WDNR Outdoor Report as of March 11, 2010Daytime temperatures in the 40s and even 50s across Wisconsin this week, combined with light rainfall in many areas, took a major toll on snow conditions this week. Snow depths now range from bare ground in some areas of the south to less than a foot in the far northern counties, with much of the central part of the state having from 2 to 5 inches remaining. Snowmobile trails are now closed in most counties, with just a few far northern counties reporting trails still open but in poor condition with bars spots in some places. Most parks and forests are no longer maintaining cross-country ski trails and many properties have reopened trails to hiking. The Lapham Peak Unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest is reporting some snow remaining on the loop with man-made snow, but the remainder of the system now closed after a record 90 continuous days of skiing this winter.
With the warm weather and snowmelt, more and more rivers are opening up. Southern Wisconsin lakes still have as much as 15 inches of ice, but the melting conditions are opening up some shorelines and making travel difficult. Any kind of vehicle travel on southern lakes is now dangerous. Ice depths on northern lakes still ranges up to 20 inches, but again, access areas on the west and north shores have become extremely treacherous with deep ruts and lots of water and slush. The game fish season is now closed on most inland lakes. However, there have still been quite a few panfish anglers venturing out and they continue to have some generally good success with catches of crappie, perch and bluegill reported. Game fishing remains open on some rivers, and open water boaters have been out fishing for walleyes on the Wisconsin, Fox and Mississippi rivers.
Anglers on Green Bay have been doing quite well fishing smelt and whitefish. Anglers have also been seeking northern pike, walleye and perch, though they have had to put in some time to find fish. With all the snowmelt, Lake Michigan tributaries are opening up. Upstream sections of the Sheboygan River are open, but fishing access is still very limited due to ice flows. The Milwaukee River is open under the Hoan bridge, and the boat launch at riverfront is usable. Anglers have been catching good numbers of browns and lake trout. Fast moving portions of Oak Creek are open, but water levels are low. The Root River is open from the Horlick dam into Island Park, and flows are slowly increasing as the snow melts. The water is clear and fishing has been decent, with both browns and steelhead caught.
The main channel of the Mississippi River is open at Prairie du Chien and the east channel is opening up. Farther north at La Cross ice anglers and boaters are still fishing in close proximity to each other. So far, the river has remained fairly stable and was at 7.9 feet Monday.
Sap has begun to run and the maple syrup season is underway with syrup makers busy tapping trees over the past week. The flowers of eastern skunk cabbage are emerging from below the leaf litter and snow in moist sections of the woods, marshes, and along streams. The flower is three to five inches high and a purple-brown color. The flower actually produces heat, which attracts pollinating flies and sends a skunky scent through the woods.
The spring bird migration has been in full swing! Robins, killdeer, red-winged blackbirds, grackles, song sparrows, sandhill cranes and early waterfowl migrants have returned. Spring goose migration should peak in the next week with warm temperatures. The first displaying American woodcock of the season have been reported. Northern Wisconsin birders are reporting the sporadic bouts of ruffed grouse drumming, and prairie-chickens and sharp-tailed grouse beginning to dance on lekking grounds. Bald eagles have returned to reclaim northern nesting territories. Saw-whet owls are now singing on territory and great horned owlets are hatching, with some now big enough to be seen out from under their mother?s protective wings.
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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.
Statewide Birding Report
Spring bird migration is in full swing! Birders around the state are reporting robins, killdeer, waterfowl, red-winged blackbirds, grackles, song sparrows, sandhill cranes and other early migrants. Saw-whet owls are now singing on territory and in migration in many places across the state and Madison birders are reporting the first displaying American woodcock of the season. Northern Wisconsin birders are reporting the first sporadic bouts of ruffed grouse drumming and prairie-chickens and sharp-tailed grouse are now beginning to dance on the lekking grounds. Birders should expect to hear wild turkeys beginning to gobble with warm temps this week along with an increased influx of other early migrants including meadowlarks, song sparrows, and waterfowl. Spring goose migration should peak in the next week with warm temperatures. Birders can expect to find all five species of geese in SC Wisconsin by finding large areas of flooded fields. In addition, birders wanting to see large concentrations of tundra swans can expect to see some beginning to move into the Shiocton/Green Bay area over the next two weeks. Great horned owlets are hatching and some are now big enough to be seen out from under their mother?s protective wings.
DNR Northern Region
Ashland DNR Service Center area
Copper Falls State Park ? Recent warm weather has all but ended the 2010 ski season as temperatures are reaching the upper 40s to low 50s. Ski trails are still snow covered but are very soft. The new skate-ski trail received good use over the 2010 ski season and plans are being made to expand for the 2011 season. Maple syrup season is underway in the Mellen area. Several local syrup makers have been busy tapping trees over the past week. On Saturday, March 27, the Friends of Copper Falls State Park will be boiling sap at the park headquarters beginning at 10 am. Participants will learn about maple syrup production. Vehicle admission stickers will be required. As the temperatures continues to increase, melting snow is causing the Bad River to rise. At this time the face of the falls are still frozen but are expected to break-up soon. Please call the park at 715-274-5123 for daily reports regarding waterfall conditions.
Spooner DNR Service Center area
Deer are all over road sides eating from exposed vegetation with snow melt. Mallards were being seen on the yellow river March 9. Woodpeckers are pecking their mating calls, chickadees are practicing their mating calls and eagles are already sitting on nests.
Park Falls DNR Service Center area
Upper Chippewa Basin fisheries report (Price, Rusk, Sawyer Taylor and inland Ashland and Iron counties) - With the warm and sunny weather of the past week, ice conditions have deteriorated quite a bit on the lakes across the Northwoods. Ice depths have been in the 16 to 20-inch range, but access areas on the west and north shores have become extremely treacherous with deep ruts and lots of water and slush. Most of the snow has now melted from the top of the ice, and surface conditions have become very sloppy. With overnight temps staying above the freezing mark and the rain that is forecasted in the next few days, look for ice conditions to continue to deteriorate very rapidly. With the end of the game fish ice fishing season this past Sunday, angling pressure has dropped off significantly on most waters across the North. However, there have still been quite a few panfish anglers venturing out and they continue to have some generally good success. Some nice catches of crappie, perch and bluegill have been reported and most are still being found suspended just off the bottom in the deeper water areas. Waxworms, wigglers and crappie minnows have all produced some decent catches.
Flambeau River State Forest - Ski trails are in poor condition and grooming has been suspended unless the forest gets at least 3 inches of new snow.
DNR Northeastern Region
Peshtigo DNR Service Center area
Governor Thompson State Park ? The park has stopped grooming the ski trails and all trails are now open to hiking. Some trails may still be snow covered, but with the warm temperatures every day they are showing more bare ground. Quite a few ice fishers have been spotted on Woods Lake and Caldron Falls Flowage. Please remember that ice conditions can vary and that the ice is never completely safe.
Sturgeon Bay DNR Service Center area
Door County - Sturgeon Bay anglers have been doing quite well fishing smelt and whitefish off Stone Quarry. They have been using a small ice jig tipped with a wax worm to target smelt. Anglers have been seeking northern pike as well; most have been fishing by the state park or the yacht club. The walleye fishing has been fair in the last week on Larson?s Reef. Most anglers have to put in some time to find the fish. The bite has been best at dawn or dusk. At Little Sturgeon Bay, anglers have been getting a few pike inside the bay; most have been running from 20-25 inches long. Anglers have been using golden shiners and sucker minnows to target them. The whitefish have been the main bite over the last week. Even though the bite slowed, some anglers are still having no problem finding fish. A Swedish pimple tipped with a waxworm was the ticket. Also it seemed the whitefish were very spooky; anglers that caught the most always seemed to be away from the large groups. Most Red River anglers have been targeting whitefish over the last week. The best bite has been in 6-20 feet of water. Most anglers have been seeing lots of fish but have trouble getting them to commit. Anglers have also reported some perch being caught in 20 feet of water.
Potawatomi State Park - Ski trail conditions at Potawatomi have deteriorated over the past few days and are in poor condition. There are bare spots on the trails. Rain is predicted over the next few days.
Wautoma DNR Service Center area
Hartman Creek State Park - As of March 10, cross-country ski trails are in very poor condition. Warming temperatures (in the 50s) are causing the snow to melt, making the trails very soupy. Today we are receiving significant rainfall. Below freezing temperatures at night and warm Spring-like temperatures during the day make for poor skiing conditions. The skiing may be over for this season. Call (715) 258-2372 for updated conditions. Waupaca County snowmobile trails are closed.
DNR Southeast Region
Kettle Moraine State Forest - Pike Lake Unit - All trails are open now open to hikers. Trails are still mostly snow/ice covered with some scattered muddy areas. Trail conditions will remain rather poor while the snow/ice continues to melt.
Kettle Moraine State Forest ? Lapham Peak Unit ? The man-made snow loop still had snow as of March 9, but the rest of the trail has deteriorating conditions. Ski trail lights will remain lit on the man-made loop. There is now a large bare spot at the base of the big slide, and a growing number of bare and icy patches in the rest of the system. Crews will try to groom the man-made snow loop early on Saturday morning and again on Sunday (we may groom it even if temps are above freezing, since the deep base tends to have its own cooling effect). Anyway, the season is coming to a close with more than 90 continuous days of skiing, which is believed to be a Lapham Peak record.
Kettle Moraine State Forest - Southern Unit - As of March 10, cross-country ski trails are closed. Snowmobile trails are closed. Bike Trails are closed for the month of March. They will open when all the frost has come out of the ground. Call the Trail Information Line, (262) 594-6202, for the most current trail conditions. Hiking trails are open. Pets as long as they are on a leash 8 feet or shorter are welcome on hiking trails with the exception of nature trails.
Milwaukee DNR Service Center
Sheboygan County - ? In Sheboygan, upstream sections of the Sheboygan River are starting to open up near Esslingen Park, but fishing access is still very limited due to the ice. This week?s forecast for warm temperatures and rain should help.
Ozaukee County - In Port Washington open water anglers have been catching a few browns near the power plant discharge. Both spawn and skein have produced fish.
Milwaukee County - In Milwaukee the river under the Hoan bridge is open, and the boat launch at Riverfront is usable. Boaters jigging in the harbor near the main gap have been catching good numbers of browns and lake trout. Fast moving portions of Oak Creek are open, but water levels are low. The Bender Park launch is open, and shore anglers there have been catching fair numbers of browns.
Racine County - In Racine the Root River is open from the Horlick dam into Island Park, and flows are slowly increasing as the snow melts. The water is clear and fishing has been decent. Both browns and steelhead have been caught. With the water low and most fish holding in the deeper areas, fishing has been better for those drifting spawn sacs or small white tube jigs than for those fly fishing. Fly anglers should concentrate on the areas of fast water that are deep enough to hide the fish and stick with natural patterns and colors like black, olive, brown or even white. Those drifting spawn or tubes should have no trouble contacting a few fish as long as they move around and cover as many of the deeper sections of the river as possible.
DNR South Central Region
Dodgeville DNR Service Center area
Wyalusing State Park - Most trails will still have snow on them. The recent warm temps and forecast of rain and highs in the 50?s by this weekend will certainly make a difference in the snow covering. Icy patches will still remain in many areas, and trails that are snow free will be muddy. According to the number of ice anglers this week compared to the last to weeks, it seems as if the fish are biting again. Or it may be that the ice anglers know that their days on the ice are numbered as spring is just around the corner. Ice on both the Mississippi and Wisconsin Rivers is breaking up. It is interesting to cross the Wisconsin River and notice the change daily in the amount of ice versus open water. North of Prairie du Chien near La Crosse, you can see ice anglers and fishermen in boats in close proximity to each other. Activities at the office feeders seems to have decreased with the snow. The first harbinger of spring, the American robin showed up in the park March 10. Sandhill cranes and red-winged black birds have also been spotted in the area. Birds at the park office bird feeders include: cardinals, juncos, red-bellied woodpeckers, downy woodpeckers, hairy woodpeckers, chickadees, gold finches, bluejays, nuthatches, mourning doves, tufted titmice and purple finches. Some gold finches are beginning to show patches of bright yellow, another sure sign that spring is not far away. Cardinals are calling in the morning.
Fitchburg DNR Service Center area
Capital Springs Centennial State Recreation Area ?Cross country ski trails are closed. The trails are open for hiking, but a little soft and messy. Please note that all pets must be on leash and under control at all times.
Devil's Lake State Park - Chickadees are singing their spring courtship songs. There is now some bare ground in places. Most ground is still snow-covered, but it?s on its way out. Rain, drizzle and above 40 temperatures are doing their jobs. Fishing season is closed (except for panfish) for two months for the spring spawning season. Ice shanties are gone from the lake. Unless we get more heavy March snow, the ski/snowshoe/sled season has almost fizzled. Hiking trails are not maintained for winter use, though they are not officially closed to entry. Visitors may hike the trails if they choose, but may not walk on the cross-country ski trails when those trails are snow-covered. When the trails finally clear of snow, they will be more passable, but will not be neat and clean. Expect muddy wet conditions for some weeks after snowmelt.
Lake Kegonsa State Park - All trails are open to hiking. There are still some areas with snow cover and most areas are very muddy. Please use caution.
Mirror Lake State Park - As of March 10, cross country ski trails remained open, but conditions were deteriorating. Currently, conditions are poor with some bare spots developing. Trails are no longer being groomed. Remember, pets and hiking on groomed ski trails is prohibited. Trails open for snowshoeing and hiking include Echo Rock and Wild Rice. Spring won?t arrive until March 20, but signs of spring are already showing around the park. Robins have been seen and heard. Male cardinals are singing both to attract mates and to let rivals know that they have a territory staked out. Maple trees are beginning to respond to the warmer days by starting their sap flow. In the morning when temperatures are below freezing, you may notice sapcicles hanging from injured maple branches. One of the most interesting early signs of spring in the park is the eastern skunk cabbage. Eastern skunk cabbage grows in the more moist sections of the woods, marshes, and along streams. In late February and early March, the flower of the plant will emerge from below the leaf litter and snow. The leaves will come later. The flower is three to five inches high and a purple-brown color. What is most interesting about the skunk cabbage flower is its ability to withstand cold temperatures. The flower actually produces heat. In fact, the temperature in and around the flower can be up to 40 degrees higher than the surrounding air temperature. This warmth attracts pollinating flies and sends a skunky scent through the woods. On your next hike through the woods, see if you can spot this early sign of spring.
Jefferson County - Anglers are catching a few keeper bluegill on Rock Lake mostly on the south end off Sandy Beach and Elm Point. There is still 15-plus inches of ice remaining on the area lakes. With the recent rain it is extremely sloppy on the ice and some shorelines are starting to open up. Anglers are now starting to walk out on the ice instead of driving due to the shoreline conditions. Sandhill cranes are being seen arriving back in the area. A robin was reported seen in the Watertown area recently, a good sign of spring being close. A few crow hunters have been seen out on the weekends trying to call in the birds with limited success.
DNR West Central Region
La Crosse DNR Service Center area
Wildcat Mountain State Park - Ski trails are in poor condition due to warm temperatures and rain. There was still a 3 to 5-inch snow base as of March 10.
Crawford County - All snowmobile trails in Crawford County are now closed. Another warm and sunny week melted a substantial amount of snow. The Mississippi River has remained steady for more than two weeks. As of March 8, the river was at 7.95 feet. The forecast for the Mississippi River is not available. Ice conditions in most areas are pretty good yet. Most of the popular ice fishing spots have anywhere between 12 to 24 inches of ice. Even so, ice fishers are urged to use caution when traveling out onto the frozen waters. The main channel of the Mississippi River opened up this week. With the exception of backwater and ?shelf? ice, the river is open. Open water exists at the confluence of Mill Coulee Creek and the Ambro Slough just upstream from the USFWS boat landing. Also, the East Channel in the Prairie du Chien is starting to open up. Sloppy conditions exist on the ice. Ice fishing action this week was spotty. Prairie du Chien Area and Lower bottoms: Garnet Lake has decent ice but access to it is becoming dangerous. Fishing on Garnet was slow this week. Pickerel Slough was slow also. White bass (stripers) action picked up a bit this week in Dillman?s pit. White bass are being caught on jigging stick baits or sweedish pimples near the bottom of 40 feet of water. ?Fish finders? are an important piece of equipment when fishing for white bass in deep water. Ice conditions are pretty good there with over 20 inches of ice. Rotten Slough, St. Feriole Slough and Hunter?s Slough, located near the sewer treatment plant, are unsafe for travel. Some of these areas are now open water. Anglers are still fishing between the Blackhawk and Washington Street bridges. On some days the bluegill action was pretty good, but the average size was small. St. Feriole Slough has a lot of open water near the bridges and in the center of the channel. Prairie du Chien Ambro Slough Complex: Gremore Lake?s northern end has very low oxygen so fishing action is very bad. The lower end of Gremore Lake was spotty as fishing pressure has been light. A few crappie, bluegill and perch along with some bass have been taken from time to time. For the most part Gremore has about 24 or so inches of ice. Tilmont Lake and Mud Slough were very slow again this week. Good ice conditions exist on Tilmont Lake and Mud Slough, however anglers are urged to use caution crossing over the Black Slough to get to Tilmont Lake. As warm temperatures continue the Black Slough will become unsafe to cross. The Lower Doubles and Fish Lake have been pretty slow recently too. Ice conditions there are good with around 24 inches of ice. Little Missouri has been spotty with some smaller bluegill and a few decent crappie being taken. Good ice exists on Little Missouri. Big Missouri on the other hand continues to be very slow. The Upper Doubles has slowed too. Even so some decent bass and crappie are still being taken. Upwards of 24 inches of ice exist on the Upper Doubles and Big Missouri. The Fennimore Cut has produced some perch, crappie and bluegill. The bluegills have been running small and overall action was spotty. Spring Lake has been very slow even though good ice conditions exist. Spring Lake has produced a few bluegill and crappie just under the ice. Access to the Doubles, Big and Little Missouri, the Fenimore Cut, and Spring Lake via the Ambro Slough is starting to get tricky. Poor ice conditions exist where Mill Coulee Creek enters the Ambro Slough. Anglers traveling on the Ambro Slough must monitor ice conditions as current, run off, and melting ice can cause rapidly deteriorating conditions. Sturgeon Slough Area: Sturgeon Slough was slow, but even though some bluegills are being taken. Also some northern pike and bass have been taken on tip ups. Some anglers have ventured down to Sturgeon (aka McGregor or Horseshoe) Lake were action has been very spotty. The northern ? of the lake oxygen levels are very low. Further south the oxygen levels are better. There has been some crappie, perch, northern and bass action. Some bluegill action was reported on the slough adjacent to Sturgeon Lake. Sturgeon Slough and Sturgeon Lake have good ice, however travel to Sturgeon Lake is starting to get sloppy. Stay on established paths. Cold Spring: Fishing here remains very slow. Reports of a few small bluegill and an occasional crappie and a fair amount of small bass have been reported. Ice conditions on the southern lobe are still good except when you get near the boat landing/stream where open water and very thin ice exists. Cold Spring is considered inland water. The game fish season closed on Monday March 8. Mississippi River: The boat landing at Gordon?s Bay is now open to boat traffic. All the ice is gone from the landing and for the most part the river is clear of ice by the dam. Anglers are reminded to pay for their launch fee prior to heading out onto the water. Walleye and sauger anglers had been venturing out by boat with some success. Sauger action has been very good, although most have been running on the small size. Walleye action has been slow with only a few showing up.
Wisconsin Rapids DNR Service Center area
Buckhorn State Park - Ski trails are in poor condition as snow is melting quickly. The park is looking for camp hosts for first two weeks in July - contact the park office at 608-565-2789 if interested. Park visitors have been ice fishing and even winter camping.
UPCOMING EVENTS AT STATE PARKS, FORESTS, AND TRAILS
WATCHABLE WILDLIFE OPPORTUNITIES AND INTERPRETIVE PROGRAMS
Check with the park or forest of your choice for additional activities and special events not listed. Most events are free of charge; park admission sticker required unless otherwise noted. Events and times subject to change.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
? Kettle Moraine State Forest?Northern Unit, Campbellsport, (920) 533-8322 - Exploring Nature: Celebrate Spring's Return. March ushers in spring's return. We will look for signs of spring and celebrate the re-awakening of the earth after a long winter. This program is best for families/groups with children between the ages of 6 and 12 years. Ice Age Visitor Center. 9:30-11 a.m.
? Kohler-Andrae State Park, Sheboygan, (920) 451-4080 - Bluebird Birdhouse Building Workshop. Join park volunteers for a short program on bluebirds, then assemble birdhouses from a kit. Bring a hammer if available. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Participants are encouraged to register in advance but walk-ins will be accepted. $7 charge per birdhouse if participants wish to purchase the birdhouse. A vehicle admission sticker is required on all vehicles. Park Office. 1-2:30 p.m.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
? High Cliff State Park, Sherwood, (920) 989-1106 - Nature Storytime. This is a program created for 3 to 5 year olds. The naturalist will read from a selection of nature based story books followed by a craft time led by the naturalist. The program is free for visitors. High Cliff Main Office Education Room. 10-11 a.m.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
? Interstate State Park, St. Croix Falls, (715) 483-3747 - Nature Storytime. Naturalist Julie Fox will share a story and activity with pre-schoolers and their parents. Then a short activity will reinforce the story?s nature-related theme. Nature Storytime generally lasts between 30-45 minutes, depending on the participants. We'll spend time indoors and outdoors, weather permitting, so dress accordingly. Ice Age Center. 10 a.m.
Wisconsin DNR Outdoor Report
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/or/
