Wisconsin Fishing Reports & Outdoor Report for March 3, 2016

[Rick]

While the relative "cold" spell over the past couple days may have given us a pause, spring is still right around the corner in Wisconsin. With temperatures well into the 50s last weekend, some of the more than 100 cross-country skiers in attendance at the Riverview Loppet at the Brule River State Forest were out in shorts and t-shirts. Snowmobile trails now remain open in just a few Northwoods counties, and those have seen heavy use, according to the Wisconsin Department of Tourism's Snow Conditions Report (exit DNR).Some skiers donned shorts and t-shirts for the 2016 Riverview Loppet at the Brule River State ForestPhoto Credit: Edwin KoeppIce conditions have improved on most waters across the Northwoods and ice depths have been ranging from 12 to 16 inches. Strong winds have blown a lot of the snow from the surface, and cold nighttime temperatures have frozen many slush areas, greatly improving travel conditions. Fishing pressure spiked with the nicer weather and rapidly approaching closure of the general inland gamefish season this Sunday, March 6.. Walleye provided some fair action at times but with the changing weather, fishing for northern pike was real variable. Panfish action has been a hit or miss.More than 50 boats were out open water fishing on the Fox River in Green Bay with some walleye being caught. Along Door County, areas to the north of Sturgeon Bay are seeing open water and ice shifting and cracking. Anglers fishing south of Murphy Park reported 12 inches of ice at the most remaining with pockets of open water and less ice. The shipping channel from Bay Ship to the lake is open and continues to lose ice at a steady pace with the warm weather. Anglers in the southern Lake Michigan counties are casting off the harbors. Variable catches of brown and steelhead are being reported.