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/DNR Outdoor Report as of January 19, 2012
Much of Wisconsin received snowfall last weekend and this week, but snow depths continue to be marginal for outdoor winter recreation through much of southern, central and northwestern parts of the state. Anywhere from 4 to 6 inches of snow fell last weekend, but the snow was light and fluffy and strong winds caused drifting and bear spots in many locations. Snowmobile trails remain open only in about a dozen northern counties, and are only rated as good in a few of those. Cross-country ski conditions faired better, but many trails in the southern half of the state have had minimal grooming and many are reporting there are some bare or thin spots. The good news is that snow is forecast for later this week into the weekend, with higher amounts expected in the southern part of the state.
Cold temperatures that moved into Wisconsin this week have finally frozen over most of the larger lakes that still had open water last week, including Winnebago and Mendota. However, some areas are reporting that certain spots are still being kept open by large numbers of waterfowl that were staying in the area. And conservation wardens are continuing to caution that much of the ice that formed is still very thin, and now covered by a protective layer of snow. There were numerous reports of snowmobiles and ATVs going through the ice on Lake Winnebago in the last week. Wardens are still advising foot traffic only on southern waters and for people to check ice depths regularly and be prepared should they fall through thin ice.
Ice conditions in the north through the central part of the state are generally good with a foot or more being reported in many locations. Many areas reporting fishing action slowed this week, likely due to the new snow cover. The best action continued to be for panfish, with some reports of very nice crappie and bluegill being caught, but with anglers having to move around a lot to find them. Action for walleye was slower, but there were still some reports of nice northern pike being taken on tip-ups.
While ice has also begun to form on some Lake Michigan harbors, there were still anglers open water fishing this past week. None of the harbor ice is considered safe at this time. Similarly, ice is again forming on the Bay of Green Bay and Lake Superior?s Chequamegon Bay, but it is not safe. Anglers on Sawyer harbor and Little Sturgeon Bay were reportedly fishing along the shore ice, but with open water not too far out in the bay.
Mid-January generally is the onset of coyote and red fox breeding cycles that last into March. Cold, crisp winter nights afford opportunities to listen for the raspy barks of red fox or the high pitched yipping of coyotes. Pup litters of both species are born in March or April.
Among the waterfowl keeping areas of some lakes open were more than 300 tundra swans that have been on Lake Mendota for a couple of weeks. And more than 100 trumpeter swans have been reported on open water at Willow River State Park in St. Croix County. Visitors to bird feeder have included nuthatches, pine siskins, black-capped chickadees, dark-eyed juncos, blue jays, tufted titmice, northern cardinals and American goldfinches.
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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 - Recent snowfall has made for better conditions for bobcat hunters and skiers. Snowmobile trails are in much better condition than one week ago but could still use more snow. Some lakes are seeing slush around the shorelines. Fishing has been moderate with some nice catches being seen.
Copper Falls State Park - On Thursday Jan. 12, the park received 15 inches of snow over a 24 hour period. Another 5 inches fell Jan. 17 and more is forecast. Park staff has been busy grooming all winter use trails within the park. Copper Falls has more than 22 km of classic trail and 10.5 km of skate trail. All park trails are in excellent condition. Several people have been out using the park trails. The Friends of Copper Falls State Park will host the first-ever Candlelight Ski at the park on Feb. 11 from 5:30 until 8:30 p.m.. Both snowshoe and ski trails will be illuminated totaling over 2 miles of trail. A large bonfire will be provided and refreshments will be available. This event will be weather dependent. Please call the park at 715-274-5123 with any questions. Park Stickers are required. Water levels on the Bad River are at seasonable levels for this time of year. Copper Falls offers six plowed sites for those wishing to experience camping in the Northwoods during the beautiful winter season.
Bayfield County - The snow that came last Thursday brought very little snow to the Bayfield Peninsula. In the higher elevations 8 inches of lake effect fluff fell while closer to the lakeshore only 1 to 3 inches fell. Snowmobiling is still non-existent on the trails due to little snow, but some snowmobiles are trying the forest roads to at least get a few miles on their sleds. The ice on the Chequamegon Bay has been coming and going with it finally freezing over a few days ago. Better ice could be made this week with colder temperatures. A few ice anglers have been going off the west side, but the ice varies from 1 to 5 inches. The ice has also been trying to form off Bayfield and Madeline Island, but it is very unsafe with open water coming and going. The below zero temperatures this past week added inches to the thickness of most Southern Bayfield County inland lakes, with many more vehicles traveling on the ice. People should take care when traveling near bridges, culverts and river openings where only a week ago there was open water. Bag limits of panfish were being seen on the Eau Claire Chain this past week, as well as several nice limits seen on the Potawatomi Lakes, Cable Lake and Lake Namekagon. Though bluegill seems to be making up the majority of each limit, some very nice perch and crappie were also being caught on minnows. This southern part of the county received another 4 inches of snow last week and snowmobilers report the trails are in fair condition, with a few bare spots along the way.
Iron County - Pence received more than 2 feet of snow last weekend. Thousands of snowmobilers were in the county. No snowmobile fatalities were reported. The biggest complaint was of snowmobiles with modified exhaust systems. Wardens issued more than 25 warning for illegal muffler systems. Snowmobilers are reminded to not modify exhaust systems; if tested and machines fail the test, citations will be issued. Another 8-plus inches of snow has fell Tuesday. Snowmobilers should enjoy lots of new powder. Snowmobilers are reminded to make complete stops at all road crossings and to ride on the extreme right at all times. Cross-county skiers and snowshoers have lots of new snow to travel on. Iron County offers miles of logging roads and also check out the area?s many waterfalls that will be wonderful at this time of the year. Fishing has been good on area lakes with some nice crappies and walleyes being caught, Anglers and snowmobilers should still check ice conditions as some lakes have numerous slush pockets.
Hayward DNR Service Center area
Sawyer County - Ice fishing is getting into full swing with people out on most lakes now. There are small peaks of activity in which fish are biting, but there seems to be long stretches of low or inactivity between the peaks. Panfish action was okay on Big Chetak. Perch seem to be back in abundance this winter with size being a little bigger than last year. Most perch were being caught in the 18 to 20 foot depth and near bottom to about 2 feet off at the most. The bluegill and crappie are mixing in with the catches as well. Individuals fishing with plastics seem to be getting the larger more aggressive fish. Otherwise, crappie minnows or wax worms will do the trick for the more finicky biters. The north end and island areas seem to be producing most of the mix bag of fish. Individuals fishing with tip-ups were getting an occasional walleye and northern pike, most of which were decent sizes, on suckers or shiners. Some people using the very large golden shiners were getting a little more activity for larger northern. Also, the larger fish seem to be on the deeper weed edges. Individuals need to remember that Lake Chetak has a 10 bag limit on bluegill. A person is allowed a total of 25 panfish for a daily bag limit, but only 10 of those 25 may be bluegill. Panfish and northern pike action on the Chippewa Flowage was okay as well. Angles have had to work for fish, though and are not planting themselves in one place by putting out tip-ups. The ones that are, were getting some northern but were restricting their ability to find active panfish unless they were willing to move tip-ups as well. The most consistent panfish bite was for crappie, with crappie minnows the choice of bait, although some were using plastics to cover more water faster. The northern being caught were mostly in the 18 to 24-inch range. Individuals are reminded that fishing the flowage in winter is relatively new as it was prohibited a few years back. With the opening of the flowage to ice fishing anglers can fish with tip-ups, but walleye fishing and possession is prohibited and all must be released immediately. Walleyes can't be kept until the general game fish open season in May. The crappie bag limit also was increased last year with the 15 bag being raised to 25. So the panfish daily bag limit in aggregate is now 25.
Tuscobia State Trail - The trail is open for snowmobiling; however, there is a nominal base with limited grooming taking place. Snow base this week was approximately 4 inches with some bare stretches. The trail remains open in Washburn and Sawyer counties for ATV/UTV operation. Be sure to watch for deer crossing the trail! A detour just west of Radisson over the Rock Creek bridge remains in place. Snowmobiles will detour onto the State Hwy. 27/70 bridge (detour marked) and ATVs/UTVs will continue on the route detour that is also marked.
Spooner DNR Service Center area
Burnett County - The snowmobile trails in the area remain closed. The frozen ground ATV trails are open. Ice conditions are still questionable in the area. Many lakes still do not have enough ice to drive a car on. Very cold temperatures in the area recently should help. Remember, you should always use caution on the ice because it is never completely safe. Fishing in the area has been good.
Polk County - No snow in Polk County and snowmobile trails are closed. Ice fishing has been slow in the southern part of the county with some bluegills being caught before dark. Vehicles are driving on some area lakes with ice between 5 inches to 11 inches depending on the lake.
Governor Knowles State Forest ? As of mid-week there was just a trace of snow on the ground. Snowmobile trails and cross-country ski trails remained closed. There has been some interest in horseback riding on the equestrian trails. Fire wood cutters are busy in the forest. Landowners adjacent to the forest are encouraged to continue with blow down clean up to minimize the wild land fire potential this spring.
Ladysmith DNR Service Center area
Rusk County - Weather continued to be good for making ice, and anglers have been fishing all area lakes. Fishing reports have varied, and the fishing has slowed down from earlier reports. Snowmobiles are hitting frozen lakes to make up for the lack of snow on the still closed trails. A few light dustings of snow made area bobcat and coyote hunters happy, although limited success has been reported.
Park Falls DNR Service Center area
Upper Chippewa Basin fisheries report (Price, Rusk, Sawyer Taylor and inland Ashland and Iron counties) - Most lakes in the area have about 12 to 14 inches of ice and recent snowfalls have added 3 to 4 inches of powdery snow to the surface. Strong winds have created areas of deeper drifts on some lakes and this has resulted in scattered spots of slush. Travel on the lakes has been fair but most anglers have been sticking to the packed trails and avoiding the spots with deeper snow and 2 to 3 inches of slush. The mild days just prior to the current cold snap provided some good fishing conditions, but success continued its generally erratic trend. The walleye bite has been especially sporadic in the last few weeks and just a few anglers have been experiencing any kind of consistent action. The successful anglers were finding walleye in 6 to 12 feet of water and along deep weed edges, break lines or deeper mud flats. The fish seemed to prefer small suckers or large fathead minnows, and they bit best in the hour before dark. Most of the walleye being caught were in the 11- to 13-inch size, though a few nice ones in the 18- to 23-inch range have been reported. With the recent snow cover and colder weather, northern pike activity has subsided a bit and there haven't been too many report of success. Some mid 20-inch pike have been caught on large golden shiners fished over any old weed beds. Panfish have been providing the best action in the area and some decent catches of perch, crappie and bluegill have been made. The crappie and bluegill have been found suspended in deeper water and near any green weeds, and a small ice jig tipped with a waxworm has been the preferred bait. The perch have been found in a variety of depths and a small fathead minnow fished just off the bottom have produced the best catches. And for all the panfish, the successful anglers have had to move around quite a bit to find the active fish.
Taylor County - Snow has fallen but not enough to support the opening of the snowmobile trails in Taylor County. The trails are ready; all that is needed is some more snow. Some anglers are driving on some of the area lakes. Access is good with low snow amounts but driving on the ice is still discouraged due to warm weather earlier this winter. Coyote hunters are taking advantage of the new snow and reporting good numbers of coyotes to hunt and train their dogs with.
Flambeau River State Forest - Snowmobile trails are open but not groomed. Ski trails are vary from fair to good condition. There is approximately 8 to 10 inches of snow in the woods and the base on the ski trail varies from zero to 4 inches.
Woodruff DNR Service Center area
Vilas County - The Boulder Junction area received snow last week and snowmobile trails are much improved over previous conditions. Numerous snowmobilers are arriving and taking advantage of the new snow which arrived in large amounts to the west. Anglers have been getting out on local lakes and finding a few panfish and northern pike. Walleyes were also being taken during late evening hours. Ice conditions are improving and many anglers are now venturing out in vehicles to their favorite fishing locations. Ice anglers are still reminded to take precautions when traveling on frozen lakes as ice is always unpredictable. Cross-county skiers are enjoying the trails and taking advantage of warmer temperatures. However, temperatures are expected to drop later in the week with a few snow showers predicted.
Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest ? Cross-country ski trails are groomed and in very good to fair condition. Madeline Trail had all loops leveled, packed and tracked Jan. 13 and is in very good condition. Escanaba Trail had all loops groomed and tracked Jan. 13. There are still some thin areas but fair to good conditions. Raven Trail had all loops tracked Jan. 17. Red and Yellow loops have thin areas under the heavy conifers, with fair to good conditions. McNaughton Trail skaters loop groomed and all other loops tracked Jan. 13. Good conditions.
Rhinelander DNR Service Center area
Oneida County - Snowmobile trails in the Rhinelander area are in fair condition. The 2-4 inches of snow recently received was dry and the clubs are having a difficult time keeping the snow on the trails, especially on the corners. The Eagle River Derby is scheduled for Jan 21- 22 so there will be increased use on the area trail systems. Fishing success has not changed much in the area with northern pike and perch making up the majority of the catches.
Antigo DNR Service Center area
Lincoln County - Ice anglers are reporting limited success. Ice fishing has slowed with more ice and snow cover. Some reports of decent crappies and a few walleyes are coming in, but it really depends on the day and the weather. Snowmobile trails are open in the northern half of Lincoln County, but remain closed in the Merrill area. The Tomahawk area has about 12 inches of good snow. Snowmobile trails are in good shape and snowmobile activity has been high on the weekends.
DNR Northeastern Region
Peshtigo DNR Service Center area
Ice conditions on the bay are extremely dangerous due to warmer than normal temperatures and high winds.
Marinette County ? The area has a light snow cover; however, snowmobilers will need several inches more before trails will open up and become rideable. ATV trails are open still in the north. Ice conditions continue to get better especially with the extreme code temperatures in the days to come. Most areas are accessible to ice anglers venturing out on foot or ATVs and snowmobiles. It is still very important for anyone venturing out on the ice to ensure that ice thickness is safe especially for those attempting to take a car or truck out. Ice anglers are having some success on panfish as well as northern pike and a few walleye. A few open water anglers have been observed below the dam in Peshtigo fishing nymphs and streamers for trout. The Menominee River has been producing some walleye fishing from the Hattie Street Fishermen's Walkway. Stick baits and twister tails drifted in the current were the choice baits. Some panfish anglers have been observed at both the slough by the Mystery Ship Landing and Harbor Town Marina. Jigging with live bait has been producing some nice fish.
Oconto County - Snowmobile trails are in very poor condition. They are open in the Townsend area, however, there are many bare spots. Snowmobilers should travel more northern counties for better conditions. Ice conditions vary from lake to lake. As little as 6 inches to as much as a foot. Condition will improve with cold weather this week. Most people are not driving on lakes yet. The bite is slow. The vast majority of anglers have been concentrated at the Oconto Breakwater Park area. Ice conditions there range from 4 to 6 inches of ice. Most people are fishing for perch with limited success. Many small fish were being caught with jig and wax worms with some larger perch thrown into the mix. Oconto Park II anglers were experiencing the same results
Shawano County ? The area received about 3 inches of snow last week. The snowmobile trails in Shawano County remain closed. Ice conditions vary greatly on Shawano Lake with several areas finally icing over during the past week. Ice conditions have not improved much and most lakes still are walk-on only. Crappies are giving anglers some good action on area lakes. Hundreds of ducks can be seen below the dam on the Wolf River.
Green Bay DNR Service Center area
Manitowoc County - Snowmobile trails are far from being opened up, as much of the field snow cover has blown off. Snow cover is allowing for visibility for rabbit hunting and is allowing coyote/fox hunters, who have been out in large numbers, to find canines. Ice conditions on lakes are poor; however, most lakes have anglers who are venturing out on foot. Ice has been forming lately with the cold weather, but several lakes still had open water this week. Ice anglers are fishing the Manitowoc Harbor as well. However, extra caution should be used as ice conditions are far from ideal.
Sturgeon Bay DNR Service Center area
Door County - Ice conditions are poor in most places in and around Little Sturgeon Bay. Anglers have been fishing yellow perch inside Little Sturgeon. Most anglers are having success in 12 feet of water. A small jig tipped with minnows or wax worms have been producing the most perch. Anglers report catching numbers of small fish, but have been finding some larger ones as well. At Lime Kiln Road, whitefish have been a consistent bite the last few days. The only problem is the poor ice conditions. As of this week anglers were only able to fish 50 to 75 yards from shore due to open water. The typical baits, Swedish pimple tipped with a waxworm, have been producing the best.
Potawatomi State Park - Ski trails were groomed and tracked on Jan. 18. The skate lane is in better condition than the stride lane. Sticks, leaves, rocks, and dirt are coming through the snow. Ski trails are in fair shape at best until the area receives more snow. Snowmobile trails remain closed as of Jan. 19. No ice shanties have been set in Sawyer Harbor yet. There is open water in Sturgeon Bay due to boats coming in to Bay Shipbuilding Corporation for winter repairs. Strong winds and cold temperatures are forecast going into the weekend.
Kewaunee County - The snowmobile trails remain closed throughout the county. Some ditches have enough snow cover to allow for snowmobile traffic but conditions are far from ideal. It would be recommended to be patient and wait for another few inches before venturing out on the sleds. People have started to ice fish the small inland lakes. Extreme caution is necessary. Several of the inland lakes had open water as recent as within the past week. If an ice fishing trip is planned check with the locals before heading out and once on the ice check the ice thickness regularly, bring a personal floatation device, ice picks or other safety equipment that might be used to save your life or the life of another. Always remember that ice is never safe and is constantly changing due to a number of factors including temperatures, wind conditions, snow cover, under water activities of fish and other aquatic wildlife.
Wautoma DNR Service Center area
Marquette County - Ice anglers are catching nice bluegills on Harris Pond and northern pike on Lake Puckaway. Anglers should use caution when venturing out on the ice since the conditions vary from lake to lake. Recent snowfalls have been good for coyote hunters in the area with about 5 inches of snow on the ground. Snowmobile trails remain closed.
Waupaca County - More ice anglers are starting to enjoy their sport. Ice anglers have been having success on northern pike on the Chain O Lakes. Coyote hunters have been able to get out now that there is a few inches of snow. The coyote hunters have been having most success in the open farm fields and have been pursuing the coyotes with the aid of dogs. Still not enough snow to utilize snowshoes, but a few cross country skiers have been enjoying the trails at Hartman Creek State Park. Overall the weather has cooperated for winter hikers. Trapping efforts has slowed down for now as many lakes and streams are beginning to have thicker ice. Snowmobile trails are still closed.
Hartman Creek State Park ? The park received approximately 4 inches of snow on, Jan. 12. The park will not groom the ski trails until at least 6 inches are received, the minimum amount to provide a good base. At this time ski and snowshoe trails are open but conditions vary from poor to average. The park will hold its annual candlelight ski on Saturday, Jan. 28 from 5 to 8 p.m. For further information please call the park office at 715-258-2372.
Waushara County - Bitter cold is arriving, which should help ice conditions if snows hold off. There are roughly 2 to 3 inches of snow on the ground -- still not enough for winter activities such as cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling. There have been some reports of northern pike biting.
Oshkosh DNR Service Center area
Calumet County - Ice conditions remain hazardous along the east shore of Lake Winnebago. Most veteran and seasoned anglers are heading to the west shore of the lake or to the Upriver Lakes in search of safer, thicker ice. The northeast shoreline is somewhat smooth with approximately 6 to 7 inches of ice and some anglers are venturing out; however, the remainder of the east shore is filled with pressure cracks, ice shoves, and mounds of shelf ice making vehicle travel dangerous. A thin layer of snow is now covering many weak ice areas. As of Jan. 10, several areas of open water could be seen along the east shore. The local fishing clubs have not marked any ice roads to date due to these conditions. Warmer temperatures are expected again later this weekend, which will only add to the marginal ice conditions along the east shore. Anglers who due venture out are advised to wear some type of floatation device, carry ice picks, travel in pairs, and carry a cell phone with them at this point in time. Vehicle travel is not recommended.
Fond du Lac County - Colder temperatures this week are expected to help add some needed ice depth on Lake Winnebago. A few inches of snow fell this last week on Lake Winnebago thin ice. With the lake average ice depth only 4-6 inches, the snow acts like an insulator and ice making slows and almost stops. Just because there is snow and cold weather do not think the ice is safe to go onto with ATVs and snowmobiles. Multiple machines have already gone through the ice this season on the south end of the lake. Other smaller protected lakes in the county have seen ice depths increase. Even though there is a few inches of snow on the ground, snowmobilers are being reminded that the snowmobile trails in Fond du Lac County are still closed as there is not enough snow to start grooming the trails. Be sure to check the Fond du Lac County Snowmobile Association website at fdlsnowmobileassn.com for the most up to date trail status or call 920-929-6840.
Outagamie County - With the last couple of days of single digit temperatures the area bayous and rivers are making a little ice but anglers should still use caution when going onto the ice. The light snow cover gives a false sense of confidence that the ice is thicker than it is. Anglers were still catching panfish on the Wolf River bayous. The river itself is open in most spots and areas with ice should be accessed with caution. No ice is safe and river ice is extremely unsafe. It varies in thickness by several inches or even feet in a short distance due to current and bottom structure. Any one walking or snowmobiling on rivers should wear a life jacket.
DNR Southeast Region
Milwaukee DNR Service Center area
Havenwoods State Forest - If the predicted snow arrives this weekend, there might be enough snow for snowshoeing! Come on over and borrow some simple bearpaw snowshoes and give snowshoeing a try. People dressed to brave the wind and the cold will be rewarded with animal tracks, interesting snowdrifts, and sightings of white-tailed deer and great horned owls. A few days ago, a visitor reported hearing several coyotes howling to each other. Winter is a great time to search for and find nature in the city!
Harrington Beach State Park - Cross-country ski trails are in fair condition. They have not been groomed yet due to lack of snow. The park is a wonderful place to come to snowshoe. The nice thing about snowshoes is that you can practically go where you want. The Shuttle Trail is plowed for hiking. People have not been ice fishing on Quarry Lake. For those who do not know, ice fishing is allowed, but please remember, that it is a quarry. It is usually the last lake to freeze in the county and ice conditions are uncertain. A northern shrike was spotted in the park.
Lakeshore State Park - There are a few inches of snow at the park, but not enough for snowshoeing or cross-country skiing. The east trail is open and in good condition. The western loop trail is not plowed. The Summerfest trail loop is open on the north end, but closed south due to construction. Fishing has slowed down, but occasional trout have been caught under the bridge and behind the Marcus Amphitheater. Ice where present is still too thin for ice fishing. The snowy owl hasn?t been seen here for a few weeks, but the red and gray fox are still active and seen almost every day. The Marina is closed for the season.
Kettle Moraine State Forest, Lapham Peak Unit - All cross-country ski trails were groomed Tuesday afternoon, Jan. 17. About 3 inches of new snow fell that morning. A track was set, but it is still a bit icy on the man-made section in areas and some leaves and grass showing through on the rest of the trail system. Skating lane will be re-groomed after dark and should set up nice for the morning.
Kettle Moraine State Forest, Northern Unit - All cross-country ski trail loops at the Zillmer Trail have been packed, groomed and tracked as of Jan. 18. Generally there is a 2-inch base. The base is rather thin in some spots, which resulted in track being marginal. Some places the track has debris and or grass in the bottom of the track. The track is probably 80 percent skiable with decent snow in it. The skaters will find overall marginal to good conditions. There are two bare spots to contend with on the yellow but both are only about 10 yards long. Skiers may still want to use rock skis. Snow is a little soft but has improved much. Feel free to start a fire in the wood burner in the shelter or throw a piece of wood on to keep it going. There is a woodpile behind the shelter.
Kettle Moraine State Forest, Southern Unit - All three cross-country ski trail systems at the Southern Unit were packed on Tuesday Jan. 17, following the snowfall. Classic track was set at Scuppernong and was in great condition. Classic track was also set at Nordic, which received less snow than Scuppernong and is only in good condition. No track was set at McMiller. More snow is forecast for Friday, so all trails should be in great condition for the weekend.
Waukesha DNR Service Center area
Waukesha County - Ice conditions on area lakes vary depending on the lake. Most small lakes in the county have anywhere from 2 to 5 inches of ice and most of the big lakes still have pockets of open water with varying ice thickness on the shorelines. ATV and snowmobile travel is not recommended on any lakes at this time. Anglers and other outdoor enthusiasts traveling by foot are urged to be very cautious as ice thickness varies.
Lake Michigan fisheries team report
Sheboygan County - In Sheboygan anglers in the harbor have taken a few northern pike, and rainbow and brown trout on minnows, but fishing has been generally slow. There is ice in the marina that is not safe for foot travel, but anglers have been fishing from the docks.
Ozaukee County - In Port Washington, open water fishing near the power plant has been decent, with numbers of brown trout in the area. Shiners fished under a slip bobber have been productive, but some browns have also been taken on crank baits.
Milwaukee County - In Milwaukee, boaters continue to have consistent brown trout action in the harbor. There is no ice yet in the inner harbor, but Riverfront boat launch may be icy after Tuesday?s snowfall.
Racine County - The Root River in Racine still has open water in stretches. Fishing effort has been relatively low, but brown trout and steelhead can still be found in the river.
Plymouth DNR Service Center area
Washington County - This week, wildlife management staff from the Pike Lake DNR office were out planting 32 acres of grassland on the Jackson Marsh Wildlife Area. A tractor mounted broadcast seeder was used to spread seed on top of the snow. Freezing and thawing action will work the seed into the soil during winter, followed by spring germination.
Sturtevant DNR Service Center area
Walworth/Rock counties - Now that there is a few inches of snow cover, helicopter deer counts will begin in portions of western Walworth and eastern Rock counties. Deer are counted each year in those counties in 100 survey blocks, providing an estimate of the deer population in the core of the Southeast CWD deer management zone. Approximately four full days of counting are needed to complete the survey. Turkeys and other wildlife sightings are also recorded.
Kenosha County - Good snow continues to be elusive as recent snowfall was not enough to open area snowmobile trails. Cooler weather has led to ice formation on area lakes and anglers have reported success on both Lake Andrea and George Lake. Anglers report catching northern pike, largemouth bass and black crappies. Use caution when ice fishing as fluctuating temperatures has led to uneven ice formation. Open water anglers continue to be successful catching brown trout in Kenosha Harbor using spawn sacks near the bottom.
Walworth County - Lakes are starting to firm up, with most anglers reporting 3-5 inches of ice. Be cautious of areas that have snow cover as they typically have fewer inches of ice. Most anglers are targeting Pleasant Lake and Lake Como as they typically are the first to ice up. Anglers were open water fishing on Lake Geneva in early January and catching a good number of walleye. Snowmobile trails remain closed. To see if trails are open please contact the Walworth County trail number at 262-742-2664. Groomers were out panning what they could after the first snowfall.
Big Foot Beach State Park - Trail conditions are very good for cross-country skiing. The lagoon has frozen over, but ice-anglers are advised to use caution at all times, as some areas may not be safe.
DNR South Central Region
Lower Wisconsin State Riverway - Cold weather has set in on the Lower Wisconsin State Riverway. Ice has covered most of the backwaters and sloughs. There has been some ice fishing activity, and cold temperatures will see ice thicken and bring out more anglers. Several inches of snow now cover the Riverway. All trails are open to cross-country skiing but are not groomed in any areas of the Riverway. Snow conditions are not ideal, but visitors are also beginning to get out with their snowshoes in several locations along the Riverway
Dodgeville DNR Service Center area
Grant County - It's a good time to go out and do some cross-county skiing or hiking. Recent snows have revealed lots of tracks and other signs of wildlife. Fresh tracks in the snow give away the presence of deer, coyotes, fox, raccoon and possum in the bottomland forests. Otter tracks, slides and latrines are easy to spot along the river banks and marshes. Soon coyotes will be traveling more and be more visible in daylight hours as their mating season approaches. There is not enough snow yet to open snowmobile or ski trails. The recent cold snap is finally creating better ice on the backwater sloughs. Anglers were catching some panfish in the very few areas were ice is able to support anglers. With the snowfall this past week it's more important then ever to stock your bird feeders. Several very bright cardinals can be seen at feeders.
Green County - With the recent snow and onset of the coyote breeding season coyote hunting is in full swing. The Tri-County Trail system has closed its ATV trails in anticipation of opening it for snowmobilers, which has not happened yet. The ice has been building well and some anglers have taken the steps to try there luck. But remember the edges are still thin and still dangerous in places.
Lafayette County - It has been an unusual winter for southern Wisconsin. There has not been enough snow yet to open snowmobile or ski trails but there is just enough that the ATV trails are closed. As of Jan. 19, the county is under a winter storm watch and 5-7 inches of snow is forecast for Friday, which will likely open snowmobile trails. Stay tuned. The ice on Yellowstone Lake has been come and go this winter. Just two weeks ago there was 50-degree weather and the ice opened up at both boat landings. The recent cold weather has generated some ice and ice anglers braved the lake near the dam, where 4 inches of ice was reported this past weekend. Those anglers also enjoyed great success with the crappie, catching their limit within an hour or two. The CWD Landowner deer hunt is still open through March. If you are interested in deer hunting in the CWD zone, contact your local DNR service center or call 888-WDNR-INF for more information. There are lots of bald eagles being seen in the county.
Yellowstone Lake State Park - All trails are in good condition and open to hiking due to lack of snow cover. Ski trails close to hiking when they are sufficiently snow-covered to allow for grooming (more than 4 inches). Currently the ski trails are open to hiking. There is adequate snow for tracking animals and numerous animal tracks can be found in the snow on the trails. Pileated woodpeckers are also busy in different areas that can be accessed by the trail system. There has been some snowmobiling activity on the park section of the snowmobile trail but there is less than 4 inches of snow at this time. Snowmobiling is not recommended due to lack of snow depth. The lake is mostly ice-covered. Ice conditions are not monitored by staff. There was still open water in many spots as of Jan. 9. Some ice fishing activity has been observed near the dam. Panfish action has been very good.
Richland County - Colder weather has ice anglers anxious to get to other areas as ice conditions continue to improve. Limited snow in the area has limited snowmobile riding in the area to nothing. Snowmobile enthusiast are traveling to Northern Wisconsin and praying for snow farther south.
Wyalusing State Park - This area received approximately 5 or 6 inches of snow on Thursday of last week. The snow was light and fluffy and it was very windy. There are areas of the park that have accumulations of 5 or 6 inches and other areas where blades of grass are still peeking through. Cross-country ski trails were packed on Monday, but no grooming has been done to date as there is just not enough snow. There were a few skiers who broke their own trail on Saturday. All hiking trails will be snow covered. Please remember, no pets or walking on the ski trails. Both can quickly ruin a well groomed trail. The forecast through Sunday includes a slight chance of snow and cold temperatures and brisk winds forcing the wind chill values down to a negative 15-19 degrees. Snow is likely on Friday with a 70 per cent chance of precipitation. Friday?s high temp is forecast at 14 degrees with a low around 2 degrees. Saturday?s forecast is mostly sunny with a high of 21 and a low around 18 degrees. Sunday there is a chance of rain and snow with a high near 34 degrees. A number of ice anglers have been taking advantage of the colder weather. On Saturday there were a number of anglers on the ice at the park?s boat landing, but on Sunday just a few, which means the fish were not biting on Saturday or everyone was home waiting for the Packers to play. The office bird feeders are a flurry of activity with the recent cold, wind and snow. Raccoons have ceased to be a problem because of the colder temperatures. A sharp-shinned hawk has also found the feeders, making it a ?bird feeder? in the every sense of the word. It is amazing to see the birds scatter when the sharp-shinned makes its sudden appearance. The landscape is certainly beautiful with the snow and the bright red of the many cardinals. Bird sightings in the park include: bluejays, juncos, cardinals, goldfinches, mourning doves, red-bellied woodpeckers, hairy woodpeckers, downy woodpeckers, pileated woodpeckers, tufted titmice, tree sparrows, purple finches, wild turkeys, various hawks, and bald eagles. This past weekend there were five men in tents camping on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights.
Horicon DNR Service Center area
Dodge County - Anglers on Beaver Dam Lake are having good success catching legal sized walleye. Any person venturing on to Beaver Dam Lake is advised to leave their vehicles and ATVs at the landing as ice conditions vary from 3- 6 inches. Ice heaves are not safe and there are many merging cracks. The goose hole on the south end will now be covered by snow, this area is extremely dangerous. Persons are advised to stay away from that area. Persons have been observed breaking through while walking. IF you are unfamiliar with the lake, ask at the local bait shop or talk to a local fisherperson at the landing before heading out.
Fitchburg DNR Service Center area
With the arrival of snow over the last several days snowmobilers and cross-country skiers are eagerly awaiting more snow so the trails can be used and groomed. Area snowmobile trails in Columbia, Sauk, and Dodge counties are still closed.
Columbia County - The past few nights of cold weather have finally started to close over water bodies that have had open water until now. However, predicted warm weather this weekend may open these water bodies up again, and extreme caution should still be used by ice anglers and other users on these lakes. Ice anglers have been reporting good panfish action on the back bays of Lake Wisconsin. Eagles are being sighted all over the Prairie du Sac area just below the dam and farther down the river. Multiple opportunities exist to view the eagles on the Sauk County side of the Wisconsin River.
Dane County - At this time of the year, a good way of checking out a wildlife area is by snowshoeing, and keep your eyes open for snowy owls. There were still reports of sightings of these visitors to Wisconsin. Another bird sighting of interest is more than 300 tundra swans have been on Lake Mendota for a couple of weeks now.
Jefferson County - With the recent snow ice conditions are very difficult to judge. A number of anglers have reported "a foot going through the ice." Fishing is improving on many lakes which is making anglers take more risks trying to get to the fish. Predator hunters, hound hunters and callers alike, are making the most of the snow cover. Hunters report harvest of both coyote and fox. Snowmobilers are urged to call the trail hotlines to be sure the trails are open prior to venturing out. In Jefferson County snowmobile trails cover mostly private land. Respect landowners property and we can continue to enjoy our trails.
Sauk County - Lake Redstone still has open spots due to the warm weather and several large flocks of geese hanging around. Some crappies are being caught on the north end south of Section 11 boat launch. Ice conditions vary around 6 inches of good ice. Anglers should use caution when moving to the south end since there was open ice off Eagle Bay. Several eagles were still see hanging around the lake feeding on dead gizzard shad. The 400 State Trail will remain closed until either Sauk or Juneau counties open their snowmobile trails.
Devils Lake State Park - Several inches of snow have fallen and we will have a few more after this weekend. There's about 4 to 5 inches of snow around the park, some places have less due to the high winds this week. There should be enough snow for people to go snowshoeing and visitors can check out snowshoes from the nature center to be used in the park. There is ice on the lake that is covered with snow. Visitors should still use caution as the ice could still be thin in areas, but this cold snap should help the ice thicken. The feeders at the nature center have been quite active with all of the cold weather. Visitors can see several woodpecker species (downy, hairy, and red-headed), nuthatches, pine siskins, black-capped chickadees, dark-eyed juncos, blue jays, tufted titmice, northern cardinals and American goldfinches. You'll probably spot a gray squirrel or two as well.
Lake Kegonsa State Park - All cross-country ski trails are in fair condition and were last groomed on Tuesday, Jan. 17. The base is still very thin and there are some areas with only patchy snow. Breezy conditions forecasted on Wednesday, Jan. 18 and Thursday, Jan. 19 may lead to drifting.
Janesville DNR Service Center area
Rock County - Snowmobile trails in Rock County Remain closed and citations are being issued by local officers for operating on the closed trails. With pending snows later this week operators should continue to check the trail line or websites for trails status. Snow has renewed interest in rabbit and coyote hunting in Rock County.
DNR West Central Region
Baldwin DNR Service Center area
Willow River State Park - Parts of trails are still holding snow. Expect to find a mixed bag of conditions on trails from snow to bare to ice. Winter trail maps will go out to the boxes when we get to skiing-snowshoeing. Work on the north side trails will be ending when the large brush cutting machine reaches the beaver dam area. The crew will return to continue work in warmer weather. Power augers are allowed on the lake. Panfish catches have slowed to the normal mid-winter rate. Some large flights of trumpeter swans are being seen as daylight fades. Reports are coming in of over a hundred birds in the upper end of the lake. There is no short route in to the best viewing area which is at the bench out on the small point on the Blue trail. The cold weather will reduce the amount of open water available to the birds so they will generally be in the area described. Other possibilities for swans would be along the Purple trail down below the dam. These swans are probably coming from the Lakefront Park in Hudson. Despite reports of snowy owls coming south, none have been reported at Willow. The white-tailed buck with the drop tine antlers is still around. If you are going to watch deer from your vehicle, please pull off the road so others may get by. Be aware of the snowplowing stakes if you pull off the road. The road is presently snow covered in shady areas. The Minnesota Youth Ski League has moved their Sunday lessons from Willow to a place with man-made snow. See their web site for details. Candlelight Ski and Hike is set for Saturday, Feb. 11.
La Crosse DNR Service Center area
Vernon County ? Mid-January generally announces the onset of coyote and red fox breeding cycles. These two members of the dog family have one annual estrus cycle and typically breed between January and March. Cold, crisp winter nights afford opportunities to listen for the raspy barks of red fox or the high pitched yipping of coyotes. Pup litters of both species are born in March or April in a natal den or burrow, but red foxes generally avoid raising pups in areas where coyotes have established territories.
Wildcat Mountain State Park ? The park and the Kickapoo valley received 3-4 inches of snow in the last week and then the wind came. All trails have spotty snow cover. The snowshoe trail is suitable for hiking yet. The cross-country ski trails are closed until we get enough snow cover to make a base to ski on. Eagles can be seen coursing up and down the Kickapoo River looking for a meal in the open water.
Black River Falls DNR Service Center area
Black River State Forest - Due to inadequate snow levels the trails are closed for snowmobile but are open for ATV. If the area receives the predicted 3-6 inches this Friday the trails will likely open. UTVs are not allowed on the trails during winter. Last week the property finally received enough snow to at least work on creating a base. Unfortunately we need more to create skiable trails. Skiing is not recommended at this time, as some areas are bare and/or have leaves and rocks at the surface. The good news is 3-6 inches of snow is forecast for Friday. If this holds out crews will be grooming the trails Saturday morning.
Eau Claire DNR Service Center area
Eau Claire and Chippewa counties got about 6 inches of snow this week and it is starting to feel like January. Snowmobile trails are still closed but cross-county ski trails in Eau Claire County ranger from excellent to fair condition. Ice anglers have been enjoying the warm weather for fishing but they are not able to drive cars and trucks on most lakes yet. Fishing has been pretty slow on the lakes. Coyote hunters are also taking advantage of the new snow. Hound dog hunters use the snow to find tracks for their dogs and the coyote callers like the snow to make the coyotes stand out in low light conditions.
Eau Claire County - Bobcat hunters north of Highway 64 have been taking advantage of the new snow to locate tracks. Cold temperatures have increased the thickness of ice on area lakes, but ice at some shoreline areas remains dangerously thin. Winter is a great time to walk the Chippewa River State Trail and test your knowledge of wildlife tracks in the woods.
Lake Wissota State Park - The cross-country ski trails have been groomed and are in fair condition but we don't have adequate snowfall to set a track. Ground debris/leaf litter/grass is showing through in windswept areas. Please contact the park office at (715) 382-4574 for the most current trail conditions.
Wausau DNR Service Center area
Marathon County - Ice on most lakes and flowages has been around 10 to 12 inches, with less than that in the river channels. Fishing has slowed with people still catching some small panfish and a northern here and there. Those willing to work hard are finding some success. Anglers on the Big Eau Pleine Reservoir report 11 to 13 inches of ice depending on how close they are to the channel. Caution should still be used under and around bridges. Small perch and 13 to 14 inch walleye have been reported to be fairly consistent. Some crappies are showing up, with the biggest being caught with tip downs and minnows. Lake Wausau anglers report 11 to 12 inches of ice. Everyone reports marking lots of fish with their sonar's and underwater cameras, but getting them to bite is proving to be rather difficult. Ten to 11 inch crappies are reported as biting in the early morning on tip downs with minnows, but the bite seems to be short lived. Lake Dubay anglers report a good 12 inches of ice in the bays and backwaters, but say that the ice is very dangerous near the main river channel. Jigging spoons tipped with wax worms seem to be doing the best job of catching walleyes. Ice fishing action has been slow on Lake Wausau. Coyote hunters have been out with the recent snowfall with some success. Snowmobile trails still have a ways to go before we have enough snow to open them. Look for grouse on sites exposed to the sun on cold mornings in alder/aspen habitat and in areas with scattered evergreens that provide shelter during the night and during storms. Pine siskins are flocking with gold finches at local feeders.
Wisconsin Rapids DNR Service Center area
Buckhorn State Park ? One to 3 inches of fluffy snow fell and then there was melting from the warmer temps. Trails are in poor to fair condition for making your own trail. We will need a lot more snow to cover the grass and be able to groom ski trails. Maybe you will see a bald eagle by the lake! People have been out ice fishing on the lake.
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, January 20, 2012
? Kettle Moraine State Forest--Northern Unit, Campbellsport, (920) 533-8322 - Ahooooo! Call the Coyotes Nature Storytime. Discover some amazing facts about the life of a coyote. This hour of nature fun awaits 3 to 6 year-olds with accompanying adults. Henry S. Reuss Ice Age Visitor Center. 9:30 a.m. -10:30 a.m.
Saturday, January 21, 2012
? Brunet Island State Park, Cornell, (715) 239-6888 - Candlelight Ski/Hike and Sledding. Event is cancelled due to lack of snow.
? Devil's Lake State Park, Baraboo, (608) 356-8301 ext 140 - Drop-in on Owls. Devil?s Lake is home to many owls; great-horned, barred, and screech to name a few. Come and discover more about these fascinating raptors and make an owl to take home. Nature Center. 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
? Havenwoods State Forest, Milwaukee, (414) 527-0232 - Drop-In on Tracks. With snow on the ground, winter is a great time to look for animal tracks. Stop inside the building to learn how to identify tracks and play some tracking games. Then grab a tracking guide and head outside to look for real animal tracks. 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
? Kettle Moraine State Forest--Northern Unit, Campbellsport, (262) 626-2116 or - Frozen Otter Ultra-Trek. The Frozen Otter Ultra Trek is by far one of the toughest races in the Midwest, possibly the country, with roughly a 2 percent completion rate. Racers must traverse 64 miles of Wisconsin's hilly, Ice Age Trail terrain, completely self supported, in the dead of winter, and within a 24-hour time limit. For those who don't want to commit to the entire distance, a 32 mile/12-hr half-distance option is also offered. Volunteers are posted at 8 mile intervals along the trail and provide a haven with a warm fire, hot water, and the option to take a shuttle back. Butler Lake Trailhead. 10 a.m.
? Lapham Peak Unit - Kettle Moraine State Forest, Delafield, (262) 646-3025 - Lapham Loppet. When you race the long hills of the 11-kilometer course, you will experience why the Lapham Peak Ski trails have won an award for best-groomed trails. Ski the race and then enjoy "cooling down? on the entire Lapham Peak system. The 4.5-kilometer ski race for junior high and high school students will be held on the lighted loop. A 1-kilometer Lad and Lassie Loppet, with two course options by ability, and a kid's free fun ski event will be held after the race awards. Two warming shelters with heated indoor toilets will be open and hot food and snacks also will be available for purchase. Races will be held if snow conditions permit. Registration is limited, pre-registration is recommended. Meet at the Evergreen Grove Parking Lot and Shelter. 7 a.m. ? 2 p.m. For more information or to register, see the Friends of Lapham Peak website.
? Peninsula State Park, Fish Creek, (920) 868-3258 - Happy New Year?! Stop by the Nature Center any time during open hours to celebrate the Chinese New Year (January 23). 2012 is the Year of the Dragon. If you walk the White Cedar Nature Trail, you may find one hiding a lair of lucky Lai See (red envelopes). Stick around to craft a dragon from egg cartons or make a Chinese Lantern out of recycled holiday cards. Family Ski/Snowshoe. 11 - 1 p.m. Meet at the warming shelter near Lot 5. Enter at Highland Road, one mile north of Fish Creek at Highway 42 and County Road A. Basic instruction featured. Bring your own skis or snowshoes. Rentals available in local shops. A trail pass is not required to attend this program, but a state park vehicle sticker is required. Light refreshments available. Supported by the Friends of Peninsula State Park. Event will be cancelled if there is a lack of snow. Call the Park Headquarters (920) 868-3258 the day of the event for current conditions.
? Richard Bong State Recreation Area, Kansasville, (262) 878-5600 - Animal Tracks and Signs. Join us as we hike the trails in search of animal tracks, homes and other signs. Discover what the park?s animals have been up to this winter. Dress to be outside. Meet at the Visitor Center. 10-11 a.m. Cross-country Ski Clinic. Bring your skis and join instructor John Meyer to learn about waxing and other skiing tips. The diagonal stride technique will be taught and practiced. Please pre-register by calling (262) 878-5600. Meet at Shelter #1. Ski Clinic is weather dependent. 1-3 p.m.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
? Havenwoods State Forest, Milwaukee, (414) 527-0232 - Preschool Storytime: Winter Sleepers. Some of the animals at Havenwoods sleep all winter! Find out why they are sleeping and discover their secret resting places. 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.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
? Devil's Lake State Park, Baraboo, (608) 356-8301 ext 140 - Winter Bird Hike. Take a ?nature break? during your lunch break and do some bird watching. We?ll hike the Grottos Trail in search of woodpeckers, creepers, chickadees and more. Meet at the bird effigy mound on the south shore. South Shore - Grottos Trail. Noon to 1 p.m.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
? Interstate State Park, St. Croix Falls, (715) 483-3747 - Nature Storytime. Naturalist Julie Fox will share a story and activity with pre-schoolers and their parents at the Ice Age Center. It is a great opportunity for parents to get out to the park with their little ones during this time of the year! Nature Storytime will generally last between 30-45 minutes, depending on the number of participants. Program is indoors and outdoors, weather permitting, so parents should dress their children accordingly. 10 a.m.
