DNR Outdoor Report update, July 17, 2014 - Cooler weather slows recreational boating activity; berry crops beginning in north and south
Cooler weather this week led to a drop in recreational activity on lakes and rivers across the state, which gave anglers more opportunities to be out and about fishing.
Periodic rain showers continue to keep water levels above average summer levels, but major river systems have been dropping. The Mississippi River dropped 4 feet in the last week and slow-no-wake rules have been rescinded, but the river is still 4 feet above average at La Crosse. Increasing numbers of sandbars are now appearing on the lower Wisconsin River.
Water levels on Lake Superior are up this year, causing some issues at boat launches and docks, and Lake Superior surface water temperatures are still a chilly 48 to 54 degrees. Some trollers out on Lake Superior have been getting near limits of lake trout. On Lake Michigan, chinook salmon fishing really started to take off over the past week along Door County, with anglers were having luck up and down the peninsula fishing. However, perch fishing has generally been slow with mostly smaller perch being caught and released. At southern Lake Michigan harbors, trollers have been scattered and have had varied success, with some chinook and mixed bags reported.
The cool down slowed bass action on Northwoods lakes this week, but fishing for walleye action remained consistent and musky fishing has also been steady and several anglers have reported multiple catches per trip. Panfish success has continued to be generally good, with some nice bluegill, crappie and perch reported. Walleye and perch were being caught on Lake Winnebago.
The drop in water levels on the Mississippi River caused fishing to pick up dramatically, with and lots of fish being caught, including walleyes, saugers, northern pike, bass, bluegills and crappies.
The berry crop is starting in with blueberries and wild strawberries ripening in the north and blackcap and red raspberries ripening in central and southern parts of the state. Berry pickers in northern and even through central Wisconsin are being reminded they might not be the only ones in the berry patches. Black bears are being seen feeding heavily on berry crops, so be sure to make a lot of noise when picking and just back away slowly if you encounter a bear. They will be more interested in the berries than the berry pickers.
Bird fledgling activity is very high now and family groups are more noticeable as adult birds frantically forage to feed begging young. And while it's just midsummer, the southbound shorebird migration is already in full swing as adult birds have arrived from boreal forest and high arctic breeding grounds. Dominant species now include lesser and greater yellowlegs, solitary, least, and pectoral sandpipers, short-billed dowitcher, and others. The first Tennessee warbler, usually among the first southbound land bird migrants, was reported this week in Bayfield.
Many prairie wildflowers are now blooming including butterfly weed, yellow and pale purple coneflowers, false sunflower, wild bergamot, prairie blazing-star, wild petunia and purple prairie clovers.
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