DNR Outdoor Report update for December 19, 2013 - More than 2 feet of snow now reported in far northern Wisconsin
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Outdoor Report summary for December 19, 2013
Complete DNR Outdoor Report (Reports from conservation wardens, wildlife and fisheries staff and property managers from around the state)
More than 2 feet of snow now reported in far northern Wisconsin
[EDITOR'S ADVISORY: Due to state holidays on Dec. 24, 25, 31 & Jan. 1, the next DNR Outdoor Report will be issued on Jan. 2, 2014.]
Almost all of Wisconsin has received additional snow in the last week and snow depths now range from a low of 2 to 3 inches in southwestern Wisconsin to more than 2 feet in northeastern Wisconsin, with much of the state covered with from 4 to 8 inches.
Snowmobile trails are now open in about 18 far northern counties, with conditions ranging from good to excellent, on the Wisconsin Department of Tourism'sSnow Conditions Report (exit DNR). Cross-country ski trails are open and in good condition across about the northern half of the state. Some trails are open in the south, but most of the snow in the south has been light and dry, so conditions range from marginal to fair. The man-made snow loop at the Lapham Peak Unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest is completely covered and in good condition.
Continued cold temperatures have been forming more ice on lakes. Lake Mendota in Madison iced over Dec. 16, compared to Jan. 14 last year. But there are still areas of thin ice or open water on large lakes and rivers in the south, with an ATV going through open water on Beaver Dam Lake this week. It has been so cold that Lake Superior's Chequamegon Bay has been freezing up nicely with some fishermen out testing the waters for their catch. Ice is trying to form off of Bayfield and the South Shore, but time will tell along with the cold weather if the "ice caves" and "ice road" will happen this year. Ice is also forming on Green Bay and the Fox River in Brown County, but as recent as last week there were still freighters coming and going into the Port of Green Bay.
The cold and windy conditions have kept fishing pressure down in the last week. In the north, walleye have been the primary target but action has been sporadic on tip-ups. Some bluegill and crappie have also been found suspended off the bottom in deep water areas, and perch have been hitting small minnows at a variety of depths.
Most Mississippi River backwater areas have ice, but anglers are advised to use caution when venturing out on this new ice, with a vehicle going through 3 inches of ice near La Crosse. Those anglers heading out report some perch and bluegill being caught.
Anglers fishing at the McKinley Marina and the lagoon at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee report a range of ice depths from 3 to 7 inches, and brown trout have been taken through the ice. In Port Washington a few browns and rainbows have been caught on spawn sacs near the power plant.
Conditions for most of the December antlerless hunt were less than ideal, with snowy, windy, and cold weather. Deer movement was excellent during the season, with some reports of a second rut, but hunting pressure was low.
Geese are now concentrated in a few open water roosting locations and are flying out in large groups to feed during the day. Turkeys have also formed large flocks. Scaup, goldeneye, buffleheads and mergansers are being seen along the lakeshore in Milwaukee. Eagles are now concentrating in the open water along Lower Wisconsin River and the Yahara River in and around Madison.
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Outdoor Report editors:
Paul Holtan, DNR Office of Communications, Madison
608-267-7517 or paul.holtan@wisconsin.gov
Nolan Pickar, DNR Communications Specialist, Madison
608-261-0751