DNR Outdoor Report update, May 29, 2014 -- Warm weather moving bass, panfish into shallows, has turtles on the move, and triggers hatches of mosquitos and black flies
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Outdoor Report summary for May 29, 2014
Complete DNR Outdoor Report (Reports from conservation wardens, wildlife and fisheries staff and property managers from around the state)
Warm weather moving bass, panfish into shallows, has turtles on the move, and triggers hatches of mosquitos and black flies
Some beautiful spring weather finally arrived in Wisconsin in time for the Memorial Day weekend. State park, trail and forest properties reported very heavy use over the holiday, with many campgrounds full. Despite the warm weather, campers at Big Bay State Park on Madeline Island were still able to kayak out around large ice bergs floating on Lake Superior.
The warm weather also brought out good numbers of anglers on inland lakes and Lake Michigan. The quick warm-up brought water temperatures into the low to mid-60s on the small to medium-size Northwoods lakes and brought bass and panfish into the shallows. Both smallmouth and largemouth bass have begun spring spawning rituals, with many dished out nests observed with males often sitting tight guarding them. Panfishing was very good for crappie and bluegill, and walleye success has been consistently good for the past couple weeks.
The waters of Green Bay were very busy over the weekend with both anglers and recreational boaters and personal watercraft. Wardens had to remind some PWC operators of the requirements to wear life jackets and have safety lanyards attached. Walleye fishing continued to be good along the west shore and lower east shore. Smallmouth bass fishing was good to excellent at many locations around Door County.
Good numbers of alewives were seen at many Lake Michigan harbors, which seemed to slow trout and salmon action because of the bountiful forage fish. Still fair to good numbers of brown trout and coho salmon were caught and trollers were catching good number of coho, along with a few rainbows and chinook out of most harbors.
High water has continued to hamper boating and fishing on the Mississippi. Those venturing onto the flooded river found channel catfish biting in the backwater sloughs. The water is slowly receding 4 to 6 inches per day, but most boat landings and campgrounds remain under water. Water levels on the Wisconsin River are also still high, allowing larger boats to navigate from Lake Wisconsin all the way to the Wisconsin Dells dam. But levels are dropping and the sand bars are finally beginning to reappear. Some walleye, sauger and catfish were being caught.
The final spring turkey hunting period ended last Tuesday and with most hens sitting on the nest, later period hunters reported some excellent hunting opportunities and success.
Turtles are on the move now and quite often have to cross roads and highways to find a suitable place to lay their eggs. Drivers should be on the lookout when coming up on wetlands and rivers and if they see turtles crossing road and it can be done safely, move the turtle across the road in the direction that it was going.
The warm, southerly winds of the last week accelerated the spring bird migration, which is now winding down. Late migrants such as flycatchers, cuckoos, and nighthawks can be found statewide. Cedar waxwings made a strong push through southern and central Wisconsin last week and will peak across the north this week. Northbound flights of Canada geese en route to tundra molting grounds are also underway. And, of course, the downside of the sudden warm up was very strong hatches of mosquitos and black flies.
Trilliums are blooming in the north but starting to fade in the south. Native lupine started to bloom over the Memorial Day weekend. This flower is very important for the Karner blue butterfly, a federally endangered species whose largest remaining populations are found in Wisconsin.
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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
608-535-2925 or Nolan.Pickar@Wisconsin.gov