmouth bass action also seems to be getting a little better with Little Sturgeon, Riley’s Bay and the Sturgeon Bay flats all produced some smallmouth in 20 to 30 feet of water. Tube jigs and goby imitating baits continue to produce some nice smallmouth in the deeper waters. Shore fishing for smallmouth is also getting better with some keeper size fish being taken off of Anderson’s dock in Ephraim and the pier in Rowley’s Bay. Night crawler harnesses and crank baits fished in 12 to 15 feet of water are producing some Walleyes from the areas around Larsen’s Reef and Monument shoals. The Perch fishing remains on the slow side; however the southern shore of Green Bay, along with Little Sturgeon and Riley’s Bay are producing some perch. The weed edges between the bridges in Sturgeon Bay and along the buoy line from the Bay View Bridge to the Sturgeon Bay ship canal are also yielding some Perch; as is the area off pf Chaudoir’s Dock.
Peninsula State Park - Conditions are very dry, (despite a recent one-half inch rainfall). All of Door County is under a fire ban that exempts campfires in campgrounds only. Peninsula is under a Campfire Advisory. Keep fires small and tended! Water levels in Green Bay and Lake Michigan are still very low, approximately 18 inches below the long-term average. Prevailing east northeasterly winds occasionally create a build-up of cladophora algae along the park's shoreline. Swimmers are advised that algae may be present along the first 10 to 20 feet along the waterline. Trails are ready for summer use, and in very dry condition. Some of the more interesting and commonly seen summer birds: white pelicans, cormorants, wood ducks, mergansers, bald eagles, osprey. Peninsula is a birders paradise.
Kewaunee County - A week of nice weather over the county made for an enjoyable week of fishing. Warm weather and calm winds on most days made for some nice fishing days. Water temperatures are still warm so fish are still being found in deeper water again this week. Anglers fishing off of the piers in Algoma and Kewaunee have had a good week fishing off the piers. Kings are still being caught with even some browns and steelheads being mixed in. Casting with spoons has still been the tackle of choice for these anglers. Anglers that have been trolling out on the lake have been coming in with some better catches of fish than last week, but fishing remains slow. Most boats are coming in with Kings, but there have been some browns, cohos, and steelhead being caught as well. Browns were really being caught early in the week off of Algoma in the shallow water just outside of the harbor. Anglers this week found most of the fish out in water of depths between 60 and 100 feet with most being found in the 70 to 80 feet range. The best choice for tackle has been fly and dodger combos as well as some dipsies.
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SOUTHEAST REGION
Milwaukee County
Havenwoods State Forest - While many mammals made themselves scarce during the heat and humidity, birders and butterfly watchers were still able to see some favorites. Among them were: kingfisher, nuthatch, American kestrel, indigo bunting, goldfinch, golden-crowned kinglet, great blue heron, and a pair of great horned owls.
Lake Michigan fisheries team report
A great deal of rain and strong winds made Lake Michigan fishing difficult this past weekend. Many trollers and shore anglers avoided the lake on Saturday and Sunday. Nearshore waters are warm and muddy, and scattered rains remain the forecast throughout the week.
Sheboygan County - Sheboygan shore fishing has been slow. Trollers off Sheboygan have been catching good numbers of chinooks, along with occasional rainbows. Most fish have been found in 90 to 120 feet of water. Green or glow J-plugs, spoons, or dodger and fly combinations have been productive.
Ozaukee County - In Port Washington shore fishing has picked up, with browns caught on spawn near the power plant. Anglers using jigs have been catching some decent size perch off the pier. Trollers out of Port Washington continue to catch good numbers of fish. Chinooks and rainbows have been taken before sunrise on glow spoons and J-plugs in 50 to 70 feet of water. After daybreak, trollers have moved out to 100 to 120 feet of water to find the fish.
Milwaukee County - Shore fishing in Milwaukee has been improving. Brown trout in the five to 10-pound range have been schooling in the shallows around McKinley pier, and a few have been hitting spawn sacs. Boaters looking for perch have been catching good numbers at the boils. The biggest perch have been hitting shrimp, crab tails, and minnows. Milwaukee trollers have been catching good numbers of chinooks and a few lake trout early in the day in 50 to 70 feet of water and in 70 to 100 feet of water as the day progresses. Red spoons and green or blue flies have been producing.
Racine County - In Racine shore fishing has been slow, but trollers have been have been finding good action in 60 to 80 feet of water. Silver, white, and green spoons have been taking chinooks and a few coho and rainbows.
Kenosha County - In Kenosha shore anglers have managed to catch a few browns in the harbor. Tube jigs and crankbaits have taken the most fish. Kenosha trollers have been catching chinooks anywhere from 80 to 120 feet of water. Fish have been hitting spoons and J-plugs in green, purple, or white.
Inland fisheries team report
A steady flow of stormy, rainy weather has kept many anglers off of the water. Fishing reports have been limited as a result.
Washington, eastern Fond du Lac, and inland Sheboygan counties - Largemouth bass fishing continues to be good on almost all of the area lakes. Anglers are finding the bass on underwater points and in the heavy weeds. Recent rains brought water levels up in trout and smallmouth bass streams. The cloudy water tends to improve success for trout.
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SOUTH CENTRAL REGION
The Sugar River and Badger state trails have been closed to all users until further notice while clean-up and repairs are completed. The two recreational trails were closed at noon August 20 due to high water, washouts and down vegetation resulting from heavy rainfall over the past few days. In addition, the Military Ridge State Trail tunnel on the west side of Verona is flooded and that section is temporarily closed until water recedes. The 24-mile Sugar River Trail runs from New Glarus to Brodhead in Green County while the recently opened 32.9 mile section of the Badger State Trail runs from Basco in Dane County to Clarno in Green County where it connects with the Jane Adams Trail in Illinois. More information is available on the Green County Trail Information Line at (608) 527-2910.
Dodgeville DNR Service Center area
Grant County - Fishing and Mississippi River activities have been put on hold due to the large increase in water from recent rains. The river has risen over 5 feet in the last few days. Many local public boat landing docks have been removed due to the flooding. The river currents are very strong and are carrying a large amount of debris. Boating and fishing activities are not encouraged until the waters recede.
Wyalusing State Park - Many people are calling to find out the conditions of the park. The park did receive rain this weekend, but nowhere the amounts that Crawford, Richland, and Vernon counties did. The Mississippi River is on the rise and should crest tomorrow at 12.2. According the National Weather Service "River Watch", the river is expected to go down fairly quickly with river stage set for 8.7 on Monday of next week, which is almost normal for this time of year. Flood stage is 16 feet. Many of the park trails remain closed, but they are closed due to the fact that early in the morning on July 18, the park received 7 inches of rain in just a few hours. Trails that are open include: Sentinel Ridge, Whitetail Meadow, Turkey Hollow, Mississippi Ridge. Sugar Maple Nature Trail is open to Pictured Rock Cave. The road to the boat landing is open. Both the Wisconsin Ridge and Homestead, and the outdoor group camp are open with no damage.
Iowa County - The walleyes are biting near the Hwy. 14 bridge on white Mr. Twister tails with purple jigs on the Wisconsin River and the bass are picking up again after a brief slowdown in action. The smallmouth are biting half a night crawler, anglers have been saying that a whole night crawler has not been producing fish in the river. The river is still quite low making navigation difficult. Anglers have reported that northern pike and bass are biting on Long Lake. Extremely heavy rain has fallen in the past 48 hours and local residents in Arena Township are in crisis mode with trying to get the water out of basements and houses. Iowa County residents are feeling fortunate in comparison to the people living in Richland, Crawford and Vernon counties. Please, no more rain.
Fitchburg DNR Service Center area
Dane County
Governor Nelson State Park – Due to extremely high water levels on Lake Mendota, the park has removed all the boat landing piers as of August 23. The piers may be reinstalled after the water levels recede.
Jefferson County - Anglers are catching a few bluegill on Rock Lake but action has slowed considerably over the past couple weeks. A few bluegill are still being caught near the weed beds instead of being suspended in deeper water. Anglers are catching some largemouth bass in the 14-15 inch size limit throughout the lake especially by the weed beds. Recent rains have brought water levels up considerably on the Rock and Crawfish Rivers. Wetlands are now holding good water which should improve conditions for the upcoming waterfowl seasons.
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WEST CENTRAL REGION
Baldwin DNR Service Center area
St. Croix County
Willow River State Park - Some much needed rain came through the area the past weekend. More is in the forecast. The Willow River is running at normal color and flow. Weekday visitors may encounter the chain saw crew finishing up on storm damage from some time ago. Please be patient and follow the crew leader's instructions about passing through the area safely. The next Full Moon Hike and bird presentation will be Saturday, August 25 at the Nature Center starting at 7pm. The birds are woodpeckers and sparrows. The bird presentation is first, then the hike. The event is free with vehicle admission. Reservable sites are full for the coming weekend and on Labor Day weekend.
La Crosse DNR Service Center area
Late summer and early fall are good times to do some birdwatching. Oftentimes fall migrants do not move through an area as rapidly as they do during the spring migration. Therefore, birdwatchers may have a little more time to actually "watch" the birds. Fall warblers can challenge even the most observant birdwatcher, making for difficult but rewarding identification lessons. Remember that most birds do not sing in the fall to the extent that they do in the spring. That means birdwatchers need to rely more on keen eyesight and less on their hearing to locate and identify birds.
Black River Falls DNR Service Center area
Merrick State Park - All hiking trails are in food condition. The Mississippi River remains normal. Most of the rain received this past week emptied into the river south of the park and didn't effect water levels here. Pan fish have been biting off shore. The area has received lots of rain this past week. The park has not been effected by any major flooding as some of our nearby neighbors in Minnesota. A few sites remain a little soggy but should dry up if it ever quits raining.
Mill Bluff State Park - Recent storms pounded the area but all trails are open and are in good condition. The swimming pond and beach are drawing people. The water is tested and always has very good readings. The level has increased somewhat due to the recent rains adding much enjoyment to the swimmers. There is no fishing or boating at Mill Bluff. Also as a reminder that animals are not allowed on the beach or in the swimming pond, but are permitted in the park while on a 8 ft. leash or less. Gay feather is in bloom, black-eyed Susans are still in bloom. A few mosquitoes are being reported now at night. Quite a few acorns are starting to fall. All campsites are currently open and in good condition. Week-ends have been busy. Campsites are filling up nicely. Electric sites seem to go first, so book early.
Perrot State Park - The area has received lots of rain in the past week and the trails are soggy. Please use caution when hiking.
Great River State Trail - Lots of rain this past week has left the trail very wet. Please use caution when hiking or biking and report any damages to Perrot State Park at 608-534-6409.
Buffalo River State Trail - The trail didn't receive as much rain as other areas of Western Wisconsin but it is still wet in spots. Please report any damages to Perrot State Park at 608-534-6409. ATVs are allowed on the trail. Stay alert and use caution when crossing roads or meeting other users on the trail.
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 have been fairly active in the evenings near weed beds. Species of birds we have been seeing or hearing include: scarlet tanagers, indigo buntings, towhees, ravens, rose-breasted grosbeaks, loons, robins, red polls, a variety of wrens, phoebes, turkey vultures, northern juncos, pileated woodpeckers, great blue herons, green herons, great horned and barred owls, osprey, bald eagles and belted kingfishers. The Canada geese have finished molting and the young are flying. Harebell, wintergreen, common mullein, marsh skullcap, lesser daisy fleabane, Joe Pye weed, pearly everlasting, the pale and spotted jewelweed, rabbits foot clover, marsh hedge nettle, the water lilies, some of the aster varieties, a few great blue cardinal flowers, and wooly yarrow are flowering. The park will be undertaking a major road renovation project from early September to mid-October. Existing pavement on nearly all park roads and parking areas will be ground up and new pavement will be placed over it. The main park road will be widened slightly to accommodate a bicycle/pedestrian lane. All work will be done during daytime Mondays through Fridays.
Wisconsin Rapids DNR Service Center area
Buckhorn State Park - Trails and campsites are in good condition due to the very sandy soils. Lake level appears to be about normal. Many people out catching white bass, smallmouth and largemouth bass around the lake. Hot summer weather is great for swimming, canoeing and kayaking. Canoes and kayaks are available for renting. There is some algae in the lake -- it blows around with the wind. There are a couple beaches at the park, so usually one is clear. There is a cold water rinse shower in the beach picnic area. Many visitors are using the beach in the park. Reservable sites are filled on weekends. There are 6 non-reservable/first-come sites, which fill up as well. Some sites are still available during the week. Mosquito activity is low. Check out the new signs on the barrens nature trail. The trail is great for bird watching. Take photos of the wildflowers, wildlife, sunsets, people using the park, etc. for the annual photo contest. Deadline for the photo contest is Sept 30.
Roche-A-Cri State Park - Many summer wildflowers are in bloom in the woodlands and prairies including large-leaved aster and goldenrod. Signs of fall are beginning to show in the park, including an abundance of fall mushrooms and irregular fallen acorns. Take a hike through the prairie to try and catch a glimpse of the Karner blue butterfly. Deer and turkeys have been abundant throughout the park. Take an evening hike and listen to the owls, coyotes, and turkey vultures of Roche-A-Cri. The 2007 photo contest is underway, but the Sept. 30 submission deadline is nearing- remember your camera to catch great summer photos for the contest.
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VHS Update
as of Aug. 23, 2007
Two final public hearings on VHS rules tonight in Superior and Wausau
People can comment on proposed permanent rules to prevent the spread of VHS at the final public hearings on the topic, this evening in Wausau and Superior. The Superior meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. in the classroom at the Superior Public Library, 1530 Tower Ave.; the Wausau session begins at 5:30 p.m. in the upstairs meeting room at the State Highway Patrol Headquarters, 2805 Martin Ave.
A total of only 16 people have attended the previous four public hearings on this topic.
Under the proposal, emergency rules now in place for controlling and preventing the spread of viral hemorrhagic septicemia, or VHS for short, would become permanent, possibly with some revisions and clarifications. The proposed permanent rules require that boaters, anglers and other water recreational users not move live fish and water out of lakes and rivers where VHS has been detected or is suspected of being present.
Additionally, the proposals require that bait dealers carry a free Wild Bait Harvest Permit and keep records of their collection and distribution of bait. And they add a new criteria for permits of licensed bait dealers who use larger traps and nets than regulations allow. Permits could be denied if use of the oversized gear could spread invasive species or disease. With certain exceptions, the proposed permanent rule also bans the possession of imported live bait such as minnows, crayfish and frogs and limits the use of fish and fish parts as bait in crayfish and turtle traps.
More information on the hearings, as well as other ways to comment on the rule proposals, can be found on the VHS Administrative Rules page of the DNR Web site.
Last Revised: Thursday August 23 2007
http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/caer/ce/news/or/#top
