WDNR Outdoor Report as of March 17, 2011Very warm temperatures and some rain this week is rapidly bringing an end to the snow cover across Wisconsin. The southern third of the state had bare ground with some remaining snow piles, to an inch or two of snow cover. Some areas of central to northern Wisconsin still had up to 8 inches of snow, but it was melting rapidly with temperatures approaching 60 degrees Thursday.
While a handful of counties were still reporting snowmobile trails open, they were in poor condition, and most will likely close by the weekend. Vilas County officially closed trails as of noon Thursday. Remember, once trails are closed, using the trails is trespass, and can cause damage to property that could jeopardize trail easements in the future. Virtually all state parks and forests are reporting cross-country ski trails are closed, and trails have re-opened for hiking. Park and trail managers have trails either closed to biking or are asking bicyclists to refrain from biking as the frost goes out of the ground. Riding bikes on the soft trail surfaces can leave deep ruts that will remain once the trails have dried out.
Northern lakes still have 18 to 22 inches of ice, but ice is quickly deteriorating on southern lakes, with many shoreline areas opening. With the mild temperatures, more panfish anglers were out on northern lakes. Perch and bluegill fishing was picking up. Perch have started to move toward shallow bays in anticipation of spawning once the ice goes out.
Ice is also deteriorating on Green Bay, with several reports of vehicles breaking through the ice this week. Anglers continue to have good success with whitefish along Door County and along the west shore, where northern pike action picked up considerably this week. Anglers have started to fish from boats on the Fox River at DePere with some success for walleye.
The Mississippi River has been falling rapidly, dropping almost 3 feet in a little more than two weeks. As of Tuesday the Mississippi River was down to 8.7 feet at Prairie du Chien.. However, there is a forecast of heavy flooding in the next month. Backwater areas are becoming very difficult to access and treacherous. Increasing numbers of anglers are fishing from boats, especially below dams, but once the river started falling walleye and sauger action dropped off.
The warmer temperatures and south winds this week triggered major bird migrations across Wisconsin. Large numbers of waterfowl are moving into southern and central Wisconsin. Puddle ducks are starting to return including the first reports of both green-winged and blue-winged teal. Open water areas are holding large numbers of diving ducks. Birders along Lake Michigan are reporting white-winged scoters and the first red-throated loons of the spring. Other returning birds include great blue herons, kingfishers, song sparrow, meadowlarks, large flocks of blackbirds and sandhill cranes.
The 2011 Spring Turkey Season is just around the corner and leftover spring turkey permits will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis starting next week. Sales begin Monday, March 21 and leftover permits will be first issued for sale by zone, one zone per day, with each zone having a designated sales date. Check the DNR website for details.
The warm weather has also increased the flow of maple sap and increasing numbers of buckets were out this week in sugar bushes.
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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
Warmer temps and south winds this week have triggered large numbers of returning birds across Wisconsin. Large numbers of waterfowl are moving into southern and central Wisconsin. Puddle ducks are starting to return including the first reports of both green-winged and blue-winged teal. Open water areas are holding large numbers of diving ducks. Birders along Lake Michigan are reporting white-winged scoters and the first red-throated loons of the spring. Other returning birds include great blue herons, kingfishers, song sparrow, meadowlarks, and large flocks of blackbirds. Rare birds reported this week include hoary redpolls from feeders in northern Wisconsin, Ross' geese from Dane and Dodge counties and migrant golden eagles from western and northwestern Wisconsin.
DNR Northern Region
Superior DNR Service Center area
Brule River State Forest - Rain and warm temperatures are starting to take its toll on the snow cover. While the ground is still largely snow covered, the snow free patches are growing more and more every day. Wildlife such as deer and grouse are taking advantage of this as they are looking for bites of green vegetation. The weather has also taken its toll on the Afterhours Ski Trail. It would now be considered spring time ski conditions. At this point there are no plans of grooming the trails unless we receive some heavy snow and cooler temperatures. Mourning doves, mallard ducks and Canada geese are back in the area. The geese can be seen flying around looking for open water. Robins were sighted yesterday in Lake Nebagamon. One may wonder as they are driving around why there are buckets attached to trees. People are now tapping sugar maples for the sap. The sap is then collected in these buckets where it will eventually be boiled down to syrup?the sweet rewards of the North Woods. Fishing opener on the Bois Brule River is March 26 (Highway 2 to the lake). It is reported that the river is free of ice near Highway 13.
Hayward DNR Service Center area
Tuscobia State Trail - Trail conditions are extremely poor for snowmobile operation. The trail is open for winter ATV and UTV riding in Sawyer & Washburn counties.
Park Falls DNR Service Center area
Upper Chippewa Basin fisheries report (Price, Rusk, Sawyer Taylor and inland Ashland and Iron counties) - Ice conditions in the north have been holding steady for the past week and most lakes continue to have between 18 and 22 inches of ice. There is about 2 to 4 inches of snow cover and this has been melting down quickly with the mild weather of the past few days. In addition, many access areas are becoming rutted up and south-facing shorelines are starting to get soft with the warm temperatures, and any late season ice anglers should be aware of fast-changing conditions on the sunny and warm days. Ice fishing pressure for panfish has picked up with the warmer weather and some decent catches of perch and bluegill have been reported. Crappie continue to be very difficult to find for most anglers, but the perch and bluegill have been providing some fairly consistent action. The perch have started to move toward shallow bays in anticipation of spawning once the ice goes out, and the best success has been on small minnows fished just off the bottom on the mud flats in 6 to 10 feet of water. For bluegill, some nice fish have been suspending up off the bottom in deeper water, with waxworms and small soft plastics producing some fair catches.
Flambeau River State Forest - Skate skiing conditions were still good at the Flambeau Hills Trail as of last Monday, but the trail was not tracked for classic skiing during the last grooming. The trail has not been groomed since the area received an additional 2 inches of new snow on Friday night to Saturday morning. Grooming has been suspended for the season. Weather forecast does not look favorable for skiing.
Woodruff DNR Service Center area
Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest - The meltdown is here. Grooming of cross-country ski trails is done for the season. Looking forward to hiking / biking season. Vilas County snowmobile trails close March 17.
DNR Northeastern Region
Peshtigo DNR Service Center area
Marinette County - The Peshtigo Harbor area has been a hot spot for northern pike anglers this past week with most people fishing up to the first ice shove north of the mouth of the Peshtigo River. Fishing on the Menominee River has slowed considerably due to ice conditions, no information was forth coming this week.
Oconto County - Goodly numbers of anglers were present at Geano Beach fishing for perch in 8 to 10 feet of water and pike in 4 to 10 feet of water jigs and minnows for the perch and large shiners for pike. Oconto Breakwater anglers have been keying in the areas close to the mouth of the Oconto River searching for perch with some success. Northern pike anglers are also present fishing waters from the Oconto Parks to Pensaukee using large shiners, with some success being reported.
Governor Thompson State Park - The cross-country ski trails are closed for the season. All trails are open to hiking. Most trails are still snow covered, but the mud season is starting. Now is great time to see deer in the melted off areas of the park. The power company will be drawing down Caldron Falls Flowage as of March 15. The lake level may drop 4 to 6feet and ice conditions may change rapidly. Water will be back to normal before the fishing opener in May.
Green Bay DNR Service Center area
Brown County - Voyageur Park anglers are launching boats and fishing for walleye using jigs and minnows and lead headed jigs and plastics. Anglers from shore are keying on areas closer to the dam with Rapala's and twister tails. Pike and perch anglers are still present at both Sunset Beach Road and Duck Creek.
Sturgeon Bay DNR Service Center area
Door County - Sturgeon Bay anglers have been trying for perch and northern pike off the state park with some success. Also there have been a few anglers at the yacht club trying their luck fishing pike. Whitefish have been caught off Stone quarry in good numbers. Gold spoons tipped with a wax worm have been the best bait. Whitefish have been very active the last few days at Little Sturgeon Bay with anglers finding significant numbers from Lime Kiln Road up to Sand Bay. Anglers driving trucks onto the ice should use extreme caution. A truck went through 200 yards from shore this weekend. Whitefish have been biting well over the last week at Sugar Creek. Anglers have reported having 15-20 inches of ice. Bayshore Park anglers have been fishing 15 feet of water and catching some good numbers of whitefish. Most anglers have been driving out using ATV?s or snowmobiles. Whitefish have been constant the last week on the Red River. A few perch have also been caught as well. Ice conditions here are getting worse. A truck was pulled from the ice this weekend.
DNR Southeast Region
Prescribed burns will be conducted on several state properties in Kenosha and Racine counties during March, April, and May. These state areas are located in the Town of Rochester and Waterford in Racine County and the Towns of Brighton, Randall, Salem, and Wheatland, and Village of Pleasant Prairie in Kenosha County. The actual amount of acreage burned will vary depending on weather conditions. The objective of the prescribed burns is to maintain and improve grassland, wetland, and upland habitats. Southeastern Wisconsin is covered by fire-dependent communities, including prairies, oak savannas, oak woodlands, sedge meadows, and marshes. These ecosystems have an abundance of plants, insects, birds, mammals, and reptiles, many of these are threatened or endangered. Native grasses in prairies and wetlands provide excellent cover for wildlife because they hold up better under severe winds, snow, etc. The native grasses and forbs also provide seed and nectar for insects, butterflies, birds, and small mammals.
Kettle Moraine State Forest - Lapham Peak Unit ? Wednesday?s weather took a heavy toll on the snow cover at Lapham. At 1 p.m. a skier reported good snow cover over the entire blue loop. By 6 p.m. that had changed significantly. None of the trails off of the man made loop are skiable at this time. The man made loop still is entirely covered with nearly a foot of snow and ice. But it would be difficult to describe all of it as skiable. Some large sections of glare ice have been created on the top of the man made snow and there is also alot of debris on a couple of other spots. The man made loop will be evaluated this afternoon to determine if the lights will be turned on this evening. Please continue to support the Lapham Peak Friends efforts to provide snowmaking capabilities. Because of those efforts there has been continuous skiing at Lapham since December 10. That is nearly 100 days of skiing. One of the current snow making goals is to acquire a reliable snow cat to move the snow after it is made - a critical component of the snow-making program. Snowmaking is funded entirely with donations - every little bit helps. Saturday March 26 is a bike swap sponsored by the Friends group. Proceeds will go to the snowmaking efforts. If you have a bike (or other gear) to sell or donate please call Bob at 262-827-9060.
Kettle Moraine State Forest ? Southern Unit -The weather this week has made the trails unskiable at the Southern Unit. The staff has begun preparing for spring activities and the trail grooming equipment has been put away.
Kettle Moraine State Forest - Northern Unit - The Greenbush ski trail skate lanes were groomed and were still reported in good condition as of March 11, but conditions have now deteriorated. The Zillmer trails have snow, but conditions are not optimum and grooming operations have been suspended for the remainder of the season. Two work days have been scheduled for mountain bike trail maintenance and construction on the Greenbush bike trails. Work will consist of spring cleaning, removal of downed limbs & trees, construction of a connector between loops 3 and 4, and finish work on loop 4. There will be two work sessions on each of the following dates: April 16, 8-11 a.m. and noon to 3 p.m. May 7, 8-11 a.m., and noon to 3 p.m. Each session will meet half an hour before at the Greenbush Group Camp parking lot. Interested persons should contact Randy Wegener - RWegener@excel.net
Kettle Moraine State Forest - Pike Lake Unit - As of Wednesday morning, cross-country ski trails were still nearly completely snow covered. Conditions are constantly changing with the current weather. Trails were last groomed on Thursday, March 10. Call 262-670-3400 for the most current trail conditions. The multi-use trails are nearly completely snow and/or ice covered.
Kohler-Andrae State Park - The hiking and nature trails may have snow covered and icy areas. Sandhill cranes and redwing black birds have returned to the area. The park water system will be turned on around April 15, weather permitting.
Lake Michigan fisheries team report
Ozaukee County - In Port Washington, a few brown trout and steelhead have been caught near the power plant on spawn, and a few anglers have reported hits on shiners.
Milwaukee County - In Milwaukee open water can be found in the lower stretches of the Menomonee River and canals, as well as faster moving stretches of the Milwaukee River. Water levels are fairly high on the Milwaukee River. Steelhead anglers have been fishing Oak Creek and the Menomonee River near Miller Park, and some fish have been taken from both streams. Spawn sacs have been the most effective bait. Fishing in the Milwaukee harbor has been slow.
Racine County - On the Root River in Racine, the spring run for steelhead is still in the early stages. Angler effort has been split with anglers fishing near the Horlick dam and downstream through Quarry Lake Park, or with anglers fishing Lincoln Park and downstream through Island Park. Water depth on the Root remains somewhat high, and water temperatures are about 35 degrees. Fishing remains slow so far, but should get better in the next couple of weeks.
DNR South Central Region
Dodgeville DNR Service Center area
Governor Dodge State Park ? Cross-country skiing is now closed for the season. All trails are open for hiking. Keep in mind, this time of year, hikers may encounter almost any condition on the trails from dirt, rocks and mud, to water, snow, and ice. Even a spring shower can cause slippery, muddy conditions. Be prepared to encounter all types of conditions and plan accordingly. Pets are allowed on the hiking trails but must always be on a leash not longer than 8 feet. Due to changing weather conditions this time of year, please contact the park office for an update on current trail conditions. Horse and mountain bike trails will reopen May 1, weather and conditions permitting. Spring turkey hunting is allowed (for 12 permit holders only) during the first three permit periods in April and early May. Periods run Wednesday through Sunday beginning April 13, April 20, and April 27 this year. There is also a youth turkey hunt in the park April 9-10.
Fitchburg DNR Service Center area
Lake Kegonsa State Park - All trails are open to hiking. Some areas may still have a little bit of snow or ice, so please use caution. Spring is on it's way! Sandhill cranes, robins and bluebirds have all been seen in the park.
Mirror Lake State Park ? Cross-country ski trails are in poor condition with a number of bare spots and park staff are no longer grooming trails. Bicycle trails are closed until May 1.
DNR West Central Region
Baldwin DNR Service Center area
Willow River State Park - All trails are open to hiking and pets (no pets on the Hidden Ponds trail.) Skiing is generally over with at Willow. Trails have been frozen hard in the mornings and soft when it thaws. There will be no more grooming so enjoy what may still be left of skiable conditions. The best time to try skiing is after the trails have thawed and before they get mushy soft. There have only been a handful of skiers on the last few days. Mush and slush skiing has its own rewards like going down a hill and spraying water as you chug-glide or stop in the puddle at the bottom. The down hills will be much slower when they are wet. A wandering ski may take you where it?s going if the ski drifts outside of that ?knees-nose-toes? box. In sequence, here?s what will be coming on the trail system. Hiking will be reasonably good for a short time as long as there is loose snow on the trails. Once that snow melts, there will be more ice than anything since there was a lot of trail grooming over the winter. Rain in the coming days could speed that along. Eventually there will be a mixed bag of conditions from ice to mud to puddles. Once the ice goes, all the trails will be soft and mud will be more common. The Hidden Ponds trail is paved so it will transition without the mud issue. Hiking (ski) poles can be a lot of help during the transition period until trails are fully dried. All bets are off on river reports that are spot on for more than one day. Here are some facts. Until a full meltdown and/or rain commences, the river should run at normal or near normal flow and clarity. The lake can take out some sediment from above if the upper river is running cloudy. The lower river below the dam will likely have the clearer water conditions for anglers. A wading staff can be a very useful tool when it comes to entry and exiting the river. Without a thaw over the weekend, the river should have good water into Monday, maybe longer. Ice fishing continues with a ten fish limit on pan fish. The Willow River rises quickly and falls slowly during spring runoff. It can start to come up at an even pace but there is always a jump in level. That surge can occur in a matter of hours. The river may continue to rise but at a slower pace. Little Falls Lake is not a water storage basin. Water coming down from upriver must be passed through. In general, once relatively normal flow is established, it takes a dry week plus for normal clarity to return. Willow Falls is awesome when seven times the normal water flow is coming over it! The two rivers in the area that hold their clarity well in higher water are the Apple and the upper Kinnickinnic above River Falls. The Apple has scattered sections of trout water.
La Crosse DNR Service Center area
Wildcat Mountain State Park ? There is still snow cover but crews are no longer grooming cross-country ski trails. The snow is fast disappearing - the south facing slopes are bare, the ridge tops have a couple of inches and the north slopes still have lots of snow. The skiing and snowshoeing is over with for the year.
Crawford County - The Mississippi River has been falling rapidly. Two weeks ago it reached the 11.4 foot mark and one week ago it was at 10.7 feet. As of Tuesday the Mississippi River was down to 8.7 feet. So in a little more than two weeks the river has dropped almost 3 feet. There is a forecast of heavy flooding in the next month. Flood stage on the Mississippi River is at 16 feet. The Wisconsin River has been up and down this week once again. This week the river stage in Muscoda was at 2.72 feet and fluctuating. Flood stage on the Wisconsin River is at 9 feet. The Kickapoo River has stabilized a bit. In Steuben the river stage was at 8.25 feet and flood stage is at 12 feet. The weather forecast indicates a warming trend that might alleviate flooding problems down the road, but rain is in the forecast. Ice conditions continue to deteriorate in most areas, especially those areas with current. Moderate temperatures, run off and dropping water levels have opened many areas up. Access to ice fishing spots has changed, some areas for the better while others are worse. Caution still is warranted along the shore lines as melted or unstable ice conditions exist in most places. As expected, all the snow has melted off the ice so ice creeper are required for good footing. Access to Gremore Lake is still good, however on the opposite site the Ambro Slough has opened up. Access to Mud Slough, Tilmont Lake and the upper areas of the Ambro Slough complex can only be done by air boat or hovercraft. Anglers are accessing Sturgeon Slough, but access to McGregor Lake is difficult. Below the dam in Lynxville the ice gone and the boat landing is open. Anglers fishing from boat still have to dodge a few ice chunks that are breaking free from upstream. Ice fishing improved this week, however travel on the ice is becoming dangerous in most areas. In the Prairie du Chien area Gremore Lake?s bluegill picked up again. The north and south ends of Gremore Lake saw some pretty decent action. Ice conditions on Gremore Lake are still very good and access has improved. There is plenty of ice in Gremore Lake for foot travel. One area of caution is by the DNR boat landing. The culvert that crosses under Ambro Road has been receiving a large quantity of water which flows into Gremore Lake. The ?dredge? area closest to the boat landing on the Gremore Lake side is dangerous. The Ambro Slough is open all along the island. Therefore Tilmont Lake is only accessible by air boat or hovercraft and few have been out there. Mud Slough is difficult to access. The upper stretches of the Ambro Slough Complex are only accessible by air boat. The Ambro Slough is completely open at the USFWS boat landing. Areas like the Big/Little Missouri, Upper and Lower Doubles and Fish Lake have seen little fishing pressure because of the poor ice conditions. There was some decent bluegill action but again access is very difficult. Spring Lake was very good this week and some decent catches of bluegill, along with a crappie or two have been taken. The Fennimore Cut remains slow. Sturgeon Slough continues to be poor. Now that the river has dropped action there might turn on. Access is pretty good there. With lower water levels access to McGregor (Horseshoe) Lake is very tricky. Even though, a few anglers have ventured out there with mixed results. Cold Spring action this week really slowed down again probably due to the dropping water. The best access to Cold Spring is from the handicapped parking area on the south end. The boat landing access has open water and shore fishing there has been spotty. Anglers are reminded that Cold Spring is considered inland waters so the general fishing season is close for bass, northerns and walleye. Now that the boat landing at Gordon?s Bay is ice free anglers have been fishing from boats for walleye and sauger. This time last week action was pretty good. But once the river started falling walleye and sauger action dropped off. Some anglers are catching a few fish but generally it?s slow. The water is very clear and some of the best action has been early and late in the day. Perch action in the slack water along the long wall has has been decent, but the ice is starting to break up somewhat. Northern pike action has been spotty. Northern pike are already heading to spawning areas as anglers with underwater cameras report sightings of northerns roaming around the backwaters of the Mississippi River. Now that the ice is starting to leave the river systems a variety of birds are starting to show up. The most notable migrants have been robins, bluebirds, and sandhill cranes. On the river a variety of waterfowl can be seen. Diver ducks like canvasback, redhead, scaup, golden eye, bufflehead and mergansers are showing up by the thousands. Numerous eagles can now be seen in/around the Prairie du Chien area and up and down the Wisconsin and Mississippi Rivers. Eagles are paired up and actively tending nests. ?Shed hunters? are out in force. Conditions are pretty good for finding shed deer antlers. Please be courteous and ask permission before entering private land.
Eau Claire DNR Service Center area
Brunet Island State Park ? The cross-country ski trail system still had a good base as of March 14, but had become very icy and rough. Maple syrup production is starting in some of the nearby woodlots. Birds seen or heard include: mourning doves, ravens, black capped chickadees, northern juncos, piliated and red headed woodpeckers, barred and great horned owls. The ice is still holding on the Chippewa and Fisher rivers. Anglers are reporting generally good ice conditions in the backwater areas.
Chippewa Moraine Ice Age State Recreation Area ? Warm and rainy weather has melted much of the snow on the trails and in the forest. Snowshoeing is coming to an end and we are making the transition into spring hiking. Trails will be wet and sloppy for a while, so plan on wearing appropriate footwear for walking. Anglers are still having some luck on surrounding lakes, but ice conditions are expected to deteriorate rapidly with warmer weather moving in. Canadian geese are moving back in and horned larks have been spotted in fields. Male red-winged blackbirds will be returning shortly to claim the best nesting sites. Chipmunks will be emerging from hibernation, and river otters are having their young.
Lake Wissota State Park ? Cross-country ski trails are in poor condition going through a freeze and thaw period each day.
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, March 18, 2011
? Kettle Moraine State Forest?Northern Unit, Campbellsport, (920) 533-8322 - Nature Storytime: Spring into Spring. Through songs, stories and games, we will welcome spring back to Wisconsin. We'll even go outside to explore for some signs of its return. This hour of nature fun awaits 3 to 6 years olds with accompanying adults. Ice Age Visitor Center. 9:30-10:30 a.m.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
? Big Foot Beach State Park, Lake Geneva, (262) 348-2420 - Snowshoeing. Join the staff from Clearwater Outdoors for some winter fun at the park! The group will explore the park on snowshoes for about 2 hours. Snowshoes can be rented from Clearwater Outdoors if needed. Meet at the picnic shelter near the playground. 8-10 a.m.
? Havenwoods State Forest, Milwaukee, (414) 527-0232 - Drop in on Raccoons. Raccoons are everywhere - in the woods, near our houses, and even in our garbage cans. You and your family or youth group can drop in between 9 a.m. and noon to learn how they walk, make a raccoon mask, and much more. Then take a handout and head outside to discover how raccoons live at Havenwoods. No vehicle admission sticker required. Amphibian Survey - Citizen Science Monitoring Workshop. Are there any salamanders at Havenwoods? How many kinds of frogs live here? To find out, we plan to survey the ponds and wetlands this spring. Attend this mini-workshop to observe live amphibians, find out about survey techniques, and learn how to identify common species. Come dressed to spend part of the time outdoors. Bring tall rubber boots or hip boots, if possible. Interested participants will be invited to join a naturalist to check traps and to listen for frogs and toads in the weeks after the training. This program is for adults and youths over age 12. 10-11:30 a.m. No vehicle admission sticker required.
? Kettle Moraine State Forest--Southern Unit, Eagle, (262) 594-6200 - Buckthorn Work Day. We will be removing Buckthorn, an invasive tree, from the area surrounding Ottawa Lake. Meet at the boat launch by 9 a.m. Work will include cutting down trees with loppers and handsaws. Dress for the weather and bring your own work gloves and rubber boots if you have them. A free lunch will be provided by the Kettle Moraine Natural History Association. RSVP to Amanda at the Forest Headquarters. Ottawa Lake Boat Launch. 9 a.m. ? 1 p.m.
? Kohler-Andrae State Park, Sheboygan, (920) 451-4080 - Bluebird Birdhouse Building Workshop. Join park volunteers for a short program on bluebirds and then assemble birdhouses from a kit. Bring a hammer if available. Children must be accompanied by an adult.. Participants encouraged to register in advance but walk-ins accepted. $7 charge per birdhouse if participants wish to purchase birdhouse. Vehicle admission sticker required on all vehicles. Park Office. 1-2:30 p.m.
? Peninsula State Park, Fish Creek, (920) 868-3258 - Tot Time Nature Find: A nature story will be followed by a scavenger hunt especially for little ones. Older kids will be given the option of trying a harder hunt. Prizes! 11 - 11:30 a.m.
? Richard Bong State Recreation Area, Kansasville, (262) 878-5600 - Earliest Migrants. Bundle up and bring your binoculars to join us for an early morning hike. Discover which hardy migrants have returned and what the resident birds are doing. Trails will be wet. Visitor Center. 7:30-9 a.m. Park Workday. Need a service project or service hours? Want to help the environment and the park? Come help at our workdays! Workdays are very flexible. You may come for the whole time or for a short time, for one workday or for all of them. Most suitable for ages ten and up. Please stop at the office when you arrive and you will get a free daily pass for your vehicle. Make sure you dress to be outside working. Sponsored by Bong Naturalist Association [exit DNR]. Visitor Center. 10 a.m. - Noon.
? Whitefish Dunes State Park, Sturgeon Bay, (920) 823-2400 - Discover Fish Printing. Discover the ancient art of Gyote (fish printing). Create a wearable work of art that has fish swimming all over it. Bring a 100% cotton item or purchase some here to print. Drop in between 10am and 1:30pm to participate in this great hands-on nature event. Printing cost $5 and shirt/bag additional $5. Free Wildcard fish set available. Held in the nature center auditorium; offered by the Friends of Whitefish Dunes. Whitefish Dunes Nature Center. 10 a.m. ? 1:30 p.m.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
? Havenwoods State Forest, Milwaukee, (414) 527-0232 - Preschool Storytime: Windy Days. What flies on spring's blustery winds? Geese, moths, and kites do! We'll go on a wind walk to learn about the wind and those who use it. This program is for preschoolers, ages 3-5, and their parents, grandparents, or other adult. It is not for day care centers or organizations. 9:30-10:30 a.m. No vehicle admission sticker required.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
? Kettle Moraine State Forest?Northern Unit, Campbellsport, (920) 533-8322 - Nature Storytime: Rowdy Red-wings. Look! The red-winged blackbirds are back! Spring must not be too far away. Come celebrate the return of the red-wings to the Kettle Moraine. This hour of nature fun awaits 3 to 6 years olds with accompanying adults. Ice Age Visitor Center. 9:30-10:30 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/
