DNR Outdoor Report update, July 24, 2014 - Water levels continue to drop but many remain above normal summer levels; fishing activity steady for mid summer
Complete DNR Outdoor Report (Reports from conservation wardens, wildlife and fisheries staff and property managers from around the state)
Water levels continue to drop but many remain above normal summer levels; fishing activity steady for mid summer
Relatively light rainfall in the state in the last few weeks has allowed stream and river levels to drop a bit, though many northern lakes and flowages continue to be above normal summer levels. A severe storm came through far northern Wisconsin Monday night, blowing down numerous trees at the Brule River State Forest. After the storm, pleasant weather came in, bringing numerous people out to enjoy the outdoors.
Water levels have continued to drop on the St. Croix and Mississippi rivers and boat access areas are open. The mayfly hatch on the Mississippi and St. Croix rivers has been especially heavy this last week. Sandbars have reappeared throughout the Lower Wisconsin Riverway providing good locations for camping. With the warmer days kayakers, and tubers are making good use of the Oconto River. Conservation wardens are reminding boaters who are out enjoying the hot and humid weather to stay hydrated and designate a driver, as the sun and wind can increase the effects of alcohol on the body.
Northwoods fish activity has been relatively steady. Water temperatures have been hovering in the upper 60s to low 70s on most waters, and this has kept most species spread out from the shallows to deeper water. Musky action showed a bit of a spike in the last week, with some nice fish being seen. Northern pike action has also stayed steady and walleye fishing has remained consistent as well with decent catches of 12- to 16-inch fish.
The mayfly hatch dropped Mississippi fishing success for the time being, but smallmouth bass fishing on the Wisconsin River was really heating up, with water levels in the river finally starting to get consistent. Cooler temperatures in the last few days chilled the air but not the fishing on Lake Winnebago, where the walleye bite remained consistent, though the perch bite has yet to pick up.
Fishing was hot this week in in Door and Kewaunee counties as anglers came out in high numbers for a salmon tournament, with boats bringing in anywhere from 4-12 salmon. Chinook were the predominant catch though some rainbows and a few coho were also in the mix. Sizes were averaging about 10-16 pounds, but with some in the 17- to 23-pound range not uncommon. Good numbers of perch were being caught off Bayshore Park on the east shore with the majority ranging in the 5-9 inch range and anglers at Little Sturgeon Bay have begun to catch better numbers of perch but sizes continue to be small.
In southeastern Lake Michigan harbors, fishing efforts increased in the past week at Milwaukee, and catch rates have shown signs of improvement. Trollers were catching a mixed bag of chinook and rainbow and lake trout. Trollers out of Racine reported the water temperature remains very cold; 80 feet down in 140 feet of water the temperature this past week was 40 degrees, making fish hard to target.
Many of the prairie plants are beginning to bloom such as leadplant, white false indigo, rattlesnake master, cinquefoil, smooth blazing star, and black eyed susan and in wetland areas boneset, marsh milkweed, and joe-pye weed. People are reporting that it is one of the better blueberry years in a while in the north and it seems to be a good year for raspberries in many areas. Blackberries should be ready in a week or two.
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Outdoor Report editors:
Paul Holtan, DNR Office of Communications, Madison
608-267-7517 or paul.holtan@wisconsin.gov