WDNR Outdoor Report as of April 15, 2010 Some areas of Wisconsin received some much needed rain in the last week, but rain missed some areas and much of the state received half an inch or less. Some areas that received rain have also dried out quickly with warm temperatures and high winds. Fire dangers levels currently vary widely across the state, from Low in areas of the north, to Very High in central Wisconsin. Burning permits have been cancelled in some central counties.
The 2010 sturgeon spawning run has begun on the Wolf River. The sturgeon moved into the Shawano Dam spawning site Wednesday in large numbers and started spawning this morning at daybreak. Biologist say this is the big final push of the sturgeon spawning season and one of the biggest sturgeon spawning shows on earth. Given the warm weather, fish are expected to spawn out quickly, most likely finishing with the majority of their spawning by Saturday morning. Sturgeon spawn each spring at approximately 20 or more sites on the Wolf, Little Wolf, and Embarrass rivers. The Winnebago System is home to the largest sturgeon population in the world, estimated at more than 58,000 fish.
Walleye anglers on the Wolf River are also finally finding some cooperative. Apparently it took a little warmer water and a little down time after spawning to get the walleye actively feeding, but some very nice size fish were reported in the Shiocton and New London areas this week. For River walleye have finished spawning for the most part and fish have returned to a post spawn pattern, but fishing was slow over the last few days due to the severe drop in water temperature.
Strong winds and gusts all week created waves 2 to 4 feet high on Lake Michigan. Rain and snow last week raised water levels and increased flows on tributaries, but temperature dropped on many of the more northern rivers. As a result, steelhead fishing slowed on many rivers. Sucker numbers were still high on tributaries, and dip netters were have had no problem getting fish.
Anglers have been trolling lower Green Bay for post spawn walleyes with mixed results. Brown trout fishing has continued to be productive on both Lake Michigan and Green Bay, with reports of anglers taking five to 10 fish off Baileys Harbor, Ellison Bay, outside of the Sturgeon Bay shipping canal, and along areas of the Sturgeon Bay shores.
In the southeast, anglers fishing the Pigeon, Sheboygan, Milwaukee and Root rivers have been catching a few steelhead. Wednesday was the last processing day at the Root River Steelhead Facility, with a total of 331 processed this season. Shore anglers in Port Washington have been taking fair numbers of browns and rainbows. Boaters working in and around the Milwaukee harbor continue to catch browns and lake trout.
Turkey hunters reported some very good success during the first few days of the spring season. Tom turkeys are actively displaying and responding to calls.
Bluebirds are occupying boxes. Osprey are back to nests. Prairie chickens are booming in central Wisconsin. A new video is available on the home page of the DNR Web site showing this unique ritual. The annual Prairie Chicken Festival will be held this weekend, April 16 to 19 at Buena Vista Festival Grounds in Wisconsin Rapids. Information is available on the Internet at [www.prairiechickenfestival.org]
Wood frogs have been heard calling. Chorus frogs and spring peepers are still calling. Maples trees have begun flowering in the south. And morel mushroom hunters are reporting some very early success, with the tasty fungus being harvested in some areas nearly two weeks earlier than most years.
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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 Wildfire Report
The spring wildfire season is well underway in Wisconsin and fire danger levels vary from Low in areas with rain to Very High for parts of the state experiencing a dry spell. So far this year, 520 wildfires have burned 990 acres in DNR protection areas. Relative humidity can become dangerously low this time of year. Predicted upcoming dry conditions can result in dangerous fire behavior. Firefighters have observed pine trees torching and crowning (fire burning in the tops). The public is urged to be especially cautious with anything that can start a wildfire this time of the year, such as ash disposal, equipment with a hot exhaust, campfires, and especially debris burning. With the spring turkey hunt, people are also urged to be cautious with warming fires. Make sure the area 10 feet around a campfire is completely free of fallen leaves and anything else that can burn. Don?t burn at all when it?s windy. Go to
http://www.dnr.wi.gov/forestry/fire/ for more information on fire danger. This time of year, fire danger can be Low one day and High the next. The same goes for outdoor burning ? just because you are allowed to burn leaves and other debris one day does not necessarily mean the same will be true for the following day. Be sure to check the DNR?s Fire Danger web site or call 1-888-WIS-BURN before you light that match! During times of elevated fire danger and restrictions can change from day to day. Burning restrictions are updated daily after 11 a.m. and can be checked online at [http://dnr.wi.gov/forestry/fire/fire_danger/Wis_Burn/StateCounties.asp] or by phone at 1-888-WIS-BURN. People should keep a copy of their signed annual burning permit to show any law enforcement personnel if requested at any time while you are burning. Be sure to read both sides of the permit and follow the restrictions. Never leave a fire unattended; keep the fire small; have fire fighting tools, such as a rake and water hose at the site, and clear the 5-foot area around the fire of flammable material. Do not leave the location until the fire is completely extinguished.
Firewise Tip: Keep your roof, rain gutters and yard free of leaf and pine needle debris. Firebrands from a wildfire could easily ignite these fuels which in turn could ignite your home. Wildfire Prevention Week starts Sunday, April 18th and goes until Saturday, April 24th.
Northern Region
Brule and Cumberland Dispatch Groups
Some rain has fallen over the Cumberland Area and little over the Brule Area this week. Even with this precipitation, fires are being reported. With the Spring Turkey Hunt, watch your warming fires and extinguish all your smoking material properly. Homeowners: 30 feet of lean, clean and green landscaping can help make your home defensible against wildfire. Brule Dispatch Group reported nine new wildfires for the week burning about 1.5 acres with no structures lost. DNR fire fighters also assisted suppressing two mutual aid fires within municipalities that burned about 1 acre. Fire Danger is currently Moderate, but can quickly become High or Very High without additional widespread rain coverage. Two controlled burns were accomplished in Brule this week, to improve wildlife habitat on 70 acres. Cumberland Dispatch Group reported seven new wildfires this week burning over 3 acres with no structures lost. Burning permits are allowed in the Cumberland Area 6 pm to midnight Monday through Saturday. Fire Danger is currently Low, but can quickly climb into higher categories when precipitation stops and warm, dry winds return.
Park Falls-Woodruff Dispatch Groups
Thanks to some much needed rain, the fire danger is Low across the region but things are expected to dry out in the coming week. This time of year, fire danger can be Low one day and High the next. Currently, burning is only allowed from 6 p.m. ? midnight with no burning on Sundays or legal Holidays. Prescribed fire activity is set to begin in the coming week. In Woodruff & Parks Falls Dispatch Groups, 26 fires burned a total of 36 acres with 2 structures saved and no structures receiving damage this week. Debris burning, improper disposal of ashes and arson are the leading causes of wildfires in the Park Falls-Woodruff area.
South Central Region
Current fire danger is High across the region. Burning Permits are required for burning after 6 p.m. in DNR protection. Make sure to notify your local sheriff?s department of when you are starting burn and when it?s out. In the past week, six wildfires burned 2 acres in DNR protection areas. Although trees are budding and people have mowed grass already this spring, it?s not time to become complacent in regards to burning. Temperatures can swing 20 degrees from one day to the next, relative humidity can become dangerously low, and wind gusts can top 30 mph. Predicted upcoming dry conditions will increase the potential for dangerous fire behavior. Firefighters have observed pine trees torching and crowning (fire burning in the tops). So far this season, 234 prescribed burns have been completed on an incredible 12,540 acres to reduce fuels, control invasive species, and improve habitat. Any day time burning must have a special burn permit from the DNR Fire Control Ranger.
Northeast Region
Waupaca Dispatch Group: Fire danger is currently High to Very High across the area. Burning permits are suspended in Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara counties. In the past week, DNR fire control in the Waupaca area responded to eight fires that burned 10 acres. During those fires, two sheds burned and another three structures were threatened. The main causes of wildfires this week were debris burning and equipment. On Saturday, April 11, the Wautoma Ranger responded to a fire near Red Granite that eventually involved four Volunteer Fire Departments. The responsible party sustained burns trying to suppress his fire and was taken to the hospital for treatment. The public is urged to call for assistance should their fire get out of their control, rather than trying to suppress it themselves. Life and safety is priority number one! Predicted high temperatures along with low relative humidity and gusty winds may bring critical fire weather conditions to the area. April 14 marked the seventh anniversary of the Crystal Lake Fire, which burned 572 acres in northern Marquette County, destroying a cottage, three outbuildings, three camper-trailers, and various boats, canoes, and other equipment. The cause was determined to be debris burning. In this case, a large brush pile had been burned many weeks earlier when the ground was snow-covered, but was never fully extinguished, and continued to smolder deep under the ash. The dry, windy conditions on April 14, 2003 blew the ash away, exposing the smoldering fuels, and caused the brush pile to flare up, resulting in the loss of hundreds of thousands of dollars in personal property and natural resources. Year-to-date totals for the area include 13 prescribed burns on 500 acres.
Peshtigo Dispatch Group: Current fire danger is High. Burning is allowed from 6 p.m. to midnight. No burning on Sundays or Holidays. The fire danger was Low on Friday with snow on the ground; by Sunday warm temps, low humidity and gusty winds had raised the fire danger to High. Warm, windy, and dry weather is expected. In the past week, rain and snow moved the fire danger to Low for a while. DNR fire control and local fire departments responded to six fires that burned 5 acres. The main causes were debris burning and ash disposal. One structure was threatened by a brush fire in Marinette County.
West Central Region
The warm and dry weather over the last several days has resulted in elevated fire danger which ranges from high to very high across most of the region. In the parts of the West Central Region where the DNR is responsible for wildfire suppression, 20 fires burned approximately 25 acres in the last week. Thirteen structures were saved due to fire suppression response and 1 shed was lost. Debris burning was the leading cause of fires this week in the region. Fire activity this week included two railroad fires which occurred in a remote area west of Tunnel City in Monroe County within a mile of each other totaling 9 acres. Suppression resources were provided by the DNR, Oakfield Fire Department and Fort McCoy. In Adams County, kids playing with fire started a wildfire in a remote area which resulted in over 4 acres burned in the Town of Leola. Also in Adams County a 3 acre fire occurred as a result of debris burning in the Town of Quincy. Two structures were saved as a result of suppression efforts by the DNR and Quincy Fire Department. Although the homeowners had a burning permit, they failed to extinguish the fire. They had a garden hose but it did not reach the location of the debris pile.
DNR Northern Region
No reports.
DNR Northeastern Region
Peshtigo DNR Service Center area
Water temperatures this past week have dropped into the mid to high 40s. Fishing pressure on the weekends has been high with most of the action at the river mouths and into the bay trolling and jigging for walleye. Jigs and minnows and zip lures have been working well in the mouth of the Peshtigo and Menominee rivers. Many anglers are trolling stick baits in the bay with mixed success. A few anglers are trolling crawler/harness in 4 to 6 feet of water and doing great. Suckers are still up in the dam areas but starting to thin.
Governor Thompson State Park ? The 16 miles of hiking trails are open. Spring is in the air. Sandhill cranes and geese have returned to Woods Lake. Gobbling turkeys can also be heard strutting under the highline. The boat landing and fishing pier are open. The Woods Lake day-use area is open and has picnic tables and benches to enjoy a peaceful lunch or to simply enjoy the seasonal changes around the lake. No camping is available; the park is open only for day use at this time. Construction has begun on the new visitor center for the state park and Peshtigo River State Forest. The foundation is in for the new building. Construction also has begun on the new 50-site campground. Throughout the winter construction crews were are hauling out brush and stumps, and grading in the new campsites and roads. The campground is expected to open for the 2011 camping season.
Green Bay DNR Service Center area
Brown County - For River walleye have finished spawning for the most part. Most fish have returned to a post spawn pattern. The fishing has been slow over the last few days due to the severe drop in water temperature. Most anglers have been catching a few drum and a sporadic walleye here and there. Anglers have been trolling lower Green Bay for post spawn walleyes with mixed results. Most anglers are spending a lot of time on the water and only managing a few fish. The right anglers are catching northern pike in good numbers.
Manitowoc County - Strong winds and gusts all week started diminishing by Saturday afternoon. The winds created waves 2 to 4 feet high on Lake Michigan. Rain and snow throughout the week raised water levels and increased flow while the temperature dropped 8 degrees in local rivers. Temperatures ranged from the upper-20s to mid-60s throughout the week. Fishing pressure remains relatively high on the East and West Twin rivers, with little pressure on the piers and Lake Michigan due to strong winds throughout the week. Anglers fishing for steelhead near the Mishicot dam on the East Twin River had scattered success this past week either fly fishing or using spinners and spawn sacs. Anglers had the best luck downstream near the fire station. Suckers have been caught by the dozens up and down the East Twin using night crawlers, spawn, and plastic jigs. Water temperature dropped to 46 degrees by the weekend. Steelhead fishing has slowed down recently on the West Twin River as water levels rose and the water temperature dropped from 56 to 46 degrees. Anglers had the greatest success using spawn sacs with a few split shots for weight. Most of the landed steelhead were still spawning. A few anglers tried their luck catfishing, but the fishing was fairly slow. Fishing was relatively quiet this week on the Manitowoc and Branch rivers, most likely due to the strong winds and the high, fast flowing waters. A few anglers ventured out for catfish and carp, landing a few small fish. Anglers used a variety of bait from night crawlers to even spawn sacs on bottom. A few fly fishers on the Branch River, near the golf course saw slow action with the high waters. Silver Creek water levels have risen roughly 5 inches since the mid-week rain. A few steelhead have been observed but there has been very little fishing pressure. The sucker numbers are still high throughout the area. A few dip netters have had no problem getting their desired amount. Calmer winds later in the week provided great opportunities to fish lakeside. Using spawn off the bottom and orange casting spoons, a small number were hooked with little success landing the fish. Early season anglers had limited success during the week for carp and catfish. The Manitowoc and Two Rivers boat ramps heated up over the weekend with light southerly winds with water temps around 44 degrees. Boaters averaged one to three brown trout with the most success coming between the Two Rivers Hospital and the South Manitowoc Pier in 8-13 feet of water. Spoons and crank baits of various colors worked best on high lines. A few steelhead have been taken using spawn near the Little Manitowoc River mouth but fishing pressure remains relatively low due to strong winds. Dip netters also have had success taking abundant amount of suckers.
Sturgeon Bay DNR Service Center area
Door County - For the people who were dreaming of a white April, the wish came true last week. A heavy dumping blanketed the county on Thursday and stuck around until the weekend. Winds were heavy out of the west for part of the week, increasing the number of anglers on the lake side. Overall the weather was pleasant enough to allow anglers to hit the water all over the Door. Brown trout fishing has continued to be productive on both Lake Michigan and Green Bay. Reports of anglers taking five to ten fish were common off of Baileys Harbor, Ellison Bay, outside of the Sturgeon Bay shipping canal, and along areas of the Sturgeon Bay shores. Some nicer fish have been taken in the fifteen pound range, good news for anglers looking forward to the brown trout tournament being held this weekend. Fire tiger stick baits have been popular for results, along with fishing in more turbid waters. Northern pike fishing along the channel in Sturgeon Bay has been somewhat slow. Most anglers having success have been drifting along the shipping channel edges using live bait suspended off the bottom with floating jig heads. The walleye spawn looks to be right around the corner in Sturgeon Bay. Many fish have been reported of the train bridge and along the shoreline out towards Potawatomi State Park. Clown colored stick baits have been the popular choice for anglers. Good luck to all anglers fishing in the brown trout tournament.
Potawatomi State Park - Above average temperatures and some needed precipitation have resulted in green ground cover and trees beginning to bud out. Anglers are catching walleye and northern. Morel hunters are having success. Turkeys and cranes are on the ground and in the air?And one lone pheasant keeps circling the park office.
Whitefish Dunes State Park - The lake level has risen making the beach look even smaller than last year. Early signs of spring have arrived with the migrating birds. Northern flickers are seen in the meadow, along with a soaring sharp shinned hawk. Turkey vultures were circling over the pine plantation opening catching the midday sun. Loons can be seen out on the lake along with buffleheads, mergansers and other diving ducks. A large flock of turkeys have been seen on the black and red trails The migrating warblers are making their stops in the woodlands and along the shore. The wetland is coming alive. Two different frog songs can be heard along with three mallard ducks were seen in the afternoon. Spring flowers are starting to appear along with invasive species. The Friends of Whitefish Dunes will hold invasive species removal work days to tackle dame?s rocket, garlic mustard and hounds tongue and preserve our rare plants! Event dates are Friday, April 23 and April 30 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Meet at the Nature Center for this volunteer opportunity. Come for one or two hours, please dress for the weather (long pants are preferable). We?ll provide the water, gloves and snack. Volunteers for this event will receive a complimentary daily vehicle sticker. Dog owners are reminded that the first segment of the beach is closed starting April 1 to dogs. The dog beach is still open. You can access it by hiking the red trail to the third beach access. A map to the dog beach is available in the nature center.
Kewaunee County - This week's conditions were a little more favorable for the anglers. Last week?s rain and snow has helped raise water levels in all of the streams considerably. The winds were strong for the majority of the week but tapered off during the weekend. The melted snow has lowered the temperature of the Kewaunee stream down to 38 degrees. Lake Michigan has been seeing high waves due to the high winds coming off the lake and has kept most anglers from launching. There has been high fishing pressure at Stony Creek, Brummerville (Silver Creek), and Footbridge. These locations were also the places reporting the most steelheads being caught. All of the reported fish caught have been hooked with spawn sacs. Forestville is starting to see some increasing fishing pressure as a few steelheads are starting to be pulled of out the stream there. The Algoma and Kewaunee piers are still experiencing slow fishing action with a few brown trout and catfish being caught off the Algoma pier with spoons and chunks of sucker, respectively.
Oshkosh DNR Service Center area
The 2010 sturgeon spawning run has begun on the Wolf River. The sturgeon moved into the Shawano Dam spawning site Wednesday in large numbers and started spawning this morning at daybreak. This is it - the big final push of the sturgeon spawning season and one of the biggest sturgeon spawning shows on earth. Below the dam at the west end of Richmond St in Shawano is a public sturgeon viewing area (Sturgeon Park). Given the warm weather, fish are expected to spawn out quickly, most likely finishing with the majority of their spawning by Saturday morning. Sturgeon also started spawning Wednesday evening at a number of other sites south of Shawano on private properties. Fish can still be seen spawning today at Bamboo Bend near Shiocton. A handful of females had been spawning with their harems of males along the Wolf River Trail on County Highway X west of New London earlier in the week, but the remaining 3,000 or so females in the river that need to spawn yet had been waiting for the water temperatures to get a little higher. Large number of fish moved into the Bamboo Bend spawning site on Highway 54 west of Shiocton and were vigorously spawning Monday morning, the same morning high flocks Canadian geese were heard migrating north. Every spring when we first see the high large V-flocks of Canadian geese heading north (not the low local flocks), crews know they will be working spawning sturgeon that day. Sturgeon spawn each spring at approximately 20 or more sites (out of about 60 known sites) on the Wolf, Little Wolf, and Embarrass rivers. Once fish start spawning at a particular site, the activity lasts there about three or four days, with usually two days of peak activity at that site. Most of the nearly 60 different spawning sites on the Wolf River and tributaries are man-made, with only about 10 natural sites. The man-made sites are typically rip rapped areas on outside bends adjacent to deep water that people rocked to protect their river banks from erosion. Although erosion is a natural event on rivers, most of the erosion today is caused by boat wakes crashing into soft shorelines, which causes erosion rates to be much higher than normal. The best spawning site on the river is a natural site below Shawano Dam, which has always attracted large number spawning sturgeon, even before the dam was built in 1892. Thousands of fish spawn at this site every year. In many years we also will see a "second run" at several of the main sites, typically a small number of females that need higher a temperature to induce their ovulation, that spawn about a week or two after the main spawning event.
The Wolf River walleye bite is finally on
Walleye anglers on the wolf River are finally finding some cooperative fish to catch - and very nice size fish at that, in the Shiocton and New London areas. A boat of anglers fishing Wednesday, near a private sturgeon spawning site we were working near Shiocton, caught a limit of 16 to 26 inch walleye in less than an hour mid-day. Tag returns from fish tagged this spring are now pouring into the DNR office from anglers fishing from Shiocton down to Fremont. Apparently it took a little warmer water and a little down time after spawning to get the walleye actively feeding - whatever the reason for their lockjaw till this point - anglers are thankful it?s over.
DNR Southeast Region
Milwaukee DNR Service Center
Kohler-Andrae State Park - All hiking and nature trails are open. All campsites are open. Campers must register at the park office before setting-up. The trailer dump station is open. Showers, flush toilets, and water fountains are scheduled to open April 16.
Lake Michigan fisheries team report
Sheboygan County - In Sheboygan, anglers fishing both the Pigeon and Sheboygan rivers have been catching a few steelhead. Flies and spinners have taken the most fish. Some northern pike have also been caught in the Sheboygan River near the Kohler dam. Fishing off the piers has been slow, but boaters casting crank baits in shallow water have been taking decent numbers of browns.
Ozaukee County - Shore anglers in Port Washington have been concentrating on the area around the power plant discharge. Fair numbers of browns and rainbows have been taken, and spawn has produced the most fish.
Milwaukee County - In Milwaukee anglers fishing the Milwaukee River along the wall under the Hoan bridge have been catching a few browns and rainbows. Spawn and small shiners have produced the most fish. In the Milwaukee River anglers have been catching a few steelhead on yarn flies at Kletzsch Park. A few steelhead were still being taken out of Oak Creek and the Menomonee River, but numbers have been diminishing. Boaters working in and around the gaps in the Milwaukee harbor continue to catch browns and lake trout. Both jigging and trolling small crankbaits have been effective.
Racine County - In Racine the Root River is still holding good numbers of steelhead. Upstream of the Root River Steelhead Facility, most fish have been concentrated below the Horlick dam, and downstream most are in Lincoln Park. Large black or fluorescent flies have been productive in faster moving water, and spawn sacs have worked well in the deeper pools. Suckers are also abundant in the river. Fish were processed at the Root River Steelhead Facility on Monday, April 5. Both Chambers Creek and Ganaraska eggs were taken, and 148 more steelhead were passed upstream, for a total of 331 this season. The last processing day was Wednesday, April 14.
Kenosha County - In Kenosha steelhead fishing on the Pike River has been slow. In the harbor anglers are catching a few steelhead and browns on white tube jigs or spawn sacs.
DNR South Central Region
Dodgeville DNR Service Center area
Wyalusing State Park - Trails are in good hiking condition. Returning spring migrants include: fox sparrows, bluebirds, robins, killdeer, sand hill cranes, turkey vultures, red-winged blackbirds, meadowlarks, pelicans, song sparrows, American woodcock, kestrels, golden-crowned kinglet, belted kingfisher, chipping sparrow, rufous sided towhee. A few cardinals, chickadees, woodpeckers, gold finches, bluejays, juncos and nuthatches can still be found at the office bird feeders. A pair of bluebirds is taking up residence in the bluebird box near the park office. They have been gathering nesting materials from the prairie in front of the park office. Flowers in bloom include Dutchman?s breeches, cut-leaved toothwort, sharp-lobed hepatica, bloodroot, wood anemone, false rue anemone, spring beauty, wild ginger, yellow sweet violet, trout lily. Campsites are open in the Wisconsin Ridge Campground, but showers, flush toilets, dumping station and all water fountains throughout the park remain shut down at this time.
Fitchburg DNR Service Center area
Lake Kegonsa State Park - The boat landing piers were installed on Friday, April 9. The fishing piers have not been installed yet. The trail to the pet swim area is temporarily closed due to a construction project. While this trail is closed, there is access to the pet area via the beach and boat landing. When the pet trail opens, visitors will not be able to have pets in these areas. Campsites 1-56 and A-F will open for the season on April 30. Sites 81-96 will open on May 15. Sites 57-80 will open on May 27.
DNR West Central Region
Baldwin DNR Service Center area
Willow River State Park - Panfish catches are being reported at the dam area. Trout angles should not see much change in the Willow River from the recent rains. The recent rain should not have been enough to cause mud. Trails should be dry for the weekend Recent bird sightings include a very large bald eagle and a pair of blue herons. Killdeers are calling right outside the office. Wood frogs are probably done calling. A very large number of wood frogs were calling right at the pond along the road during one of the earlier warm spells. Normally it would be scattered calls spread around the park and not many near the road. Keep that location in mind for next year if you like to hear early frog calls. Now, it would be chorus frogs and spring peepers. The cooler weekend weather may slow them down. Fox snakes have been seen in the area of the dam. The 300 campground is open to vehicle traffic. Water will be turned on and buildings opened April 30. Until then, vault toilets are open. Campers may load water at the service building and unload into the dump station but not rinse. firewood sales at the camp host site will begin in mid may. Reserved camping begins April 30. The first available date for the 100 campground is May 14. When a campsite is not reserved, it is available on a first come-first served basis until a reservation
La Crosse DNR Service Center area
Chorus frogs have initiated calling. Their call sounds similar to that produced by running a fingernail across the teeth of a plastic hair comb. Major arrivals of tree swallows and song sparrows occurred. Many immature bald eagles are still present in the area, especially along the Mississippi River.
Eau Claire DNR Service Center area
Brunet Island State Park ? Species of birds seen or heard include: hooded mergansers, common loons, belted kingfishers, sandhill cranes, golden finches, red polls, mallard and bufflehead ducks, red winged blackbirds, phoebes, Canada geese, robins, mourning doves, nuthatches, ravens, black capped chickadees, piliated woodpeckers, great horned owls, and barred owls. There is a pair of bald eagles nesting on Cornell flowage. A variety of frogs, Spring peepers, garter snakes, a few water striders, and a multitude of chipmunks have made an appearance. The sugar maples have begun to break open their buds in the sunny areas. Park trails are generally dry with occasional muddy areas. Some campsites are open with electric sites, hand water pump, and a pit toilet.
Wisconsin Rapids DNR Service Center area
Buckhorn State Park - Turkeys and sandhill cranes are being heard in the park and there have been many birds around for watching. Osprey are back to their nests. Trails are in great condition for hiking with the warmer weather and many visitors have been camping, picnicking and fishing. GPS units are available to checkout at the park office. Spring Turkey season has started. The Yellow River Wildlife Area is in Zone 1. The park and Buckhorn Wildlife Area are open to people selected for the 1F permit during the 1st three periods. Boat boarding piers and the accessible fishing pier are in Some campsites are open to camping and on a non-reservable, first come basis
Roche-A-Cri State Park - The main gate will open May 1 and camping by mid May. Parking is available in the winter/prairie parking lot on Czech Ave. Repairs are being made to the stairway to fix broken steps.
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.
Friday, April 16, 2010
? Kettle Moraine State Forest?Northern Unit, Campbellsport, (920) 533-8322 - Nature Storytime: Shhhh! Listen. It's amazing what we can discover when we are quiet and listen. Join us for a listening walk through the fields and forest. This hour of nature fun awaits 3- to 6-year-olds with accompanying adults. Ice Age Visitor Center. 9:30-10:30 a.m.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
? Council Grounds State Park, Merrill, (715) 536-8773 - Candlelight Hike. The Friends of Council Grounds State Park will be sponsoring a candlelight hike. Refreshments will be served at the shelter house with all proceeds going to the Friends of Council Grounds State Park. 7-10 p.m.
? Havenwoods State Forest, Milwaukee, (414) 256-4600 - Rain Garden Workshop. In this 2-part workshop, Sharon Morrisey, Milwaukee County UW-Extension Consumer horticulturist, will show you how to create a beautiful garden with native perennial plants while you help to reduce rainwater runoff. Session1 (indoors - April 17), discover the value of rain gardens and rain barrels. Learn about site specific rain garden design and construction. Find out what plants will thrive in rain gardens . Session 2 (indoors and out - May 15), visit Havenwoods? rain garden. Learn to recognize common garden weeds . To sign-up, send name, address, contact information, and check to: UWEX Rain Garden Workshop, Milwaukee City UWEX, 9501 West Watertown Plank Road, Wauwatosa, WI 53226. The cost is $8 for the first person in a household, and $3 for each additional person. 9-11 a.m.
? Kettle Moraine State Forest?Southern Unit, Eagle, (262) 594-6200 - Wildflower Walk. Wildflower Walks with Naturalist Ron Kurowski will be every Saturday from April 17 to June 5. Meet at the forest headquarters on Highway 59 at 10 a.m. Be prepared to carpool to the hike location. Wear appropriate footwear and clothing for the weather. Some sites may be muddy. The hike will last about 1.5 to 2 hours.
? Peninsula State Park, Fish Creek, (920) 854-5976 - Ribbeting Fun. Learn to identify at least three Wisconsin frogs by sight and sound. Discover how toads are different than frogs. Kids in the audience will be invited to play a hopping fun game. 2 - 3 p.m.
? Richard Bong State Recreation Area, Kansasville, (262) 878-5600 - Early Bird Bird Hike. Join us for an early Spring hike to spot which migrating birds have arrived. Trails will be wet. Bring binoculars if you have them. Sponsored by the Bong Naturalist Association [exit DNR]. Meet at the Visitor Center. 7-9 a.m. To Burn or not to Burn? Discover why controlled burns are an important tool for management, how they are conducted and what safety measures are followed. Weather permitting, you will witness a controlled burn. Sponsored by the Bong Naturalist Association. Meet at the Visitor Center. 9:30 a.m. to Noon. Orange Trail Hike. Join us at this Spring into Fitness event to hike the 6.4-mile Orange Trail. You do not have to be part of Spring into Fitness to hike. Sponsored by the Bong Naturalist Association. Meet at the Visitor Center. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
? High Cliff State Park, Sherwood, (920) 989-1106 or e-mail - 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, April 22, 2010
? Peninsula State Park, Fish Creek, (920) 854-5976 - Earth Day. Hike a less traveled loop that connects to the Nicolet Bay Trail. Watch for giant hemlock trees along the way. Tree identification featured. About 3.0 miles. Meet at the Nature Center. Counts towards earning the Like to Hike pin. 1-3 p.m.
? Richard Bong State Recreation Area, Kansasville, (262) 878-5600 - Earth Day Picnic and Hike. Bring a picnic and celebrate Earth Day! Prizes awarded for the most ?earth-friendly? picnic. Eat until 6 p.m. and hike a 1-mile trail after that. Sponsored by the Bong Naturalist Association [exit DNR]. Vista Picnic Area. 5:30 ? 7:30 p.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/
