The rainy pattern from June and July has carried into August, with the entire state receiving additional rainfall in the last week ranging from half and inch in the south to 5 inches in the north. The most eastern portion of the state received the least rain in the last week. Almost all northern river systems are running well above seasonal norms, with some rivers at or near flood stage. Most of the major river systems in the south also continue to run very high, though some have started to recede slightly. The lower Wisconsin River remain very high with most sandbars still submerged.
The continued sultry and wet weather has made for some real variable angling success. Both largemouth and smallmouth bass fishing moved to a little more consistent pattern on northern lakes, but action still could only be considered fair. Musky activity was a bit hit or miss this week, with some days producing a lot of follows and hits, and others showing barely a hint of activity. Walleye action continued to be especially slow and panfish success continued to be fair.
On Green Bay, perch and walleye anglers were having some success at Oconto on the west shore and at Sturgeon Bay, Little Sturgeon Bay and Chaudoir’s dock along the east shore. Salmon fishing slowed somewhat, with fewer anglers out this week following completion of the Door-Kewaunee salmon tournament. Fox River shore anglers were catching sheepshead, catfish and white perch.
Near shore water temperatures on Lake Michigan continued to fluctuate between 66 and 68 degrees, and fishing off of piers and at harbors was slow. Trollers out of the northern ports were averaging about two fish per boat, with a few boats returning with five to seven fish. The catch remains mostly chinook salmon but with a few more coho starting to show up. Trollers out of southeaster Wisconsin ports have taken fair numbers of chinook and coho, as well as rainbow and brown trout. Shore fishing was picking up at Sheboygan but was slower at most other harbors.
Both gray and red fox have their kits out hunting and mink pups are out traveling with their mothers hunting for frogs and fish. White-tailed bucks are being seen with antlers in full velvet. Squirrels and chipmunks are busy harvesting black walnuts, acorns, and hickory nuts already. In general, mast crops appear to be about average. These crops are important food source for a number of other animals, including black bears and white-tailed deer.
Compass plant, coneflowers, goldenrods, sunflowers, blazing stars, big and little bluestem are blooming. Blueberries are still ripe in the north. Some very early color is starting to show up on maples and leaves are beginning to fall from walnut and birch trees.
And as most everyone knows by now, all the rain this summer has resulted in hordes of mosquitoes across Wisconsin and almost all state parks are forests are urging people to bring plenty of repellant if they plan on recreating outdoors this weekend.
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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NORTHERN REGION
Ashland DNR Service Center area
Copper Falls State Park - Several inches of rain over the last month has made waterfall viewing excellent. Summer River levels are higher than they have been for the past three years. Trails are in excellent condition and should remain so for the remainder of the summer and fall. Campgrounds will remain near capacity through labor day weekend.
Park Falls DNR Service Center area
Upper Chippewa Basin fisheries report (Price, Rusk, Sawyer Taylor and inland Ashland and Iron counties) - With the high amount of rainfall in the past two months, wet conditions continue across the north and most rivers and streams are at very high levels. Canoeists should check local conditions before starting any extended float trips, as many rivers may be near flood stage after 4-plus inches of rain in the last week. The high stream and river flows have also filled most flowages and drainage lakes to the brim, tho many smaller seepage lakes are still slowly creeping up as ground water levels increase. Also, all recreationalists should bring their bug repellent on any outdoor trips, as there are very high numbers of mosquitoes, gnats and 'ankle biters'. The continued sultry and wet weather of the past week made for some real variable angling success across the Northwoods. Both largemouth and smallmouth bass fishing has provided a little more consistency, but action still could only be considered fair. Most of the largemouth were being found in and near mid-depth woody cover and could be coaxed to bite with plastic finesse baits. Some were also being found in the thick weed beds and were hitting top-water baits in the early morning hours. Smallmouth bass were a bit more predictable and many have moved to near woody cover along deeper water breaks. The best success was coming on larger plastics, which seem to be easier to find with the high and dark-stained water in many flowages and rivers. Musky activity continued to be a hit or miss proposition. Some days seem to produce a lot of follows and hits, and other days would show barely a hint of activity. The most productive lures have been bulldawgs and large two-bladed bucktails, though slow-moving surface lures have also provided quite a bit of action. The best areas have been the weed edges and some of the best times have been in the mid-day hours during the middle of the week when boat traffic is lightest. Walleye action seemed to be especially slow with some fish being found suspended over the deeper mud flats and near deep rock bars. Panfish success has been fair with some decent crappie and bluegill catches still being made over mid-depth cover and on the deep edge along emergent weed lines. And of course, rock bass are always there to provide action when success for other species is slow!
Flambeau River State Forest - Due to the heavy amounts of rain the past to weeks please expect wet conditions and minor washouts on recreation trails Both the North and the South Forks of the Flambeau River are at flood stage due to heavy rains over the past few weeks. Please use caution if paddling.
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NORTHEAST REGION
Peshtigo DNR Service Center area
This past week has been warm and humid with the occasional storm thrown in for good measure, on the other side of the coin fishing has been good. Water temperatures have been in the mid to upper 70s.
Marinette County - The Peshtigo River is producing some smallmouth bass along with a few sheepshead and rough fish, fishing for catfish has slowed a bit as the river is running high with a lot debris floating down river. The Menominee River continues to produce walleye during low light periods both trolling and drifting live bait in the area of the Interstate Bridge up to Bum Island. Some nice panfish were being caught in the slough areas below the Sixth Street Slip using slip bobbers and worms in the evening. Reports of salmon catches have been spotty with few interviews to rely on. The information being gleaned from such reports puts the best salmon bite in the Chambers Island area. For those of you who want to stay closer to home some nice walleye were being caught around the Green Island area.
Oconto County - The bluegill bite at the Stiles Dam is going strong, fishing with slip bobbers and worms or drifting live bait in current seams. Some sorting is required. Pensaukee Landing, Oconto Breakwater Park, and Oconto Park II are catching limits of both perch and walleye. The Perch bite is coming in 12 to 16 feet of water adjacent to weed cover, using crappie rigs and slip bobbers. The walleye bite is coming in the same depth of water with people concentrating on rock bars and using both crank baits and crawler/harness. The perch have been running a respectable size in the 8 to 9 inch range with the walleye running 18 to 23 inches. Some nicer walleye being caught in the 20 to 30 foot range according to anglers.
Green Bay DNR Service Center area
With fishing on Wisconsin’s Great Lakes in full swing, anglers who are trolling in deeper waters are reminded to steer well clear of any potential obstructions including commercial trap nets. In Lake Michigan, such nets are set off Two Rivers, Manitowoc, Sheboygan and in Door County. In Lake Superior, nets are set in several locations between Houghton Point and Bayfield. Information on the Lake Michigan trap nets can be found on the DNR website and on Lake Superior trap nets (exit DNR) on the on the University of Wisconsin Aquatic Sciences website. (Both pdf documents open in a new window.) Learn more in a “Don’t Get Trapped” brochure from the Sea Grant Institute available on the DNR Website.
Brown County - Fox River shore anglers were catching a plethora of sheepshead, catfish and white perch from the metro landing all the way to Voyager Park. Anglers trolling for walleye were not having the same good luck. Most have been trolling harnesses or crank baits. Walleye fishing has been spotty over the last week at Bayshore Park. Most have been trolling harnesses. Walleye anglers have reported catching some very nice perch, catfish and sheepshead as well. The perch anglers are having some good success in 15-20 feet of water just north of the harbor. Most have been using bottom rigs tipped with a minnow or piece of night crawler. Perch anglers are also reporting catching numerous sheepshead and catfish.
Manitowoc County - Water temperatures continue to fluctuate between 66 and 68 degrees resulting in very little angler success. Light westerly winds picked up by Sunday along with heavy rain and thunderstorms, leaving the lakeshore relatively quiet over the weekend. Temperatures remained around 80 degrees, reaching the upper 80s by the weekend. Boaters continue to average two to four fish per boat consisting mostly of chinook salmon. Fishing action continued to slowly move in due to the light westerly wind throughout the week. The few fish that have been caught appear to be in the 100-125 foot range and out as deep as 150 feet. Many anglers report finding temperature breaks in all depths, so find those areas and work those breaks as much as you can. Work the areas straight out of Manitowoc and northward outside the nets all the way to the lighthouse north of Two Rivers in the 100-125 foot range. White flashers with blue/white flies and green and pearl J-Plugs have been taking some kings 60-80 feet down on the downriggers. Flasher/fly set-ups on the dypsy have also been taking a few fish when set down deeper in the water column. For the boats that run pump handles, set them 175-230 feet back on the line counters with an 8 or 10 ounce ball. The sizes of the chinook have varied from small jacks to 3- and 4-year-olds getting up to 15 pounds. Fishing off the piers remained slow with the warm water still swarming the lakeshore. One or two kings a day have been caught off the Two Rivers piers and the south pier in Manitowoc. A few salmon have been caught in the Two Rivers harbor, a good sign considering how warm the water is inside the harbor. Perch fishing picked up in the Manitowoc harbor and south pier using night crawlers, minnows, or just plastics. Casting crank baits and little cleos inside near the Manitowoc marina, several pike have been caught mixed in with a few smallmouth bass. The weed beds near shore have created excellent action recently, with many of the pike striking five yards from shore. Good Luck.
Sturgeon Bay DNR Service Center area
Door County - For a second straight week rain and inclement weather was absent from Door County allowing for anglers and tourists to enjoy the beautiful features around the peninsula. Fewer anglers were seen this week likely due to the completion of the Door Kewaunee Salmon Tournament. Salmon fishing has slowed somewhat county wide from Sturgeon Bay to Gills Rock. Some decent coolers were seen but most anglers averaged around two or three fish. Many boats were seen still working green j-plugs and looking for cooler water. Few reports came from the Green Bay side of the county correlating to the decreased fishing pressure. Walleye fishing has been good fishing on Green Bay towards the southern part of the county. Crawler harnesses have produced some nice catches with most of the fishing pressure taking place along the southwest shore of Door County. A few Musky anglers were out this week however had nothing good to report. Perch anglers in Sturgeon Bay continue with the, “same report, different day,” story in which many fish are being seen with minimal size. The perch bite has been going strong the last few days with some good catches reported, but they have been on the small side. Working minnows along the weed edges and in the moored sailboats has been a popular choice for anglers. Sturgeon Bay walleye anglers have been fishing Larson’s Reef with some good luck. Most angers have been fishing in 20 feet of water during the day and moving shallower during low light periods. A few anglers have been venturing out for salmon from Potawatomi State Park. Action has been slow but some nice fish are being taken. A few smallmouth bass anglers were seen having success on the flats in Sturgeon Bay and along the West shore of the county. Plastics grubs and tube jigs have worked for artificial baits and night crawlers have been a good choice for live bait. Little Sturgeon Bay anglers have been targeting perch with some success. Most are still fishing the weeds inside the bay itself. Also, walleye anglers have been venturing out at night with acceptable outcomes. Most anglers are trolling harnesses or crank baits. Fishing south on Green Bay near Chaudoir’s Dock has been promising with good fish and decent size. Perch anglers have been finding size and numbers of perch the last week or so. Most anglers are fishing 20-30 feet of water with crawlers or minnows. A few walleye anglers have struck gold over the last week off the dock. Most have been trolling harnesses for the best results.
Peninsula State Park – All hiking trails and the Sunset Bicycle Trail are open. Heavy and sustained rain over recent weeks may result in muddy sections along some trails. The off-road bicycle trails are open to riding, but may be wet in some sections. Please report impassable trails to park staff. Red admiral and monarch butterflies are prevalent. Dragonflies are abundant across the park. Park visitors have frequently spotted the American redstart, a warbler which nests in the park, in recent weeks. The bat boxes attached to the exterior of the Welcker’s Point shelter building are home to a nursery colony of little brown and big brown bats. Bats can be observed coming out of the bat boxes nightly, about 30 minutes after sunset.
Kewaunee County - The weather this has been a lot more cooperative with guys fishing both off shore and on the piers. The water temperatures in the middle of the week dropped down to about 63 degrees at the surface but unfortunately a shift in the wind brought the temperatures back up into the upper 60s. The fishing off of the Kewaunee pier remains slow due to the warm water temperatures in the area. A few small king salmon have been caught earlier in the week on green/silver spoons down towards the lighthouse. A few anglers have landed some smallmouth bass right along the pier using bobbers and crawlers. The fishing out of Kewaunee remains pretty much unchanged from the previous week with very few fish being caught by the off shore anglers. Boaters are averaging about two fish per boat this week but a few lucky boats have returned with five to seven fish. The catch remains mostly king salmon but a few more coho salmon are starting to show up. The hot lure for the week has been green J-plugs and spoons that glow green. The fish have been caught in a wide range of depths but it seems most consistent around 120-140 feet of water and about 50-70 feet down. The fishing on the Algoma North and South piers remains very poor with only one report of a rainbow trout being caught in the last week. The fish was caught on an orange/silver spoon on the south pier. Many anglers are trying their luck with different colors spoons and flies but haven't had any success. It was another slow week of fishing off the shores of Algoma. The fishing was a little better at the beginning of the week because the water temperatures dropped down to 63 degrees but the wind shifted and brought back warmer temperatures and have risen as high as 70 degrees in some areas. The most successful anglers have been fishing in depths of 140-180 feet of water and about 60-80 feet down. The catch was split evenly between spoons and flies this week but the hot color has been green glow with almost 75% of the fish being caught on that color.
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SOUTHEAST REGION
Lake Michigan fisheries team report
Sheboygan County - – In Sheboygan trollers have been catching a few chinook and rainbow trout. Fish have been scattered throughout the water column, and spoons and flies have taken the most fish. Shore fishing in Sheboygan has improved, with a few chinook taken off the north pier on alewives and a mixed bag of rainbows, coho, chinook, and brown trout taken off the south pier. Spoons and alewives have both produced off the south pier, and early mornings have had the most action.
Ozaukee County - Trollers in Port Washington have taken fair numbers of chinook, coho, and rainbow and brown trout anywhere from 40 to 170 feet of water. Most fish have been 20 to 70 feet down, and spoons, flashers and flies, and J-plugs have all produced. Shore anglers in Port Washington have had some success off the pier, with a few chinooks and coho taken on alewives, and perch have been caught on jigs.
Milwaukee County - In Milwaukee trollers have been catching mostly chinook, along with a few coho. Fish have been caught in 40 to 60 feet of water or deeper, and spoons have taken the majority of fish. Shore fishing effort in Milwaukee has dropped considerably, especially off McKinley pier. Perch anglers fishing from shore have had some limited success at Cupertino pier and the Lake Express Ferry dock. Small shiners have produced the most when fished early in the morning. Boaters fishing perch at the boils off South Milwaukee have been catching some on small shiners, but the bite has been slow overall.
Racine County - In Racine some chinook and coho have been taken by trollers in 90 to 110 feet of water. Spoons and J-plugs have been catching fish 40 to 60 feet down. Rainbows have also been biting in 200 to 220 feet of water. Trout and salmon fishing off the piers has been slow, and perch fishing from shore has been hit-or-miss. Boats looking for perch have taken fair numbers at the south breakwater on crab tails, minnows, and shrimp.
Kenosha County - In Kenosha trollers have been catching some chinook and coho 30 to 40 feet down in 70 to 90 feet of water. J-plugs, spoons, and some flies have all taken fish, and silvers and greens have been the most productive colors. Some rainbows have also been reported from trollers in 200 to 220 feet of water. Shore fishing in Kenosha has been generally slow for trout and salmon anglers as well as perch anglers. Kenosha boaters looking for perch continue to catch some at the bubbler or near the jetties off of 75th Street. Crab tails, minnows, and spinners have all produced at times, but most perch have been on the small side.
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SOUTH CENTRAL REGION
No Reports.
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WEST CENTRAL REGION
Baldwin DNR Service Center area
Willow River State Park - Abundant rain has kept things green at Willow River. Luckily, the sandy soils drain well and bugs are generally not an issue, a rarity in western Wisconsin. Please report down trees on trails to the park office. Park staff checks trails after storms and cuts grass regularly, but sometimes a tree comes down a few days later. It is the time of year for algae blooms on Little Falls Lake and on the Widespread at New Richmond some miles upstream. Water clarity in the river is changed depending on the amount of algae bloom. The blooms can turn the river green below the Little Falls dam, which was the condition as of Thursday morning. There is generally less discoloration in the river above the lake. Trout anglers coming to the area should have an alternate plan. In the area, the Rush River (trout water) had major flooding last week. Weekend camping continues to be at full capacity. Do not expect to walk in to the office on a Friday or Saturday and find sites available. Universe in the Park will be here Friday night at the Nature Center beginning at 8 p.m. Telescopes will be set up for use after a presentation inside the classroom. The event is free. A daily or annual park admission sticker is required on your vehicle.
La Crosse DNR Service Center area
Squirrels and chipmunks are busy harvesting black walnuts, acorns, and hickory nuts already. These mast crops are important food resources relished by a host of large and small animals, supplying them with fats, proteins, carbohydrates, minerals, and vitamins. Some animals, such as black bears, gorge themselves on mast in preparation for winter slumber. Others, such as deer mice or blue jays, cache vast quantities of nuts and seeds for use at a later time when these foods might otherwise be unavailable. In general, mast crops throughout Crawford and Vernon counties appear to be about average.
Perrot State Park - Water levels are extremely variable this summer due to the drawdown on Pool 6. At times, the bay is VERY low, but after heavy rains, the water can be very high. The level can change over the course of the day and large boats may have difficulty reaching the Mississippi River from our boat landing. Caution is advised! Trails are in good condition. Mosquitoes are out and about. Campers are advised to remember their bug spray since there is none to be purchased in Trempealeau. Please remember that there is no food or gas to be purchased in Trempealeau at this time, so campers are encouraged to do their shopping on their way to the park. Compass plant, cup plant, monarda, coneflowers, grey-headed coneflower, wild quinine, coreopsis, goldenrods, sunflowers, Queen Anne ’s lace, snakeroot, partridge pea, blazing stars, Indian grass, big bluestem, and little bluestem are currently blooming in the park. Blackberries are now ripe and delicious! Osprey have been spotted flying over the bay and pelicans are once again soaring overhead in small flocks. Leaves are beginning to fall from Walnuts and Birch trees in the park...can fall be far behind?! There will be a Bald is Beautiful!” program Saturday, August 14, at 10 a.m. Come meet our National Symbol up close and personal, during a visit from the National Eagle Center! The program will be in or near the Nature Center, depending on the weather and everyone is invited. Cameras are highly encouraged, as the eagle isn’t shy!
Great River State Trail - The trail is open and in good condition, although a bit narrow thanks to summer plant growth. With all the warmth and rain, things are growing as fast as we can cut them back, but we are trying to stay on top of things. Prairie flowers are blooming along the sides of the trail and the sweet smell of Bergamot fills the air. Water levels on the Black River are very high and there is much more water in the channels. Goldenrods, button bush, swamp milkweed, and Joe-Pye weed are the stars of the show. Prairie grasses such as big bluestem and Indian grass are in full bloom right now and riders are encouraged to stop and pick any ripe blackberries that they come across. Mosquitoes and gnats are out in pretty good numbers and users are encouraged to be prepared.
Black River Falls DNR Service Center area
Black River State Forest - The southern portion of the all-terrain vehicle trail system was groomed last week and is in good condition, except for areas with standing water. The northern section was groomed three weeks ago but is still in fair condition, also with areas of standing water. Please remember that it is never appropriate to leave the trail system even to avoid a wetter area. This behavior in past years has resulted in short-term closures of the system.
Eau Claire DNR Service Center area
Chippewa Moraine Ice Age State Recreation Area - – Trails are generally very good, but recent rains have caused small areas to become wet and slick in some areas. Fish are biting! Bring lots of bait and either fish from shore or from your boat. Summer is in full bloom and many sightings of wildlife have been reported. Both gray and red fox have had their kits out hunting on the hillsides of the park. Mink and fishers have been seen around the many lakes within the Reserve, with mink pups traveling with their mother hunting for frogs and fish. White-tailed fawns are becoming a bit more independent and bucks are forming antlers encased in velvet. Raccoon kits have left the den and are out hunting on their own. Please use caution when traveling rural roads as many of these young animals are not yet road-wise. Large leaf aster is blooming and the restored areas in the prairies are filled with colorful blazing star, brown-eyed daisies, and purple and yellow coneflowers. One of the last birds to nest, American goldfinches are busy collecting down from thistle heads to line their nests with. Northern orioles seemed to be very successful in their young rearing this year, and many jars of grape jelly have been used so far in keeping them happy. Common nighthawks are getting ready to migrate, and will follow the Mississippi river way in doing so.
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