DNR Outdoor Report as of August 2, 2007
Despite some locally heavy rain that fell late last week across the state, conditions across Wisconsin remain very dry. Water levels on most lakes and streams continue to be at very low and the rain that fell did little to raise lake or river levels. With low flows in area streams and rivers, canoeing and kayaking has been tough on many rivers. The Bois Brule River in Douglas County was at historical low level this week, dropping below a previous low set in 1990. The dry conditions and some very high temperatures are also causing vegetation to show signs of stress, with grasses and ferns drying up and turning brown. Wild fire danger levels are now high in south central, northwestern and northeastern Wisconsin and are moderate across the rest of the state. Fire crews have responded to a number of fires in the last week.
Despite the hot and humid weather of late, fishing activity has remained at a rather high level and success has been generally fair for a variety of species. In the north, musky fishing has been picking up and nearly all anglers have reported some action. Bass fishing has been pretty good with largemouth providing the most consistent action. Smallmouth fishing has been erratic as low water levels and river flows have left much of the prime cover in a bit too shallow of water. Walleye angling has been fair and some nice catches have been made on the deep weed edges and deep rock/gravel bars, with leeches and night crawlers continuing to be the best baits. Panfish action has also been fair as most people have had no trouble catching bluegill and rock bass. Bigger panfish are suspended near cover in the mid-depth ranges. Fishing also continued to be good for a variety of species on southern waters. Anglers have been fishing deep or at night as the fish try to cope with the summer heat. Northern pike have been hitting suckers in 25 to 35 feet of water. Crappie and bluegill have been biting in 20 to 35 feet of water.
Inland trout waters continue to rise in water temperature with little precipitation again this week. The waters of some trout streams reached as high as 72 degrees. Trout are more likely to become stressed during warmer temperatures and naturally seek deeper holds of the streams.
Fishing on Green Bay was mixed this week. Surface water temperatures were in the upper 60s to lower 70s. Perch continued to be found dispersed although some limits were reported. Some nice walleyes were reported this week up north on the bay near Potawatomi State Park. Anglers trolling out on Lake Michigan also had a fair week. Although fishing was slower than in previous weeks, most boats returned with fair catches of chinook salmon and rainbow trout. Some lucky anglers also landed a few lake trout and coho salmon as well.
The chicks of the state endangered common tern, of which there are only two nesting colonies in the entire Lake Superior basin – one in Ashland and one on Interstate Island on the St. Louis River -- are beginning to fledge. These two colonies have been closely monitored for more than 25 years. Shortly after beginning to fly they will start their migration back to their wintering grounds on the Atlantic coast and northern Ecuador and Brazil.
The hot dry conditions can affect some wildlife more than others. Animals such as geese and ducks may have to go to other feeding areas due to the lack of water. Some amphibians such as frogs and salamanders can go into a semi-hibernation called summer estivation until conditions improve. Meanwhile song birds and upland game birds have been thriving on this weather due to the increased population of insects.
Skunks and raccoons are busy raiding gardens and lawns. Many homeowners are calling to report nuisance activities of these animals. Berry crops are starting to show some loss from the dry weather and the Door County cherry crops, which has been very good, is starting to taper off.
And with fall just around the corner, hunter safety courses are being offered. Now is a good time to enroll children in these sessions if they will be eligible to hunt in the upcoming hunting seasons. Check the DNR Web site for updates on the class offering dates and schedules.
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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.
DNR Northern Region
Superior DNR Service Center area
Brule River State Forest - Last weeks storm front brought in wind, a little rain in some spots, and lightning. The lightning ended up causing at least four wild fires adding up close to 75 acres. Sometimes these fires can go undetected for several days to several weeks. A lightning caused fire was discovered in Gordon near Flamang Road last Friday July 27. Even without wind this fire grew quickly sending up 70 to 80 foot flames, burning 32 acres. The drought continues on in the Brule area. July precipitation was just 0.76 inches, compared to the historical July average of 3.97 inches, or minus 3.21 inches for the month. So far Brule is 6.13 inches below average for this year. The Bois Brule River was flowing at record lows as of August 2 at 106 cubic feet per second (cfs) breaking the 1990 record low of 109 cfs. The 62 year average for this date is 142 cfs. Vegetation in the Brule area is starting to show signs of stress from the continued drought. Ferns are most visible along the roadsides as they are drying up and turning brown. They normally start looking like this in late September. Drought conditions can effect some wildlife more than others. Animals such as geese and ducks may have to go to other feeding areas due to the lack of water. Some other animals such as frogs, salamanders, and insects go into a semi-hibernation called summer estivation. These animals will become inactive for periods of time until conditions improve. Despite this short-term lack of habitat, periodic drying of wetlands is a natural process that will ultimately allow aerobic decay of plants which releases nutrients to future plants and animals that otherwise would remain unavailable in saturated soil and lake sediments, thus improving future habitat conditions. While the dry and hot weather has been difficult for some people and animals, other animals such as song birds and upland game birds have been thriving on this weather due to the increased population of insects. The state endangered Common tern chicks found in Ashland and on Interstate Island on the St. Louis River are beginning to fledge. The colony in Ashland has almost completed fledging and the colony on Interstate Island is about half fledged. These two nesting colonies are the only colonies found in the entire Lake Superior basin, including Canada and are considered to be among the larger colonies in the upper Midwest. These two colonies have been closely monitored for more than 25 years. Nest sites are protected from competing ring-billed gulls, nests are marked and monitored for hatching success, and chicks are banded to monitor fledging success and long term survival and migration patterns. In 2007, 110 nests were counted in Ashland and 180 nests were counted on Interstate Island in June and July. Barring any catastrophic events within the next week, this will be a good hatching year for the terns at both colonies. Shortly after beginning to fly they will start their migration back to their wintering grounds on the Atlantic coast and northern Ecuador and Brazil. People who look carefully might see Indian pipe growing inconspicuously from the forest floor. These waxy white plants bloom mid-June to late August. Indian pipe is a very unique plant, it does not produce its own chlorophyll. This plant is a saprophyte, which means that it depends on dead and decaying organic matter for nutrients. For more information on this unusual plant see the an article in the August 2002 issues of Wisconsin Natural Resources magazine [http://www.wnrmag.com/stories/2002/aug02/pipe.htm].
Park Falls DNR Service Center area
Upper Chippewa Basin fisheries report (Price, Rusk, Sawyer Taylor and inland Ashland and Iron counties) - With just a little bit of rain from passing thunderstorms on Thursday of last week, water levels in most of the area lakes and streams continue to be at very low levels. Heavier rain did fall to the south of the Hayward and Park Falls areas, but the half-inch or so of rain the basin received did little to raise lake or river levels. With low flows in area streams and rivers, canoe travel has been tough and thick vegetation is beginning to show up in many stretches. Despite the hot and humid weather of late, fishing activity has remained at a rather high level and success has been generally fair for the various species. Musky fishing has been getting quite a bit of attention and nearly all anglers have reported some action. While most of the action has been follows and sightings, a good number of musky in the 28 to 36-inch size have been caught. The deep weed edges and the less-dense weed beds continue to hold most of the fish, with stick baits, bucktails and surface baits being the more popular lures. Bass fishing has been pretty good with largemouth providing the most consistent action. The largemouth continue to be found near heavy cover such as logs, stumps, thick weeds and bog edges, with soft plastics and bass jigs providing the best success. Lily pad beds have become hard to fish as the stems have hardened up and made it hard to get a bait through, and even tougher to get fish out of. Smallmouth fishing has been erratic as low water levels and river flows have left much of the prime cover in a bit too shallow of water. This has pushed many of the fish to deeper water where they tend to roam more on the rocky substrates. Crawlers, leeches and small finesse plastics have been getting most of the action. Walleye angling has been fair and some nice catches have been made at times. Some good success has been reported on the deep weed edges and deep rock/gravel bars, with leeches and night crawlers continuing to be the best baits. A few walleye have been caught on minnow stick baits fished along weeds edges in the hour before dark. Panfish action has also been fair as most people have had no trouble catching bluegill and rock bass - but fish have generally been small. Look for the bigger panfish to be suspended near cover in the mid-depth ranges (8 to 14 feet).
Woodruff DNR Service Center area
Area fishing guides report that walleye and smallmouth bass action is on the rise. The warm lake temperatures are considered to be a contributing factor. As we have been reporting this summer, musky action continues to be good. Musky anglers are having good success finding suspended fish in deep clear water lakes. Fish can be found following schools of cisco and other bait-fish suspended over deep water in clear water lakes. In addition, top water and smaller profile bucktails are producing some nice fish. Largemouth bass, pike, bluegill, and perch action continues to be steady. Walleye anglers are also having moderate success fishing weed lines with leeches in 12 to 20 feet of water. The extremely warm temperatures have raised water temps considerably. With fall just around the corner, hunter safety courses are being offered. Now is a good time to enroll your children in these sessions if they will be eligible to hunt in the upcoming hunting seasons. Check the WI DNR Web site for updates on the class offering dates and schedules. With the increase in ATV use and popularity, ATV operators should brush up on the rules and regulations for operation of ATVs. This summer area conservation wardens are encountering a number of ATV operators who are, for the most part, inadvertently committing violations. One of the bigger problems is ATV trespass. Operators need to remember that ATV’s can only be driven on designated routes and trails or on property with permission of the owner. ATVs need to be registered in order to operate in Wisconsin. A trail pass is needed for any out of state registered ATVs. Red raspberries are now ripe with a few blackberries starting to show up. Recent rains should give the berries the much needed boost to ripeness.
DNR Northeastern Region
Peshtigo DNR Service Center area
Marinette County - This past week began with nicer temperatures early then turned hot later in the week. The fishing picked up for all species of fish this week over last week. Later in the week the salmon bite was very good with more limit catches being reported overall. There are still some very nice sized fish landed. Smallmouth bass action has been hot on the Menominee and the Oconto rivers, but the size of most fish being brought up, have been less then desirable. Inland trout waters continue to rise in water temperature with little precipitation again this week. The waters of the South Branch of the Pemebonwon, Northern Marinette County, reached 72 degrees close to Hwy 141, near Pembine. Trout are more likely to become stressed during warmer temperatures and naturally seek deeper holds of the streams. Several bucks seen with racks in velvet of good size already. Berry crop is starting to show some loss from the dry weather. Remember to keep your bird baths well stocked with water for the wildlife.
Oconto County - The perch action out of Oconto has still been decent, with good numbers of fish being caught in depths ranging from 12-50 feet of water. Walleye action has gotten better with fish coming from 10 to 30 feet of water. Most of the walleye are smaller in size. Harnesses have been the hot ticket for the walleye.
Shawano County - Blackberries are ripening and deerflies are plentiful. Young ducks are beginning to fly and turkey broods are also more visible. The Wolf River water levels are good for canoeing and kayaking at this time.
Green Bay DNR Service Center area
Brown County - The fishing this week on the bay had its highs and lows. The weather cooperated somewhat with mild winds and hot temps this past weekend. The water temps were in the upper 60s to lower 70s. Perch continued to be found dispersed although some decent limits were reported early and late in the week. Minnows continued to produce best for anglers working weed edges and moving around to find feeding fish. Perch anglers continue to accidentally catch the occasional channel catfish and some really nice flathead catfish in the 10- to 20-pound range. Little Sturgeon Bay had some nice fish reported late in the week with talk of some 5- to 6-pound smallmouth, some impressive perch in the 10- to 11-inch range, and the occasional musky and northern pike. Some huge walleyes (9 to 10 pounds) were reported this week up north on the big pond from anglers outside of Chaudoirs and Potawatomi State Park, along with numerous drum and catfish. Anglers on the Fox, Duck, and Suamico rivers continued to have success off shore fishing for drum, catfish and the occasional walleye. The wild raspberries are slowly disappearing, but Door County cherries are available for a couple more weeks although availability is starting to taper off.
Manitowoc County - In Manitowoc, anglers had a fair week of fishing. Anglers fishing from the north and south pier had a fair week picking up chinook salmon near sunrise with an occasional rainbow trout or brown trout mixed into the catch. Anglers trolling out on Lake Michigan also had a fair week with most boats catching half of their limit. Most anglers trolled in 65 to 95 feet of water using J-plugs and spoons. In Two Rivers, both boat and pier anglers had a fair week of salmon fishing. Although fishing was slower than in previous weeks, most boats returned with fair catches of chinook salmon and rainbow trout. Some lucky anglers also landed a few lake trout and coho salmon as well. Most anglers trolled in 70 to 90 of water with lines set from 50 feet and up. The majority of successful trips were around sunrise and sunset. Anglers that used bright reflective spoons and size # 3 J-plugs had the best action. Anglers fishing from the north pier or the end of the south pier had a slow week landing some good sized chinook salmon with an occasional rainbow trout.
Sturgeon Bay DNR Service Center area
Door County - The weather this started out warm and sunny with seasonal temperatures. Scattered showers moved through the area during the middle of the week and seemed to have an adverse affect on the fishing. Overall the fishing remained very good the first part of the week with anglers fishing out on Lake Michigan bringing in excellent catches; however, showers during the middle of the week seemed to put a damper on the action. Warm water on the big lake seems to have made the fish hard to find. Early in the week anglers going out of Sturgeon Bay continued to have the best luck fishing the early morning bite on the Bank Reef. Fly and dodger combinations fished 90 to 125 feet deep were doing the trick for the early risers. Later in the day the action was out deeper with anglers fishing in 160 to 300 feet of water. Fly and dodger combinations along with spoons and J-Plugs were producing good catches early in the week. Out of Baileys, Rowley’s Bay, Ellison Bay, Sister Bay and Washington Island the story was about the same, with very good action early in the week and less than great results later. Smallmouth bass action has mostly moved out into deeper waters. Anglers continued to look for big smallmouth on structure in 15 to 25 feet of water. Tube jigs and goby imitating were taking some nice smallmouth by anglers willing to look for them. Anglers were trying for smallmouth from shore at Stone Quarry County Park, at the mouth of Sturgeon Bay, and Anderson’s dock in Ephraim. Perch fishing continues to be on the slow side; however, the southern shore of Green Bay, along with Little Sturgeon and Riley’s Bay were producing some perch, although the fish remain scattered. Again this week you perch anglers were trying the weed edges between the bridges in Sturgeon Bay, and in 20 to 30 feet of water off of Chaudoir’s dock.
Peninsula State Park - Weather has been hot and dry. Water levels in Green Bay and Lake Michigan are still very low. Prevailing east northeast winds occasionally create a build-up of cladophora algae along the park's shoreline. Swimmers are advised that algae may be present along the first 10 to 20 feet along the waterline. During hot weather, visitors should be aware that sometimes Nicolet Bay Beach reaches capacity. When all parking spots are filled, no more vehicles are permitted into the beach areas. Solution: Plan on bicycling to the beach. Trails are ready for summer use, and in very dry condition. Some of the more interesting and commonly seen summer birds: white pelicans, cormorants, wood ducks, mergansers, bald eagles, osprey. Peninsula is a birders paradise. There is a bumper crop of cherries in the orchards this year.
Kewaunee County - Some nice weather over most of the week made for another nice week of fishing. There was some rain in the middle of the week that did slow the fishing down. The winds have been very favorable over the entire week. Anglers fishing of the piers in Algoma and Kewaunee had a good week with salmon and even a few trout taken throughout the week. Anglers that have been trolling out on the lake have been coming in with some good catches of kings once again. Anglers have also been catching a few browns, rainbows, lakers, and cohos as well. Some good catches of fish have been coming in throughout most of the week, but it has slowed down some over the weekend. Most anglers were fishing in water depths of about 60 to 120 feet. Fish were being caught anywhere from 60 to 100 feet. Anglers have been reporting that they were marking a lot of fish, but they just weren’t biting really good. Anglers have been reporting that there really wasn’t one thing that was working the best as the fish were just not really hitting on much at the end of the weekend.
DNR Southeast Region
Lake Michigan fisheries team report
Sheboygan County - Shore anglers fishing the north pier have been catching just a few chinooks and rainbows on glow-in-the-dark spoons. Trollers off Sheboygan have been catching primarily chinooks, along with occasional rainbows and coho. Most fish have been found in 60 to 90 feet of water.
Ozaukee County - In Port Washington pier anglers using alewives and spoons have been catching a few rainbows, browns, and chinooks. Early mornings on the pier have been best. Trollers out of Port Washington have been catching their limits. Chinooks, coho, and rainbows have been taken on spoons and J-plugs in 40 to 50 feet of water.
Milwaukee County - Shore fishing in Milwaukee has been slow with warm water near shore. Milwaukee trollers have been catching good numbers of chinooks, along with a few coho, lake trout, and rainbows. Most fish have been caught on spoons and silver J-plugs 70 feet down in water 110 to 130 feet deep.
Racine County - In Racine perch fishing for shore anglers has been slow overall, with only a few caught near the mouth of the boat launch at Pershing Park. Crab tails and jigs have provided the only action. Boaters using jigs have been catching perch off and on at the breakwall. Racine trollers have been have been finding good action in as shallow as 50 to 70 feet of water or out over 100 feet. Chinooks and a few coho and rainbows have been hitting purple or cracked ice spoons as well as green dodgers and aqua flies.
Kenosha County - In Kenosha many browns remain in the harbor, but getting them to bite has been difficult. Most browns caught recently have been taken in the overnight hours. Perch fishing from shore has also been slow. Kenosha trollers have been catching chinooks, coho, and rainbows in 100 to 125 feet of water. Fish have been hitting spoons and flies in green, blue, or white.
Inland fisheries team report
Fishing continued to be good for a variety of species in the region. Anglers were fishing deep or at night as the fish try to cope with the summer heat.
Milwaukee, Washington and Ozaukee Counties - Smallmouth bass fishing on the Milwaukee River in Washington, Ozaukee and Milwaukee counties has slowed. Unseasonable and extreme low-flow and warm water conditions are likely contributing to limited success. Most smallmouth were less than the legal size of 14-inches. An occasional walleye and northern pike were being taken in the outer Milwaukee harbor area and below the former North Avenue dam.
Walworth and inland Racine and Kenosha counties - Fishing has been good. Anglers after walleye were catching nice ones on Geneva and Delavan Lakes at night. Trolling with minnow imitation lures brings success. Anglers fishing the piers and out to 25 feet were catching largemouth bass on spinner baits and night crawlers. Northern pike were hitting suckers in 25 to 35 feet of water. Crappie and bluegill were biting on minnows, plastics, leeches and night crawlers in 20 to 35 feet of water. Anglers using suckers were catching northern pike over the deep weed lines. Muskies are hitting buck tails on Silver Lake.
Waukesha County - Bluegills have provided anglers with the best action. Nagawicka, Little Muskego, the Nemahbin lakes or Keesus were producing fish outside weed lines in 8 to 20 feet of water. The bigger bluegills were often found near the bottom. Some anglers were having good luck drifting for suspended bluegills over deeper water. A small hook or jig tipped with a wax worm, spike, giant red worm, leaf worm, or small leech worked best.
DNR South Central Region
Horicon DNR Service Center area
Horicon Marsh State Wildlife Area - Water levels at Horicon Marsh have been held at full pool throughout the summer, but as a result of the recent lack of rain, water levels have been declining a bit Conditions for the fall waterfowl season will depend on weather patterns over the next two months. There are no planned draw downs for the marsh, expect for isolated impoundments in order to re-establish vegetation as waterfowl food. At this time of year, the young of the year birds are growing and becoming more visible on Horicon Marsh and other wetlands as ducks, geese, herons, egrets and others are beginning to gather on open water areas where they are more visible. The first migrant shorebirds have been present in the area over the past few weeks with many of the sandpipers beginning to return from their arctic breeding grounds during August. While this is still the peak of summer, it is the beginning of a long southward migration that will take many of these birds deep into South America to spend the winter. As a result, many of the sandpipers will fly from 6,000 to 10,000 miles each way in their long migrations, which is in part why they begin to move so early in the year. While fall is a long way off yet, the fall migration has begun for these early migrants providing some interesting bird watching opportunities.
Poynette Service Center area
Columbia County
MacKenzie Environmental Education Center - The MacKenzie Environmental Education Center is welcoming the Madison School Community & Recreation program to Poynette on August 6-9, for a pilot summer camp program. More than 60 urban, minority, middle school kids will get to experience a variety of new learning opportunities while having fun outdoors. Students will participate in hands on fishing lessons, model a pair of waders while walking in Rowan Creek collecting Stream data; learn about native Wisconsin mammals, birds and reptile and amphibians; and more. This program is sponsored by the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation, the Department of Natural Resources and the Friends of the MacKenzie Center.
DNR West Central Region
Baldwin DNR Service Center area
La Crosse DNR Service Center area
Skunks and raccoons are busy raiding gardens and lawns. Many homeowners are calling to report nuisance activities of these animals. Homeowners are especially annoyed when garden crops are destroyed. Lawns can also be targets of these two animals, as they search for grubs in the turf. Effective control methods can be employed to deter these animals. Contact your local DNR wildlife management office for advice.
Black River Falls DNR Service Center area
Fire Danger remains Moderate to HIGH depending on where and how much rainfall fell last week. For this year, January to end of July, total rainfall is short 2 to 6 inches of precipitation for the year. It appears this trend is going to continue. Follow Smokey Bear's ABCs -- Always Be Careful with Fire.
Eau Claire DNR Service Center area
Brunet Island State Park - The open water game fish action has been good this past week. Bass action on spinner baits has been productive, and there has been good musky action on Cornell flowage and below the Cornell dam. Birds seen or heard include: scarlet tanagers, indigo buntings, towhees, golden finches, ravens, rose-breasted grosbeaks, loons, robins, red polls, a variety of wrens, phoebes, Canada geese, turkey vultures, northern juncos, piliated woodpeckers, great blue herons, green herons, barred owls, ravens, osprey, bald eagles and belted kingfishers. 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.
Wisconsin Rapids DNR Service Center area
Buckhorn State Park - Hot summer weather has been great for swimming, canoeing and kayaking. Many visitors are using the beach in the park. Canoes and kayaks are available for renting. There is starting to be algae in the lake -- it blows around with the wind. There are a couple beaches at the park, so usually one is clear. There is a cold water rinse shower in the beach picnic area. Reservable sites are filled on weekends. There are 6 non-reservable/first-come-first serve sites that fill up as well. Some sites are still available during the week. Park users have been catching fish off the pier and at the kids fishing pond. Mosquito activity is low. There have been biting flies with the hot/dry weather. Check out the new signs on the barrens nature trail. Take photos of the wildflowers, wildlife, sunsets, people using the park, etc. for the annual photo contest. Deadline for the photo contest is Sept 30.
VHS update as of August 2, 2007
Stocking update
Stocking trucks are keeping busy, delivering thousands of trout, salmon and walleye to several lakes and rivers. Stocking and fish transfers were halted on May 16, when the Department of Natural Resources imposed a moratorium to prevent the spread of VHS. After risk assessments were finished, fishery officials concluded that hatcheries could safely resume stocking and transfers upon meeting strict safeguards.
The DNR follows the policy not to stock any group of fish in 2007 that have tested positive for, or show clinical signs of VHS, nor any group of fish for which testing of their parents or “bloodstock,” the hatchery water supply, or the forage fish they were fed has shown a positive VHS result.
A significant number of fish will be stocked this year, but the total will fall short of the 14 million originally planned. Final numbers won’t be known until all the fish are transferred, counted and stocked.
Hatcheries have reported the following totals:
• Nevin Hatchery in Fitchburg has stocked 23,850 small brown trout fingerlings and 2,350 small brook trout fingerlings;
• Art Oehmcke Hatchery in Woodruff has stocked 111,745 small fingerling walleyes;
• Les Voigt Hatchery in Bayfield has stocked 203,322 chinook salmon;
• Brule River Hatchery in Brule River has stocked 24,684 brown trout yearlings;
• Gov. Tommy G. Thompson Hatchery in Spooner has stocked 257,936 small fingerling walleyes and 1,080 large fingerling walleyes;
• Osceola Hatchery in Osceola has stocked 39,200 small brown trout fingerlings and 3,200 small brook trout fingerlings;
• The old Wild Rose hatchery has stocked 254,539 Lake Michigan strain chinook salmon in Lake Michigan;
Reminder of pubic hearings in August on VHS prevention rules
Public hearings for proposed permanent rules(
http://dnr.wi.gov/fish/pages/vhs_rules.html) to help prevent the spread of Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia(
http://dnr.wi.gov/fish/pages/vhs.html) (VHS) are set for August 14, 15, 16, 20 and 23 at locations across the state. Under the proposal, emergency rules now in place for controlling and preventing the spread of VHS would become permanent, with some revisions and clarifications.
DNR heads to the fair!
Take some time and visit DNR Park at the Wisconsin State Fair. A tree-shaded canopy and meandering stream will keep you cool as you check out the displays this year(
http://dnr.wi.gov/org/caer/ce/news/DNRNews_Lookup.asp?id=76#art1), including one that focuses on VHS and other invasive species in Wisconsin. You can even meet some of the invaders up close! This exhibit will offer prevention steps boaters and anglers can take to avoid spreading invasive species to new lakes.
The State Fair opens Thursday, Aug. 2, and runs through Sunday, Aug. 12, at the Wisconsin State Fair Park in West Allis.
Most frequently asked question of the week
I haven’t heard much more about VHS being detected in Wisconsin’s waters, does this mean that the danger has passed?
No. Fish may not be showing signs of VHS, but they can still be carriers of the deadly fish virus. Because it’s summer, many waterbodies are warmer than 60 degrees Fahrenheit, the temperature at which the VHS virus typically goes “dormant”. The virus doesn’t replicate as quickly in fish during warmer water temperatures, and the resulting low viral loads in fish are more difficult to detect, leading to false negatives. This is why testing in the summer will be inconclusive at best, confining the testing periods to spring and fall.
Therefore, even though we’re hopeful that VHS is confined only to the waters its been detected in and the lack of fish kills up to this point are good indicators of their health, it is not a 100 percent guarantee that the fish or waterbodies are VHS-free. That’s why it’s important that you continue to:
• Drain all water from your boat and trailer, containers, and fishing equipment including bait buckets and coolers.
• Do not move live fish, including unused minnows, from these waters. All fish must be dead before leaving the landing or shoreline. Ice your catch and discard your minnows.
• Do not use minnows unless they were purchased from a licensed Wisconsin bait dealer or you caught them from the water you are fishing.
• Remove all visible plants, animals, and mud from your boat and trailer.
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, August 3, 2007
• Kettle Moraine State Forest--Northern Unit, Campbellsport, (920) 533-8322 - Nature Storytime: Fabulous Flowers. The summer fields and gardens are abloom with pretty flowers. Using all our senses, we will explore the world of flowers. This hour of nature fun awaits 3- to 6-year-olds with accompanying adults. Ice Age Visitor Center. 9:30-10:30 a.m. Hike: Step Into the Night. As the sun sets and the light fades from the sky, the day animals retire and a new group of animals awakens. We will explore the world of the crepuscular (active at dusk and dawn) and nocturnal (active at night) animals. Bring your insect repellent and sense of adventure. The theme for this night's hike is bats. Mauthe Lake Recreation Area Picnic area. 8:30-10 p.m.
• Whitefish Dunes State Park, Sturgeon Bay, (920) 823-2400 - Big Red Tent: Aquatic Invaders. Join the naturalist and volunteers for two hours of fun. Attend a program, discover Junior Ranger or Wisconsin Explorer booklets, or check out a beach toy. Programs begin on the hour and involve an educational activity with craft or game. Canceled in case of rain or lightning. Sponsored by Friends of Whitefish Dunes and Whitefish Bay Association. Beach. 1-3 p.m.
Saturday, August 4, 2007
• Black River State Forest, Black R. Falls, (715) 284-1484 - Smokey Bear’s Birthday. Celebrate the birthday of our favorite bear. No registration is required. All ages are welcome. Please dress for the weather. Castle Mound, southeast of Black River Falls via U.S. Highway 12.
• Havenwoods State Forest, Milwaukee, (414) 527-0232 - Family Program: Ladybugs and Other Beetles. Did you know that ladybugs are related to fireflies and dung beetles? We’ll go on a beetle search and learn about how these beetles live. . 10:30 a.m. - noon.
• Kettle Moraine State Forest--Northern Unit, Campbellsport, (920) 533-8322 - Fishing Fun. Experienced anglers will share their knowledge on how to bait a hook, cast a line and reel in fish. If you're lucky, you may even learn to clean the fish you catch. Bring your fishing gear, if you have some. A limited number of rods and reels will be available and bait is provided. This program is best for families/groups with children between the ages of 5 and 12 years. Mauthe Lake Recreation Area Fishing Pier. 9:30-11:30 a.m. Drop In at the Beach: Birds of Prey. We marvel at hawks, owls, eagles and falcons soaring overhead. Find out what adaptations make these birds such efficient sky hunters. Everyone is invited to drop in for a few minutes or more than an hour for some nature fun. Adults are encouraged to participate with their children. Long Lake Recreation Area. 1-4 p.m. Taste of Nature: Wild Edibles. If you know where to look, nature can provide a whole smorgasbord of food. Learn what plants are safe to eat and let your taste buds decide which are good to eat. This program is best for adults and youth over the age of 8 years. Ice Age Visitor Center. 7-8:30 p.m.
• Kohler-Andrae State Park, Sheboygan, (920) 451-4080 - Wild Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hike with John Johnston to search for unique and interesting plants found at Kohler-Andrae and learn about their uses. Wear comfortable shoes. Camp host site. 2-3 p.m. Jupiter - King of the Planets. Enjoy a presentation on Jupiter with NASA's solar system ambassador Kevin Koski. Learn interesting facts about the largest of our planets. Ages 10 & up. Sanderling Nature Center. 7 p.m. Night Sky Viewing. Use telescopes provided by Plymouth Star Gazers to observe Jupiter and other interesting objects in space. Bring chair or blanket. Best for those over age 10. No pets allowed. Parking lot adjacent to bath house. 8-10 p.m.
• Richard Bong State Recreation Area, Kansasville, (262) 878-5600 - How to Stay Found. Learn to use a compass and read a map. Outside, we'll test your new skills in a fun game. Best suited for ages 8 and up. Visitor Center. 9-10:30 a.m. Pond Peeking. Peek into the park ponds to see which creatures are alive and well there. Be prepared to drive. Visitor Center. 7-8:30 p.m.
• Whitefish Dunes State Park, Sturgeon Bay, (920) 823-2400 - Big Red Tent: Games of Past and Present. Join the naturalist and volunteers for two hours of fun. Attend a program, discover Junior Ranger or Wisconsin Explorer booklets, or check out a beach toy. Programs begin on the hour and involve an educational activity with craft or game. Canceled in case of rain or lightning. Sponsored by Friends of Whitefish Dunes and Whitefish Bay Association. Beach. 1-3 p.m.
Sunday, August 5, 2007
• Black River State Forest, Black R. Falls, (715) 284-1430 - Smokey Bear's Birthday. Help Smokey celebrate his birthday. Smokey will be touring the state forest campgrounds to visit and give prizes for the kids. Of course there will be birthday cake, at Castle Mound Picnic Area at noon. There are rest rooms. Dress for the weather. Pigeon Creek Campground, East Fork Campground, Castle Mound Campground. 9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
• Kettle Moraine State Forest--Northern Unit, Campbellsport, (920) 533-8322 - Drop In at the Beach: Birds of Prey. We marvel at hawks, owls, eagles and falcons soaring overhead. Find out what adaptations make these birds such efficient sky hunters. Everyone is invited to drop in for a few minutes or more than an hour for some nature fun. Adults are encouraged to participate with their children. Mauthe Lake Recreation Area. Noon-3 p.m.
• La Crosse River State Trail, Ontario, (608) 337-4775 - Always on a Sunday with Bob Lee. Guided Walk on the Rockland Prairie. Learn about native wildflowers and grasses and hear anecdotes related to prairies and local history. Sponsored by Friends of the La Crosse River State Trail. Meet at the trail crossing on Commercial Street (County Highway J) in Rockland, in Eastern La Crosse County. 1:30 p.m.
Monday, August 6, 2007
• Kohler-Andrae State Park, Sheboygan, (920) 451-4080 - Solar System Hike. Take a hike through the solar system with NASA's solar system ambassador Kevin Koski. Learn new and up to date facts as you trek through space, stopping at each of the planets. Afterwards, view sun through a solar scope. No pets allowed. Sanderling Nature Center. 2-3:30 p.m.
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
• Richard Bong State Recreation Area, Kansasville, (262) 878-5600 - Adopt a Highway. Help pick up litter on the highway in front of the park. All materials provided. Participants must be at least 12 years old. Sponsored by Bong Naturalist Association. Visitor Center. 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
• Kohler-Andrae State Park, Sheboygan, (920) 451-4080 - Children's Story Time. Children ages 3-10 are invited to hear nature stories read by volunteer story tellers. Children need to be accompanied by an adult. No pets please. Sanderling Nature Center. 1:30 p.m. Rip Current and Pier Safety. Join Larry Williams, a Sheboygan native, who has received the nation's highest life-saving award for this timely presentation on water safety. View a film on rip current and pier safety. This presentation is a "must" for anyone who uses Lake Michigan. Sanderling Nature Center. 7 p.m.
• Potawatomi State Park, Sturgeon Bay, (920) 746-2890 - Slide Show: ABC Naturally. Join author Lynne Diebel and photographer Jann Klauscheur for an alphabetical journey through the natural world, based on their book. An evening slide show will be presented on the art of alphabet hunting in nature. Potawatomi Amphitheater. 8 p.m.
• Richard Bong State Recreation Area, Kansasville, (262) 878-5600 - Knee-High Naturalist. Bring your 4-5 year old to this fun program. This month discover flutterbys! Please call to pre-register. Visitor Center. 10-11:30 a.m.
Thursday, August 9, 2007
• Interstate State Park, St. Croix Falls, (715) 483-3747 - Nature Storytime. Join naturalists Julie Fox or Barb Walker August for a story and activity chosen especially for children pre-K through Kindergarten and their parents. The short activity after the story will reinforce the story’s nature-related theme. Nature Storytime will generally last between 30-45 minutes, depending on the participants. Check at the park office for location. 10 a.m.
• Kettle Moraine State Forest—Northern Unit, Campbellsport, (920) 533-8322 - Outdoor Adventure: Climb a Kame. After the glaciers melted away, they left behind a very distinctive landscape. Join us as we climb Dundee Mountain to gain a better understanding of how the glaciers created kames, eskers, moraines, kettles and outwash plains. The trail is 1.5 miles long and requires hiking up and down a steep hill. Meet at the Ice Age Visitor Center and car pool the 3 miles to the Summit Trail on Dundee Mountain. This adventure is for people over the age of 12 years. Ice Age Visitor Center. 6:30-8 p.m.
• Kohler-Andrae State Park, Sheboygan, (920) 451-4080 - Lake Michigan Sport Fishing. A member of the Sheboygan Area Great Lakes Sport Fishermen's group will speak on salmon fishing on Lake Michigan. The presentation will include information on the five species in Lake Michigan as well as a display of tackle and gear used for this sport. Sanderling Nature Center. 7 p.m.
• Potawatomi State Park, Sturgeon Bay, (920) 746-2890 - Hike: ABC Naturally . Your walks through the woods will never be the same! Join author Lynne Diebel and photographer Jann Klauscheur for an alphabetical journey through the natural world, based on their book. Learn how to hunt for letters in nature on this hike. Potawatomi Amphitheater. 10 a.m.
• Whitefish Dunes State Park, Sturgeon Bay, (920) 823-2400 - Big Red Tent: Shipwrecks. Join the naturalist and volunteers for two hours of fun. Attend a program, discover Junior Ranger or Wisconsin Explorer booklets, or check out a beach toy. Programs begin on the hour and involve an educational activity with craft or game. Canceled in case of rain or lightning. Sponsored by Friends of Whitefish Dunes and Whitefish Bay Association. Beach. 1-3 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/
