DNR Outdoor Report update, July 3, 2014 -- Boaters heading out for holiday weekend will be reminded during 'landing blitz' to not spread invasive species
Boaters heading out for holiday weekend will be reminded during 'landing blitz' to not spread invasive species
Some very nice weather is in the forecast for the long Fourth of July Holiday weekend, and boaters will likely be out in high numbers on the state's waterways. Also out in good numbers will be volunteers and boat patrols for a holiday weekend landing blitz reminding boaters to take the necessary steps to avoid the spread of aquatic invasive plants. With the lakes very busy wardens are also reminding people to be courteous to others using the water so that everyone will be able to have a safe and enjoyable holiday and to make sure each boat has a life jackets for ever yone on board.
Wisconsin state park offices are reporting that almost all reservable campsites have been taken for the weekend and first come sites are expected to also be full. Those looking for last minute camping locations can check the camping availability page for the Northern Highland-American Legion State forest for open sites in some of the more remote, primitive campgrounds.
And state park and forest officials are reminding visitors that fireworks are illegal on state park properties and rangers will be strictly enforcing those rules. Park and forest visitors are encouraged to seek out local fireworks in nearby communities.
With the recent heavy rains in many areas, water levels continue to be very high. There are a number of waters that have slow-no-wake rules in place again, including sections of the St. Croix and Rock rivers. The heavy flows have also caused runoff in some areas that have raised bacteria levels at beaches and caused some blue-green algae blooms, so swimmers are urged to avoid areas with obvious blooms and check the Wisconsin Beach Health (exit DNR) website for beach conditions.
Fishing activity has been slow to transition to a more typical summer pattern in the Northwoods and has been rather erratic in the last week. Panfish have provided the most consistent success with good catches of bluegill, crappie and perch still being made. Musky fishing has continued to slowly improve, with more fish showing up along and in the weed beds, with surface baits getting more and more action. Bass fishing has been generally good, with largemouth providing better action than smallmouth. Walleye action has been relatively steady with most anglers finding fish along the deep weed edges and the deeper rock humps, with leeches and crawlers being the preferred bait.
Water temperatures on Green Bay have finally reached the mid 70s. Anglers continue to report good smallmouth bass action and perch activity was picking up at a number of location. Trout and chinook salmon fishing has been steadily improving on the east side of Door County peninsula.
Heavy fog and occasional rough seas put a damper on Lake Michigan fishing action last week. There were days where thick fog completely enveloped the harbors and piers in both Manitowoc and Two Rivers. Trollers who were able to get out have been catching decent size chinooks, lake trout, and rainbows.
Butterflies are all active as are dragonflies, including whitetails, darners, and spiketails. Polliwogs have transformed into toadlets, and can be seen in abundance around ponds. Blanding turtles are laying their eggs. Spiderwort, wood phlox, false solomon's seal, chicory, white indigo, butterfly weed, milkweed, and great angelica are in full bloom. Red elderberries and red baneberries are ripe. Black raspberries or black caps and mulberries are ripening, and red raspberries and blackberries are setting fruit.
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