Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Outdoor Report summary for July 31, 2014
[EDITOR'S ADVISORY: There will be no DNR Outdoor Report on August 7, 2014. The next DNR Outdoor Report will be August. 14, 2014.]
Complete DNR Outdoor Report (Reports from conservation wardens, wildlife and fisheries staff and property managers from around the state)
Visit DNR Park and Wisconsin State Fair
Wisconsin has been experiencing some very nice weather in the last week, with only sporadic rainfall reported throughout the state in the last week. Warm sunny days have brought lots of boaters out on lakes and rivers, but some lake, like Lake Winnebago, are beginning to show the "dog days of summer" with green algae blooms slowing swimming.
Despite recent rains, wildfire activity has been picked up around the state, with 38 wildfires reported in July. Fire danger was high as of Thursday throughout southwestern Wisconsin.
The Wisconsin State Fair kicks off this week in West Allis and fair goers looking for a place of respite are encouraged to visit the DNR Park at the Fair. New this year, families will find an outdoor natural play area for the kids, a new scavenger hunt with a prize at the end and the introduction of 'Go Discover!' Program for children that is all about bats, birds and insects. There is an expanded area for archery enthusiasts or those who are just interested in giving it a try and a laser shot activity center. There is a technology area where Department of Natural Re sources staff will help visitors download handy apps, including a new State Park app that was just launched in time for the fair.
Multiple cold fronts and periodic rain showers kept fishing activity at relatively low levels in the Northwoods this week. Water temperatures have been in the low to mid-70s on most lakes. Largemouth bass have provided the most consistent action and success could be termed good to excellent. Walleye fishing has gotten a little erratic, though some nice catches have been made in the deep weed beds during the low light periods. Musky fishing has continued to be good, with many anglers finding fish along the deep weed edges and around the points. Panfish action has also stayed fair to good, with some nice catches of perch, bluegill and crappie being picked up over and near mid-depth weed beds.
Mississippi River's water level is finally at normal river stage. Bluegills have been biting near the shore line and also northern pike.
Perch action was picking along Lake Michigan and Green Bay, with some nice catches reported at Oconto, along the southern shore of the Bay and at several areas along the Door Peninsula. The Door Kewaunee salmon tournament ended last week with numerous salmon taken from around the islands off Door County. Trollers out of southern Lake Michigan harbors were getting a mixed bag of steelhead, chinooks and a few coho, overall fishing remained rather slow.
The velvet-covered antlers of white-tailed bucks are being seen peeking above the tall grass. It's as if they think they are hidden, and haven't discovered that the size of their antlers are giving them away.
And a last minute reminder to hunters that August 1 is the deadline to apply for 2014 fall turkey, bobcat, fisher, otter and wolfpermits as well as the 2015 Upriver Lakes sturgeon season permits.
Purple martin young have fledged and are gaining strength for migration within the next couple of weeks. Osprey young are testing their wings and should drop from the nests within days.
Prairies are blooming with masses of yellow rosinweed, compass plant, cup plant, western sunflower, many varieties of coneflowers, bergamot, black-eyed susan, butterfly weed, joe-pye weed, and numerous other species.
Archived under: Previous Outdoor Reports
DNR Outdoor Report in Portable Document Format (Requires Adobe® Acrobat® Reader®)
DNR Outdoor Report in Rich Text Format
Upcoming Events at DNR Parks, Forests and Trails
Outdoor Report editors:
Paul Holtan, DNR Office of Communications, Madison
608-267-7517 or paul.holtan@wisconsin.gov