Ice-out progressing rapidly in northern Wisconsin; spring wildlife and fisheries rules hearings Monday, April 13
Nearly all lakes and flowages in northwestern Wisconsin became ice free in the last week and ice-out is progressing fast on waters in northcentral and northeast Wisconsin and all waters should be fully open by the middle of next week.
With the open water, DNR fisheries crews have begun their spring surveys of walleye and northern pike populations. Fisheries staff set their first series of fyke nets of the year as they look for spring runs and the over-winter survivorship of fish species. Spawning activity continues and anglers are having success catching some very nice fish. Anglers in central Wisconsin have been out fishing for crappies, walleye, and sauger. Walleye and sauger fishing on the Wisconsin River below the Prairie du Sac dam has picked up and walleyes were being caught on the Wolf below the Shawano dam.
Numerous reports of steelhead success are coming in from south eastern Lake Michigan tributaries. Shore fishing pressure has also picked up over the past week, and a few anglers were getting bites on spawn sacs in harbors. Anglers are reporting about half of the fish caught are spawned out.
Turkeys have been seen in various sized groups from single hens, to small groups of toms and a hen, to large groups of 50 birds or more. Toms have been actively strutting and gobbling. Some turkey breeding activity has been reported. The youth turkey hunt will be held this weekend Saturday and Sunday April 11-12. Weather conditions look favorable, perfect for taking a young hunter out to experience the excitement only turkey hunting can bring. The first period of the spring season opens next Wednesday, April 15.
While the maple tapping season was late to arrive and soon to depart, signs of spring are taking place all across the state as buds on the maple trees are popping and fields are starting to turn from brown to green. As spring begins to take hold and plants begin to green, keep an eye out for garlic mustard and buckthorn. These two non-native invasive plants are readily apparent early in the year when not many other plants have begun growing.
Birds of all kinds are making their way back and starting to fight for breeding rights and territories. Great blue herons and loons have been seen in cattail beds, and mergansers, redheads and other diver ducks have been reported near area lakes. Tree swallows and eastern phoebes are getting ready to dine on a variety of insects. Ducks are finding nesting spots and starting to incubate eggs and bald eagles have been seen sitting on nests. Along with the returning waterfowl, the nesting pair of ospreys has returned to the nesting platform that was erected several years back near the Horicon Marsh Education Center.
A report of a red fox den with pups has come in, kicking off the birthing season. Chorus frogs and spring peepers have initiated calling.
The 2015 Spring wildlife and fisheries rules hearings and Wisconsin Conservation Congress county meetings will be held in each county of the state next Monday, April 13 beginning at 7 p.m. Search the DNR website for "spring hearings," for a list of locations and the hearing questionnaire.
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Outdoor Report editor:
Paul Holtan, DNR Office of Communications, Madison
608-267-7517 or paul.holtan@wisconsin.gov