DNR Outdoor Report, June 8, 2017 - Water levels return to more seasonal levels; warmer water temps bring bluegill, smallmouth bass on to spawning beds
Complete DNR Outdoor Report (Reports from conservation wardens, wildlife and fisheries staff and property managers from around the state)
Water levels return to more seasonal levels; warmer water temps bring bluegill, smallmouth bass on to spawning beds
This past week brought hot and humid weather to a majority of the state, with small to large thunderstorms rolling across several counties. Water levels in some areas are still above normal but most are now at more seasonal averages. The lower Wisconsin River again has sandbars for camping.
Bluegill fishing is reported to be picking up. The warmer weather has brought water temperatures on some central Wisconsin lakes close to 70 degrees and bluegills are starting to make beds and will be spawning soon.
The Hexagenia mayfly hatch is just starting on central Wisconsin streams--a really good time to get a big trout. Caddis, blue-winged olive, crane fly and sulfur hatches have all also been observed within the last week.
The Wolf River has seen some good white bass fishing. Perch fishing is continuing to pick up on the Upriver Lakes and Lake Winnebago, while on southern end of Lake Winnebago bluegill are coming onto their beds with the warming water. It seems a combination of higher spring flows and abundant forage has extended the river bite for walleye on the Winnebago System, but Lake Winnebago anglers have had tougher luck with walleye, likely due to a higher amount of forage fish, such as gizzard shad, throughout the system. Bow fishers have landed more than their fill of carp in the past week on Lake Winnebago and on Green Bay.
Door County anglers fishing in the Sturgeon Bay area are reporting more smallmouth action with the warmer weather this past week, and report that fish are present in spawning areas, including larger females. Smallmouth can be seen on beds from Sturgeon Bay up to Gills Rock.
Coho and trout were the primary catches for anglers on southern Lake Michigan this past week. Reports from Sheboygan to Kenosha reported largely good success for coho, with mixes of brown and rainbow trout, as well as king salmon thrown in. In general, waters in that area are floating between the low and mid 50 degree marks.
Fawns will begin to reunite with their does soon and we continue to urge those who come across animals in the wild to Keep Wildlife Wild. The first grouse broods have been seen and also broods of ducks. Loon chicks are hatching. Wood and painted turtles are laying eggs.
Monitoring efforts detected an overwinter minimum wolf count of 925-956 and 232 packs in 2016-17. This represents a 6.8 percent increase from the 2015-16 minimum wolf count.
If you find yourself in some of Wisconsin's deciduous woods this weekend, keep your ear tuned for the song of the vireo. Warbling vireos are a bit larger than a black-capped chickadee and often found near developed areas that also feature tall trees. They have joined the host of other summer migrants soaking up the recent heat and local insect population.
Friday evening marks the full Strawberry Moon, which is also a full moon at or near "apogee," or the point in the moon's orbit where it is farthest from Earth and visually the smallest in size.
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Outdoor Report editors:
Paul Holtan, DNR Office of Communications, Madison, 608-267-7517
Charlie Nettesheim, DNR Office of Communications, Madison, 608-267-0541