Recent rainfalls have kept most waters across the state at average or above normal levels for this time of year. With warm weather in the forecast, conservation wardens and recreational safety specialists are expecting heavy boat traffic on lakes and rivers for the coming holiday weekend. Wardens urge all people who are out on boats this weekend to wear life preservers and be courteous to other people using the waterways.
Also, volunteers will again be out on some boat landings reminding people to take efforts to ensure they are not spreading exotic invasive species such as Eurasian water-milfoil. Remove any plants from boats and trailers before moving boats from one lake to another.
Fishing success last week was inconsistent due to the strong winds, cold temperatures and generally unstable weather. Water temperatures are near 60 degrees on most lakes across the Northwoods and this has moved most panfish toward the shallows. Some crappie have begun to spawn in the shallow, warmer bays; and bluegill should also begin as the water temperature climbs to the mid-60s. Walleye action has been improving, with live minnows fished slowly being very effective. This weekend is the musky opener in the Northern zone and fishing prospects look excellent. Most musky have completed their spring spawning ritual and should be active with the warming temperatures.
In the south, lots of anglers were out fishing, but catching has been slow. Water temperatures are on the cool side for late May. Bluegills and pumpkinseeds are starting to move into the shallows to build nests. Largemouth bass have been on the beds for a couple of weeks. Smallmouth bass are beginning to build their nests. Trout anglers report good fishing despite water levels being slightly high. Caddis and mayfly hatches have been reported on several streams.
Along Green Bay, anglers trolling out on the west shore have been getting some nice sized walleye. Perch action was starting to heat up. There have been some bass as big as 22 inches and well over 5 pounds caught, with most action along the rocky points on the south and southeast shores.
Boating and fishing activity on Lake Michigan was low due to unfavorable conditions. Anglers had some descent catches of chinook salmon out of both Kewaunee and Algoma. Surface water temperatures were in the 38 to 41 degrees range. Shore and pier fishing in the southeaster harbors has generally been slow, except for Racine where good numbers of both browns and coho taken.
The Mississippi River crested this week around the 12.4 foot mark at Prairie du Chien, but the river began to drop and was at the 11.9 foot mark by Tuesday. Fishing was again disrupted by the high water.
Turkey hunters reported good success during the final spring turkey hunting time period. Motorists are encouraged to be careful when driving at dawn and dusk and after dark. Elk calves are being born in the Clam Lake area and driving with caution through the area may save an elk calf's life. Increasing numbers of deer fawns are being observed and bucks are sprouting their antlers. A large number of deer-vehicle collisions have been reported over the last few weeks as deer have become more active and are feeding on green grass along roadsides.
Male grouse are drumming vigorously and the first grouse nests are being seen. Sandhill crane chicks have hatched. Turkey poults will be hatching soon and they begin to feast on the growing insect population. Numerous goose broods are being seen. American robin fledglings are leaving the nest. Statewide waterfowl surveys were flown last week and mallards and wood ducks were the most common breeding ducks.
Morel mushrooms are winding down but mushroom hunters reported an excellent season. A multitude of flowers are blooming including early meadow rue, trillium, downy yellow violets, columbine, jack-in-the-pulpit, Labrador tea, and wood betony, wild strawberry, bellwort, and marsh marigold. Mosquitoes have hatched in many places and there have still been reports of black flies in the north and abundant ticks statewide.
For further info near your area...http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/caer/ce/news/or/
