Wisconsin Fishing Reports & Outdoor Report for April 14, 2016

[Rick]

The wind, snow and rain of the previous week seem to have cleared up as we move towards this weekend. A warming trend has begun, bringing with it increased wildfire activity. Last week 32 wildfires burned 53 acres in DNR Protection Areas. This time of year there is still a great deal of dead vegetation that is available fuel for a wildfire. This combined with low relative humidity and gusty winds quickly drive up the fire danger. Fortunately, it also dries out the trails and those looking to stretch their legs, or get out the bike, this weekend should have better conditions on the state's rail trails where the limestone screening has been drying out. Some mountain bike trails have opened, including in the southern and Lapham peak units of the Kettle Moraine State Forest, but they remain closed on other properties so call ahead to confirm trail status. With a few exceptions for larger lakes in the Northwoods, almost all water bodies in the state are ice-off. The cooler temperatures did stick around long enough to slow down surface water temperatures and most of these remain in the mid to upper 30s to low 40s. This in turn had slowed the bite. However, with temperatures rising, panfish are expected to be "waking up" and walleye spawning should be coming to a close.

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