More spring-like weather finally melts most of the snow in the north, and ice out is finally progressing on northern lakes.
Outdoor Report summary for May 9, 2013
More spring-like weather in the last week finally melted most of the snow even in the most northern counties, and ice out is finally progressing on northern lakes. Ice is off most lakes now though Price County. Seasonal temperatures the remainder of this week, combined with some rain and a little wind will most likely take out the remaining ice by the weekend, with the exception of some of the largest deep lakes such as Trout in Vilas County.
Both the North and South Forks of the Flambeau River are high with plenty of whitewater, especially the South Fork, but a few brave paddlers have been seen on the river. High water is also making canoeing and kayaking challenging on the Wisconsin River. Wardens continue to caution that water temperatures remain very low in most areas and hypothermia could set in rapidly should someone capsize, so only experienced and well equipped and outfitted paddlers should be on the water.
Last weekend’s fishing opener was slow across the north, with a snowstorm dropping up to 16 inches in some areas right before the opener. Some anglers fished through the ice, with limited success for crappies. Other anglers fished rivers with some reports of walleyes, but also with lots of reports of sucker runs taking place. Trout anglers were hampered by limited access and high water flows.
In the south, water levels continue to drop on the Rock River, but are still outside the riverbanks in many areas and slow-no-wake rules are still in place in Rock County. Some better walleye fishing was reported as levels dropped. The Wisconsin River is also still running high, but some nice walleye continue to be caught below the dam at Prairie Du Sac.
Anglers have been hitting crappie on Lake Winnebago and the walleye bite on the east shore of Winnebago is starting to kick in. Some northern pike were reported on Little Lake Butte des Morts. The East Twin, West Twin, Branch, Little Manitowoc and Sheboygan rivers were all still hold steelhead. Storms in the last week had southern Lake Michigan tributaries running high and muddy in the last week, but levels were dropping. Trollers were beginning to have some luck with brown trout and coho.
Turkey hunters are finally getting some decent weather and a lot of active toms were seen strutting and heard gobbling. All three grouse species are drumming amd dancing, as courtship displays are at peak for ruffed, spruce, and sharp-tailed grouse.
Broad-wing hawks were seen in kettles numbering in the hundreds overhead all week at Rock Island State Park off the tip of Door County. Warblers, orioles, and other Neotropical migrants are providing outstanding views as they foraged low in leafless vegetation, with yellow-rumped and palm warblers plentiful. Sandhill cranes are sitting on nests and the first goslings of the year have been seen.
May 11 is celebrated globally as International Migratory Bird Day. Scores of Wisconsin communities and organizations hold bird watching and other events on this day, capitalizing on the mass migration of short-distance and long-distant migrant birds returning to the state from their warmer winter homes. Find links to events on May 11 and gear up for International Migratory Bird Day by taking a quiz by searching the DNR website for “birding.”
Gypsy moth caterpillars were reported hatching May 5 in from Rock County and more egg masses will hatch within the next week. Hatching will pick up in northern Wisconsin in about two weeks. Look for the tan-colored egg masses and if you find them, scrape them into a container of soapy water.
Leopard and chorus frogs are singing. Bloodroot, trout lily, Dutchman’s britches, hepatica, spring beauties, and marsh marigolds are up and with the warm weather last week, there were reports of morel mushrooms popping up.