While there is still officially nearly a month of summer left, there are increasing signs of the approaching fall. One of the earliest signs is the migration of common nighthawks, which has started in northern Wisconsin and usually peaks in early September. They can be seen in their erratic, zigzagging flight at dusk. Bobolinks have left Wisconsin on their southward migration. Migrating blue-winged teal have started to arrive along the Mississippi River in significant numbers and large flocks of mourning doves and giant Canada geese are forming to feed in recently harvested winter wheat and oat fields.
Anglers have started looking for the Lake Superior fall run brown trout but so far have found fishing difficult with low and clear conditions. Rain is in the forecast and this may bring more lake run fish into rivers. A few fish have reportedly started to stage off Green Bay and Lake Michigan tributaries but near shore waters remain warm this week keeping most trout and salmon still off shore. Over the weekend a massive 42 inch, 36-pound, 4-ounce chinook salmon was caught out of the port of Kewaunee.
Late summer finds most fish in predictable patterns on inland water but some fish are in a state of change. Larger panfish are still inhabiting deeper, open water just above the thermocline. As surface water temperatures have been cooling, muskies have been more active throughout the day on northern lakes. Walleyes have been erratic, with some fish still oriented to shallow weeds and other fish beginning to seek open-water prey in lakes with ciscoes.
Water levels on southern lakes and rivers are continuing to recede due to dry conditions. Bluegill fishing has been very good on southern lakes with anglers catching lots of fish. Northern pike have been hitting suckers or artificials along the deep weed lines. Walleye and perch fishing has still been good on Lake Winnebago. Anglers were catching white bass in the deeper parts of Lake Poygan.
Anglers fishing Lake Michigan, found mixed success this past week due to some rough fishing conditions. However, despite rough fishing conditions, most anglers continued to have success fishing early morning and late afternoons for chinook, some rainbow trout, and a few nice brown trout. Walleye fishing has been getting better and better on Green Bay and perch and bass action remained good to very good throughout Door County.
The Mississippi River held steady this week at about 6.5 feet at Prairie du Chien. Bluegills were biting throughout the river now that the water stabilized. Walleyes were being taken on the wing dams and rocky shoreline drop offs. Bass action also continued to be good at many locations along the Mississippi River and on the Wisconsin River.
Deer hunters are reminded that over-the-counter sales of antlerless deer carcass tags for specific deer management units and State Park Access Permits for deer hunting in Wisconsin state parks are available on a first-come, first-served starting at noon Aug. 26. The tags and permits will be available at DNR license sales outlets or over the Internet. Department of Natural Resources service centers are not open on Saturdays, but the tags and permits may be purchased at DNR service centers during regular weekday business hours.
Antlerless deer carcass tags have replaced the old bonus tag. They are only valid for the specific deer management unit that is printed on the tag and they are limited in number. Hunters can purchase them for $12 each for residents and $20 each for nonresidents at a rate of one tag per hunter per day until all permits available for a unit have been purchased. Antlerless carcass tags that are good in any unit designated as herd control or earn-a-buck in 2006 are available in unlimited numbers. These tags cost $2 each and are available now at all DNR service centers and license sales agents.
Although many wildflowers are getting past their peak, they are still providing a colorful show with jewelweed, fleabane daisy, spreading dogbane, evening primrose, large-leaved aster, Queen Anne's lace, mullein, ox-eye daisy, fireweed, tansy, spotted knapweed, joe-pye weed, black-eyed susan, butter and eggs, birds foot trefoil, native sunflowers, and pearly everlasting just some of the flowers still blooming.
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NORTHERN REGION
Superior DNR Service Center area
Brule River State Forest - As of August 24, the Bois Brule River was flowing at 105 cubic feet per second (cfs). The 61 year average is 130 cfs. Anglers looking for the lake run browns are finding fishing difficult with the low and clear conditions. Rain is expected Thursday and Friday Aug. 17 and 18. Anglers are hoping this will bring more lake run fish into the river. One of the earliest signs of the coming fall season is the migration of common nighthawks. They are migrating through the Brule area this week. They can be seen in their erratic, zigzagging flight at dusk. Their migration through the area will be completed in only a couple of days. Although many wildflowers (native and non-native) are getting past their peak, they are still providing a colorful show for the Brule River State Forest. Jewelweed, fleabane daisy, spreading dogbane, evening primrose, large-leaved aster, Queen Anne's lace, mullein, ox-eye daisy, fireweed, tansy, spotted knapweed, joe-pye weed, black-eyed susan, butter and eggs, birds foot trefoil, native sunflowers, and pearly everlasting are just some of the flowers that can still be seen. Ironwood trees are loaded with seeds this year. One of the Forestry staff at the Brule DNR mentioned that they can't remember seeing so many seeds on the Ironwoods before. The extended forecast calls for thunderstorms through Friday night and mostly sunny skies though the rest of next week. High temperatures are expected to be in the 70s and low temperatures are expected to be in the 50s.
Park Falls DNR Service Center area
Upper Chippewa Basin fisheries report (Price, Rusk, Sawyer Taylor and inland Ashland and Iron counties) - Late summer finds some fish in predictable patterns and other fish in a state of change. In the Upper Chippewa Basin, larger panfish (bluegills over 8 inches, perch over 9 inches, and crappies over 10 inches) are occasionally being found in the shallow weeds, but most were still inhabiting deeper, open water just above the thermocline. Fishing live bait with slip bobbers in 15-20 feet of water during the day has been the most effective tactic. Large northern pike were still in deeper water too, and were caught by anglers trolling large crank baits deep in lakes where motor trolling is legal. Small pike (fish under 24 inches) were being caught in shallow weeds. As surface water temperatures cool, muskies have become more active throughout the day. Bucktails and surface lures were still taking active fish, and the action should only increase as the cold fronts of September put these fish into a fall feeding binge. Don't believe everything you have read about Wisconsin muskies being small. A survey in spring of 2006 revealed that 34 percent of all muskies in the Chippewa Flowage were over 40 inches long, and 9 percent were over 45 inches long. That beats Lake of the Woods, Ontario! And recent studies by genetic researchers at UW-Stevens Point have revealed that the record-producing muskies in Lac Courte Oreilles have not changed in genetic composition since the 1940s. Walleyes have been erratic, with some fish still oriented to shallow weeds, where weedless jigs tipped with leeches under slip bobbers have been effective, and other fish beginning to seek open-water prey in lakes with ciscoes. Largemouth bass were being caught in a wide variety of habitats, but many were still oriented to the shallow wood and were being caught on soft plastics unless a cold, high-pressure system has just passed through. Smallmouth bass were a bit trickier, but they tend to congregate in the river flowages starting at this time of year, so fishing with a jig-and-crawler or jig-and-leech can be very effective for those who find the smallmouth gathering around mid-depth structures. Lake sturgeon season opens Sept. 2. A special tag is required this year for anglers who wish to harvest a legal-size sturgeon (over 50 inches in most Upper Chippewa Basin waters). Anglers who harvest a sturgeon should have them scanned for implanted tags at the registration station so biologists can determine movement and accurately assess the rate of harvest.
Flambeau River State Forest - The North &and South Forks of the Flambeau River are on the low side once again. The North Fork paddlers commented that it's still a fun trip, but they needed to pick their path a bit more carefully as so not to get hung up on rocks. The Flambeau Hills Hiking/Biking Trails are open, but there are still many trees down across the trails from the recent storms. Please use extreme caution when going around fallen trees. There will be a public meeting on Saturday, Aug. 26, at Big Bear Lodge located approx. 22 mi. west of Phillips on Hwy. W, from 10 a.m. to approximately noon, for anyone interested in the future road access plan for the forest.
Woodruff DNR Service Center area
Blackberries are now ripe and chokecherries are beginning to turn color. Wild rice is getting closer to being ripe in many northern areas. Please check out the DNR Internet site 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. 6 with the aid of bait only and with the aid of dogs starting on Sept. 13. 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 - The Michigan DNR and the Northeast region fisheries team conducted a sturgeon population survey on a section of the Menominee River last week. The average size sturgeon was 35 inches. During the two days the survey was conducted 343 sturgeon were recorded. The hook-and-line sturgeon season will begin on Sept. 2 and run through Sept. 30. A sturgeon license is required by residents and nonresidents in order to harvest a fish. Blackberries are still ripening in the north. An invasive plant survey is being conducted on the Peshtigo State Forest properties. Creeping charlie, bull thistle and spotted knapweed have been found. Unit specific antlerless deer carcass tags will go on sale Saturday at noon, be sure to pick one up for your northern hunting destination.
Oconto County - Inland lakes and reservoirs have provided good fishing action for panfish and game fish. A beautiful water to fish is Chute Pond, a 421 acre reservoir that offers a nice variety such as northern pike, largemouth bass and panfish present. Inland trout anglers still have a few weekends to hit the streams and rivers. The South Branch of the Oconto has some good fishing spots off County T, with a rustic handicap accessible area.
Shawano County - A Hunter Safety Education course is being offered at the Shawano Community Middle School on Sept. 7 through Oct. 26 on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Please register early by contacting the instructor at (715)524-2441.
Green Bay DNR Service Center area
Brown County - The Fox River has been a pretty slow spot in the last month or so. Voyager Park has been quite a ghost town since there just isn't anything going on there. There hasn't been much seen except a few of sheepshead and catfish. However, there has been some walleye activity stirring up very recently around the railroad bridge at early evening hours. Bass action has been zero for the last couple of weeks at Voyager Park; they were coming in pretty small for anglers lucky enough to catch one at all. Some channel cats continued to be caught once in a while but they were smaller than those caught during July. There were still a lot of white bass being caught at the river mouth at the right time, but sheepshead were there as well. There has still been no action at all at the Suamico River shoreline. Not many have been fishing from shore except a few just trying for panfish mostly in the afternoon and early evening. Perch action has been virtually nil on the river, but was still holding strong out on the west shore of the bay. Some larger ones were being found in 15-20 feet along both Little Tail and Long Tail in the early morning hours, and the lighthouse area seemed to be a popular spot as well. Minnows continued to be the hot bait, but crawlers were a close second. Duck Creek has been very slow so far. Mostly sheepshead and bullheads have been caught during the day on crawlers. There has been some tremendous walleye action in the Geano Beach area in anywhere from 6 to 12 feet of water. Crawler harnesses were still working best, but some anglers were trying dipseys and shadraps with some success. Bay Shore Park has still been doing well for perch in early morning. They have also been coming in a little larger as weeks go by. Anglers were catching a lot of small ones too. The bad news is that anglers can expect to catch not only gobies, but a few white perch as well, especially over rocky reefs. Most of the action has still been straight out on the flats in 25 to 30 feet, or the bay to the northeast. The only real walleye action has been around the Geano Beach area until recently. There has been some success along the east shore south of Bayshore Park, with some 22 to 26 inchers were caught in recent weeks, mostly in the evening hours again.
Manitowoc County - Anglers fishing Lake Michigan out of Manitowoc, found mixed success this past week due to some rough fishing conditions. However, despite rough fishing conditions, many salmon anglers found success fishing early morning and late afternoons in between 85 and 150 feet of water using fly and flasher combinations. Fishing off the South Manitowoc pier has been very slow with few trout or salmon caught. Harbor anglers have been successful in catching bass, perch, and some gobies. The surface water temperature taken from inside the Manitowoc harbor was 70 degrees Fahrenheit. In Two Rivers, anglers trolling Lake Michigan had a good week for chinook salmon, some rainbow trout, and a couple of nice brown trout. Anglers found the most success in 125 feet of water. Green flies have been successful as well as orange colored spoons. Anglers fishing off the piers had a slow week for chinooks, but caught a couple of nice rainbows. Inside the harbor, fishing has been steady for bullheads and a few catfish. The surface water temperature taken from inside the Two Rivers harbor was 71 degrees Fahrenheit.
Sturgeon Bay DNR Service Center area
Door County - Bright sunny skies and seasonable temperatures dominated most of this week. The exception was Saturday morning, when cloudy skies and scattered showers spread over most of the County. Little Sturgeon Bay has seen a lot of boat traffic this week, mostly due to the new boat launch. Walleye fishing has been getting better and better throughout the county. Sturgeon Bay and Little Sturgeon, along with the areas around Adventure Island, Horseshoe Island and the Strawberry Channel all were reported to be producing nice catches of walleye. As usual most of the action was coming at night. Anglers trolling around reefs and points in 15 to 25 feet of water, throughout the county were all finding nice fish. Night crawler harness rigs and crank baits all appeared to be producing fish. Northern pike fishing also appears to be on the rise with northerns being reported from both Sturgeon Bay and Little Sturgeon. There was an unconfirmed report of a 46-inch northern being taken out of Little Sturgeon on Sunday Aug. 13, and an unconfirmed report of a 53-inch musky being taken out of Little Sturgeon on Aug. 14. Perch action remained good to very good all over the county. Egg Harbor, Fish Creek and Sister Bay, along with the Southern Door bays, continued to produce nice catches of perch. Most of the perch being caught from shore remain on the small side. Bigger perch were being taken from 20 to 40 feet of water. Henderson Point, as well as the area around Snake Island, continued to produce some good size perch. Chaudoir’s Dock has been doing pretty decent for perch action during the last week. There still isn't any real hot spot; just go straight out from the landing and find 25-30 feet. You may have a harder time finding them here than at Bay Shore but the average size is a little better. There has been some slight perch action off Squaw Island in 8-10 feet, but their small size has made many go out further into Green Bay around the outside of Henderson Point to deeper water. Snake Island is a coin toss. Some say they can't find any large perch to save their life, while others are having no trouble at all. Night crawlers and minnows continued to be the baits of choice for perch. Bass fishing was good to very good all over the county with the exception of Saturday morning when the weather seemed to turn off the bass. Egg Harbor, Rowley’s Bay and the Stone Quarry County Park were all producing lots of smaller bass from shore, and larger fish were being caught along the deeper off shore reefs. Bat such as leeches and minnows have been working pretty well along the rock bars at 10-12 feet on the east shore where most of the bass action has always been. Some bigger ones have been showing up again, as we have seen quite a few at 18-20 inches. Sawyer Harbor has been seeing a little tougher action for bass this last week. However, there has also been some pretty big ones caught in the 18-20 inch range. The rock pile off Cabot point and the quarry are still the best places. Tube jigs, crank baits and spinner baits along with night crawlers remained the baits of choice for smallmouth. Reports of nice catches of chinook salmon and rainbow trout continue to come in from just about all of the Door County ports. The Bank Reef out of Sturgeon Bay, Baileys Harbor, Ellison Bay, Rowley’s Bay and Washington Island were all good areas. Most of the successful anglers reported finding fish in 110 to 200 feet of water, and fishing 70 to 165 feet down. Anglers reported success on aqua fly and glow dodger combinations as well as black and pearl spoons and J-Plugs. There have been some anglers searching for walleye again out on Larson's Reef, and they were doing quite well.
Kewaunee County - Salmon and trout fishing has remained excellent this past week in both Kewaunee and Algoma. Surface water temperatures are currently around 69-70 degrees Fahrenheit. Fish have been active in a variety of depths with anglers having success in anywhere from 80-250 feet of water fishing 60-110 feet down. During the early morning and late evening anglers have been concentrating in 100-150 foot range. Dodger/ fly combinations, spoons, and j-plugs have all produced fish. Chinook salmon continue to dominate the total catch; however, a few rainbow, brown, and lake trout have also been reported. Over the weekend, probably one of the largest chinook salmon was caught in the port of Kewaunee. The massive fish measured 42 inches and weighed 36 pounds 4 ounces after being out of the water for over five hours. Shore fishing has been rather spotty with only a few fish being reported. Darker colored chinooks have started coming into the harbors, which is a good sign that the spawning run is not to far off.
Oshkosh DNR Service Center area
Winnebago System fishing report
Trolling in the mudflats of Lake Winnebago was producing nice results for walleyes. Anglers working the reefs and rock piles with live bait (night crawlers and leeches) were also having good walleye results. Perch fishing has still been good lake wide; however, catches in the shallower waters were running small. For bigger catches in the 8 to 10 inch size range, anglers have to run their lines in the deeper waters areas (approximately 14 feet). Bluegills were being caught along side the perch. On the Upper Lakes, panfish action, for bluegill in particular, has been good. Baits of choice were red worms and leaf worms. White bass were being caught in the deeper parts of Lake Poygan on worms and night crawlers. Perch were being caught in Lake Winneconne on slip bobbers with night crawler chunks. Catfish were biting on night crawlers and/or cut bait on the Fox River, and Wolf River anglers were having good results off of the piers hooking perch and bluegills.
Oshkosh Area wildlife report - Prairie enthusiasts should be busy collecting seed, harvestable species are yellow pimpernel, yellow avens, ox-eye sunflower, golden alexander, western sunflower and purple meadow rue. The asters are just beginning to bloom with sawtooth sunflower, rosinweed, stiff goldenrod, cup plant, evening primrose and prairie dock in a blaze of yellow. The fall hunting season is fast approaching with mourning dove and early Canada goose season beginning Sept. 1. Large flocks of mourning doves and giant Canada geese are feeding in recently harvested winter wheat and oat fields. Very good opportunities to harvest both species in the same field. In Fond du Lac County, wetlands are drying up quickly due to the lack of precipitation and high temperatures. Waterfowl hunters are encouraged to scout for hunting spots for the Sept. 30, 9 a.m. opener in the southern zone so they are not surprised that their traditional spot is dry. White-tailed deer populations in the Fond du Lac County area are very good. Beginning Sept. 16, archery hunters should have excellent opportunity to be successful this season, as always scouting increases your odds for success. Unit 68A, in western Fond du Lac/eastern Green Lake County is an Earn-A-Buck Unit. Deer hunters are reminded they must harvest an antlerless deer before harvesting a buck unless they have prequalified by harvesting an antlerless deer in the unit in 2005 or have harvested an antlerless deer under the 2006 agricultural damage deer shooting program in this unit. Wildlife managers are hoping deer hunters will harvest two antlerless deer for every buck they harvest in this unit to begin to return this population to overwinter population goal. With no hunter choice, Unit 69 gun deer hunters are reminded that they must purchase an Antlerless Deer Carcass Tag ($12 resident, $20 non-resident) in order to harvest an antlerless deer. These carcass tags go on sale beginning at noon, Aug. 26. Limit is one per day. Enjoy Wisconsin outdoors and please take your garbage back home.
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SOUTHEAST REGION
Lake Michigan
Near shore waters remain warm this week. Trout and salmon were still off shore, but trollers in general have been catching good numbers of chinooks and rainbows. Several days of west winds will bring colder water and trout and salmon in near shore, making them accessible to pier anglers and those fishing along the shoreline.
Sheboygan County - In Sheboygan fishing off the piers remains slow, but a couple of brown trout have been caught in the early morning hours. Sheboygan trollers have been catching decent numbers of chinooks, with a few rainbows and browns mixed in. The majority of fish have been 40 to 70 feet down in 90 to 130 feet of water, and most have been hitting spoons.
Ozaukee County - In Port Washington shore fishing has been slow. Trollers out of Port Washington have been catching good numbers of chinooks, along with a few rainbows and coho. Most fish have been caught in 120 to 140 feet of water, anywhere from 40 to 80 feet down. Dodgers and flies have been producing the most fish, but spoons and J-plugs have also taken fish at times.
Milwaukee County - At the Milwaukee lakefront shore anglers have not had much success since the water warmed up. Milwaukee trollers have been concentrating their efforts off shore, and they have been finding chinooks and rainbows. Although some fish have been taken in the 70 foot depth contour, most chinooks have been 90 feet down in 120 to 150 feet of water, and the rainbows have been out in 200 feet of water. Spoons and J-plugs in a variety of colors have been effective.
Racine County - In Racine no fish have been reported off the piers recently, but in the harbor shore anglers have been catching large and smallmouth bass, as well as northern pike. Fish have been hitting live bait, spinners, and soft plastics. Trollers out of Racine have been finding good chinook action in the 100 to 120 foot range. Glow-in-the-dark patterns or white spoons and J-plugs have been producing.
Kenosha County - In the Kenosha harbor water temperatures are still near 70 degrees. Brown trout have been seen jumping, but getting them to bite has been difficult. Northern pike, however, have been active in both Southport Marina and the small boat harbor. Trollers out of Kenosha have been catching some chinooks on spoons and J-plugs in 150 to 200 feet of water. Natural colors and chartreuse have been the most consistent producers.
Walworth and inland Racine and Kenosha counties - Anglers after bluegills have been catching lots of them. Best baits were leaf worms and waxworms. Bluegills were concentrated in 15 to 25 feet of water over weeds. Bass anglers were catching largemouth on plastics in 8 to 10 feet of water and smallmouth were biting on leeches and night crawlers in 15 to 25 feet of water. Northern pike were hitting suckers or artificials along the deep weed lines. Geneva Lake trout anglers were catching some lake trout in 40 to 60 feet of water using spoons.
Washington, eastern Fond du Lac, and inland Sheboygan counties - Fishing action has slowed down a bit. Musky had been active on Big Elkhart Lake and should remain good with cooling temperatures. Bass action continued to be fair on both lakes and larger rivers. Panfish action was very spotty.
Waukesha County - Some walleyes were being caught on Pewaukee, Pine, North, and Nagawicka lakes. Best catches were coming along deeper weed lines. Leeches, night crawlers, jumbo fatheads, medium golden shiners, or small suckers were the best baits. Excellent catches of northern pike were being taken on Nagawicka, Pine and Okauckee. Best luck trolling cranks along deep weed lines. Crappies were being caught suspended along the outside weed lines. Jigs tipped with a small fathead or rosy red minnow worked best.
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SOUTH CENTRAL REGION
Fitchburg DNR Service Center area
Jefferson County - Anglers were still catching bluegill on Rock Lake suspended out in the deeper water. The fish were suspended approximately 20 feet down in around 45 feet of water. Drifting by using an assortment of baits like pieces of night crawlers, waxworms and leeches have produced the best success. On the upper Rock and Crawfish rivers anglers were catching a few catfish on stink bait and chicken livers but success is slow overall. Most of the fish being caught were under a pound in size. Water levels on the area lakes and rivers are continuing to recede due to dry conditions. Due to the lack of rainfall people are cautioned on the use of outdoor fires. Local Canada geese are becoming more active as the hunting season draws nearer and cooler nighttime temperatures indicate fall is around the corner.
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WEST CENTRAL REGION
Baldwin DNR Service Center area
St. Croix County
Willow River State Park - In one hour, this wildlife was observed from the Trout Brook Trail, the Oak Ridge Trail, and the White-tail Trail: a great horned owl was heard calling just after 7 p.m. across the river from the Trout Brook trail; a coin-sized snapping turtle was in the middle of the trail; white-tailed deer were along the trail. On the Oak Ridge trail, a gray tree frog was crossing toward water in the Hidden Ponds area. On the White-tail Trail, a great horned owl was observed flying out of a tree. The Oak Ridge and White-tail are un-crowded on weeknights and wildlife is out there, especially as the sun gets low in the sky. Another great option is the loop with the Pioneer and Knapweed and the White-tail to see some deer. Weeknight camping availability is good. Weekends will be full. Universe in the Park will be the program given at the Nature Center Friday, Aug. 25 at 9 p.m. There will be an astronomy slide show inside and a telescope outside afterward. The program is free but regular vehicle admission rates apply.
La Crosse DNR Service Center area
Late summer and early fall are good times to do some bird watching. 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 visual observations and less on their hearing to locate and identify birds. Some songbirds, such as bobolinks, have already left Wisconsin on their southward migration.
Mississippi River - Migrating blue-winged teal have started to arrive in significant numbers. Their numbers should peak in late September. Nighthawks are starting to migrate through the area. Their migration will likely peak in early September. Many shorebirds have nearly completed their fall passage through our area. Fall must be upon us.
Crawford County - Normal temperatures and a little rain was part of the weather this past week. The Mississippi River held steady this week. Currently the river stage is at 6.5 feet. As expected with lower water levels boat operators must use caution when traveling outside the Main Channel of the Mississippi River. Sand bars on the Wisconsin River and Mississippi River are in pretty good shape. The Kickapoo River is still pretty low and hard to navigate due to numerous trees and deadheads. All of the trout streams in the area are in pretty good shape considering the time of year. Bluegill action this week pretty good again around the wing dams on the East and Main Channel near Prairie du Chien and in deeper slow moving sloughs. Anglers were also finding some action throughout the Ambro Slough. Crappie fishing has been spotty but some have been found along weed beds and in the downed tree tops. Walleyes are being taken on the wing dams and rocky shoreline drop offs on night crawlers and crank baits. The upper stretches of Pool 9 around Minnesota Slough and DeSoto Bay have produced walleyes. The channel outside of Cold Spring and the upper end of Deer Island have been good again. In Prairie du Chien area (Pool 10) walleyes were being taken at the bottom end of the Roseau Slough and on some of the wing dams. Walleye and sauger action on the East Channel outside of Prairie du Chien was slow. Largemouth bass and smallmouth bass action continued to be good along the Mississippi River and on the Wisconsin River. Bass anglers were finding active fish all over the Prairie du Chien area and in Pool 9 from Lynxville to Lansing. Most anglers are using plastics, crank baits, or spinner baits. Catfish, both channel and flathead were biting on the river also. Trout fishing appears to be pretty good yet; however, few anglers have been out due to the hot weather, vegetation growth and insects. Early spring flowers and summer grasses have seeded out and are turning brown. Many late summer grasses and flowers are starting to show up. Cardinal flowers are starting to show up in the river bottoms.
Eau Claire DNR Service Center area
Brunet Island State Park - Fishing on the Cornell Flowage has been productive with walleye biting below the Holcombe dam and northern pike and panfish also being taken. Catfish were being taken with leeches in both river channels. Hikers have many great opportunities within the park. Canada geese, crows, robins, loons, and pileated woodpeckers, have been heard or spotted recently. Whether it’s using the island’s trail system, exploring the wilder areas of the park, or a brisk walk on the park road, visitors will be sure to enjoy these beautiful woodlands.
Wisconsin Rapids DNR Service Center area
Buckhorn State Park - People have been enjoying the great weather- swimming, hiking and canoeing and kayaking. Deer have been seen along roads late in the day and early morning. Campsites have been filling up on weekends. Many sites are available during the week. Canoes and single person kayaks are available for rental and have been very popular. A cold water rinse shower for washing off sand and algae is in the beach picnic area. Check out the new nature room at the park office, with new displays and crafts this month. Park visitors have been taking photos for the annual photo contest -- the deadline is coming soon - Sept. 30. There are openings for the accessible cabin on Sept. 6-7 and Oct. 7-10.
http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/caer/ce/news/or/
