DNR Outdoor Report as of December 22, 2011Winter outdoor recreation enthusiasts have colder weather and snow on their holiday wish lists, as most of Wisconsin is free of snow, and many lakes and rivers in the southern half of the state are open or have only unsafe ice. While the astronomical winter began this week with the Winter Solstice on Wednesday, there has been no significant snowfall in the last week. This has left just far north central Wisconsin, mostly Iron, Vilas and Oneida counties, with any snow cover, and that ranges from just a couple to at most 5 to 6 inches.
Snowmobile trails are open in parts of those counties, but are generally in poor condition, and any trails that cross lakes still closed. No cross-country ski trails are being groomed, but some trails in those areas can be skied.
Colder night temperatures in the north has made some more ice, after last week?s near 50 degree weather had melted much ice. Ice depths in the north now range up to 7 to 10 inches, but there are still many areas that have thinner ice, especially near inlets, outlets and springs or other moving water. Ice is forming again on Lake Superior?s Chequamegon Bay, but is unsafe for travel. Ice depths drop quickly through central Wisconsin, and many lakes in southern Wisconsin remain open or have only unsafe ice. Conservation wardens are urging people to use extreme caution and check ice depths often. There were reports of two deaths in the last week from people falling through weak ice.
Ice anglers venturing out in the north reported some good early action for northern pike and walleye, mostly on suckers and shiners. There was also some good action for bluegills and crappies. With the mild weather, some open water anglers have returned, with some very good brown trout action reported in the Milwaukee harbor on Lake Michigan. Walleye fishing has been good on Lakes Monona and Mendota in Dane County and musky anglers have been having some success on Lake Monona. Walleye fishing was also good in on the Wisconsin River below the Wisconsin Dells dam.
Deer hunters still have ample opportunity to get out and do some more hunting. The Holiday Hunt starts Saturday, Dec 24 and ends on Jan. 8 in the chronic wasting disease management zone in south central Wisconsin. It is the same regulations as the nine-day rifle season in November, with one buck plus unlimited earn-a-buck there after. The late season archery hunt also remains open through Jan. 8 and some archery hunters reported this week that deer seemed to have just finished a second rutting period and have been seen feeding heavily, even during daylight hours. Hunters also report that bucks have begun shedding antlers and sheds are being found.
With open water remaining along Lake Michigan and southern Wisconsin, many waterfowl are still being seen, including Canada geese, goldeneyes, mallards, scaup, common mergansers and even an occasional wood duck.
There will be no Wisconsin DNR Outdoor Report between the Christmas and New Years holidays. The next Outdoor Report will be January 5, 2011. Should snow arrive before then, check the Department of Tourism?s snow conditions report for updates. Have a safe and happy holiday season.
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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
Ashland DNR Service Center area
Ashland County - Ice anglers have started to venture out onto the first ice of Lake Superior. Most all of Lake Superior is open and to say ice conditions are unsafe is a huge understatement. Another blast of warm air hit the area over the weekend with temps in the mid 40s so some more snow cover was lost. Bow hunters are still looking for late season bucks.
Bayfield County - There is only a light dusting of snow in most areas of the county, with up to a few inches in the Drummond and Barnes areas. Cold temperatures are holding, which has helped in making ice, ice anglers are seeing upwards to 6 inches of ice on most lake, thought open water can still be seen on many of the larger bodies of water. Anglers are finding success on many smaller lakes catching both crappie and bluegill. Walleye anglers are finding success on both Namekagon Lake and the Eau Claire Chain, but again open water can be seen on all of these lakes, extreme caution should be used. Bobcat hunters have found some success with the light snow last week. Snowmobile and snow shoe enthusiasts have snow as their first request for Christmas.
Hayward DNR Service Center area
Sawyer County - Area lakes and flowage are firming up nicely now with cooler weather and no snow. Most lakes have a good 3 to 6 inches of ice. It is still wise this early in the game to use an ice pick and check as you go. Any areas with current, rock bars, snow covering etc, will have less ice. A few people have been venturing out on snowmobiles and ATVs, but that is not really recommended at this point yet. If you do, check with an ice pick as you go and try to stay on other trails if they are already onto the ice. The individuals getting out on the ice are catching a variety of species ranging from panfish to walleye and northern pike. Most walleye and northern are still rather shallow. Some individuals are still fishing only in a foot or two of water. They are getting fish there, but fish are rather spooky in that shallow of water with thin ice. Otherwise, the common depth that appears to be producing is 4 to 8 feet. Suckers and shiners were working well for both northern pike and walleye. Individuals targeting panfish were getting them off the deeper points and deeper weeds. Crappie minnows, waxies and even plastics have produced. The few remaining archery hunters are seeing deer, but the bucks have already started to drop antlers. A number of hunters are finding sheds in the area they are hunting and are starting to wrap up the season knowing bucks are either coming in now w/out antlers or, if they shoot one, the antlers will likely fall off. Beaver trapping is getting off to a good start for individuals trapping them under the ice. Without much snow and ice, it is easy to get to the lodges and bank houses some distance back. It also is nice being able to walk on the ice to set the traps and not have to "spud" through a foot or more of ice. The first few weeks of ice trapping beaver is typically the easiest and best.
Spooner DNR Service Center area
Burnett County - There is no snow on the ground in the area, so snowmobile trails remain closed. Ice conditions in the area are variable. The ice was getting good until there were several days of near 50 degree temps. This was followed by rain. Be very careful when going out on the lakes. There has not been a lot of fishing effort in the area due to the ice conditions. Most anglers are reporting moderate success. Hunters are reporting seeing the big one now that deer gun season is over. The harvest in the area was down compared to last year. Many hunters reported seeing few or no deer.
Governor Knowles State Forest - Prep work continues across the forest in anticipation of snowmobile and cross-country ski trails opening; however, no snow on the ground has folks scratching their heads wondering if this is really December. Cross-country skiers planning to ski at Brandt Pines this year should take note: the Riverview Trail segment is closed. The severe wind damage from a storm last summer left this part of the trail system in very rough shape. Crews managed to get the trail opened for hiking after the storm, but much rehab work is needed before it will be safe to ski. There is also an active timber sale ongoing in the north part of the trail system, so a small part of the Oak Hills loop will be closed also.
Ladysmith DNR Service Center area
Rusk County - Ice conditions remain varied depending on the Lake. Anglers have been having some success on crappies on the east side of the Dairyland Reservoir. Ice thickness has been anywhere from 4 to 7 inches. Using a jig and minnow seemed to produce the best results in 15 to 20 feet of water. Anglers are also having success on the south end of Potato Lake for northern pike and panfish. Ice thickness has been steady at about 6 inches on the south side of Potato Lake.
Park Falls DNR Service Center area
Upper Chippewa Basin fisheries report (Price, Rusk, Sawyer Taylor and inland Ashland and Iron counties) - Colder nighttime temperatures in the last week have firmed up the ice cover and helped thicken it to about 5 to 7 inches on most lakes across the area. However the ice thickness does vary - some waters have a bit more and several lakes are reported to have just 3 to 4 inches of ice, with thinner areas near inlets and the middle of the lakes. As such, early season anglers should still be extremely cautious when venturing out and always check thickness before and during any trip out onto a lake. In addition, there is very little snow cover on the ice and cleats can make walking much easier on the slippery surface. Reports from early-season anglers indicate that fishing has been generally slow. Walleye have been the primary target for most early anglers and catches have been very sporadic for the tip-up anglers. Some days have provided some fair action on 10 to 16 inches fish and other days produce just a flag or two. The most productive areas have been the mud/muck flats and deep weed edges, with large fatheads or medium suckers fished at the 4 to 10 foot depth. Some angling pressure has also been seen for northern pike and success for that species has been good. Large golden shiners fished near and over any green weeds have provided the best success. Panfish anglers are also starting to venture out and some fair catches of bluegill, crappie and perch have been reported.
Taylor County - Lack of snow has increased fishing pressure on area lakes over the past weekend. Anglers reported a good northern pike bite, but the fish were running small, and panfish were biting slow and few and far between. There have been complaints about low deer numbers and an increase in wolf numbers across the county. Trappers and dog hunters are harvesting several bobcats which require CITIES tags before they can be processed.
Flambeau River State Forest - Snowmobile and ski trails do not have enough snow at this point. Santa needs to bring some snow with him. Local lakes are forming ice but have a ways to go before ice fishing will be safe. The north fork of the Flambeau River still has open water. There is about 2 inches of snow cover on the ground as of mid week. The otters are out eating and playing on the river.
Woodruff DNR Service Center area
Vilas County - Snow conditions in the Boulder Junction area remain poor. Area snowmobile trails in Vilas County are open but travel on them is not recommended. Low lying areas remain wet and many miles of trails have not been groomed yet. Ice conditions are improving and anglers are venturing out on area lakes taking advantage of early walleye action. Some lakes are seeing anglers using ATVs to access their favorite fishing holes but travel remains unpredictable this time of year. Bow hunters are still out taking advantage of mild temperatures in the area but few deer are being harvested.
Turtle-Flambeau Scenic Waters Area - Better ice conditions this past week allow for the hardy to venture forth and try their luck at catching some walleye and panfish. Many are rewarded with their two fish bag limit of walleye. Snowmobile and ATV use is still not recommended far from shore or anywhere near stream channels or inlets and outlets. If you do not know the Flowage, walking remains a better option. With no appreciable snow accumulations the past week, snowmobiling remains poor in the area. The MECCA ski trail on the Little Turtle side of the property has enough snow to ski with ?rock? skis. Mother Nature needs to provide another good snowfall to make winter sports good going.
Rhinelander DNR Service Center area
Oneida County - Ice conditions in the Rhinelander area range from a few inches to 10-inches depending on the water body. People are using ATVs on a few area lakes although anglers should check with local bait shops for current ice conditions before venturing out. Near Rhinelander the most common fish have been perch, bluegill and northern pike. As of Dec. 20, there was no snow for snowmobiling. With the lack of snow, anglers should consider wearing "creepers" to prevent falling. Ice Creepers will also make an excellent Christmas present. Bobcat hunters are waiting for fresh snow to pursue the cats with hounds with very few cats registered so far.
DNR Northeastern Region
Peshtigo DNR Service Center area
Ice conditions are questionable in some areas?back water areas and areas close to shore away from moving water appear to be anywhere between 6 to 8 inches thick - but be careful. A fish kill was reported this week that was a case of too much oxygen causing the fish to appear "drunk." This behavior is characterized by fish becoming lethargic and appearing sideways under the ice or swimming slowly in circles. This situation occurs when excess sunlight is able to penetrate the ice (due to lack of snow cover) causing excessive photosynthesis by aquatic vegetation, which produces oxygen. Fish are not using as much oxygen because the cold water has slowed there metabolism but also, the excess oxygen cannot escape into the atmosphere because of the ice. Therefore the water becomes saturated with oxygen causing the fish to appear drunk. Fisheries biologists anticipate there could be more reports of this phenomena this year than most years because of the limited amount of snow on the ice.
Marinette County - Ice conditions continue to improve for Marinette County (3 to 6 inches). Many anglers are ice fishing smaller lakes and the backwaters of rivers. Several ice anglers are reporting good northern pike fishing on bays on both High and Caldron Falls Flowage. The late antlerless doe season was popular with many deer hunters in central Wisconsin. Archery hunters are starting to see a few more deer but most activity continues to be at night. No snow and no forecast for snow in Marinette County.
Oconto County - Most of the county is bare ground. Some ice anglers are using 4-wheelers to get out their favorite fishing hole. Ice conditions are vary variable. There have been reports of as much ice as 7 inches and as little as 2 inches. Some flowages and southern lakes still have open water. The Nicolet Recreation Trail is currently open for ATV use until the snowmobile trails open up, which could be a while the way it looks. Once the trail is groomed, ATVs are no longer allowed on it.
Shawano County - Due to warm weather and rain ice conditions in the Shawano County area have deteriorated. Good numbers of hunters participated in the antlerless hunt last weekend on public land with little participation on private land.
Governor Thompson State Park - The 16 miles of hiking trails have been mowed wide for winter use. Now that the leaves have fallen, it is a great time to hike and see the rock formations that were hidden by the trees. Most of the trails are free from snow and ice at this time. No ski grooming has occurred due to lack of snow. Small game and waterfowl hunting are prohibited at the park. The boat landing and fishing pier on Caldron Falls are now iced in. The water on Caldron Falls is frozen. Woods Lake is also iced over at this time. Many anglers have been trying their luck through the ice.
Green Bay DNR Service Center area
Manitowoc County - Ice conditions remain very poor in Manitowoc County due to warmer weather. Observations of larger flocks of turkeys are common place. Several archery hunters reported good success following the gun deer seasons. Geese continue to migrate through the area.
Sturgeon Bay DNR Service Center area
Door County ? There were a few early ice anglers on northern county lakes in early December, only to be forced off due to warmer weather deteriorating what little ice was present. No contacts with late season hunters indicating little participation. There is no snow, but clubs are sponsoring snowmobile safety classes and trails have been marked and signed in anticipation of snow. There were numerous complaints during and after the deer season of hunters and trappers disposing of carcasses on other people's property without permission. This can create a negative opinion about hunting/trapping for those that would normally be indifferent.
Peninsula State Park - There is no snow in the park and all trails are open to hiking. Staff and volunteers have been preparing trails for the upcoming winter season. All roads are open in the park until significant snow falls. There will be a ?First Day Hike? at Peninsula on Sunday, Jan. 1. Take an adventure along the Niagara Escarpment Snowshoe Trail. Participants will receive a free Peninsula State Park hiking shield (one per family). Forest ecology, history featured on this naturalist-led walk. Bring your own snowshoes. This moderate 1.25-mile trail includes an ascent up a low bluff. Best for ages 4 and up. There will be complimentary hot cocoa at the start. No dogs please. Meet at the White Cedar Nature Center at 10 a.m.
Kewaunee County - Right now Kewaunee County is pretty slow as it relates to outdoor recreation. There isn't any snow to ride snowmobiles, although the snowmobile clubs are in full swing getting the trails ready to go. The ice, where present, isn't safe to walk on so there isn't ice fishing. Pheasant hunters are still giving it a go but not reporting a lot of success. The late season archery hunters are few and far between although there are deer still running around the country side. More than anything landowners are putting up a lot of fire wood for the predicted long winter.
Wautoma DNR Service Center area
Green Lake County - Ice conditions on Lake Emily and Little Green Lake and Fox Lake in Dodge County are sketchy at best. There was an average of 4 inches at one point and people started venturing out on the ice. However the recent warmer temperatures melted ice creating open spots and making the rest of the ice highly suspect. With the lack of snow, temperatures constantly below freezing will bring rapid ice formation.
Waupaca County - Panfish and some northern pike are being caught through earlier ice on the Manawa Mill Pond and on a few back waters of the Wolf River. Be sure to continue to check ice condition especially if traveling a new area. With recent rains some ice conditions could have changed sense you were last out.
Waushara County - Most lakes are now glazed over, continued warmer than normal weather will continue to hinder ice formation. There is no snow cover, so no cross-country skiing or snowshoeing.
Oshkosh DNR Service Center area
Fond du Lac County - Ice is starting to form again on Lake Winnebago with overnight low temperatures but not real fast with the warm temperatures during the day time. Snowmobile clubs have had extra time and good weather for completing last minute trail preparations and signing of the trails. Now everyone is just waiting for the temperature to stay cold enough to build good ice and then let it snow.
Outagamie County - Ice conditions in the northeaster Wisconsin are not suitable for safe walking. Most areas have less than 4 inches of ice. With the recent thawing several lives have been taken due to thin ice. Eagles are rebuilding their nest site on the Fox River along Lawe Street near Lawrence University in Appleton. Great viewing area is the walkway across Lawe Street where there is little to no interference with the birds while being in similar height to them to view with binoculars or spotting scope. The Fox River still contains many waterfowl near the Thousand Islands area in Kaukauna, especially goldeneyes, Canada geese, mallards, scaup, common mergansers and an occasional wood duck. Some snowy owls are being reported, especially one near the Outagamie County Regional Airport. The Trestle Trail near Menasha offers great viewing for eagles and waterfowl over Little Lake Butte des Morte while getting some exercise and a great chance to see Fritse Park which was upgraded over the past couple of years on the west side in the Town of Menasha. Opportunities exist for predator calling throughout the area even though no snow is present. This is a quiet time for few people are in the field but great opportunity to call in predators seeking prey. Plenty of opportunities for foxes and coyotes. There were reports of wolves seen in Brown, Outagamie and Calumet counties. Deer are mostly back to their normal patterns after the deer gun season. They are wary of ice that is slippery making normal escape routes challenging. Areas of springs or flowing water amongst the upland sites offer water and food sources that attract some deer as well as a host of wildlife. Mink, weasels, birds of all sorts commonly are attracted and make great places to view. Speaking of flowing water, the dams and the areas downstream from them along the Fox River are also great sites for viewing strange nature creations of the warm air freezing on trees or rocks creating picturesque scenery.
Winnebago County - Ice conditions around the county have been sketchy at best. Ice continues to be restricted to the bays and even these areas are very unsafe due to sporadic temperatures. Anglers are encourage not to risk their safety and also take precautions when they do begin walking or traveling on the ice. Some things anglers can do to prepare for the ice are wear a lifejacket or float coat, carry ice picks to help get out of the water in case you do fall through, let someone know where you are going and when you will be returning, use a buddy system, carry a throw rope to assist others in your group, and always check ice depth as you go. Other things ice anglers should do is avoid all inlets, outlets or moving water because ice conditions are very hazardous in these areas. Contact your local bait shops or outdoor recreation group for further on ice conditions. Always remember there is no such thing as safe ice and conditions or spots can very drastically within feet and within hours.
DNR Southeast Region
Milwaukee DNR Service Center area
There are a few folks still out and about chasing the elusive white tail, but a large number of folks have switched their focus to brown trout along the lake shore of Milwaukee. People on shore have been finding steady success, but the boats have really been hitting hard. Once a number of fish are located the boats have reported as many as 30 to 40 fish in a morning. Some of those fish are smaller (2 to 3 pounds), but some have been reaching 10-plus-pounds and look very strong. Some anglers have been catching a few good steelhead as well.
Havenwoods State Forest - Havenwoods is still waiting for that first snow! The trails are in fine hiking condition, but on a sunny day, the surface melts and gets a little muddy and slippery. If you are out for a run, you should stay on the limestone trails. There is still open water in the wetlands and around the boardwalk. If you look closely, you can see tiny pond critters moving around slowly under the water. Hike over to the pedestrian bridge and look southeast. There are some mysterious rings forming on the pond as it freezes. They look like icy crop circles. Could they be caused by ducks, muskrats, aliens, variations in the water depth, decomposing plants, or some other unknown phenomenon?
Kohler-Andrae State Park - We are still waiting for snow. There was a light dusting of snow on Sunday morning, which made the intersections slippery. It was melted by noon. Deer can be found grazing throughout the park. All hiking and nature trails are open.
Lake Michigan fisheries team report
Ice has started to form in some slow moving stretches of the Lake Michigan tributaries in Southeast Wisconsin. However, fishable water can still be found on most rivers, and area harbors are open as well.
Ozaukee County - In Port Washington, shore fishing in the harbor has been decent, with numbers of brown trout in the area. Shiners fish under a slip bobber have been productive, but some browns have also been taken on crank baits.
Milwaukee County - In Milwaukee, brown trout action in the harbor has been fairly consistent, and a few anglers have also reported some browns caught on spoons fished off McKinley pier. When Milwaukee trollers are able to get out on the lake, decent numbers of 3 to 4 pound brown trout have been hitting spoons in 40 to 60 feet of water north of the harbor.
Racine County - In Racine, flows on the Root River are good for fishing. Effort has been relatively low, but fair numbers of trout have been caught throughout the river. Both brown trout and steelhead have been caught in Island, Lincoln, and Quarry Lake Parks. Fly fishing as well as drifting spawn sacs under a bobber both produced fish.
Sturtevant DNR Service Center area
Kenosha County - Warmer temperatures have moved back in and squandered an inch of snow that fell earlier this week. Very little ice is forming on area lakes and marshes. With the combination of no ice and no snow, winter outdoor enthusiasts are getting a little impatient for the end of December, where in year?s past there have been significant snow falls by this time. Ice anglers are encouraged to be patient and not venture out onto thin ice when temperatures begin to remain consistently below freezing. Ironically enough, with waterfowl season over, large flocks of ducks have been seen migrating through southeastern Wisconsin, providing ample opportunities for bird watchers with an interest in migratory birds.
Racine County - The weather still hasn?t been cold enough to form ice in any areas for the ice fishing. The muzzleloader hunting season was slow with only two deer being registered but the weather conditions are still good and hopeful for snow cover for the up coming holiday season deer hunt.
DNR South Central Region
Lower Wisconsin State Riverway - Colder weather has set in on the Lower Wisconsin State Riverway. Ice is beginning to form on some of the backwaters and sloughs so the first ice fishing activity will be soon. When snow arrives, several areas will be plowed for anglers to access popular ice fishing locations. The main river channel remains free of ice and is flowing at a seasonally average rate. All trails are in good shape and open for use. With cold weather but no snow to speak of hikers are in for an uncommon early winter experience. You can see for many miles from bluff-top vistas, or get a good look at the forest surrounding your favorite trail. All without the need for snowshoes or skis. With family back together for the holidays now is a great time to get out for a hike and enjoy the great outdoors without having to slog through several feet of snow.
Dodgeville DNR Service Center area
CWD-Management Zone - There is currently no snow on the ground, and none predicted in the near future, but hunters still have ample opportunity to get out and do some more deer hunting. The CWD Holiday Hunt starts Saturday, Dec 24 and ends on Jan. 8. It is the same regulations as the nine-day rifle season in November, with one buck plus unlimited earn-a-buck there after. Hunters can use their green GUN BUCK carcass tags to tag a buck without having to use an EAB sticker. Any additional bucks that are shot by the hunter, needs to have an EAB Sticker attached to the carcass tag (in this case, a paper CWD deer carcass tag). Hunters can also shoot a doe, and then a buck, and register them together legally. Mandatory CWD testing has been suspended for the western portion of the CWD Zone (west of Madison) due to decreased funds. However, hunters can still get their deer tested if they'd like, at any one of the many Co-op stations around the area (see this link for further details:
http://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/wildlife/whealth/issues/CWD/register_sample.htm). Also, any adult deer from the CWD Zone that will be donated to the food pantry, is required to be tested for CWD. Follow this link for donation locations in the CWD Zone:
http://www.knowcwd.com/DonationLocator.aspxGrant County - There is still some snow scattered in the woods, but it is melting quickly. The ice on the backwaters has eroded to a thin rotten layer with open water becoming more common. Trappers who want to bust through this, or target open water areas, are still catching nice muskrats and some beavers. Other mammal tracks, like coyote, fox, raccoon, possum and mink were easy to follow after the snow last weekend. Some pheasants are still hanging on in the marsh at Prairie du Bay. A little more deer activity was noticeable after the recent snowfall. Turkeys are hanging out in bigger flocks and concentrating on ag fields with available food. Most of the trails on DNR properties are a little soggy and slippery. With some good boots hikers can still get out and enjoy this transitional season. Hope for snow.
Green County - The deer have just finished up the second rut and are starting to come out a little more frequently during the day. What ice had formed has virtually all melted. The turkeys are really grouping up and becoming easy to pattern.
Iowa County - Ice conditions are extremely unsafe and some waters have not completely frozen over yet. Squirrel hunters are having good luck with the mild weather as squirrels continue to have easy access to food. Deer are getting into feeding patterns even without much snow, so hunters should focus on food for success during the Dec. 24 to Jan. 8 holiday hunt in the CWD zone. Juncos have begun to gather at local bird feeders. Snow blanketed the area on Thursday, brining with it colder weather.
Wyalusing State Park - No ice anglers to date at the boat landing at Wyalusing State Park yet this year. Ice anglers are getting impatient for colder weather and thick ice. Mississippi River stage at Prairie du Chien is at 7.9. Trails should be in good hiking condition. Wyalusing received a very slight dusting of snow overnight. With the present forecast, it looks as though Wyalusing will not have a white Christmas. Sentinel Ridge Trail is an excellent choice for a short, easy walk through the woods overlooking the bluffs and the confluence of the Mississippi and the Wisconsin Rivers. Bird and squirrel nests, previously hidden by full leaf coverage, are now clearly visible in the bare trees. Amazing river views can now be seen due to lack of vegetation. The local bird population has now found the new feeding station. So have the raccoons. The unseasonably warm temperatures mean the raccoons are still out and they attack the feeders overnight, leaving them empty and on the ground. Bird sightings in the park include: blue jays, juncos, cardinals, goldfinches, mourning doves, bluebirds, red-bellied woodpeckers, hairy woodpeckers, downy woodpeckers, red-headed woodpeckers, pileated woodpeckers, tufted titmice, wild turkeys, pheasants, various hawks, bald eagles.
Fitchburg DNR Service Center area
Columbia County - This is not shaping up to be a good month for winter sports! Last weekend's snow is already melted in much of the county. Very thin ice has formed over most lakes, but spring fed areas, creeks, rivers etc. are generally still open water. Snowy owl reports have been received in the county. Some stocked pheasants were still being reported on the wildlife areas and late season hunters may kick up a bird or two. Gun deer season opens again for either sex on Dec. 24 and runs through the end of the deer season, Jan. 8. EAB restrictions apply after a hunter harvests their first buck.
Dane County - Game fishing on Lakes Monona and Mendota has still been good with nice catches of walleyes being seen on both Lake Monona and Mendota. Musky anglers have been having some success on Lake Monona catching some nice size fish as they put on weight for winter. Some panfishing success has been observed on Lake Monona fishing from shore around the Monona Bay area. As the weather gets colder and ice starts to come in anglers are reminded to be extremely careful as early ice conditions are always some of the most dangerous. As the snowmobiling season is right around the corner, snowmobilers are reminded to have your snowmobiles registered. Snowmobile registrations expire on June 30 so if you have a sticker that says 2011 or older it is obviously expired. Trapping has been decent for most trappers this year as weather conditions have been mild up to this point allowing trappers to have more traps out for a longer period of time without having to battle freeze up or snow conditions. If trappers with the appropriate tags catch a bobcat, fisher or otter they are reminded that the animal needs to be registered by a conservation warden no more than 5 days after the month that it was caught. In Dane County please contact one of the local wardens to set up an appointment to have your animal registered.
Sauk County - There were a few open water walleyes still being caught in the Wisconsin River below the Wisconsin Dells Dam. There were a few bluegills being caught during first ice, but the rain hurt conditions in the bays. A few pheasants were still found on the public hunting grounds.
DNR West Central Region
Baldwin DNR Service Center area
Interstate Park - Winter recreation trails have been mowed and are open for use. There is no snow cover on the trails. Red and white breasted nuthatches, chickadees, gray squirrels, fox squirrels, deer and wild turkeys are often seen at the bird feeders at the Ice Age Interpretive Center and can be comfortably viewed from the Exhibit Room.
Willow River State Park -Ice fishing continues in all commonly fished areas on Little Falls Lake. Panfish action is reported as good. The first link of the north side trails is open from the Trout Brook Bridge up to Nelson Farm Road. This trail will be limited to skiing only when trail grooming starts. With the lack of snow and the below freezing temperatures, Willow Falls will have ice formations. The ice will be normal color or stained. Blues and yellows are common. The colors are never bright; it?s more pastel than a color that pops. The ice forms on the falls or near the springs. Big snow will eventually cover a lot of the ice formations. If intense cold rolls in (way below zero) the steam off the open water in calm weather makes it almost impossible to see anything. Both of the new snowshoe trails are open. Pick up a map at the park office. Be aware it is rough footing, especially on the Pines loop. There is a steep hill on the Falls link. Both trails start at the 200 campground. The Pines has a link to the Group Camp lot. Maps are posted at both lots. The Pines is a good loop for deer sightings. All trails are a mixed bag of conditions. They are frozen hard with gravel, sand, dirt, grass, ice, leaves and other tree litter in various combinations. Archery hunting for deer continues in selected areas of the park. All trail heads are marked if hunting is open nearby. Relatively few people hunt during the archery season. The next ski lesson for adults will be Saturday, Jan. 7. Call the park office for details and to sign up. (715) 386-5931. The park office will be open and staffed Thursday and Friday Dec. 22 and 23 for sticker purchases, then closed Dec. 24 and 25. White-Tailed deer are commonly seen along the park road. The drop tine buck survived the gun hunting season. He has been hanging around the area between the campground and the boat launch this week.
Kinnickinnic State Park - Archery hunting for deer continues throughout the park. The highway bridge over the Kinnickinnic River on Pierce County Road F is scheduled for replacement in 2012.
Black River Falls DNR Service Center area
Ice conditions are unsafe at best in most locations. Panfish are biting at Devil's elbow at the Wood/Adams county line. Turkeys can be seen grouped up and some gobblers can be seen fanned out and some gobbling can even be heard at times.
Black River State Forest - Winter has yet to arrive with no snow forecasted through the next weekend. Snowmobile and ATV trails will remain closed through the Christmas weekend due to unseasonably warm temperatures. Highs above 30s are forecast for much of the week which is preventing the ground from freezing. Allowing ATV on the trail at this time would result in excessive rutting that would make the trails unusable for snowmobiling once snow arrives. The area will need at least six inches of good snowfall to allow for grooming. Once adequate snowfall arrives our typical grooming schedule is right before and right after the weekends.
Trempealeau and Jackson counties - Ice anglers are finding ice of sufficient thickness, especially in areas with no current or water flow. Most anglers reported that the panfish action was slow to average over the weekend. Ice anglers should be aware of changing conditions and temperatures which affect ice thickness and should remain alert for areas of thin or unsafe ice. Anglers should always use the buddy system, especially in the early season when ice may be thin, and they should always let someone at home know where they are going and when they plan on returning. The warm temperatures made for pleasant hours of sitting in stands for the late-season bow hunting enthusiasts. Hunters reported that the lack of snow resulted in limited visibility in the woods and for poor tracking conditions, though. Many people taking time off during the holidays. Take a moment of that time off during this holiday season to explore the great outdoors of Wisconsin. Take a kid fishing or hunting, or even wildlife watching, and create some real holiday memories this year!
Eau Claire DNR Service Center area
A few anglers are walking on the ice of Half-Moon Lake and Lake Altoona. Fishing action has been slow, but some nice size walleye are taking the bait during the late afternoon hours on Lake Altoona. Archery hunters are taking advantage of mild weather conditions as they pursue the whitetail deer through Jan. 8. Wildlife viewing opportunities await the users of the Chippewa River State Trail.
Eau Claire County - The first part of December started out great for winter weather lovers, ski trails opened and there was nice snow for antlerless deer hunters in west central Wisconsin. Ice fishing was starting with 3 to 5 inches of ice on area lakes. Then warm weather and rain arrived. Ice conditions deteriorated and fishing was isolated to a few backwaters. In the places that people were fishing not many fish were caught. As of Dec. 18, ice has gotten a little better but there are still many areas that anglers can't get to. Hunting pressure was light for the muzzle loader and antlerless deer seasons but there were several successful hunters. There are a few small game hunters taking advantage of the easy walking in the woods and the warmer temperatures and reports of some late season successful ruffed grouse hunters.
Wausau DNR Service Center area
Marathon County ? Ice fishers on Lake Dubay report nice crappies and plenty of walleyes biting over the weekend, mostly on tip-ups and tip downs. Most report a good 5 inches of ice away from the river channel. Crappies were few and far between according to ice fishers on the Big Eau Pleine Flowage, where ice depths were 6 to 7 inches. Ice fishers on Lake Wausau had some success catching bluegills with mayflies, and report 6 to 7 inches of ice away from the river channel.
Rib Mountain State Park - Trails are in excellent condition for a hike. Lack of snow fall so far has limited snowshoe opportunities this winter. New trails in the quarry area near completion, with a few minor details remaining, the trails are marked. Lots of deer, woodchucks and even an occasional turkey can be seen. Updated trail maps are available on-line and at the park office. Please make note that portions of Rib Mountain State Park are open to hunters for the late season deer archery hunting. The new walking path along the road is within the closed hunting area. The road leading into the main portion of the park is now open. Construction activities are still taking place at the top of the mountain as we begin work on the new Public Entrance and Visitor Station. The Friends of Rib Mountain State Park are planning two snowshoe events in the new year, a day snowshoe on Jan. 14 from 1-3 p.m. and a candlelight snowshoe on Feb. 11 from 6-8 p.m.; meet at the concession stand. Snowshoes and treats will be available. Granite Peak Ski Area at Rib Mountain State Park is gearing up for another downhill ski season, please visit Granite Peak's web site at
www.skigranitepeak.com for rates and hours of operation.
Wisconsin Rapids DNR Service Center area
Buckhorn State Park - There is ice forming on the lake but still open water in areas. Remember, park staff do not monitor ice conditions. Small game, waterfowl and trapping are allowed in the Yellow River Wildlife Area and Buckhorn Wildlife Area. Fall turkey is only allowed in the Yellow River Wildlife Area. Deer can be registered at the park office during open office hours. The park and wildlife areas are open for the late bow season.
Roche-A-Cri State Park - The main gate is now closed and parking is available in the winter lot on Czech Ave, park stickers required to park there. Parking is not allowed in front of the park entrance gate. The stairway up the bluff is still closed and will remain closed during the construction and through winter.
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.
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
? Havenwoods State Forest, Milwaukee, (414) 527-0232 - Preschool Storytime: Wild Animals Really Don?t Act Like People. Sometimes books and movies show wild animals doing make-believe things. We?ll explore the differences between ?real? and ?make-believe?. 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.
? Peninsula State Park, Fish Creek, (920) 868-3258 - Scent Tracking. 11 ? 11:45 a.m. Nature Center. Families will learn to identify animal tracks, and then follow their noses to find clues that lead to the identity of common Peninsula wildlife.
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
? Peninsula State Park, Fish Creek, (920) 868-3258 - Snug as a Bug. 11 ? 11:20 a.m. Nature Center. Join the naturalist for a ?show and tell? talk about insects and their winter survival strategies. Short, optional meadow hike to look for insect signs follows. Roving Naturalist in the Afternoon. The park naturalist will be visiting popular places in the park, sharing fun facts about Peninsula nature and history.
Thursday, December 29, 2011
? Peninsula State Park, Fish Creek, (920) 868-3258 - Bird Seed Bagels. Stop by any time during Nature Center hours to create a treat for our feathered friends. All (limited) supplies provided
