Wisconsin Fishing Reports, Outdoor & Hunting Reports

Rick · May 3, 2013

MADISON, WI - The weekly Wisconsin fishing reports & hunting report from 5/3/13 are gathered by local DNR officials, angler creel surveys, county and state parks staff. They are compiled. There are always current Wisconsin Fishing Reports and hunting reports as well as outdoor reports in this forum. Enjoy.

For Current Wisconsin Fishing Reports - Click Here

The calendar says May but a fresh foot of snow has Copper Falls State Park in Ashland County looking more like January. An unusual spring snowstorm dropped from a few inches to a foot or more of snow in northwestern Wisconsin Wednesday into Thursday. And with the inland game fish opener this Saturday, lakes across much of the northern third of Wisconsin are still locked in ice.

Meanwhile in the south, things have dried out and the spring wildfire season, which has been very quiet so far, picked up considerably with 105 wildfires burning 236 acres in the past week in the portion of the state where DNR has fire suppression responsibility.

Most northern lakes have some open water areas near inlets and outlets and along some shorelines, but many boat landings were still iced in and inaccessible for boat launching. Anglers wanting to fish waters north of about Highway 64 should shift to “plan B,” which may be fishing the major river systems such as the Wisconsin and Flambeau, or heading out after trout on small creeks and streams. While fisheries crews have been able to stock trout in some areas, the cold spring has delayed trout stocking on other waters. Ice anglers continue fishing on some northern lakes this week, but conservation wardens caution that ice is deteriorating and anyone who ventures out on the ice should use extreme caution.

With temperatures in the 70s sturgeon started spawning on the Wolf River. DNR fisheries crews handle more than 350 fish Wednesday at the Shawano dam. The fish spawning came on fast and will likely peak at the Shawano dam Friday into the weekend. Check the DNR website for sturgeon spawning and watching information.

DNR videographer Matt Ahrens shot this underwater video of sturgeon spawning near Shiocton on May 1.

Walleye spawning has ended on the Winnebago system and the white bass run has not started yet but should be coming quickly warmer temperatures return. The walleye run on the Wisconsin River is also winding down and fishing has been slow due to high water and the late spring, but anglers reported catching walleyes on the Bark and Rock rivers in Jefferson County.

The ice is almost all the way out on Green Bay and boaters were launching at a variety of locations, with most targeting walleye and brown trout. Water levels are dropping on Lake Michigan tributaries and steelhead action was slowing, but some were still being caught on the Sheboygan, Milwaukee, Root and other rivers.

With the warmer temperatures last weekend and early this week, turkey hunters were finally getting some more active birds with toms observed displaying and some better success at least in the south.

Warmer weather earlier this week brought the expected first large push of Neotropical migrants to southern Wisconsin. Birders are reporting 10-15 species of warblers in a morning including some show stoppers like blackburnian and Cape May warblers. In the north, Open water is attracting large numbers of loons, grebes and waterfowl, but the additional 6-12 inches of snow on the ground as of Thursday will have swallows and other insectivores that have arrived struggling to find food.

Statewide Birding Report

Warmer weather earlier this week brought the expected first large push of Neotropical migrants to southern Wisconsin. Birders are reporting 10-15 species of warblers in a morning including some show stoppers like blackburnian and Cape May warblers. Backyard feeders are now flush with orioles, grosbeaks, white-throated sparrows and house wrens are occupying nest boxes. Most of the migratory waterfowl have pushed out of the south, but marshes are now holding Virginia and sora rails, bitterns and other nesting water birds. Grassland birds have pushed in with the latest fronts including grasshopper and Henslow’s sparrow, bobolinks and upland sandpipers.

The story in northern Wisconsin is much different. Migration over the weekend brought some large pushes of water birds, raptors and sparrows. Open water is attracting large numbers of loons, grebes and waterfowl. Northern Wisconsin birders with active feeders are reporting fox sparrows, tree sparrows, juncos and white-throated sparrows. A few early warblers including pine and palm have shown up. Swallows and other insectivores that have arrived are likely struggling with an additional 6-12 inches of snow on the ground as of this Thursday. The woods are still quiet with a few territorial hermit thrushes, winter wrens and sapsuckers singing. Raptor migration was very good this past weekend with a few golden eagles, lots of red-tailed and broad-winged hawks.

The seven-day forecast suggests more migration to happen early next week. Birders should expect to see more warblers, thrushes, hummingbirds, orioles and other neotropical migrants to arrive in most habitat types. Birders should pay attention to the phenology of plants in their area for clues as to where the best warbler watching will be. Focus on woodlands with flowering trees and developing leaves. Forests with wetlands are also good right now as the hatching aquatic insects attract migrants. Shrubby edges to woodlands that have morning sunlight should also be good for pre-workday birding. - Andy Paulios, wildlife biologists and Wisconsin Bird Conservation Initiative coordinator

Wildfire Report

The DNR has primary fire suppression responsibility in about half the state. In those areas, 105 wildfires burned 236 acres in the past week. Ten structures burned and 71 others were threatened during these fires. The majority of the fires were caused by debris burning and equipment. The largest was a 35-acre fire in Eau Claire County which was caused when a debris pile, burned the night before, reignited and escaped.

The public is encouraged to put off debris burning projects this time of year. If not completely extinguished, burned debris piles can harbor smoldering embers in the ash for hours, days, or even weeks. Windy conditions in the spring can blow the ash around, exposing the embers and allowing them to become flames, sometimes with damaging consequences.

The DNR wants to remind everyone to be careful with anything that can start a wildfire when you’re out fishing, hunting, camping, doing yard work, or looking for mushrooms. Fire danger can vary from one day to the next this time of the year, depending on weather and dryness of the vegetation. Check this site for current statewide fire danger, burning permit information, and to subscribe to fire news emails: dnr.wi.gov (search "fire danger").

Firewise Tip: Create firebreaks around your home. Keep the area 3 to 5 feet around your home “fuel free.” Remove anything in this area that can burn, such as leaves, plants, mulch, or piled wood. Use rock and stone landscaping materials next to buildings instead of wood mulch. Keep your lawn raked free of debris and mowed short. Find out more at dnr.wi.gov (keyword "Firewise").

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Northern Region

Ashland DNR Service Center area

Douglas County – Up to 8 inches of new snow fell Wednesday and Thursday, which replaced the snow that had melted earlier in the week. Most area lakes area lakes are expected to remain ice covered for Saturday’s fishing opener, although some amount of open water near shorelines may occur. Daytime high temperatures are predicted to remain in the 30s through the weekend. - John Krull, conservation warden, Superior

Copper Falls State Park – More than 12 inches of heavy, wet snow fell Wednesday and Thursday, which is the equivalent of 1.57 inches of water. Highway 169 has reopened south of the park allowing people access to the park from the south. The barricades have simply been moved to the side of the road as we expect the river to come back up when this snow melts. If Tyler Forks floods to our north, all access points to Copper Falls will be closed. - Ben Bergey, superintendent

Pattison State Park – The snow melted, the snow reappeared. Both Big Manitou Falls and Little Manitou Falls are at peak flow and very impressive to see. Please call the park at 715-399-3111 for up to the minute park conditions. The camping season is on its way with reservations being taken for the weekend. The shower building and flush toilets are still not open at this time. - Phillip Brown, Ranger

Spooner DNR Service Center area

Polk County - Some lakes in southern Polk County appear close to having open water. Wetlands are open and full of water with many species of waterfowl present. - Shaun Tyznik conservation warden, Amery

The turkey harvest has been down significantly in Polk County during the first three time periods. Deep snow and winter storms have kept many of the birds flocked up and unavailable to many hunters. According to hunters birds are not responding well to calls either. Another snow storm will no doubt again impact turkey hunters. Some of the ice has started coming off the smaller shallower lakes as well as lakes that have creeks and rivers flowing into them. There will still be larger lakes in Polk County that may still have large areas of ice on them. In Polk County trout fishing may be a better option for opening weekend due to the ice conditions on many lakes. Many local streams have been stocked by the fisheries department. Anglers are reminded they are required to have an inland trout stamp as well as a fishing license to fish for trout, even if you don’t plan on keeping them. - Jesse Ashton conservation warden, Luck

Crex Meadows State Wildlife - The flowages are mostly open and birds are coming through in numbers. Birds reported in the area this week include: Purple martins, whip-poor-will, belted kingfisher, eastern phoebe, dark eyed juncos, purple finches, bluebirds, and pine siskins. Thrushes, blackbirds, sparrows, and warblers are also being reported. Waterfowl are still migrating through including: red-necked and horned grebe, ruddy duck, northern shovelers, canvasbacks, widgeons, gadwalls, goldeneye, and red breasted mergansers. Shorebirds in the area include: Bonaparte’s and franklin gulls, cormorants, American bittern, green heron, and lesser yellowlegs. Raptors are being reported such as: peregrine falcons, American kestrels, and short-eared owls. Sharp-tailed grouse were observed at Rices Lake, Murphy’s Road, and James Road. Listen for western chorus frogs, wood frogs, and spring peepers around the smaller wetland areas. - Kristi Pupak, natural resources educator

Interstate Park - – Migrant songbirds are returning to northern Wisconsin and Interstate Park. Many species of birds will remain here while others are passing through on their way further north. Don’t miss the opportunity to view and listen to these messengers of spring. Come to Interstate Park on Saturday for a full day of bird activities for all ages. Join local birder Brian Collins from 7-9 a.m. for the Spring Bird Walk on Silverbrook Trail. Meet at the Pines Group Camp, and bring binoculars and a bird field guide if possible. At 10 a.m., meet Aztec, a live owl, at the Ice Age Center. At 11 a.m., meet at the Skyline Shelter for Owl and the Mouse, a fun activity for the whole family. From 1-3 p.m., there will be a Round Robin of bird fun for everyone. Join our naturalists for a variety of drop-in bird-related activities at the Ice Age Center.- Julie Fox, natural resources educator

Park Falls DNR Service Center area

Upper Chippewa Basin fisheries report (Price, Rusk, Sawyer Taylor and inland Ashland and Iron counties) - As of Wednesday afternoon, nearly all lakes in Ashland, Iron, Price and Sawyer counties still had significant ice cover and would not likely be open for the fishing opener on Saturday. Most lakes did have some open water areas near the inlet and outlet areas and along the west and north shores, but many boat landings were still iced in and inaccessible for boat launching. Some Taylor County and southern Price County waters did have large areas of open water and may offer some open-water fishing opportunities on opening day. These waters included the Phillips Chain of Lakes in Price County, and Miller Dam and the Mondeaux Flowage in Taylor County. - Skip Sommerfeldt, senior fisheries biologist, Park Falls

Flambeau River State Forest - ATV trails are scheduled to open May 15. We were starting to look like spring, but winter refuses to go. Six-inches of snow had fallen by Thursday. We were hearing the spring peepers, chorus frogs and wood frogs. Geese are busy looking for nesting spots and things are greening up (underneath all this snow). - Judy Freeman, visitor services associate

Woodruff DNR Service Center area

Turtle-Flambeau Scenic Waters Area - It appears that the opening weekend of fishing on the Turtle Flambeau Flowage and the other lakes of Iron County will be a non-event. At this point all lakes are ice bound with short stretches of shoreline open. The ice is not safe for any kind of travel, including foot. Rivers are open and very full. The north fork of the Flambeau is currently running at twice the cfs of normal. The Manitowish and Bear rivers are outside the banks with very fast current. The water at Murray’s Landing is open downstream to within 200 yards of Bonies Mound; however, the campsites in that area remain snow covered with 5-10 inches of new snow. Although fishing may not be in the plan, the woods are much less snow covered providing opportunity for shed hunting. Grouse have started drumming and turkeys have been seen displaying. This next storm is hopefully winter’s last gasp for the year. - Christine Paulik, parks and recreation specialist, Mercer

Upper Wisconsin Basin fisheries report (Oneida, Vilas, Lincoln, Langlade, Forest and Florence counties) – The past weekend’s summer-like temperatures put a big dent in the snow pack, before another snow storm, but it wasn’t near enough to take out the ice on area lakes. With below freezing temperatures returning the next few nights, along with the new snow, it is unlikely there will be ice-free lakes by this weekend. Some smaller lakes in the southern parts of the area (Lincoln County) may have open water, but for everything north plan to have a “Plan B.” Options might include trying to find a spot to fish on the Wisconsin River, or delaying your trip by a week. There are still ice anglers out in northern Vilas County, but that will be winding down soon. Fisheries survey crews will be on the lakes setting nets as soon as the ice leaves. - Mike Vogelsang, Jr., fisheries supervisor, Woodruff

Rhinelander DNR Service Center area

Oneida County - Ospreys were seen on nesting platforms last weekend. Bear complaints are starting to come in and people are reminded to remove garbage, food, and if the problem bear continues to cause problems, contact Animal Services. Turkey are active with the recent nice weather and several birds observed displaying along with grouse on the roadways. Ice anglers continue fishing on Rhinelander area lakes the week before the general fishing opener which is unusual to say the least. Use extreme caution if venturing onto the ice. - James Jung, conservation warden, Rhinelander

Antigo DNR Service Center area

Council Grounds State Park - Some trails are wet due to melting snow and rain. The docks are in at the boat landing. Many different species of migrating waterfowl can be seen on the Wisconsin River. The flush toilets will not be open until May 15. Water is available in the water fountains and at the dump station. - Sara J. Gossfeld-Benzing, ranger-assistant property manager, Council Grounds State Park

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Northeast Region

Peshtigo DNR Service Center area

Peshtigo River State Forest - The ice, for the most part, has melted and the flowages are back to open water. The maintenance crews are busy getting the boat landings back in shape for this weekend’s fishing opener. The gates along the Peshtigo River will be opened for those wanting to try their hand at fly fishing. Old Veteran’s Lake Campground is open for the season; however the water has not yet been turned on. Drinking water is available at our office. - Sara Pearson, Ranger/Assistant Manager

Marinette County - Catch rates of walleye at the dam in Peshtigo have slowed some as the number of suckers in the river has increased. Anglers in boats plying their trade at the Peshtigo River mouth have been doing well using jigs tipped with minnows. Shore fishermen at the Peshtigo Harbor have been catching walleye casting stick baits, zip lures. and jigs and twister tails. Pike fishermen on the lower Peshtigo are reporting little success casting spoons and fishing with dead smelt or large shiners. Trout fishermen out of Little River are reporting some browns being caught trolling large stick baits in 4-10 feet of water. The landing at Little River is extremely shallow so only small boats are being launched and fishermen in waders are walking their boats to deeper waters. Fishing pressure on the Menominee River was high this past week especially during the evening hours. The hot spots for walleye have been the Fishermen's walkway at Hattie Street, down river to Stephenson Island. Stick baits, zip lures and jigs and twister tails are being used. Boaters on the Menominee River have been concentrated above the Highway 41 bridge, the Turn Basin, and the mouth of the Menominee River. Vertical jigging with live bait and Gulp Alive has been working well; fishing with stick baits in the shallows is also working. As with the Oconto and the Peshtigo rivers the appearance of suckers in good numbers are starting to appear. - Kevin King, creel clerk

Oconto County - Stiles Dam on the Oconto River received the most fishing pressure with many fishermen catching their one walleye in less than an hour. About half the female walleye caught were spawned out. Catch rates have slowed this weekend with the appearance of suckers in significant numbers. Some walleye are being caught at Oconto Breakwater Park using Rapala's and other stick baits. Pike and trout catches have been low. A few boaters out of Oconto Park II report catching a few walleye in 4-10 feet of water trolling stick baits. - Kevin King, creel clerk

Governor Thompson State Park - All trails are open to hikers, but you might still find a patch or two of snow and ice on the trails. Sandhill cranes and spring peepers are the prominent sounds you will hear on the trails. The boat launch facilities are still iced-in on Caldron Falls Flowage, but we think the ice will be gone by the fishing opener this coming weekend. Woods Lake remains partially ice-covered. It is going to be a late spring this year and the ground is still too frozen to turn on the campground water system. The East and North loops of the family campground will open May 10 and reservations are being taken. The new South loop is scheduled to be open by Memorial Day Weekend. The South loop will add 40 non-electric campsites. The boat access campsites on Caldron Falls are open year-round. - Maggie Kailhofer, park manager

Green Bay DNR Service Center area

Brown County – During the past week, open water has returned to most of the bay of Green Bay. Boats have been launching off of Bayshore County Park (Brown County) and Chaudoirs, Wavepoint, and Potawatomi State Park (Door County) in the past week. Both Chaudoirs and Wavepoint have not yet put docks in so anglers have to be creative to get into their boats. Most anglers fishing from boats have been targeting walleyes, while the remainder of fisherman has been targeting northern pike or brown trout. Very little success has been seen; most fish that have been caught are walleyes in the mid-20 inch range. Suckers continue to run in good numbers at Red River Park. Anglers can fill up a 5-gallon bucket in very little time. Some suckers still remain in Sugar Creek, but anglers need to find deeper pockets and work a little to get a decent catch. Temperature increases over this past week also increased fishing pressure from last week. The ice is gone on the bay, boat ramps are in at the Suamico Landing and at the Green Bay Metro Launch. The ice at Geano Beach launch is also gone. Over the week the boat ramps were put in at the Suamico River, which has encouraged anglers to venture out this past weekend. Walleye were the targeted species. Anglers trolled 15-20 feet of water with a variety of crank baits but reported no luck as of yet. The water temperature on the bay was 44 degrees and it was 49 degrees at the mouth of the Suamico River. On the Fox River, fishing pressure was busy over the weekend. Boat and shore fishermen were targeting walleye using crank baits, Rapalas (blue, orange, perch), minnows, and artificial baits. Shore fishermen reported that fishing had been slow, while those anglers who had a boat reported better success. Fishermen were targeting 7-25 feet of water and reported that in addition to catching walleye, some whitefish, white bass, and cat fish were caught (all were released). The water temperature was 45 degrees. - Anthony Rieth, fisheries technician, Green Bay

Sturgeon Bay DNR Service Center area

Door County - Door County is showing some signs of life this week. Boaters were hammering the canal pretty hard over the weekend for pike using suckers and golden shiners for bait. Some late night anglers also reported success catching walleye in the canal. High winds made fishing on Lake Michigan more difficult, but a few anglers brought in brown and lake trout using a variety of bait fishing in depths of 10-40 feet. Tributary action cooled as water levels dropped throughout the week. The ice is almost all the way out on Green Bay, so we expect action to pick up on that side next week. With water levels dropping and clear waters, tributary fishing effort for steelhead has really dropped. Northerns have now taken over Reiboldts Creek. Temperatures have risen and flow has decreased. The Sturgeon Bay ramp in town has been getting busier by the day, with nearly two dozen trailers at a time on Saturday. Lots of pike coming in with a few brown and lakers mixed in. Shore anglers have been spotted off the pier and at Bayview Park, without much success, and a few walleye anglers were launching from Sunset Park over the weekend. The ice is finally going out on the bay, so we expect the action to finally pick up over here next week. Some of the northern harbors still have slush in them, but most of the piers are completely open. The Bailey’s Harbor brown trout tournament ran last week and, although weather was bad, they still reported a successful event. There were more than 120 trout weighed in, with the winner being 21.22 lbs. None of the other lakeside harbors have had any action. - David Boyarski, fisheries supervisor, Sturgeon Bay

Kewaunee County – The weather and waters have started warming up, and the water levels in the tributaries have begun to decrease. The Kewaunee and Ahnapee rivers have been seeing the most fishing effort, as well as Stony and Silver creeks. The catch rate for steelhead has seemed to drop, while the suckers have started to move upstream. Most success for steelhead has been at Stony Creek, under the dam on the Ahnapee, and below the hatchery on the Kewaunee. The Algoma ramp has opened and boats have been bringing in brown trout on stinger spoons, yellow and green spoons, and stick and crank baits at depths of 10-40 feet. Crank bait has also brought in a couple of lake trout. The water is really clear and low, and to further frustrate steelhead anglers, there are a ton of suckers in the water. It sounds like there are a small number of steelhead being caught by persistent anglers that know what holes to fish. There were also quite a few families showing up to the bridge at Clydes Hill to let their kids fish for the recently stocked fish, catching and releasing a couple. The water levels have dropped and steelhead are being caught just beneath the dam. Suckers are also being caught in both waters. Fishing pressure has remained moderate, but the catch rate has dropped for steelhead. A few are still being caught, and some suckers have been caught. There was no fishing pressure on the shores. Little to no fishing effort off the piers in either town. The Algoma ramp has opened and boats have been bringing in brown trout on stinger spoons, yellow and green spoons, and stick and crank baits at depths of 10-40 feet. Crank bait has also brought in a couple of lake trout. In Kewaunee, anglers reported success using Rapalas in shallower waters, from 6 to 16 feet. Average of about 1 fish per boat surveyed.- David Allen, conservation warden, Kewaunee

Wautoma DNR Service Center area

Waupaca County - Turkey hunters have had moderate success despite cold and wet weather. Most successful hunters have been trying to find food sources near the bird’s roosts. Canada geese and sandhill cranes are now sitting on nests. Snow still persists in the northern portion of the county. Woodcock are actively peenting for the last week. - Ted Dremel, conservation warden, Wautoma

Sturgeon spawning rapidly reached peak this week and is expected to be winding down. Walleyes are biting on the Wolf River. No reports yet of panfish biting in the shallows yet, which is probably because the water is too cold. Woodcock are peenting and grouse are drumming like crazy.- Karl Kramer, wildlife technician, Wautoma

Hartman Creek State Park - All facilities, with the exception of Whispering Pines Picnic Area, will open on Friday. This includes the family and group campgrounds, the dump, and fill station and all horse, bike and hiking trails. The shower buildings in the family campground will also open Friday. Whispering Pines Picnic Area will open on May 10.- Michael Bergum, red Viste, ranger

Oshkosh DNR Service Center area

Lake Winnebago system fisheries report

82-inch sturgeon

UW-Stevens Point fisheries students with an 82-inch sturgeon.

Aaron Funseth Photo

The sturgeon started spawning at the Shawano Dam yesterday and DNR crews worked hard to handle over 350 fish on Wednesday! The spawn was just getting underway, in fact most of the females that we handled were still hard and not actively laying eggs. If this year holds true to form, these fish will have become much more active overnight and today (Thursday) and tomorrow will be the peak spawning days at the Shawano Dam. Continuing with the trend that we have been observing over the last few years, crews handled numerous trophy sturgeon today including many fish over 78 inches. The attached photo is of three fisheries students from the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point with the largest fish handled Wednesday: 82 inches. Over the last few years fisheries staff we have leaned pretty heavily on these students to provide physical support and we would not be able to handle nearly as many fish without their help. - Ryan P. Koenigs, fisheries biologist

Outagamie County - With temperatures in the 70s the walleye spawning has ended and the sturgeon spawning was fast and furious with numerous spawning sites active. As of Wednesday, the only spot with spawning fish would be at the Manawa and Shawano dams. These fish should finish spawning in a couple of days. The white bass run has not started yet but should be coming quickly as the temperatures stay high. With the fishing opener coming up many people will head north and miss out on some good fishing on the Winnebago system. - Mike Young, conservation warden, Shiocton

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Southeast Region

Milwaukee DNR Service Center area

Milwaukee County - The smallmouth bass bite is picking up along the Milwaukee River in Milwaukee. If you plan to fish the Milwaukee River, remember the bass season dates and the size limits, as the vast majority of the fish being caught are well undersize. - Nicholas Blankenheim, conservation warden, Milwaukee

Havenwoods State Forest - Violets and bloodroot are blooming, blue-winged teal and ring-necked ducks are hanging around the ponds, toads are trilling, the first warblers are here, the silver maples are flowering, and mushrooms are springing up all over the place. If you are planning to venture off the limestone trails, bring your boots. Several trails are flooded and the docks at the south pond are underwater. - Beth Mittermaier, natural resources educator

Kettle Moraine State Forest, Southern Unit – Pasque flowers and round lobed hepatica are both out. Watch for prairie smoke as well. The other highlight of this time of year is the arrival of summer birds. Rose breasted grosbeaks and orioles are in the area. This means that hummingbirds should be here in the next few days also. When driving around the Southern Unit, be sure to keep an eye out for sandhill cranes. They are often seen around Ottawa Lake Campground and in neighboring farm fields. - Amanda Prange, visitor services associate

Lake Michigan fisheries team report - Compiled from creel clerks by Cheryl Masterson and Jeffrey Zinuticz, fisheries technicians, Milwaukee

Sheboygan County - There has been a fair amount of activity on the Sheboygan River over the past few days; water levels have been dropping steadily. As water levels drop, the water temperature has been rising, from about 46 to 56 degrees over the past week. A few anglers have reported catches of steelhead near the Kohler Dam using spawn. Many are reporting catches of suckers, and many more are reporting nothing caught. Though water levels have dropped significantly, water clarity is still low and the flow is fast. Weedens Creek has experienced a similar drop in water levels and a rise in temperature from 46 to about 58 degrees over the past few days. Suckers are visible from the bank. The Pigeon River has gone down another 6 inches over the past week and water temperature has risen from 40 to 49 degrees, subsequently experiencing increased fishing pressure. The river is still a bit murky. White suckers and steelhead are moving upstream to spawn. A few fishermen have reported catches of small steelhead in areas around County Highway Y (using spawn), but most reports are catches of suckers or no catch at all. Many anglers have been fishing the south pier in Sheboygan. Water on the lake side of the piers is a bit murky, as is water in the harbor. The fish cleaning station on South Pier Road is still closed, as is the 8th Street ramp. The 14th Street ramp, along the Sheboygan River, remains under a massive snow pile.

Ozaukee County - In Port Washington a few boats were out this past weekend. Many groups were catching multiple browns, steelhead, and lake trout. Fish were caught anywhere from 15 to 50 feet of water, trolling plugs, spoons, and flies. Water within the marina is dirty, but an angler caught a few smallmouth bass casting near the power plant. The cleaning station at Port Washington Marina is now open. Fishing pressure is increasing along the shore in port. Anglers on the north pier have caught browns on shiners, and one fisherman reported a small coho, caught on a Berkeley minnow. A few large browns and steelhead continue to come out of the power plant discharge area on spawn, but anglers are mainly catching suckers, as well as some large carp. Water on the lake side of the piers is quite clear, but water in the marina remains murky. On Sauk Creek water levels are still a bit high, but clarity is increasing and the water temperature has risen to about 54 degrees. Fishing pressure remains steady, and a few steelhead have been caught near the high school on flies and spawn. Large suckers are a common sight at access points on the creek.

Milwaukee County - In Milwaukee fishing has slowed for boaters trolling or jigging in the harbor for browns, and but fishing has improved for shore anglers working under the Hoan bridge at Summerfest and Jones Island. Effective presentations have been shiners or spawn sacs fished under a bobber as well as casting spoons. Steelhead fishing has slowed in Oak Creek now that the water clarity has increased. Small flies have been the most productive bait. Trollers fishing out of Bender Park have reported a few brown trout caught on spoons in approximately 40 feet of water. The Milwaukee River has dropped down to a more normal level, and the water is fairly clear. The water temperature is now in the upper 40s to 50 degrees. Anglers have been fishing below the North Avenue dam for walleye, but catch rates have been low. Steelhead action upstream on the Milwaukee has also been slow. On the Menomonee River steelhead anglers near Miller Park have reported only a few fish. The Menomonee is approximately 52 degrees, and the water is crystal clear.

Racine County - In Racine the water clarity along the shoreline has improved. Anglers reported catching a few brown trout over the weekend while casting little spoons and crank baits from the south pier. A few anglers were seen casting spoons from the floating pier at Reichert Court with no reports of fish taken. At the Pershing Park boat launch, a group of trollers looking for coho returned empty handed after working the shoreline from the Racine water treatment plant to the North Pier. One group of boaters fishing outside the three mile reef marker reported landing a few coho while trolling spoons 15 feet below the surface in 35-40 feet of water. At the tip of the North Pier, a few anglers casting spoons and crank baits for coho and brown trout found schools of alewives swimming near the rocks instead. The surface temperature along the lakeshore was 52 degrees last Sunday. On the Root River, fishing pressure was up this past weekend. Water levels have finally dropped, but the river is still fairly cloudy. Most anglers this week were concentrated near the Horlick Dam, and nice catches of steelhead were reported on Saturday. One angler landed several nice size steelhead working the seams below the dam with a small caddis fly. The largest steelhead measured on Saturday tipped the scale at 10 pounds and was caught on a pink and white yarn fly. Earlier in the week, anglers casting dark colored wooly buggers had good luck landing steelhead from the gravel bar under the bridge. The river is filled with white suckers, and some anglers reported catching more than 20 in a day. Fishing pressure has been minimal in downstream locations. The water temperature averaged 51-52F over the weekend. Fish were processed at the Root River Steelhead Facility on April 29, and the facility is now shut down for the spring season. A total of 301 steelhead were handled at the facility this spring, and 179 were passed upriver.

Kenosha County - In Kenosha, the water clarity along the lakefront has steadily improved over the past week with visibility now at 8-10 feet. Last Sunday, boaters fishing for coho and perch reported little success while working the breakwater outside the harbor. Anglers fishing the harbor from the north pier reported some brown trout taken while casting green and white spoons. One angler reported landing a nice size northern pike while fishing with a pearl white plastic worm. Fishing was slow at Southport Marina as anglers fishing with minnows for perch caught only gobies instead. Anglers casting crank baits in the harbor near the Pike Creek discharge pipe reported no fish taken. The surface temperature of the water along the lakeshore averaged 52 degrees. On the Pike River the water level and flow has returned to normal this week, and water clarity has also improved. A few people were seen fishing at the mouth of the Pike with no reports of fish taken. The average water temperature was 56 degrees last Sunday.

Plymouth DNR Service Center area

Theresa Marsh State Wildlife Area - This week, Pike Lake Wildlife Management staff conducted two early morning pheasant crowing surveys (one in Washington, one in Ozaukee County). The surveys begin about 5 a.m. (when the birds start crowing) and end about 90 minutes after sunrise. We listened for 6 minutes at each of 30 pre-determined stops in the two counties. Sixteen pheasants were counted. This time of the year, sunrise and sunset are great times to hear many species of birds and frogs making their breeding calls (turkeys, snipe, woodcock, grouse, chorus frogs, sandhill cranes, Canada geese spring peepers, and other frogs and a multitude of songbirds). Suckers were still in their spawning run last week in some Ozaukee County streams, but have mostly ended. Water levels on the Theresa Marsh main pool (behind the dam) have been lowered to allow for cattail mat stabilization and removal, to allow clean out the dam. Record April rains resulted in very high water conditions on all area wetlands, uprooting many cattails. Last week, two 3-4 week old eaglets were killed along the Lake Michigan shoreline in Mequon when their nest tree fell over. The heavy April rains had saturated the bluff area where their nest tree was located, destabilizing its roots and causing it to fall. The Pike Lake and Plymouth DNR crews conducted several prescribed burns this week on Theresa and Nichols Creek Wildlife Areas. Burns will continue next week, weather permitting. Turkey hunters seemed to be having better success this week due to the warmer/dryer weather. - Tom Isaac, wildlife biologist, Hartford

Sturtevant DNR Service Center area

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South Central Region

Horicon DNR Service Center area

Horicon Marsh State Wildlife Area - Horicon Marsh has a few large upcoming events including an Archeology Weekend, this weekend, and the annual Horicon Marsh Bird Festival May 10-13. For more information about the bird festival you can visit www.horiconmarshbirdclub.com. Migrating songbirds are beginning to come in larger numbers, including orioles, rose-breasted grosbeaks, white crowned and white throated sparrows, warblers, vireos and a variety of others songbirds. Trumpeter swans have been seen in multiple locations as well as Forster’s terns. - Jennifer Wirth, visitor services specialist

Fitchburg DNR Service Center area

Jefferson County - Boat launches in the Fort Atkinson and Jefferson area remain closed. To get the current status of boat launch availability please call the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office at 920-674-7311. Anglers report catching walleyes on the Bark and Rock rivers throughout the county. Flat head catfish are also being caught, some of which are more than 20 pounds.- Ryan Ellifson, conservation warden, Jefferson County

Sauk County - The late spring has slowed the normal fishing activities. Anglers are starting to catch a few crappies. The spring walleye fishing on the Wisconsin River has been slow due to high water and the late spring. Many finches, buntings, grosbeaks and orioles have been showing up. - John Buss, conservation warden, Prairie du Sac

Lake Kegonsa State Park -All trails are open to hiking. Some areas may be muddy due to recent heavy rain. The campground and shower building are open for the season. The boat landing is open and the piers have been installed. We are nearing the end of construction on our new park office. During construction, all facilities and park roads will remain open. - Sarah Bolser, park manager

Janesville DNR Service Center area

Rock County - The Rock River are slowly coming down, but remains at flood levels. Slow-no-wake restrictions are in effect on the Rock River and several complaints of boats operating faster than slow no wake have been received. Boaters are responsible and can be held liable for damage that is caused by their wake. Crappies continue to bite at the Indianford Dam on the Rock River with minnows being the common bait. The Rock River is also producing catfish in the Beloit area. Stink-bait has been the most common bait used over the last week. Trout were being caught recently on minnows and power baits at Kiwanis and Lions Beach Ponds. Anglers 16 years old and older are required to purchase a fishing license and inland trout stamp to fish for trout on these ponds. Trout fishing on Rock County lakes and ponds opened on Jan. 1 and closes Sept. 30 with a 3 fish bag limit and 9-inch size limit. Turkey hunters are finally getting some warmer weather for the later turkey seasons. Turkeys have been busy breeding and hens are nesting. Hunters can check out the DNR website for information on public properties to hunt. Several new properties were recently acquired in the Avon area and there are additional VPA-Voluntary Public Access properties throughout Rock County. Over the counter turkey permits are sold out in Rock County, however permits are still available for the last two seasons in turkey units to the west and north of Rock County. The combination of precipitation and warm weather is causing morel mushrooms to pop. Mushroom hunters should see a bumper crop this spring. - Boyd Richter, conservation warden, Janesville

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West Central Region

Baldwin DNR Service Center area

Willow River State Park - The dense, heavy snow will have the expected result of more trees down on trails. Please report these so when we can drive on trails we’ll clear them up. The river is still running high and cloudy. Any progress towards drying out the campsites will be set back by the rain and snow. - Jeffrey L. Bolte, visitor services associate

La Crosse DNR Service Center area

Vernon County - House wrens, brown thrashers, upland sandpipers, and grosbeaks are some of the recent songbird arrivals. Hummingbirds, orioles, bobolinks, and many warblers will be arriving soon. Speaking of hummingbirds, now is the time to put out hummingbird feeders so they are in place when the birds arrive. Fill hummingbird feeders with a nectar mixture of four parts water to one part cane sugar, which is boiled and left to cool. Turkey hunters are reporting mixed success. Needless to say, the unsettled weather is getting the blame for uncharacteristic turkey behavior and tough hunting conditions. - Dave Matheys, wildlife biologist, Viroqua

Merrick State Park - The river levels are rising due to the recent rains and additional snow in northern Wisconsin and Minnesota. The lower boat landing may close by the upcoming weekend. The upper boat landing will be open this weekend. The boat dock is not installed. All campsites in the north campground and the shower building are open. The south campground and island campgrounds will remain closed until the campsites dry out.

Perrot State Park - The hiking trails are open but you may find some muddy areas due to recent rains. Trempealeau Bay is filling with many migrating ducks, including shovelers, golden eye, bufflehead, mergansers, gadwall, and canvasbacks. Local mallards and wood ducks can also be seen. The bluebirds are back at their boxes in the park looking to get started on their nests. Yellow-rumped warblers, phoebes, and swallows are here. Watch for the pelicans circling along the bluffs and make sure to look for the eagles sitting on their nests. Early spring wildflowers are just beginning bloom, including Dutchman’s breeches, bloodroot, blue violets, large-flowered bellwort, and a few fiddleheads.

Eau Claire DNR Service Center area

Chippewa County - Lakes in the northern half of the county are still ice covered, including Long Lake and Lake Holcombe. Pockets of access are open along the shoreline, making boating conditions marginal. Lake Wissota is completely ice free, however Excel Energy has released a public notice indicating that conditions were too harsh to install the boat warning cable near the dam. All boaters should use extreme caution and avoid the dam area. Flows on the river continue to increase with gauges reading above 30,000 CFS. Real time water data can be found on the USGS website at http://waterdata.usgs.gov/usa/nwis/rt. Fisheries biologists report that water temperatures indicate walleye spawning may have already occurred this past week. It is suggested that walleye anglers target oxbows or other areas that have calmer conditions to find fish. Chorus frogs began to singing this week. Soon, the northern leopard frogs, northern spring peepers, and wood frogs join in. Later in the spring American toads, and Cope's and eastern gray tree frogs can be heard. Green frogs, mink frogs, and bullfrogs start croaking in the very late spring and early summer.- Shaun Deeney, conservation warden, Chippewa Falls

Eau Claire County -A few anglers have been fishing from boats on the Chippewa River below the Dells Hydro Dam, but few fish are being harvested. Cold weather boaters are reminded to wear a life jacket or insulated float coat. Even experienced boaters can get into trouble during periods of swift currents and high water levels, so use caution. Ice is off local rivers and lakes. Turkey hunters willing to put in the time have been bagging some birds throughout the area. - Scott Thiede, conservation warden, Eau Claire

Lake Wissota State Park - The Red Cedar Trail and Chippewa River trail received a significant snowfall on Thursday and the trails are currently closed. In the next few days crews will be assessing trail damage from the heavy snow. We expect trail flooding, numerous down trees and limbs. In the next couple of weeks, crews will be cleaning up storm damage and working towards re-opening the trails. – Steve Erickson, park supervisor

Wausau DNR Service Center area

Wisconsin Rapids DNR Service Center area

Portage County - Water levels are still high but receding on the Wisconsin River in the Stevens Point area. Boaters are still urged to use caution when on the river. The walleye run on the Wisconsin River is winding down as well. Fishers are still catching walleyes but not at the rate they were before. Catfish are being caught in good numbers but crappies have not shown up yet in any numbers. The inland trout opener promises to be good. Normal to slightly higher water levels are a contrast to last year’s low water levels - Barry Meister, conservation warden, Stevens Point

Buckhorn State Park – Campsites 8, 9, 16, sites A1-A4, A6-A8 and B1-B3 are open and reservable. Sites 10-12, 25, 23-24, 26-29 are open and available on a first come basis starting Saturday. Sites 20-22 and 30-33 will be open and reservable starting Saturday. Drinking water is available at the park office next to the restroom and in the outdoor group camp. Hunting maps for the spring season are available online and will be in the map box in the office lot. The Yellow River Wildlife Area is open for turkey hunting for Zone 1 permits. The state park and Buckhorn wildlife area is not open for any other spring turkey periods. Fishing and boat boarding piers will be put in on Monday. - Heather Wolf, park manager

Roche-A-Cri State Park – The main gate and campground are closed. Please do not block the main gate. The stairway is open from 6 a.m. until sunset. No food, drinks or pets are allowed and visitors are restricted to the stairway to protect the natural area. The park is not open for any other turkey periods. Join Friends of Roche-A-Cri for a Work and Play Day on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Bring work gloves, rakes, dress for weather, lunch provided by Friends group. Call 608-565-2789 to sign up.

- Heather Wolf, park manager

Rick · May 17, 2013

MADISON, WI - The weekly Wisconsin fishing reports & hunting report from 5/17/13 are gathered by local DNR officials, angler creel surveys, county and state parks staff. They are compiled. There are always current Wisconsin Fishing Reports and hunting reports as well as outdoor reports in this forum. Enjoy.

For Current Wisconsin Fishing Reports - Click Here

A massive wildfire in Douglas and Bayfield counties this week burnt more than 8,000 acres and 47 structures including 17 homes. The Germann Road fire, while the largest, was just one of more than 60 wildfires in DNR protection areas of the state this week. Fire danger levels remain very high or high statewide and the DNR has suspended all burning permits until further notice. Fire officials are urging people to use extreme caution with any sources of ignition, such as smoking material, hot engines or exhaust systems on vehicles. Dispose of ash from stoves or grills in fire-proof covered containers.

Nearly all lakes in the state were ice-free by last weekend, with only a few of the large and deep-water lakes still having some ice cover, but even that should be cone by this weekend. Water levels on rivers remain very high in many areas but others are beginning to drop. Some sandbars are beginning to reappear along the lower Wisconsin River, but the river levels are still high and only experienced canoeists and kayakers should be on the water. Lake Michigan water temperatures at Rock Island State Park off the tip of Door County were only at 40 degrees.

Currently most Northwoods lakes have water temperatures in the mid to upper 40-degree range, but look for that to climb into the 50s with the warm weather predicted for the next few days. Even though most anglers had open water for the second weekend of the fishing season, the constantly changing weather made for some very erratic fishing success. A few anglers found some concentrations of walleye and reported some nice catches of fish.

The Wolf River was still giving up a few walleyes to those anglers putting in their time, but the white bass run has been spotty so far. Anglers reported catching muskies and largemouth and smallmouth bass on Waukesha County lakes.

Bass fishing was great this week off Door County, with many anglers participating in a bass tournament last weekend and more preparing for another tournament out of Sturgeon Bay this weekend. Bass were being caught on both the Green Bay and lake sides with anglers reporting success from piers and boats on a variety of bait. Yellow perch fishing opens May 20 on Green Bay and its tributaries.

High waves made for rough fishing on Lake Michigan this week. Those who ventured out reported some brown trout and also some good coho fishing, especially out of the Kenosha harbor. A few steelhead anglers are still fishing Lake Michigan tributaries, but action has slowed considerably.

With the weather finally warmed up it is looking like the last time period may offer the best hunting of the spring turkey season, with more birds than ever gobbling and strutting in fields. The spring season closes May 21.

Many species of young wildlife are being spotted including whitetail deer fawns, Canada geese goslings, cottontails and woodcock. A reminder to residents that young wildlife observed on their own are often not abandoned, but left there to await the mother’s return from feeding. Leave them along and their mothers will return to care for them.

Warblers have been slow to arrive in the north but southeastern Wisconsin north to Green Bay reported excellent numbers this week, with 20-plus species being found regularly. American toads, leopard frogs, and gray tree frogs are calling wildly. Morel mushrooms s are beginning to appear but still in low numbers. The Muscoda Morel Festival is this weekend.

Wildfire Report

In the past week, more than 60 wildfires burned in DNR protection areas around the state, including a massive forest fire in Douglas County. The main causes were debris burning and equipment. Fire danger has been high to very high across the state, resulting in the suspension of DNR burning permits and the issuance of a Red Flag Warning in Florence and Marinette counties Wednesday. Stay aware of the current fire danger for your area by checking the DNR website: dnr.wi.gov (search fire danger).

Firewise Tip: Are there any branches close to power lines on your property? Ask the power company to clear them.

Cumberland Dispatch Group responded to seven wildland fires for the week which burned a total of 8.5 acres. Of note, six structures were saved due to quick actions by arriving initial attack units. Two structures were lost, one of which was a pole shed containing an entire collection of carnival rides and equipment. Fire causes contained a higher percentage of miscellaneous outdoor activity such as welding or grinding activities and ash disposal, which is reflective of the dry conditions. Staff remains stretched thin as resources are still committed to the Germann Fire in Douglas County.

Brule Dispatch Group - A massive forest fire burned 8,131 acres in Douglas County. Named the Germann Road Fire, it consumed 47 structures, including 17 homes. An additional 77 structures were threatened by the fire, yet ultimately saved with firefighter assistance. Evacuations occurred throughout area. The partnership effort to contain this fire has been incredible. Assistance came in the form of people, equipment, and aircraft from 37 fire departments, Minnesota DNR, Michigan DNR, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, US Forest Service, state patrol, sheriff’s departments, Department of Transportation, state and county emergency management, Red Cross, the Drummond High School and likely many others. DNR fire control staff from other dispatch groups were moved to assist in fire suppression and incident command efforts. The fire was contained at 9 p.m. Wednesday night. Crews will continue for days to put out hotspots and mop up the burned area. No injuries have been reported. The cause of the fire was determined to be logging equipment. Gov. Scott Walker is visiting the area Thursday and will be holding a press conference. A web site was established for the media and public wishing to keep informed about the fire: dnr.wi.gov (keyword “Germann Road Fire”).

Park Falls Dispatch – Two Taylor County fires were determined to be intentionally set, burning 17 acres and 11 acres. A 9-acre Price County wildfire was caused when a debris/trash pile that had been burned when there was snow on the ground reignited.

Woodruff Dispatch Group – Six wildfires burned three acres in the past week.

Peshtigo Dispatch Group - Eleven wildfires burned over eight acres in the past week. Heightened fire weather on Wednesday called for a Red Flag Warning in Florence and Marinette counties.

Black River Falls Dispatch Group - In the last week, fire staff responded to seven wildfires totaling just over 5 acres. Fire causes varied but included debris burning, equipment and even a structure fire. A sawmill caught fire in Chippewa County and caused four separate wildfires which totaled around 3 acres. Suppression was time-consuming due to the windy conditions and difficult access.

Wisconsin Rapids Dispatch Group - In the last week, fire control staff responded to nine fires totaling about 17 acres. The largest wildfire was a 14-acre fire in Adams County. Significant fire behavior occurred during the evening hours when we normally expect fire behavior to moderate. That’s a testament to the dangerous fire conditions we’ve seen over the last several days.

Dodgeville Dispatch Group - Nine wildfires burned four acres this past week.

Statewide Birding Report

Mid-May is the time of year all bird watchers live for and this year is no exception. Backyard birders are now hosting a rainbow of colors thanks to the return of indigo buntings, rose-breasted grosbeaks, Baltimore orioles, ruby-throated hummingbirds all the way north to Lake Superior. Warblers have been slow to arrive in the north but southeastern Wisconsin north to Green Bay reported excellent numbers this week, with 20-plus species being found regularly. Sparrow diversity in the north is excellent as 10-plus species can be found. With lakes in Canada still locked up in ice, waterfowl remain in good numbers, including above average numbers of both common and red-throated loons, as well as horned, eared, and red-necked grebes. Shorebird migration has begun in earnest. American avocet,whimbrel, and both godwits have been seen recently, in addition to more yellowlegs, dowitchers, and “peeps” such as least sandpipers. Check coastal beaches, flooded fields, and shallow waters of managed wildlife areas in the weeks ahead. Nine Springs in Madison and Highway 49 in Horicon are two places that look especially promising. Rarities spotted this week include Mississippi kite in Douglas County, northern mockingbirds and white-eyed vireos in multiple locations, 6,000-plus long-tailed ducks on Green Bay, and several western tanagers statewide. As always, please report your sightings at ebird.org/wi to help track the migration and better conserve our bird populations. - Ryan Brady, Bureau of Wildlife Management research scientist, Ashland

Yellow warbler

This yellow warbler was photographed by Catherine Khalar of the Brule River State Forest. Like many other DNR forestry and law enforcement staff, Khalar was helping with the Germann Road fire response. As a result we have few reports this week from Northern Wisconsin.

Catherine Khalar Photo

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Northern Region

Hayward DNR Service Center area

Tuscobia State Trail - Crews will begin some significant grading on the trail the week of May 20. They will be ditching and crowning the trail to eliminate some of the berm build up along both sides of the trail. Visitors may encounter some clumps of sod as you travel as many of the berms have seeded in over the past few years. Be patient and understand this is a temporary condition. Please report any “sink holes” on the trail. We are hoping to have gravel delivered as soon as the temporary load limits are removed and we can haul gravel to the trail. - Todd Hintz, ranger

Spooner DNR Service Center area

Crex Meadows State Wildlife - Goslings have been sited, keep your eyes out for ducklings and cygnets arriving soon. Listen for yellow rails at night in the sedge marshes. Duck species are waning but smaller birds, such as sparrows and warblers are gearing up for their northern journey. New birds include: American redstart, black-throated green warbler, chestnut-sided warbler, northern parula, blackpoll warbler, ovenbird, least, spotted and solitary sandpipers, white-crowned sparrow, Baltimore oriole, rose-breasted grosbeak, least and alder flycatcher. Warblers and sparrows are coming through in good numbers. Look for yellow-headed blackbirds, sedge, and marsh wrens. - Kristi Pupak, wildlife conservation educator

Park Falls DNR Service Center area

Upper Chippewa Basin fisheries report (Price, Rusk, Sawyer Taylor and inland Ashland and Iron counties) - Nearly all lakes in the area became ice-free by last weekend and there are now only a few of the large and deep-water lakes in Sawyer County that still have some ice cover on them (but that ice should be gone from those by the weekend of May 17). Even though most anglers had open water for the second weekend of the fishing season, the constantly changing weather made for some very erratic fishing success. Walleye have been the main species of interest and action has been generally slow. A few anglers found some concentrations of walleye and reported some nice catches of fish in the 14 to 18 inch size, with a few in the low to mid 20-inch size also being landed. Jig and minnow combinations and large minnows on a slip bobber rig produced that best success, and the crank bait bite seemed a little slow with the cold water conditions. But look for the action on crank baits to pick up as the water warms up into the 50-degree range. Currently most lakes had water temperatures in the mid to upper 40-degree range, but look for that to climb into the 50s with the warm weather predicted for the next few days. - Skip Sommerfeldt, senior fisheries biologist, Park Falls

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Northeast Region

Peshtigo DNR Service Center area

Fishing pressure was high in the beginning of the week with walleye being caught trolling on the Bay. With the weather change in the later part of the week fishing pressure and catch rates dropped dramatically as cold, wet, windy weather swept through the area. - Kevin King - creel clerk

Peshtigo River State Forest - The trees are starting to bud out and it’s a great time to get out and hike in the Peshtigo River State Forest. Beware of the ticks! Old Veteran’s Lake Campground is open for camping. Sites 6-13 are reservable Memorial Day – Labor Day, and sites 1-5 and 14-16 are available on a first-come, first serve basis year round. The ATV trails in the area are now open. Construction is finishing up at Boat Landing #9, but the area is open to use now. - Sara Pearson, Ranger/Assistant Manager

Marinette County - Launching from the landing at the mouth of the Peshtigo River is become more difficult with lower water conditions, so most boaters are coming from the Oconto launches to fish in and around the mouth of the Peshtigo where the walleye bite has been heating up. Anglers are trolling in 4 to 10 feet of water using stick baits and crawler/harness, catching walleye, small mouth, and pike. Browns and walleye are being caught trolling in the area of little river trolling in 4 to 8 feet of water with stick baits and crawler/harness. Due to low water levels only small craft are launching from Little River, others are coming out of the Menominee River. Heavy current flows on the Menominee River has pushed most of the fishing activity down to the Turn Basin and out into the mouth of the river. Anglers are catching walleye and bass trolling and jigging with live and artificial baits. - Kevin King, creel clerk

Spring has finally arrived in Marinette County. Fishing was slow on opening weekend but is picking up fast for some of the inland lakes as waters temperatures begin to increase. Anglers are still catching a few walleye in certain parts of the Peshtigo River. Trout fishing has been slow due to high water levels. ATV trails have opened in Marinette County. Be sure to check trail maps and signs to verify ATV trails and routes. - Tim Werner, conservation warden recruit

Oconto County - Fishing in the Green Bay tributaries is heating up for smallmouth bass. Some 3 and 4 pounders are being caught. Fishers are reminded that perch fishing will open Monday May 20 in Green Bay and its tributaries. Crappie action is picking up on the inland lakes and flowages in southern Oconto County with minnows and small plastics being the preferred baits. Most Canada geese are sitting and broods should be showing up soon. ATV/UTV Trails are open and riders are reminded to obey all posted speed limits in the dust control areas. - Mike Stahl, conservation warden, Oconto Falls

Heavy water release at the Dam in Stiles kept most fishermen away this past week and those that did fish caught a few suckers. Fishermen out of Oconto Breakwater Park and Oconto Park II did well trolling for walleye in 4 to 10 feet of water using crawler/harness or stick baits early in the week. With the change in the weather fishing on the Bay became almost impossible.

Shawano County - Weather has finally warmed up and the turkeys are starting to gobble with the last time period looking like it will be the best hunting of the entire year. Fishing has started to pick up with panfish just starting to move into the shallows. Water temps are still on the cool side so wear your life jacket. - Jim Horne, conservation warden, Shawano

Green Bay DNR Service Center area

The weather seems to still be affecting the fishing effort and results on the bay this week. Angler numbers have been lower than expected and very few fish have been seen. Maybe this week will be the week "the bite" starts to happen. Along the east shore, fluctuating weather patterns have limited fishing pressure over the past week. Walleye fishing during the daytime has been minimal on the East Shore. Most fishermen have been reporting good success fishing during low light or nighttime conditions. Most effort has been focused out of Little Sturgeon Bay followed by Potawatomi State Park. The average size walleye being caught is in the mid-20 inch range with reports of a few 30-plus-inch fish being caught. Most anglers have been trolling. Smallmouth bass have been heavily targeted in Sawyer Bay (Sturgeon Bay) and in Little Sturgeon Bay. Success seems to vary between fishing parties. Some boats have been reporting only a handful of fish in a several hour trip, while some fishing parties have had upward of 40 fish in a day of fishing. Anglers have reported mixed sizes of smallmouth, but many 4- to 6-pound fish have been caught during the last week. One extremely lucky angler had the opportunity to land a 7 pound bronze back this week. Water temperatures have changed a lot over the week. As of the weekend shallow bays have had temperatures ranging from 47-52 degrees while the main water portion of Green Bay seems to be hanging in the low to mid 40s. Fishing effort on the west shore finally started to improve earlier this week but slowed down by the end of the week due to cooling temperatures. Water temperatures in Suamico started the week in the 56-58 degrees but dropped to 52-54 degrees by the end of the week. A similar story unfolded in the Fox River/lower bay area where water temperatures fell from 60 degrees down to 56. Most angling pressure on the west shore this week seemed to be focused in the Suamico area. Daily fishing pressure was fairly constant, and most anglers were targeting walleyes. Most walleyes caught this week were in the 18-22 inch range, but anglers really had to work hard to put fish in the boat. Walleye anglers used a variety of crank baits in various colors (perch, clown, blues and greens were popular), crawler harnesses (dark colors: red, blue, purple), and night crawlers in 3 to 11 feet of water. Other fish caught included Sheepshead, Catfish and Northern Pike. Several fishermen had success targeting Northern Pike in 4-6 feet of water using stick baits. There are a few trailers out of Geano Beach. – Tony Rieth, fisheries technician, Green Bay

Brown County - A few more people are showing up at Duck Creek to do some shore fishing. In the Fox River, there seems to be more activity at the Green Bay Metro launch, with most people heading out into the Bay to fish. Most fishermen were targeting walleye in 7-12 feet of water with crawler harnesses, crank baits (gold and green), and gulp. Very few walleyes were caught; other species caught included white bass, catfish, and sheepshead. The number of shore fishermen at Voyageur Park was lower than in the past weeks, but some anglers were present. Most fishermen were targeting walleye and white bass (getting good numbers of these). Stick baits were used (black, silver, green) and jigs mostly. Other species caught included Black Crappies, Sheepshead and Carp. Fox Point Launch and the Brown County launches have had little activity in the last week. - Tony Rieth, fisheries technician, Green Bay

Manitowoc County - Backyard birders are seeing more species return, including indigo buntings and rose-breasted grosbeaks. Concerned citizens are reporting finding abandoned ducklings but should remember to leave them alone, as most will likely have their mother return. - Robert Stroess, conservation warden, Mishicot

Steelhead are still fishable in the many rivers and creeks in Manitowoc County though the run is slowing considerably. On the West Twin and Manitowoc rivers there have been very few anglers reported. On the Branch, East Twin, and Little Manitowoc rivers there are still some fish, though angling pressure is very light. Some anglers are having luck with small bright colored jigs fished slowly. Some northern pike in fishable numbers are present on the Manitowoc River and the best locations are barriers and slack water. Anglers are also targeting smallmouth bass in Manitowoc and Two Rivers harbors as well as adjacent river sections. Productive lures for bass have had rattling or vibrating characteristics which work because of the muddy water in many areas. The sucker run is also slowing since the water has warmed in the last few weeks. Now that night fishing is open on tributaries most channel catfish have been caught after sunset. The number of pier anglers has taken a hit because of the wind and few fish are being caught. Anglers are reporting many fish surfacing in near shore waters, though the fish species is unknown. The rough lake conditions have also limited those who want to break in their boats for the season. Browns and a few lake trout were being taken with smaller spoons and crank baits behind planer boards. Glow lures have reportedly been the ticket at times, though action has been hot/cold. Successful anglers have been tolling the 10 to 40 foot depths at 1.8 to 2.5 mph. Smaller boats in the 16 foot range have been able to go out on days with westerly winds because wave action is limited, though caution should be used. Surface temperatures have been fluctuating near shore but temps as high as the upper 50 degrees have been reported. The best locations have been around the harbor mouths especially if warmer water can be found. Charter captains are starting to get their boats in order for the salmon season, though few salmon have been caught so far this year this far north on Lake Michigan. - Thomas Gerbyshak, fisheries technician, Mishicot

Sturgeon Bay DNR Service Center area

Door County - The early week weather looked promising for fishing, but took a turn for the worse before the weekend, making much of the county very difficult to fish in. Most of the fish being caught are in really shallow water later in the day, when it is the warmest. Bass fishing was great this week, with many anglers getting prepared for the Cabela’s Tournament last weekend, and the Sturgeon Bay Open Bass Tournament, which is this weekend. Bass were practically jumping out of the water on both the Bay and Lake sides with anglers reporting success from piers and boats on a variety of bait. The Cabela’s tourney saw records fall as the winning 5-smallmouth bag was 27-pounds and 15-ounces; the record breaking fish, 6-pounds 9-ounces. The maximum 100 2-person teams are already registered for the Sturgeon Bay tournament [May 17-19], so it should be another busy week for bass. The northern pike bite was excellent again early in the week, but weather has prevented many anglers from getting back on the water. Brown trout action has slowed down, probably also a result of the weather, but some bass anglers reported hooking up to some whoppers at the drop-offs, so there are still trout out there to be caught. Tributaries are still low and clear and are seeing very little fishing effort. The Sturgeon Bay City Dock had a good amount of activity this week. Many large boats went into the water early in the week when the weather was good, and there were a lot of anglers in town for the Cabela’s Bass Tournament over the weekend. Plenty of smallmouth bass were being caught, along with a few northern, on tube and grub bait at 10-13 ft of water. On the Green Bay side, Stone Quarry was a popular launch this week, especially when the weather was nice. There have also been both boat and pier anglers in Ephraim, but not much anywhere else. The dock in Sister Bay looks to still be getting ready for the busy season. A couple of anglers have been reporting success fishing off the piers in Fish Creek and Egg Harbor as well. Surface water temperature of Green Bay was 40.5 degrees as of May 11. On the Lake Michigan side, Rowley’s Bay has been active so far this month with anglers coming from out of town to stay at the resort and fish in the bay. It was a very successful bass location this week. Baileys Harbor still has the large black bags of material removed from the harbor sitting in the parking lot, which makes it look closed, although boats can still be launched there. Surface water temperature of Lake Michigan was 45 degrees as of May 11. - David Boyarski, fisheries supervisor, Sturgeon Bay

Rock Island State Park - Visitors coming to Rock Island to kayak should be aware that the water temperature is 40 degrees on Lake Michigan and survival after dumping is nil if not wearing a dry suit. There are no local private boats in the water yet so rescue is unlikely. Southern residents need to be reminded that spring is just arriving in the north. As of today the aspens are the only trees showing any amount of leaves and they are only half developed. Rock Island still looks barren. Could be a couple weeks before we need to mow the grass. - Randy Holm, ranger and assistant property manager

Kewaunee County - Kewaunee County fishing has been stagnant the past couple of weeks. There are a few steelhead left to be caught in the rivers, but even fewer anglers trying for them. The ramps and piers saw only a handful of anglers early in the week when the weather was nice, then hardly anyone over the weekend with the bad weather. There are some larger boats docked in town now that are reported to be going out for salmon, but no reports of huge success. Only a handful of anglers spotted this week on the Kewaunee River, but at least one trout was caught on worms, along with a couple of chubs. The water is still really clear and low, and the trout left are likely easily spooked, so it will take some extra effort to get a fish there right now. Again, just a couple of anglers on the Ahnapee River and Silver Creek this week. The creek is low and clear, but fish were spotted all the way up by where the Bruemmerville Dam used to be. The river is turbid and moving good, and there are likely some trout in the holes if anybody wants to come and get them out. Stony Creek has been hit or miss this week with some anglers leaving empty handed after trying all day and others taking a few fish home a couple days later with the same effort. A little more than a handful of rainbows were caught using egg yarn. This water is clear and low, but there are definitely still a few trout left in these waters. There was no fishing pressure on the shores. Reports are that a few anglers have had success for trout of piers in the low light hours using spoons. The ramps were even less busy than last week, no more than two trailers at a time. - David Boyarski, fisheries supervisor, Sturgeon Bay

Oshkosh DNR Service Center area

Outagamie County - The Wolf River is still giving up a few walleyes to those anglers putting in their time. The white bass run is spotty in the upper wolf but may be better catches in the Fremont area. - Mike Young, conservation warden, Shiocton

Turkeys are still going strong during the spring breeding season with more birds than ever still strutting in fields. The crappie bite has slowed significantly on the Fox River, however the white bass bite is going strong. Anglers are picking up some walleye on the east shore of Winnebago at night. Bow anglers have been actively pursuing spawning carp. Wildflowers and trees are in nearly in full bloom. Many individuals have been calling regarding abandoned baby animals, especially ducks. In most cases, the wild animals are not abandoned and parents are nearby so members of the public are reminded to leave all wild animals where they are. Wild animals have a great ability to survive on their own and are much better off without human intervention. - Ryan Propson, conservation warden, Appleton

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Southeast Region

Milwaukee DNR Service Center area

Lake Michigan fisheries team report - Compiled from creel clerks by Cheryl Masterson and Jeffrey Zinuticz, fisheries technicians, Milwaukee

Sheboygan County - In Sheboygan, fishing activity has dropped due to recent storm activity. Rains have increased water levels on the Sheboygan River, but levels are already coming back down. Water temperature has dropped to 47 degrees. Very few anglers have been on the Sheboygan or Pigeon rivers. The Sheboygan piers were unfishable for a couple of days late last week due to strong winds and high waves. The near shore water is murky, and fishing off the piers was slow over the weekend. Several trollers worked the Sheboygan area over the weekend, and a couple of nice browns were caught on spoons in 30 feet of water. Other trollers fished 30 to 40 feet of water trolling crank baits, but no bites and a choppy lake drove them home early. The 8th Street boat ramp remains closed.

Ozaukee County - In Port Washington, large numbers of alewives have been near shore. Trolling effort has been minimal due to high waves. Shore anglers continue to catch a few browns and suckers near the power plant. Spawn sacs have been the most productive. Fishing has been slow off the pier and in Sauk Creek. The water temperature in Sauk Creek is 45 degrees.

Milwaukee County - In Milwaukee fishing has slowed for boaters trolling or jigging in the harbor for browns, but trollers working the mudline outside the harbor have taken browns and a few coho. Shore anglers working under the Hoan bridge at Summerfest and Jones Island have taken a few browns. Effective presentations have been shiners or spawn sacs fished under a bobber as well as casting spoons. Anglers working off McKinley pier have not reported any fish caught; however, fish were seen swimming just off the pier. Fishing effort in Oak Creek has picked up again, with a few steelhead taken on spawn and small flies. Shore anglers at the Oak Creek power plant have been catching a few browns and coho on crank baits and soft plastics. Trollers out of Bender Park reported some brown trout and coho being caught trolling with spoons, though the fish were very spread out over the area. The Milwaukee River is about 52 to 54 degrees with fairly clear water. Anglers fishing below the North Avenue dam and below the falls in Kletzsch and Estabrook Parks have been catching smallmouth bass on crank baits and soft plastics. Fishing on the Menomonee River has been slow.

Racine County - In Racine anglers fishing off the south pier late last week were catching good numbers of coho, with a few limits taken. Alewives fished on the bottom produced the most. Shore fishing slowed over the weekend with strong winds and high waves, but there are still large numbers of alewives near the harbor mouth. On the Root River the steelhead anglers who showed up in large numbers earlier this spring are slowly being replaced by anglers looking for rock bass, bullheads, catfish, and northern pike. The water temperature dropped from 59 degrees on Wednesday down to 51 degrees on Sunday. At the Horlick Dam, anglers tried casting spinner baits and artificial night crawlers for rock bass with no reports of fish taken. One angler tried casting bright, yellow colored flies for steelhead with little success. An angler landed a ten pound male steelhead at Colonial Park on Sunday while casting a small red and white colored crank bait. There were only a few trollers working out of Racine over the weekend, and fishing was slow. The repair work on the Pershing Park boat ramp was underway this past week. The six west lanes of the ramp have been shut down for repair while the six east lanes remain open. The six east lanes will be repaired after the west side is complete. A navigation channel for larger boats will be dredged in the harbor sometime this year according to a report from the Racine Parks Department.

Kenosha County - In Kenosha fishing pressure along the lakefront remains light. A few coho have been caught by anglers casting small spoons from the lighthouse at the end of the south pier. At Southport Marina, a few panfish were taken while fishing with crappie minnows. The fishing pier at the Kemper Center has not been opened yet for the season. Fishing along the shoreline should improve with a few days of warm, stable weather. The surface temperature of the water along the shoreline dropped from 52 degrees on Wednesday to 47 degrees on Saturday. Trollers fishing off Kenosha continue to have good luck landing coho. Some charter boats have been coming in with their limits of fish, and non-charter boats came in with nice catches of coho as well. Fish have been taken near the hills and south, trolling in 50 to 85 feet of water. Flies and wonderbread colored spoons have produced. The average weight of the coho was about three pounds.

Waukesha DNR Service Center area

Waukesha County - Anglers reported catching muskies and largemouth bass on Pewaukee Lake, crappie on Lake Keesus, smallmouth bass and northern pike on Pine Lake, and smallmouth bass on Oconomowoc Lake. Fishing on North Lake was slow. - Matt Groppi, conservation warden, Waukesha

Sturtevant DNR Service Center area

Racine County - Lots of Baltimore orioles spotted last weekend north of Racine. – Carrie Morgan, natural resources educator

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South Central Region

Lower Wisconsin State Riverway - The warm weather this week has brought a lot of activity out within the Riverway. Some of the sandbars are beginning to reappear along the Riverway. On Wednesday May 15, the river levels at Muscoda was recorded at 13,500 CFS. This is still considered high flow and canoeing and kayaking is not recommended for the inexperienced. Many of the backwater sloughs would be a good alternative to go paddling. Portable toilets are in place at most DNR managed landings along the river and water is turned on at locations where available. Muscoda’s Morel Festival is scheduled for May 18 and 19. The Morels are beginning to appear but are still in low numbers. Some fishermen are reporting good catches of smallmouth bass being caught on plastics. - Matt Sequin, property manager

Fitchburg DNR Service Center area

Columbia County - Many species of young wildlife are being spotted including whitetail deer fawns, Canada geese goslings, cottontails and woodcock. A reminder to residents that young wildlife observed on their own are often not abandoned, but left there to await the mother’s return from feeding. Leave the baby wildlife where you find it so the mother can be reunited later in the day. Bald eagles have been spotted bringing fish back to their nests. There are currently large numbers of white pelicans on Lake Wisconsin at Whalen Grade and Okee Bay. Turkey hunters report that the season is “slowing down”. - Sara Kehrli, wildlife biologist, Poynette

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West Central Region

Baldwin DNR Service Center area

Lake Wissota State Park - The Willow River continues to run a little high but the dam is shut and the water should be clearing up. All of the campgrounds will be open as of May 16, with flush toilets, showers and the dump station open. Campers using the Group and 200 loops need to use the 100 or 300 loop showers and refuse containers. There is only one dump station located at the 300 loop entrance. Tree cleanup on trails will continue as we bring on our warm weather staff. Bird lists will be updated as visitors provide sightings. Flush toilets in the beach and picnic area will be open by the weekend. All campsites are reserved for the Memorial Day weekend. There are no non-reservable sites. - Jeff Bolte, visitor services specialist

La Crosse DNR Service Center area

Vernon County - The Baltimore oriole is a strikingly beautiful member of the blackbird family. Males have jet black heads and tails, bright orange breasts and rumps, and white wing patches. Females are brownish olive on top with white wing bars, and a pale yellow-orange breast and belly. Baltimore orioles received their name because the male's colors resemble those on the coat-of-arms of Lord Baltimore. Males sing loud fluty whistles. This species generally resides in hardwood forests but has adapted to open woodlands, forest edges, parks, and urban backyards. Orioles' hanging pouch-like nests, created from milkweed down, weed fibers, dog hair, wool, yarns, and other fibrous materials, are usually constructed at the tips of tree limbs 15-30 feet above the ground, secure from predators. Orioles readily adapt to bird feeders that provide orange halves, small trays of grape jelly, mealworms, walnut pieces, apple bits, or nectar made from 4 parts water to 1 part sugar. Clumps of nesting materials, such as string, yarn, dog hair, or horse hair, suspended in trees and bushes may also serve to attract springtime orioles. American toads, leopard frogs, and gray treefrogs are calling wildly. Green frogs and bull frogs should begin calling toward the end of May as water temperatures approach 65-70 degrees. Turkey hunters participating in the 5th hunting period seemed to fare well. Gobblers seemed more active and receptive to calling as more hens began incubating the clutch of eggs. - Dave Matheys, wildlife biologist, Viroqua

Black River Falls DNR Service Center area

Black River State Forest - Highs in the mid to upper 70s are forecasted for this weekend. There is a chance of scattered showers. With the warmer temperatures the trees are leafing out strong in the area and the forest should be at full leaf out by mid next week. All-terrain vehicle and UTV trails are open for the season. Crews will be working on the Pray connector this spring to improve three key wetland crossings. This work helps maintain the long term sustainability of the trail system. For the first time ever ATVing has been added to the list of free activities during the first weekend of June ATV and UTV will be able to ride on June 1 and 2 without being legally registered. Castle Mound Campground will re-open for the public on Thursday May 23. The new office will be complete by this date. Pigeon Creek and East Fork are both currently open for camping. - Peter Bakken, superintendent

Eau Claire DNR Service Center area

Eau Claire County -Water levels and flow rates are starting to come down on the Chippewa and Eau Claire Rivers. Shoreline anglers have been catching a lot of fish below the Lake Altoona Dam. The north shoreline has produced some nice catches of perch, and anglers at the south shoreline caught walleye up to 29-inches long. Now is a great time to introduce young people to the sport of fishing. Turkey hunters continue to harvest some birds during early morning hunts. - Scott Thiede, conservation warden, Eau Claire

Wisconsin Rapids DNR Service Center area

Buckhorn State Park - All campsites are open as of May 17. Water fountains are turned on and the flush toilet/2-stall shower building is open. The fishing pier and boat boarding piers are in! We are looking for a camp host for the month of July and for the first two weeks of October. - Heather Wolf, park manager

Roche-A-Cri State Park - The main gate is open and the 1st loop of the campground is open. The dump station is open and water fountains/jug fillers turned on. The stairway is open from 6 .a.m until sunset. No food, drinks or pets are allowed and visitors are restricted to the stairway to protect the natural area. - Heather Wolf, park manager

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