Wisconsin DNR News April 15, 2008
Wisconsin inland fishing season opens May 3
Governor’s Fishing Opener at Lake Wapogasset, Polk County
Arbor Day - from small seeds grow big dreams
April 20-26 proclaimed Forest Appreciation Week in Wisconsin
April 20-26 is Wildfire Prevention Week in Wisconsin
Early spring is garlic mustard control season
Federal dollars will help collect unused drugs, electronics
Comments accepted through Friday on proposed Stewardship access rule
‘Calling All Frogs!’ workshop offered at Sandhill
Wisconsin inland fishing season opens May 3
MADISON – Despite lingering, winter-like conditions, spring has officially arrived and that means anglers are counting down the days until the May 3, inland fishing season opener.
Opening weekend is also the perfect time to share your angling passion with a friend or family member.
“No matter where you live in Wisconsin, there’s great fishing to be had,” says Department of Natural Resources Secretary Matt Frank. “Everyone can enjoy this traditional pastime. And by introducing a new angler to fishing, you’re helping them create memories that last a lifetime.”
Passing on the angling experience does even more than create great memories, it also helps to protect Wisconsin’s fish populations and expand fishing opportunities. Every license that anglers purchase is an investment in improving Wisconsin’s fisheries and each license sold brings an additional $10 in federal aid for fish restoration.
There are still a few weeks until opening day, so anglers have time to dive into the 2008 Wisconsin Fishing Report [http://dnr.wi.gov/fish/reports/fishingreport/] for fishing forecasts, tips and techniques to increase their chances of reeling in a trophy catch this season.
Season dates and regulations
The hook-and-line game fish season opens May 3 on inland waters for walleye, sauger, and northern pike statewide.
The largemouth and smallmouth bass southern zone opens May 3, while the northern bass zone opens for catch and release only from May 3 through June 20. Anglers are reminded that artificial lures and barbless hooks must be used if fishing for bass during the catch-and-release bass fishing season in the northern zone and any other waterbody that has bass catch-and-release regulations. From June 21 to March 1, 2009, there’s a minimum length limit of 14 inches with a daily bag limit of five fish in total. The northern zone is the area north of highways 77, 64 and 29.
The musky season opens May 3 in the southern zone and May 24 in the northern zone, with Highway 10 the dividing line.
The seasons for rock, yellow and white bass, panfish, bullheads and rough fish, catfish, cisco and whitefish are open all year. Check the 2008-2009 Guide to Wisconsin Hook and Line Fishing Regulations [http://dnr.wi.gov/fish/regulations/2008/hookline.html] for special regulations listed by county, for regulations on the Great Lakes and boundary waters, and for tributary streams to Green Bay and Lake Michigan.
The complete guide is available at DNR offices and license agents and can be found on DNR's Web site, [http://dnr.wi.gov/], then click on “fishing” and then “regulations.”
New VHS rules aim to stop spread of deadly fish disease
Anglers are reminded that new rules to prevent the spread of viral hemorrhagic septicemia, or VHS [http://dnr.wi.gov/fish/vhs/] are currently in effect statewide. The rules aim to prevent the movement of infected bait minnows -- the main way VHS is spread to new waters -- and the movement of contaminated water. Anglers should visit the VHS Prevention [http://dnr.wi.gov/fish/vhs/vhs_prevent.html] page of the DNR Web site to see how the new rules will affect them this fishing season.
Fishing licenses
Wisconsin residents and nonresidents 16 years old or older need a fishing license to fish in any waters of the state. Residents born before Jan. 1, 1927 do not need a license, nor do people who exhibit proof they are in active service with the U.S. armed forces and are a resident on furlough or leave.
People can buy licenses: over the Internet through the Online Licensing Center; [https://hfwa.centraltechnology.net/wi_public/goHome.do] at any DNR Service Center; [http://dnr.wi.gov/org/caer/cs/servicecenter/locations.htm] at DNR license vendors; [http://dnr.wi.gov/org/caer/cs/licenseagents/] or by calling toll-free 1-877-WI LICENSE (1-877-945-4236).
Regional DNR fisheries forecasts
Here’s how field DNR fisheries supervisors are seeing the season opener shape up across Wisconsin:
Northeastern Wisconsin
For the Northeast Region, walleye spawning will be done by the opener. All the ice is already out from the lakes. Probably some of lakes to the north are peaking in walleye spawning right now. The fish are not going to be sitting up in the shallows in vulnerable areas but back to their normal habits and should be feeding readily. There’s an excellent walleye population in the Winnebago system with good numbers of fish and good sizes. The Marinette area is also good for walleye around the spring opener. Fish the lower Menominee River or Green Bay on the west shore. Trout streams are going to be full of water, not overflowing, but with good water flow. We have excellent streams and a lot of public frontage on them providing some great fishing opportunities. Lake Michigan has a real good season for near-shore fisheries. It tends to slow down in May before picking up again in June. The perch fishery opens later in May in Green Bay. It should just be an excellent season – the entire season. – George Boronow, regional fisheries supervisor, Green Bay
Northern Wisconsin
Last year on April 1, a number of smaller lakes in the north were already ice free. This year, anglers are still driving vehicles on these same lakes. With several feet of ice still present on most lakes, it looks to be a late ice out in the north this spring. I was ice-fishing on opening day in 1996, but that probably won't happen this year, although there is still no warm weather predicted for early April. It is very likely; however, that water temperatures will be cold on the opener. Walleye will probably still be spawning in a number of the larger lakes. Panfish will generally be gathered in the shallow bays which warm more quickly than the open portions of lakes. Bass will be sluggish and anglers need to remember that the bass season is catch and release until late June in this part of the state. There is an additional restriction of artificial lures with barbless hooks only for bass during the catch-and-release season due to a new legislative rule. In short, be prepared for slow presentations, smaller baits, and patience. And perhaps don't put away those tip-ups just yet. - Steve Avelallemant, regional fisheries supervisor, Rhinelander
South Central Wisconsin
The first Saturday in May is a great time to be out fishing. Anglers looking for early action on panfish have several opportunities in South Central Wisconsin. Bluegill and black crappie populations are strong in all of the Madison lakes, but especially in lakes Monona and Waubesa. Anglers might also try for bluegill in Rock and Ripley lakes in Jefferson County. Crystal Lake, west of Lodi, continues to be a bluegill factory. Small tributaries and ditches will warm up quickly and concentrate panfish numbers.
Catfish anglers will find good opportunities for channel catfish in Yellowstone Lake, the Pecatonica River, the Wisconsin River system, and the Rock, Crawfish, Bark and Sugar rivers. Good smallmouth bass opportunities exist in the Galena, Yellowstone and Platte rivers, Blockhouse and Rattlesnake creeks and the Wisconsin River system. Since the removal of the dams on the Baraboo River, anglers report great smallmouth bass fishing once the water reaches 60 degrees Fahrenheit (mid-May). The white bass spawning run on the Wisconsin River begins about the first week of May, or when the lilacs begin blooming. White bass numbers are also up on the Rock River with the best action through the month of May. Good stocked walleye fisheries exist in lakes Redstone, Swan, Yellowstone and currently Park Lake by Pardeeville. Nice walleye populations can also be found in Mendota, Kegonsa, Koshkonong, Fox and Beaver Dam lakes. In Lake Koshkonong, post spawning walleye should be returning to the lake after running up the rivers to spawn. Lake Mendota walleye will have just finished spawning due to one of the latest springs in recent history. Northern pike action is probably best on Lake Mendota, Fox Lake, Lake Koshkonong and the Rock River. Southern Wisconsin has a wealth of very nice trout streams [http://dnr.wi.gov/fish/species/trout/streammaps.html] and despite the drought followed by the August 2007 floods, it’s felt that these recent conditions won’t have a major impact for 2008, and trout anglers should find plenty of good trout fishing. – Tim Larson, fisheries supervisor, Poynette and Don Bush, fisheries supervisor, Janesville.
Southeastern Wisconsin
With record snowfalls and lasting cold weather, this has been a very unusual spring for our area. Just about every spring-spawning fish, including walleye, northern pike and even steelhead rainbow trout are spawning later than normal this year. Usually, the Lake Michigan steelhead run is well done by opening day of the general fishing season; but that will probably not be the case this year! Keep an eye on Lake Michigan tributaries for end-of-run steelhead because they can offer some great action. It is very likely that walleye will still be spawning on deeper lakes like Geneva, Pine, Big Cedar and Delavan. That means that early and late in the day, walleye will be shallower than normal and oriented toward hard bottoms of rock and gravel. Muskies will probably not have spawned by opening day; which could make for some very unusual musky action. It is likely anglers will be catching male muskies that are beat-up from fighting with each other on the spawning grounds. Some big pre-spawn females could also be taken. Bass anglers could have the hardest time. I suggest they may want to sleep in on opening day because water temperatures will be low, keeping bass lethargic. If water temperatures are in the 50s, try fishing deeper than normal. Or, try a lake with numerous channels and marshlands, especially if the channels and marshes are situated on the north end of the lake where they get maximum sun exposure. Try these areas at mid-day when the sunshine is strongest and water warmest. Slow retrieves of natural bait or natural bait imitations will work best. Fish these locations and use these tactics for bluegill and crappie too. Don’t forget about stocked trout lakes. Old favorites like Lower Genesee, Lower Nashotah, Ottawa, Fowler, Waubesee and Beulah lakes will be stocked with full quotas and should provide excellent fishing for browns and rainbows. Good luck. And, after a winter that was way, way too long, enjoy your special day on the water! - Randy Schumacher, regional fish supervisor, Milwaukee
West Central Region
With warmer weather, fishing should start picking up. Northern pike have completed spawning and will be feeding heavily by the fishing opener. Walleye anglers should also enjoy success as walleye are finished spawning and are beginning to feed. Larger females will be located on or near shallow flats, while males are generally in the deeper water. Afternoon is usually the best as water temperatures rise. Panfish anglers should look for shallow bays out of the wind. There they’ll find bluegill, crappie and perch waiting for a worm or minnow. Trout anglers could face tough conditions with extremely clear water making trout spooky. Anglers will have to use the stealth approach when stalking the wily brook and brown trout. However, a little rain and minor run-off will definitely improve anglers’ chances of catching the big one.
Driftless Area
Despite the heavy rains of August 2007, anglers should still find good numbers of trout. Most damage was restricted to the upper stream segments where the gradient is higher and velocities were greater. Post flood surveys found that good numbers of adult trout had survived the high water event. Some stream conditions actually improved from last year with the flooding. Numerous pools that had been inundated with sediment were scoured clean leaving 3 to 4 feet of water over a nice rock/rubble bottom. Although invertebrate populations were temporarily reduced because of the flooding they will repopulate quickly. Early season anglers are already having good success with nymph, small mayfly and scud patterns. If you’re a spinning angler, use baits that can be worked slowly without losing action. For the worm angler, nothing beats a single hooked nightcrawler with only enough weight to sink it. Let it drift naturally under cover and keep the line tight. Because trout dislike bright light, best fishing times are dawn, dusk and on cloudy days. On bright days, seek out shaded cover for active fish.
Mississippi River
The winter's been long and snowy and the spring fishing conditions are changing daily. Recent reports have anglers catching good numbers of walleye below Lock and Dam 3, 4, 5, 7, and 8. Spring can be a very productive time to catch walleye and sauger. Anglers generally take some nice fish trolling or jigging in 12 to18 feet of water along the main channel borders of the Mississippi River. Hot lures include bright colored jigs or minnow type crank baits with rattles, bounced along the bottom. Decent shore fishing for bluegill, crappie and perch is also picking up. Fishing for panfish will only improve with a dropping water level and warmer water temperatures. – Mark Endris, regional fish supervisor, Eau Claire
Wisconsin Fishing by the numbers
1.4 million licensed anglers
21 million annual fishing days
#2 ranked fishing destination
88 million fish caught a year
31 million fish harvested
11 million fingerlings and yearlings stocked a year
70 different fish species, strains and sizes stocked
$2.75 billion economic benefits
$196 million in state tax revenues
30,164 jobs
165 fish species
15,081 lakes
42,000 miles of year-round streams
10,266 miles of trout stream
4,037 miles of class 1 trout streams
Governor’s Fishing Opener at Lake Wapogasset, Polk County
AMERY Wis. -- The 43rd Governor’s Fishing Opener, officially kicking off Wisconsin’s game fishing season, will take place at Lake Wapogasset in Polk County on Saturday, May 3.
Gov. Jim Doyle is invited, and also fishing at Lake Wapogasset during event will be local legislators and officials and Wisconsin and out-of-state media, joined by Department of Natural Resources Secretary Matt Frank and state Fisheries Chief, Mike Staggs.
Former Gov. Warren Knowles started the tradition in 1965 to officially open the state's fishing season. The angling event is held at various locations in western and northern Wisconsin each year and is sponsored by the Wisconsin Indianhead Country Tourism group. This event is by invitation only to key media and state and local government officials.
Lake Wapogasset is the third largest waterbody in Polk County located a few miles west of Amery. The lake hosts good populations of walleye, northerns, bass and panfish.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim Bishop, DNR Northern Region public affairs manager – - (715) 635-4242
Arbor Day - from small seeds grow big dreams
To plant a tree is to plant hope.
By Genny Fannucchi, DNR Forest Appreciation and Awareness Specialist
MADISON -- Every April, children and adults across Wisconsin celebrate two important dates for the environment: Arbor Day, which is always the last Friday in April (this year April 25) and Earth Day celebrated April 22.
This year marks the 136th anniversary of Arbor Day and the 38th anniversary of Earth Day. Schools around our state will celebrate by reading poetry, designing posters, listening to speeches and learning about our planet and our natural resources. Many students will cap their week long activities by planting trees. As students follow in the footsteps of the tree planters that have come before them, they will share the strong commitment to the Earth’s future.
In recent years, the importance of learning outside the classroom has received widespread attention. According to the National Arbor Day Foundation, learning new skills, having opportunities to meet other positive people, and being part of something important are just a few ways that planting trees helps kids. Planting trees gives children something to do outdoors and helps them develop a sense of community.
To showcase the knowledge and talent of Wisconsin students, the Department of Natural Resources sponsors a statewide Forest Appreciation Week writing contest for fourth graders and an Arbor Day poster contest for fifth graders. This year’s writing contest theme was, “My Favorite Forest Animal.”
More than 1,500 students from 112 classrooms throughout the state wrote about a forest animal that they have studied and observed. Children shared thoughts about squirrels, owls, wolves, toads, bats, bears, raccoons and all sorts of forest creatures that captured their imagination.
The poster contest also had an overwhelming response from more than 1,700 students from more than 100 schools. The contest’s science based theme was “Trees are Terrific…inside and out!” Students visually shared how a tree grows and the wonders of photosynthesis.
Wisconsin DNR News
Edited by Paul Holtan
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
PO Box 7921
Madison WI 53707-7921
(608) 267-7517
Fax: (608) 264-6293
E-mail: paul.holtan@dnr.state.wi.us
http://dnr.wi.gov/org/caer/ce/news/
