Wisconsin Fishing Reports & Outdoor Report for January 31, 2019

[Rick]

While most of Wisconsin received fairly good snowfalls last weekend and earlier this week, that was followed by a polar vortex with frigid temperatures of 20 to 30 below zero and wind chills down to 50 to 60 below that put a halt to a lot of outdoor activities. Temperatures are expected to rebound reaching the mid to upper 40s by the weekend.The new snow has allowed snowmobile trails to open in about half the counties of the state on the Wisconsin Department of Tourism's Snow Conditions Report (exit DNR), including southern counties, where snowmobilers have been rejoicing to use trails close to home. Cross-country ski trails were being groomed on most state properties until the frigid temperatures arrived, shutting down most grooming. Grooming is expected to resume by Friday and ski trail conditions across the state should be in good to excellent condition this weekend, though high winds have caused a lot of drifting snow.The frozen shoreline of Lake Superior at the Brule River State ForestPhoto credit: DNRNorthern lakes are covered with 18 to 20 inches of ice. Most ice anglers who have been out are using ice shanties and tents in strategic positions with heaters a desired commodity. They have been fishing for walleye and crappies with some success. The cold is firming up ice as well on some southern waters.

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