Outdoor Report as of August 28, 2008
Some much needed rain fell this week across Wisconsin, with from 1 to nearly 3 inches reported in some locations. Prior to the rain, conditions had started to become very dry, and wild fire danger levels were creeping into the high range in many locations. Fire levels have now dropped back to moderate or low in most locations, though it is still high in the Shawano and Menomonee county area. Many areas of northern Wisconsin experienced a frost this past week and water temperatures have dropped down into the upper 60s.
Despite the cool and erratic weather, fishing activity has been pretty good in the Northwoods. Musky have been the highlight of the past week and action was very good. Walleye fishing has also improved and both largemouth and smallmouth bass have provided some very good action.
Lake Winnebago anglers were reeling in perch and walleyes were starting to move back on the rocks where anglers have been bringing them up with slip bobbers and jigs. The walleye bite on lower Green Bay has remained stable, but yellow perch action continued to be spotty.
Fishing on Lake Michigan improved some on the northern part of the lake but remained slower out of southern ports. Trollers have primarily been catching chinooks and a few rainbow and lake trout. Shore anglers in Milwaukee have reported catching a few perch and walleye.
White bass and crappie fishing seems to have been good over the last week on the Wisconsin River in central Wisconsin, with some northern pike, largemouth bass, walleye and muskies also being caught. The Mississippi River has been holding just under 7.0 feet for most of the week. Anglers have been catching a few flathead and channel catfish near the Dubuque Lock and Dam. Walleye action has been good on some days and spotty on others.
White-tail bucks are still being seen in full velvet, and spots on fawns are beginning to fade and fawns are becoming a bit braver and venturing out on their own. The early Canada goose season opens Monday, Sept. 1 and runs through Sept. 15, with a daily bag limit of five geese. This early season specifically targets local breeding giant Canada geese and is held before migratory geese begin to move into Wisconsin. The mourning dove season also opens Sept. 1, and hunters will enjoy an extra 10 days of hunting opportunity this year, with the season running through Nov. 9. Because the change was made this summer, the 2008 Small Game Hunting Regulations pamphlet does not reflect the 10 additional hunting days. Also new this year, those hunters hunting on state and federal lands will only be able to use nontoxic shot.
While officially still summer, the fall bird migration is now moving into full swing. Shorebirds have been found in abundance where shallow water and mudflats persist in agricultural fields and on state-managed wetlands. This past weekend's cold front brought the first large push of nocturnal migrants, with many warblers, vireos, flycatchers, hummingbirds and orioles reported. The past week has also seen a large push of common nighthawks statewide. Hummingbirds may soon be migrating as night time temperatures are dipping closer to the 30s.
The cool, wet spring, combined with dry weather since early July and cool weather in the past week has delayed the emergence of turtles from nests. Hatchling turtles that have not emerged yet may now wait until next spring to emerge, depending on the weather over the next couple weeks. Biologists says spring emergence is not uncommon, but this year's late start of nesting may cause an unusually high percentage of nests to overwinter.
Wild rice is beginning to ripen in the north, but is a week to two weeks behind on average. The cool spring in the north is also expected to result in a lower wild rice harvest this fall. Aerial surveys of ricing waters earlier this month found wild rice beds to be very sparse. The cool spring may have meant that a lot of the wild rice seed remained dormant in the lake bottoms and did not germinate. Wild rice seed can remain viable for many years and sparse pickings this year is not necessarily a prelude to poorer years in the future.
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:
Bird migration is now in full swing moving into the first week of September. Shorebirds have been found in abundance where shallow water and mudflats persist in agricultural fields and on state-managed wetlands. Birders have noted most of the common species plus rarer birds like black-necked stilts at Horicon marsh, red-necked phalaropes, red-knot and buff-breasted sandpipers. This past weekend's cold front brought the first large push of nocturnal migrant passerines. Birders reported many warblers, vireos, flycatchers, hummingbirds and orioles. The past week has also seen a large push of common nighthawks statewide. The week of August 22 is typically the peak time for nighthawk migration. Birders should expect more migration as the week progresses. Wetlands are especially birdy this time of year, with opportunities for viewing large numbers of waterfowl, shorebirds and water birds. In addition, wet shrubby woodlands are often the best for passerines in fall migration. As always please report sightings to Wisconsin eBird (
www.ebird.org/WI) to help track bird populations across the state.
________________________________________
Turtles holding tight in nest this season
Turtle emergence from nests has been delayed in Wisconsin this season due to a late start in nesting, combined with dry weather since early July and the cooler nights of the past week. For hatchling turtles that have not emerged yet, it may now not occur until spring depending on the weather over the next couple weeks. In an ongoing study to determine the effectiveness of turtle nest cages to improve nesting success researchers have seen a number of nests where the turtles had hatched but have not emerged from their nests. They appear to be waiting for a good rain to trigger emergence, but if the cooler nights persist, even a good rain may not stimulate emergence until late-April or early-May next year, according to Bob Hay, Herpetologist for the Bureau of Endangered Resources. "Spring emergence is not uncommon", says Hay, "but this year's late start of nesting may cause an unusually high percentage of nests to overwinter. The benefits or detriments of overwinter are not well understood, but if the drought continues into the winter and snow levels are low, overwintering mortality could be high as a result of desiccation." Hay notes that fortunately many turtle species are long-lived, which allows them to sustain their populations even with bad years, as long as they have occasional good years. This may not apply, he adds, to the threatened and endangered species due to their already suppressed numbers, and that is why the state undertakes conservation efforts to rebuild these declining populations.
Back to Top
________________________________________
NORTHERN REGION
Superior DNR Service Center area
Brule River State Forest - Much needed rain fell Wednesday night, with the Brule Ranger Station recording 1.1 inches. Although it helps with the dry conditions for now, the area is still almost an inch under average for the month of August. The rain brought the Bois Brule River Flow to 131 cfs (cubic feet per second). The 63 year average is 135 cfs. Pattison Ranger Station measured a drenching 3.34 inches of rain. A sign that summer is coming to an end is the fall migration of common nighthawks which is now occurring in the area. Common nighthawks are seen in the late evenings, usually just above the land flying in winding and twisting patterns as they migrate south. Another notable sign is that the ferns are turning brown along the roadsides. Buy locally…it is no longer done to just support the local economy. Due to the recent confirmed sightings of the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) in Wisconsin, buying locally can actually help slow the spread of this destructive insect. People tend to try to save money when camping by bringing their own firewood on their trips, but this is a very good means of transporting the Emerald Ash Borer along with several other forest pests. Several businesses in and around Brule sell firewood from local trees. Buying local firewood is the best way of slowing the spread of exotic forest pests from coming into the Brule River State Forest. Firewood cannot enter any property managed by the DNR, including state park and forest campgrounds, if it was purchased or harvested outside of Wisconsin or farther than 50 miles from the property.
Park Falls DNR Service Center area
Upper Chippewa Basin fisheries report (Price, Rusk, Sawyer Taylor and inland Ashland and Iron counties) - The Northwoods of Wisconsin continue to be very dry and water levels in lakes, rivers and streams remain near their summer lows. Weed abundances have peaked out for this summer and densities have been generally lighter than in past years. Many areas of northern Wisconsin experienced a frost this past week and water temperatures have dropped down into the upper 60's. Wild rice was beginning to ripen on many area waters, but is a week to 2 weeks behind on average. Despite the cool and erratic weather, fishing activity has been pretty good in the Northwoods. Musky have been the highlight of the past week and action was very good. Nearly all anglers are reporting sightings, follows and strikes, and many catches have been made. Artificial baits have provided most of the action and some of the favorite baits have included jerk baits, bucktails, and top waters. The musky have been found in a variety of locations - including the less-dense weed beds, the deeper weed edges, and some even suspended in the deeper water areas. Most of the musky have been in the 30 to 38-inch size but a few in the 42 to 46-inch range have also been reported. A beautiful 46-inch tiger musky was caught on Butternut Lake this past week and based on the pattern of the tiger stripes in photos, it was determined to be the same fish caught two years earlier by the same angler. The musky was caught in same area that it was caught 2 years previous and had grown 2 inches in that time. Largemouth and smallmouth bass have also provided some very good action, with smallmouth being very active on the local flowages and larger rivers. The smallies have been found near cover around deeper water areas, with the successful baits being small plastic finesse lures and spinner baits. Largemouth action showed a little more consistency in the past week, with most of the fish being found in the mid-depth areas around cover. The shallow-water bite never really developed this summer and it seemed the largemouth have been holding around cover in 3 to 6 feet of water. Soft plastics, jig/craw combinations, and spinner baits have been the more successful baits lately. Northern pike action continues to be good to excellent. The cooler water temperatures favor this species and great action can be had on spinner baits along the mid-depth weed edges. Walleye success has remained slow, with many of the anglers having given up until the fall patterns set in. Panfish activity has been sporadic with some decent crappie and bluegill found suspended around deeper water cover.
Woodruff DNR Service Center area
Upper Wisconsin Basin fisheries report (Oneida, Vilas, Lincoln, Langlade, Forest and Florence counties) - Walleye fishing in the area has been good for folks using live bait. Leeches fished below a slip bobber at the deep weed lines are producing best, especially in the evening hours. Darker water lakes and flowages are the exception and walleye can be caught most anytime of the day. Musky fishing has been fair with spotty action occurring after a few days of stable weather. We have had some cold fronts come through recently - bringing scattered frost to the area -- which shut things down for a couple days. Fish are hitting top water baits fished over cabbage weeds and bucktails retrieved quickly over the tops of weeds; and at weed lines in the mouths of bays. Action should begin to pick up as fall approaches. Some of the best fishing happens as the leaves fall. A bonus is that fishing pressure is generally much lower in September and October.
Back to Top
________________________________________
NORTHEAST REGION
Peshtigo DNR Service Center area
Marinette County - Fairly dry weather will keep the fire status at moderate for the holiday weekend. Campers are cautioned to be aware of dry conditions and tend to campfires diligently. Ferns are turning brown in the woods along with some berry bushes. The berry crop is sparse in the northern part of the county and better to the south where rainfall accumulation were higher. Acorns are beginning to drop providing an extra food source for wildlife at this time. Nighthawks and shorebirds are full swing into fall migration. Dabblers and blue winged teal are beginning to group up. Hummingbirds may soon be migrating as night time temperatures are dipping closer to the 30s. The water level on the upper Menominee River remains low. Anglers are reminded the hook and line sturgeon season on the Upper Menominee River begins on Sept. 6 and runs through Sept. 30. The minimum size for a harvestable fish is 60 inches also a sturgeon harvest tag is required in order to harvest. Below the Hattie St. Dam in Marinette it is only catch-and-release for sturgeon during the hook and line season.
Oconto County - This year bear hunting with the aid of bait and other methods excluding dogs begins on Sept. 3. Bear hunters are anticipating good success rates this year with moderate hits on bait piles being reported. Bear hunting with the aid of dogs begins Sept. 10. An ATV safety course is being offered at the Oconto City Hall starting Sept. 15-20. People interested in taking the course should contact the instructor to sign up at (920)834-4532.
Shawano County - The annual Voyageur Canoe Trip organized by the Navarino Nature Center is slated for Saturday, Sept. 6. The trip will begin from the boat ramp at County Highway CCC to the Highway 156 boat ramp, all equipment is provided including the canoes! If interested in this adventure RSVP Tim Ewing by Sept. 3 at (715)758-6999.
Green Bay DNR Service Center area
Brown County - Fish activity in the Fox River of Green Bay is still slow. In the lower Green Bay, the walleye bite has remained stable. Macco Reef, Volks, and 2-mile Reef have all shown good results. Anglers have been catching walleye by trolling crawler harnesses and crankbaits. Fish seem to be found mainly in depths between 15 and 25 feet. Yellow perch are still spotty and slow to bite. They have been found in many places from south of Bayshore to north of Chaudoir’s. Many small perch are being caught too. The key is to find the larger perch and hope they bite while you are there. Many semi-successful perch anglers have been finding fish in shallow water, around 10 ft. Worms and minnows have been successful baits. No northern or musky activity to report. Water temperature in the bay is in the lower 70s.
Sturgeon Bay DNR Service Center area
Door County - In the Little Sturgeon Bay/Sawyer Harbor area, smallmouth bass have been biting near the shore, near Quarry, and on reefs out in Green Bay. Worms and artificial baits have both worked. The walleye bite has been fair. Reefs in Green Bay, especially the north end of Larson’s, has been showing good results. And even a few walleye have been caught from shore. The yellow perch bite is still picking up. Many small fish were being caught, but larger fish were also being found. Shallow water near weed beds seem to be the most popular locations. Anglers are also having good luck with northern pike. Off the channel of Sturgeon Bay has been showing good results. Musky are also biting but slowly. Salmon/trout anglers have been going as far as Chambers and Green Islands and having relatively good success. For all species in this system, time, effort, and a little luck is all it takes. Water temperature is around 70 degrees.
Kewaunee County - Fishing on Lake Michigan has generally improved since last week. Colder water is now closer to shore with help from west winds over the past week. Water temperatures are in the 50s around 80 feet and into shore. Due to this, most anglers have been fishing within 80-100 feet or shallower. Salmon and rainbow trout have primarily been caught. Colder water inshore should help out fishing success on the piers in the near future, but not many fish were documented off the piers as of this past weekend.
Oshkosh DNR Service Center area
Lake Winnebago anglers are reeling in perch on the edge of the rocks in the mud. Hellgrammites, red worms and night crawlers have all been producing fish. Walleyes are starting to move back on the rocks and anglers have been bringing them up with slip bobbers and jigs. There have been sightings of deer in full velvet this past week. The fawns are venturing out on their own as they become a little braver. Early goose season begins Sept. 1, so hunters may place there blinds out on Rush Lake with the owners name, address, and DNR customer number permanently affixed to the blind where it will be clearly visible. These blinds are to be removed within 7 days of the close of the season. Snapping turtle eggs should begin hatching this week. Freshly hatched turtles are very venerable as they emerge from their sandy locations and travel down to the water. There are many predators for these small turtles and only a small percentage survive to the second year.
Back to Top
________________________________________
SOUTHEAST REGION
Lake Michigan fisheries team report
Sheboygan County - In Sheboygan shore fishing off the piers has been slow, and trollers have struggled to find fish as well. A few rainbows and chinooks have been taken 60 to 70 feet down in 80 to 90 feet of water.
Ozaukee County - Both shore fishing and trolling in Port Washington has been generally slow. Trollers have had the most success fishing at least 50 feet down in 100 to 150 feet of water. Chinooks and a few brown trout have been taken on green and blue flies or spoons.
Milwaukee County - Trollers in Milwaukee have been catching chinooks and a few rainbows in 120 to 150 feet of water. Flasher and fly combinations and glow spoons have been most productive in the early morning hours. Shore anglers in Milwaukee have reported catching a few perch and walleye on leeches and small minnows in the river behind the Summerfest grounds.
Racine County - In Racine shore fishing has been slow overall, but a few chinooks have been caught in the harbor near the mouth of the Root River. Glow in the dark spoons fished early in the day have provided the only action. Racine trollers have been catching a few chinooks and lake trout in 80 to 120 feet of water.
Kenosha County - For shore anglers in Kenosha, brown trout fishing in the harbor has been slow, but a few chinooks have been caught off the beach near the mouth of the Pike River. Kenosha trollers have been catching chinooks and a few lake trout. Most fish have been caught from more than 100 feet of water, with the best catches taken early in the day.
Back to Top
________________________________________
SOUTH CENTRAL REGION
Dodgeville DNR Service Center area
Grant County - Fishing has been very slow for the past few weeks through out the Mississippi River pools. Anglers have been catching a few flathead and channel catfish on the Lower end of Pool #11 near the Dubuque Lock and Dam. Water levels are low due to the lack of rainfall, and boaters and anglers are advised to use caution when venturing into backwater areas. Corps of engineers predictions advise for a river stage at Cassville below 7 feet by this weekend. Watch for sand bars, mud flats and very shallow water areas. For those watching the progression of fall, the leaves are beginning to turn on the walnut trees and they have begun to drop their walnuts.
Wyalusing State Park - The weather forecast for the holiday weekend is close to perfect. Thursday morning rain is expected to clear by mid morning making way for clear skies and warm temps. No rain forecasted until Tuesday. As of Thursday morning, all reservable sites have been reserved, but there are a number of first come, first served sites still available. You are welcome to call ahead and check availability – 608-996-2261. Nice catches of bass, catfish, and bluegills are being reported by local anglers. Trails that are open are in good hiking condition. Concession Stand will be open weekends (Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays) in September and October. Canoe and kayak rental, firewood, ice, camping `supplies and a variety of tee shirts and sweatshirts are available at the concession stand. A marked canoe trail starts at the park’s boat landing where the canoes and kayaks are kept. The 6 mile loop winds its way through the Mississippi River backwaters, down the main channel and then through another area of backwater ending at the boat landing. Canoeing is a very popular activity at Wyalusing State Park. Recent bird sightings in the park include: red-bellied woodpeckers, downy woodpeckers, hairy woodpeckers, purple finches, cardinals, bluejays, chickadees, nuthatches, tufted titmice, gold finches, mourning doves, tree sparrows, crows, flickers, bluebirds, robins, meadowlarks, eagles, wild turkeys, turkey vultures, and red winged blackbirds. Warblers and orioles are heading south for the winter. Now is a good time to provide grape jelly for the orioles. They will appreciate the extra “fuel”. Goldfinches are bringing their young to the feeders. Remember, it is only a myth that hummingbirds won’t migrate if you have your hummingbird feeders out past Labor Day. Hummingbirds know when it is time to leave. It is possible to see them into late September or even early October. The hummingbird migration is just getting started. The native prairie garden at the park office is beginning to show that fall will soon be here. Most of the flowers are going to seed. The few remaining flowers still in bloom include: purple coneflowers, black-eyed Susan, Joe-Pye-weed, purple prairie clover, cardinal flower, great blue lobelia, side oats grandma, bottle brush grass, butterfly milkweed, white aster. The next Friends of Wyalusing meeting is Monday, Sept. 8 at 6:30 p.m. at the Peterson Shelter.
Back to Top
________________________________________
WEST CENTRAL REGION
Baldwin DNR Service Center area
River levels are at low summer flows with the recent dry conditions, but fishing on the St Croix and Miss Rivers has been fair. Crappies have been biting in the Hudson to Bayport area on the St Croix and Walleye and sauger are hitting fairly well on trolled crank baits or crawlers on the St Croix and Lake Pepin. Walleye and bass are still hitting on Cedar Lake on the weed edges and off cribs. Early Canada goose hunters will do best to look for harvested wheat fields or sweet corn, early scouting and obtaining permission is a must for success. Trout streams are running cool and clear, but mornings and evenings have been good on the Rush, Trimbelle and Kinnickinnic Rivers. Floating the Lower Chippewa River through Dunn and Pepin County will produce many bass and a few walleye with bug free conditions right now.
St. Croix County
Willow River State Park - The campground is full for the Labor Day weekend. Weeknight camping availability remains good. Electric sites will remain in high demand on weekends until the toilet buildings are closed for winter the week of Sept. 29. Lately, it’s been news when rain falls. The area received 2 inches of rain Wednesday night. The Willow River Race branch was running a little high but still clear on Thursday morning. Generally, there is a short window of 8-12 hours before discoloration begins, and that could be the case for the weekend. The relatively short growing season and dry weather have some of the green ash trees by the office showing a little color. In some past dry years, green leaves came down. The sumac shrubs are showing some red this week.
La Crosse DNR Service Center area
Flocks of white pelicans have started arriving around La Crosse, although the bulk of the migration is about a month away. A few hundred spent the summer along the Mississippi River again this year, as well.
La Crosse River State Trail - The trail is open and in good condition. Stiff goldenrod and rough blazing star are blooming in the prairie this week. A bull snake was seen on the trail near Rockland. Snakes are very beneficial. Please use care to avoid any snakes seen along the trail.
Vernon County - Large flocks of bluebirds and blackbirds are gathering. Bluebird concentrations tend to number about 10 to 20 birds, but blackbird flocks reach several hundred to more than one thousand birds. Roosting flocks of blackbirds can cause local nuisance problems with their droppings and odors. Fortunately these types of problems are temporary, as most blackbirds migrate south for the winter.
Wildcat Mountain State Park - Horse trails are in good condition. Hiking trails also are in good condition. The Ice Cave picnic area has reopened. And the Hemlock hiking trail has also reopened. The Hemlock trail still has some rough areas but it can be hiked. Canoeing has been good on the Kickapoo River with rentals and shuttles available nearby in the Village of Ontario. For weekend camping reservations are recommended. Sunday nights thru Thursday there are many open sites available.
Crawford County - Moderate temperatures and dry conditions was the story this week. River conditions are at normal levels for this time of year. The Mississippi River has been holding just under 7.0 feet for most of the week. The forecast for the Mississippi River is to stay steady below the 7.0 foot mark. The Wisconsin River is in good shape as water clarity is good and many sand bars are high and dry. The Kickapoo River has settled into normal summer time flow and is clearing up too. All the trout streams are in good condition. All of the boat landings in the Crawford County area are open and usable. A word of caution regarding some landings. With the low water be careful backing in large boats because some ramps have developed drop offs at the end of the landing pad. Boaters on the Mississippi River are urged to use caution now that the river is below 7.0 feet. Wing and closing dams can be dangerously close to outboard motor lower units. If you are unsure of where you are traveling stay in the navigation lane or slow down and utilize a depth finder. Besides wing dams, sunken trees and snags are starting to “rear their heads”. Fishing action was very good again this week. Most species of fish are biting pretty good. Bluegills, sheepshead and bass are the most often caught species. Walleye and catfish action has been good on some days and spotty on others. Anglers are finding good bluegill action above wing dams and along shorelines in deeper water on the Mississippi River. Some anglers are drifting or dead lining in 4 to 10 feet of water. Most anglers are using a chunk of nightcrawler fished off the bottom. Many bluegill anglers report the size of the fish caught are average. Those big “gill” have been hard to find for most anglers. There has been some crappie action in the area. Try small minnows fished under bobbers in downed trees. Whitebass and perch action was spotty. Whitebass have been seen feeding on the top of wing dams, along rocky shorelines, below the lock and dams and at the mouth of the Wisconsin River. The best tip for a successful fishing outing is to move frequently until you locate active fish. Fishing at Cold Spring continues to be slow, both inside and outside the railroad tracks. Most anglers are launching at Cold Spring but heading out to the Mississippi River. Once outside Cold Spring anglers are traveling around to find fish. Bluegill action was spotty. A few crappie are being taken at Cold Spring using minnows. The boat landing at Cold Spring is in good shape but the water is low. The Ambro Slough complex was pretty good for the most part. Bluegills were active all over, but the size structure of the fish have been on the small side. Anglers fishing Big Lake, Fish Lake, the Upper and Lower Doubles, Big and Little Missouri, Fennimore Cut, and Spring Lake have found fish there at times. Again, the best fishing tip is to keep moving around until you find decent size and active fish. There has been some decent bluegill action reported in downed trees and deeper sloughs. Spotty crappie action has been reported. Horseshoe (McGregor or Sturgeon) Lake remained slow this week. Fishing for sauger and walleye this week slowed down for most anglers. Try trolling crank baits in deeper water sloughs. Black Slough, Roseau Slough, and Big Lake have produced some fish. Another tactic is drifting with leeches or nightcrawlers. Once a walleye or sauger is caught target that area. The S curve by Harpers Ferry was pretty good this week. Anglers have been drifting off the wing dam near Harpers Ferry Slough and on the Wisconsin side. Nightcrawlers have been the most successful bait. Action on wing dams throughout the Mississippi River have been spotty. Trolling crank baits or dead lining with leeches and nightcrawlers have been the best tactics. Northern pike action slowed a little this week too. Look for northerns in areas were cooler water might be entering the river or in slow moving deeper sloughs. Casting crank baits, spoons, or spinner baits have worked pretty good also. Try these baits in the timber and weeds. Some decent fish have been caught trolling on Big Lake, the bottom end of the Ambro Slough, and the Lower Bottoms outside Prairie du Chien and up by the Lynxville dam. Bass (both large and smallmouth) fishing remained good this week. Anglers are finding active bass in shallow backwater areas, on wing dams, in the weeds and in the timber. Most bass anglers will have success with varying colors of plastics, spinner baits, and crank baits. Trout fishing is good for those who can tolerate the dense vegetation and bugs. Both live and artificial bait have produced quality fish. Mosquitoes, deer and horse flies are out. The gnat problems from past weeks has really subsided. Mosquitoes have been bad in the river bottoms and some upland areas. In the river bottoms mosquitoes can be a nuisance all day and night long. Stinging nettle and poison ivy is still out and awaits outdoor users so be careful and dress accordingly. Parsnip is really dying back. Many of the early summer grasses are starting to seed out and die back. There appears to be a decent acorn crop this year. Other nut trees like walnut and hickory are producing fair crops this year.
400 State Trail - The trail is open between Elroy and Wonewoc (about 8 miles) and from County Highway V south of La Valle to Reedsburg (about 5 miles). The rest of the trail, including the horse trail segment, remains closed due to bridge damage from the June 2008 Baraboo River flood. Over one mile of washed out trail surface has been replaced. Replacement of the bridge near County Highway V is scheduled to take place this fall. Funding for the remainder of the bridges is being addressed and debris removal from several bridges along the trail is in the works. Flowers blooming along the trail include iron weed, joe-pye weed and green headed cone flower.
Merrick State Park - Fishing has been slow this past week. Take to the trails to see the colorful wildflowers. The trail through the north campground is especially colorful right now. The bright red cardinal flowers are blooming in the south campground and along the south trail. Other flowers blooming around the park include bees balm, vervain, evening primrose, blazing star, horsemint and goldenrod. From Sept. 2 through Oct. 15, the shower building will only be open on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Black River Falls DNR Service Center area
Black River State Forest - All ATV trails on the state forest were groomed between last week and this week and are in great condition. Trails will likely be groomed once more this year before the Oct. 15 closing. The forest has not received much rain lately so trails will be dusty -- use of a dust mask is highly recommended. With the dusty conditions we also encourage the use of headlights at all times. At a minimum headlights must be on along all road routes by state law. The trails will likely be especially busy this weekend so please use extra caution. The forest has a brochure with some basic safety information for all ATV operators (pdf) [http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/forestry/StateForests/SF-BlackRiver/pdf/BlackRiverATVRideSafe.pdf] . Please help protect the sport of ATVing by riding responsibly and demanding the same of others at all times. ATV rules and regulations are also available on the DNR Web site [http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/es/enforcement/DOCS/ATVRegs.pdf].
Eau Claire DNR Service Center area
Brunet Island State Park - Park trails are generally dry and in very good condition. Smallmouth bass have been hitting green Rapalas lately. Largemouth bass, musky, and northern pike action has been good in the flowage. Catfish are being taken from the upper reaches of the flowage near the Holcombe dam. Species of birds seen or heard include: turkey vultures, belted kingfishers, ruby throated hummingbirds, a variety of wrens, red polls, bluebirds, lake gulls, golden finches, mallard ducks, common loons, great blue herons, red winged blackbirds, phoebes, Canada geese, sandhill cranes, robins, mourning doves, nuthatches, ravens, black capped chickadees, piliated woodpeckers, great horned owls, barred owls, and bald eagles. Plants blooming in the park include white snakeroot, harebell, common milkweed, water smartweed, rabbits foot clover, marsh hedge nettle, wild bergamot, brown eyed susans, lesser daisy fleabane, the water lilies, some of the aster varieties, orange hawkweed, wild columbine, ox eye daisy, wooly yarrow are flowering. A note to fall campers. The paved roads in the South (electric) campground are scheduled to be ground and surfaced during the week after Labor Day this year. Please be aware that this is very noisy work involving large road equipment.
Wisconsin Rapids DNR Service Center area
Buckhorn State Park - White bass and crappie fishing seems to have been good over the last week with pike, largemouth bass, some walleye and some muskies being caught. Visitors have been enjoying the picnic areas and beaches and renting canoes/kayaks. There is starting to be some green algae in the water that moves around each day. Remember, park stickers are required for Launch C and D and there are no additional launch fees. Mosquitoes do not want to go away so remember to bring bug spray. Lake breezes kept them away at times at campsites. Biting flies have starting being a nuisance at the park, mainly biting ankles. Remember to secure your food at campsites from all animals. The deadline for the youth deer hunt has been extended - contact the park office for more information. Categories are people using the park, open, plants, animals, and one for photographers under 18 yrs old. We have three non-reservable campsites.
Roche-A-Cri State Park - Trails are in great condition for hiking. There are many quiet campsites available during the week and on the weekend. There are a few mosquitoes so remember your bug spray. If the office is closed, please self-register in the parking lot. There are three non-reservable campsites. Friendship Lake is about 1 mile south of the park and has a nice beach and swimming area. There is still time to get photos for the annual photo contest. Categories are people using the park, open, plants, animals, and one for photographers under 18 yrs old.
