DNR Outdoor Report update, August 14, 2014 - Cooler nights reminding campers of September instead of August
Cooler nights reminding campers of September instead of August
Cooler nights are reminding campers of September instead of August. Even though it is only the middle of August, boating has slowed down as the water temps have dipped. Despite the cooler weather kayakers and tubers still dominate some rivers on weekends. There are plenty of sandbars throughout the lower Wisconsin River for camping.
In the north, fishing for panfish has been very good the past week, with people still finding crappie, bluegill and sunfish in the shallows, with worms and leeches working best for bait. Anglers fishing on the Lower Wisconsin River report good catches of catfish and smallmouth bass.
Anglers were reporting some nice perch catches on the west shore of Green Bay. Green Bay musky action picks up around this time of year and true to form, at least one fisherman reported catching a 46-inch musky.
Bass fishermen out of Sawyer Harbor continue to catch good numbers of fish. Reports along Door County indicate anglers are either catching good numbers of smaller perch or fewer numbers of larger perch. The salmon bite is in full swing out of Kewaunee County with anglers bringing in high numbers of large fish, with some in the mid-20-pound-range. Fishing was generally slower this week out of southern Lake Michigan harbors, except for Racine where fishing picked up somewhat with lake trout, chinook, coho, and steelhead all taken.
Sunflower fields are looking good, though some of them may not be quite ripe in time for the September 1 dove season opener. Local Canada goose flocks are congregating into larger flocks and have begun establishing feeding flights to and from feeding grounds. Early season goose hunters should begin scouting and seeking hunting permission on the feeding and roosting areas. Bonus antlerless tags, where available, will go on sale Aug. 18 at 10 a.m. at the rate of one tag per customer per day. This year, all bonus tags will cost $12 for residents, $20 for non-residents and $5 for youth.
Shorebird migration is nearing its peak and the west side of Horicon Marsh is proving to be a great spot for migrating birds. In the north, groups of common loons are being reported on inland lakes. This is an annual event as non-breeding and post-breeding birds gather. The behavior has been more common earlier this year due to widespread loon nest failures caused by extreme black fly outbreaks.
Squirrels and chipmunks are busy harvesting black walnuts, acorns, and hickory nuts already. These mast crops are important food resources relished by a host of large and small animals.
Blueberries have passed their peak but can still be found while blackberries are just getting started. Tansy and goldenrod are joining the black-eyed Susans, false dragonhead, cardinal flower, swamp milkweed, Joe Pye weed, yellow and purple coneflower, compass plant, cup plant, blazing star, prairie dock and big bluestem as well as the highly invasive purples of the spotted knapweed and purple loosestrife.
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Outdoor Report editors:
Paul Holtan, DNR Office of Communications, Madison
608-267-7517 or paul.holtan@wisconsin.gov