This weekend offers people many great opportunities to get out and enjoy Wisconsin’s outdoors, as it is Free Fishing Weekend on June 4 and 5, and National Trails Day on Saturday and Wisconsin State Parks Open House Day on Sunday.
Free fishing clinics are set at more than a dozen locations, and rods, reels and other gear are on loan for free from nearly 50 locations. All the waters of the state are open for free fishing, including Wisconsin waters of the Great Lakes and rivers bordering Wisconsin. Residents and nonresidents of all ages can fish without a fishing license or trout stamp; however, all other fishing regulations such as bag and size limits still apply.
On National Trails Day Saturday the trail pass requirement is waived to use all DNR-managed state trails, and a variety of trail hikes and trail maintenance days are scheduled. Then on Sunday, no admission stickers are required on vehicles entering state parks, forests and recreation areas, and trail passes are not required state trails for the annual State Park Open House Day. Many properties have special events scheduled, including fishing activities to coincide with free fishing weekend. Check the events calendar of the DNR website for details.
With less precipitation in the last week, water levels are returning to more seasonable norms on most stream and river systems across the state, though the St. Croix and Mississippi rivers continue to run high. The Mississippi River was 3.5 feet above normal at Merrick State Park in Buffalo County.
The state has experienced very windy conditions over the last week, some that resulted in wide-spread power outages this week across the Northwoods. The windy and continually changing weather made for rather tough fishing conditions. A day or two of nice weather has been followed by wind and cold fronts. Walleye anglers continue to report just mediocre success, with still no real consistent pattern to the early season bite. Water temperatures have just crept above 60 degrees on many of the smaller lakes and this has spurred on bass activity, with both largemouth and smallmouth observed dishing out nests. Bass spawning activity should peak in the next week. Northern pike and panfish action could only be termed fair as the cooler water temperatures have kept most of the fish in deeper water.
Winds made fishing on Green Bay a challenge this week as well. Anglers continue to catch walleye out of Oconto, and both bass and northern pike along Door County. On Lake Michigan, boaters out of Two Rivers had the first signs of success chinook salmon fishing over the weekend. Port Washington, Milwaukee and Racine trollers have been catching good numbers of coho, along with a few chinook and lake trout. Great Lakes trollers with downriggers should be aware of a new requirement that they have wire cutters on board to allow operators to free their boats should downriggers get snagged on underwater commercial fishing trap nets or other obstructions.
A wide variety of spring wildflowers continue to bloom. Turtles and snakes have been enjoying the warmth of some recent sunny days and baby turtles are emerging from their nests and making their way to waterways. Biting insects came out in good numbers in the north, with the first hatches of mosquitoes and black flies reported.
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
New safety requirements are in effect for anglers fishing Wisconsin's Great Lakes waters. Boat operators trolling on the Great Lakes with downriggers must have wire cutters on board and have direct and immediate access to the tools. The cutters allow operators to free their boats should downriggers get snagged on underwater commercial fishing trap nets or other obstructions. DNR also advises that anglers fishing at night or in low-light conditions carry a powerful flashlight to help them look for nets, which are now required to be marked with reflective tape. Learn more on the Trap Net Safety on the Great Lakes page of the DNR website.
Superior DNR Service Center area
The late spring has really extended spring trolling season on Lake Superior. People are still catching lots of coho with the occasional trout, splake or chinook salmon mixed in. Apparently, fishing just picked up off the Superior entry and by all accounts last weekend was very busy and productive in the western arm. Tributary anglers reported spring steelhead action was positive and there is always the chance of catching drop-back steelhead and large browns in the lower reaches of many tributaries and small native brook trout in the headwaters."
Brule River State Forest - The Bois Brule River is flowing at 193 CFS (cubic feet per second). The 66 year average is 178 CFS. Pine pollen is very noticeable now. It is coating everything in its path yellow and causing allergy sufferers some extra discomfort. Wildlife babies are frequently being sighted now and parent animals can be seen diligently looking for food to feed their young. Deer fawn reports have increased in the past week. The nursery is open in the outdoors, keep your cameras ready and enjoy the show, but please keep the babies where they belong…in the outdoors with their parents. The Brule River State Forest will be holding its 2011 Spring meeting on Saturday, June 4. It will be at the Brule Town Hall at 10 a.m. Items on the agenda will include completed and planned recreational development projects, forest management activities (Completed timber sales, planned timber sales, tree planting, and prescribed burning), Wildlife Management Activities, Fisheries Management Activities, and Real Estate Activities
Ashland DNR Service Center area
Bayfield County - Water temperatures are colder then normal around 50 degrees. Leaches are working well for both walleye and crappie. Walleye fishing has been slow but some were finding fish on the Eau Claire Chain. Panfishing has picked up this past week, fish are not yet on their beds, though people fishing the shallows near the shore line are having the best luck catching bluegill on both worms and waxies. Bag limits of crappie have been taken the past two weeks by people using both leaches and artificial baits on both Owen and Namekagon lakes. Don't forget, the catch and keep bass season does not open until June 18, so until then be sure to release all bass. A reminder to boaters, before going out be sure your boat registration is valid, check life jackets and be certain there is one for each person on board, and for boats 16 feet and longer make certain there is a throw-able life preserver. Make sure the boat battery is secured down and the terminals are covered and be certain your fire extinguisher is in working order…then the boat will be ready to go.
Park Falls DNR Service Center area
Upper Chippewa Basin fisheries report (Price, Rusk, Sawyer Taylor and inland Ashland and Iron counties) - The windy, erratic and almost continually changing weather has made for some rather tough fishing conditions across the Northwoods in the past week. A day or two of nice weather has been followed by wind and cold fronts, and this really seems to have disrupted fish activity. Fair success has been experienced during the stable weather, but the cold fronts have been putting a damper on the fishing action. The biting insects have just started to come out in the far north, with the first hatches of mosquitoes and black flies being noted in the last few days. Mayfly hatches have not yet begun and look for those to start in these first few weeks of June. Walleye continue to be the main target for most anglers so far this season and reports have indicated just mediocre success in the last week. There really hasn't been any consistent pattern yet to the early season bite and walleye anglers have continued to have fair success on both jig/minnow combinations and crank baits. The jig and minnow anglers have had the best success in 8 to 15 feet of water on the deep edges and break lines. The action has been concentrated in the early morning hours and in the hour before dark, and most of the walleye have been in the 11 to 15-inch size. A few nicer fish in the 18 to 23-inch size have been caught on stick baits in the shallow muddy bays, but the strikes have been generally light and short. Water temperatures have just crept above 60 degrees on many of the smaller lakes and this has spurred on a slug of bass activity. Both largemouth and smallmouth bass have been observed dishing out their nests, and look for bass spawning activity to peak out in the next week. Anglers are reminded that the catch-and-release season is still in effect in the Northern Zone and all bass should be returned to the water as soon as possible. Northern pike action has been fair with anglers catching medium-size fish along the newly developing weed beds. Panfish action could only be termed fair as the cooler water temperatures have kept most of the fish in deeper water. Both crappie and bluegill have been creeping back up into shallow water on warmer days and this has provided some decent action when conditions were right. Look for this to greatly improve with any kind of warming trend.
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NORTHEAST REGION
New safety requirements are in effect for anglers fishing Wisconsin's Great Lakes waters. Boat operators trolling on the Great Lakes with downriggers must have wire cutters on board and have direct and immediate access to the tools. The cutters allow operators to free their boats should downriggers get snagged on underwater commercial fishing trap nets or other obstructions. DNR also advises that anglers fishing at night or in low-light conditions carry a powerful flashlight to help them look for nets, which are now required to be marked with reflective tape. Learn more on the Trap Net Safety on the Trap Net Safety on the Great Lakes page of the DNR website.
Peshtigo DNR Service Center area
Windy weather has made fishing the Bay difficult. Water temperatures at the landings are in the low to mid 60s. Fishing pressure was light to moderate this past week.
Marinette County - Shore anglers on the Menominee River are reporting plenty of rock bass as well as smallmouth bass being caught dead drifting live bait and fishing spinners and crank baits. Some nice panfish were being caught in the slough behind the Mystery Ship Marina on slip bobbers and live bait. Anglers have been catching walleye by the Inter State Bridge by anchoring and using Lindy rigs tipped with minnows. Trolling with boards by the lift bridge was also catching fish. Before sunrise and after sunset people on the Government Pier have been catching walleye by walking the pier using stick baits and weight.
Oconto County - Bay anglers were still catching walleye in the 5 to 10 foot range using planer boards and crawler/harness. There were reports of good fishing at Pensaukee when the wind was not blowing.
Governor Thompson State Park - It's spring in the Northwoods. The trilliums are blooming, the ticks are biting and morel hunters have been seen in the new campground.
Green Bay DNR Service Center area
Manitowoc County - Strong northeast winds last week switched out of the southwest at 15-20 mph by the weekend. Mid-week temperatures in the mid-40s increased to the mid-50s by the weekend. Fog occurred on and off during the week with occasional light rain showers along the lake. Harbor temperatures dropped to 56 degrees, with Lake Michigan surface temperatures dropping significantly to 40-42 degrees off of Two Rivers. Boaters out of Two Rivers showed the first signs of success when it comes to salmon fishing over the weekend. Between Two Rivers and the lighthouse north of Two Rivers, boaters landed several chinook salmon ranging 7-15 pounds in 90-120 feet of water. Most boats came in with one or two, with charter boats coming in with six to eight fish consisting of rainbows, lake trout, and chinook salmon. A small number of the fish came on spoons with the majority of the salmon coming on white glow/mirage and green/green dodger/fly combos. Anglers reported luck in the deeper third of the water column with their downriggers. Shore anglers continue to have little to no success in Two Rivers and Manitowoc this week for trout and salmon. Suckers in the Manitowoc marina continue to be caught using night crawlers on the bottom. Pier anglers out of Two Rivers have consistently landed carp up to 30 pounds this week using alewife on the bottom. Overall, the strong northeast winds kept the lakeshore very quiet all week
Sturgeon Bay DNR Service Center area
Potawatomi State Park - Anglers have been catching smallmouth bass and some northern pike off the shores of Potawatomi, just in time for Free Fishing Weekend June 4-5. If you don't have a fishing pole or tackle, Potawatomi has a limited number of fishing poles and tackle to check out for free at the park office on a first-come, first-served basis. The accessible fishing pier is located in the picnic area. Wisconsin State Parks Open House Day is Sunday, June 5. Take advantage of the free admission and join a Wildflower and Water Walk led by the park naturalist along the shoreline. You'll discover a bit about the history of the park and find out what flowers are in bloom. Meet at the Campground Shelter at 11 am for this 45-minute program.
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SOUTHEAST REGION
Lake Michigan fisheries team report
New safety requirements are in effect for anglers fishing Wisconsin's Great Lakes waters. Boat operators trolling on the Great Lakes with downriggers must have wire cutters on board and have direct and immediate access to the tools. The cutters allow operators to free their boats should downriggers get snagged on underwater commercial fishing trap nets or other obstructions. DNR also advises that anglers fishing at night or in low-light conditions carry a powerful flashlight to help them look for nets, which are now required to be marked with reflective tape. Learn more on the Trap Net Safety on the Great Lakes page of the DNR website.
Sheboygan County - In Sheboygan fishing pressure on the lake has been moderate with very hit-or-miss catches. Most anglers have been having success trolling flies and orange dodgers in 30 to 45 feet of water. The water temperature has ranged from 48 to 52 degrees. Coho salmon have been the main catch, along with a few lake trout and chinook. Fishing pressure off the piers in Sheboygan has been moderate, but the catch rate has been low overall. A few coho and chinook have been taken at times, and most anglers have been casting spoons or using alewives.
Ozaukee County - In Port Washington most trollers have been catching good numbers of coho, along with a few chinook and lake trout. The water temperature has been around 48 to 52 degrees near shore, and fishing has been best from 70 to 140 feet of water. Trolling with flies in either green or gold has been very productive. Fishing pressure at the power plant in Port has been light, with few fish being caught. Fishing off the Port Washington pier has been hit-or-miss. Most anglers have been fishing alewives or casting spoons, and when conditions are right, coho have been caught.
Milwaukee County - In Milwaukee trollers have been successful fishing for coho. Peanut flies in blue or green have taken fish near shore in 20 to 30 feet of water. The Bender Park boat launch has been reopened, and trollers fishing that area have been catching coho around the boils. When the winds are consistently out of the west, Milwaukee shore anglers have been able to catch some salmon off McKinley pier as well.
Racine County - In Racine the weather stabilized somewhat by this past weekend and allowed for better fishing conditions. Boats have been doing well with some limits of coho taken, but only an occasional chinook has been harvested. Some of the best success has occurred just outside the Racine Reef in 40 to 60 feet of water, with fish being harvested from 20 feet down all the way to the bottom. Surface water temps have been 48 to 49 degrees. Orange dodger and fly combinations have been the preferred lures with blue and silver, and orange peanut flies reported to be popular choices. Very little effort has been seen in shore fishing activity.
Kenosha County - Kenosha trollers have had their best success with coho, and a few rainbow and lake trout have also been harvested. The best water depths have been 45 to 60 feet, with some boats reporting success in 100 feet of water. Orange dodger and fly combinations have been consistently catching fish, and some anglers also reported success with stick baits. Very little shore fishing activity has been reported in Kenosha.
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SOUTH CENTRAL REGION
No reports.
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WEST CENTRAL REGION
Baldwin DNR Service Center area
Water levels continue to run high on the Mississippi and St Croix rivers. The St Croix has been over the 683-foot mark since last Thursday and is forecast to continue through this weekend. This level activates the Slow-No -Wake Rule on the entire river. Anglers, however, have been going out in the Hudson Area and getting decent catches of walleye and sauger. The Mississippi River and Lake Pepin have also seen good action on walleye and sauger. Trolling and live bait seems to be working equally well. Bass and panfish are active in the shallows and are just starting to nest and spawn. Water Temps on area lakes were still in the low 60s, but will be warming by this weekend. Many new born fawns have been picked up unnecessarily by people who then try to feed them, which may eventually cause them to die. People should leave fawns alone. Area trout streams are in good shape and have been providing good action.
La Crosse DNR Service Center area
Merrick State Park - The Mississippi River is 3.5 feet above normal. The boat dock will be put in when the water level returns to normal. Fishing has been slow and spotty due to the high water. The following flowers have been seen around the park: sage, pussy foot, rock crest, wood violet, columbine, false Solomon’s seal, wild geranium, goats beard, bluets, puccoon, yarrow and yellow violets. All trails are open and in good condition. The north campground is open along with the shower/flush toilet building. Water is available at the dump station and at all fountains. The south and island campgrounds are closed due to high water. They will not be open this weekend. They will be evaluated on a weekly basis to determine when they can be opened.
Perrot State Park - The Trempealeau River rose over the weekend resulting in continued high water in the bay. The boat dock has been installed. Canoeing is enjoyable in the higher water and parts of the bay are accessible now that won't be in a few weeks. The carp are spawning and can be found backed up by the electric fish gate along the dike. Fishing is slow. Hiking trails are open and in good condition throughout the park. All campground facilities and shower buildings are open. All campsites are in good condition. Puccoon, rock cress, jack-in-the-pulpit, violets, columbine, wild geranium, Virginia waterleaf, wild strawberry, raspberry, wood phlox, false Solomon’s seal, false lily of the valley, harebell, lupine, showy orchids, Canada anemone, thimbleweed, sweet cicely, and anise root are blooming in the park. Bird sightings around the park include: osprey, vultures and eagles continue to delight with frequent fly-bys. There will be a National Trail's Day event at the park on June 4 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and volunteers are invited to help us with a myriad of trail projects!
Great River State Trail - The trail is in good condition and wildflowers are lining the trails. Turtles and snakes are awakening and enjoying the warmth of the trail surface, so keep your eyes open as you ride. Baby turtles are emerging from their nests and making their way to waterways. Virginia waterleaf, cow parsnip, raspberries, wild strawberries, black locust, Canada anemone, and poison ivy are all in bloom.
Wildcat Mountain State Park - Kickapoo River water levels are great at this time for canoeing. Canoe rentals and shuttles are available nearby in the Village of Ontario. Water levels for the Kickapoo River at Ontario may be found on the Wisconsin Streamflow pages of the U.S. Geological Services website (exit DNR).
Wisconsin Rapids DNR Service Center area
Buckhorn State Park - Fawns and other wildlife babies are being seen in the park. Please leave these young animals alone, as the mothers are often close by. Mosquitoes have hatched so remember to bring your bug spray. Also - check for ticks as they are out as well. It's free fishing weekend. There are many great spots in the park for fishing and kids programs at the fishing pond on Sat. The park office loans out small tackle boxes and fishing poles. Free park admission on Sunday.
Roche-A-Cri State Park - Fawns and other wildlife babies are being seen in the park. Please leave these young animals alone, as the mothers are often close by. Free park admission on Sunday.
Last Revised: Thursday June 02 2011
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