Fall colors at peak in Northwoods; Youth Deer Hunt this weekend, Oct. 8-9
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Outdoor Report summary for October 6, 2016
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Complete DNR Outdoor Report (Reports from conservation wardens, wildlife and fisheries staff and property managers from around the state)
Fall colors at peak in Northwoods; Youth Deer Hunt this weekend, Oct. 8-9
Fall colors are now at or near peak across the Northwoods, with some very good colors reported on the Department of Tourism's Fall Color Report (exit DNR). Colors are about 50 percent through central Wisconsin and in the south, sumac and a few maples are starting to turn a fiery red and honey locusts, black walnut and ash are turning yellow. Peak fall color in the south is still two to three weeks out.
With variable weather and numerous hunting opportunities, fishing pressure has been relatively low on most Northwoods lakes. Musky anglers continue to account for most activity, with most now using live suckers, with good to excellent action and quite a few anglers having multiple fish days.
Water levels remain high on the Lower Wisconsin State Riverway, nearly twice the average flow for this time of year. Walleye fishing is starting to slowly pick up on Lake Wisconsin. Fishing has been excellent below dams on the Rock River.
Fishing on Green Bay and Lake Michigan was limited this week due to high winds and big waves. Anglers targeting muskies were finding some success. Along Door County anglers that got out reported catching a few northern pike in the Sturgeon Bay area.
Fishing pressure was very high on the Kewaunee and Ahnapee rivers due to rough lake conditions. Recent heavy rains raised water levels and anglers reported seeing a handful of chinook salmon working their way up river. Many chinook and some brown trout were caught on the Sheboygan River and chinook have been moving up both Sauk and Oak creeks. On the Milwaukee River, fishing pressure has increased with dropping water levels but only a few fish were landed. On the Root River anglers reported seeing kings swimming upstream. The bulk of mature chinook salmon should begin to migrate up the rivers the next few weeks.
About 700 people attended an open house at the Besadny Anadromous Fisheries Facility on Saturday Oct. 1, with a total of 140 chinook salmon processed. The Root River Steelhead Facility in Racine will have its open house this Saturday, October 8, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with guided tours and spawning demonstrations.
Archery season is getting into full swing, with hunters having success in the last week and some nice bucks harvested. Deer activity has been high in the early morning hours, but deer are beginning to move more during the day as well and vehicle deer collisions have been on the upswing.
This weekend, Oct. 8-9, the Youth Deer Hunt will be underway. The hunt is designed to give young hunters ages 10-15, accompanied by a mentor, an opportunity to hunt deer during a time when other hunters are not authorized to hunt deer with firearms. All hunters - except waterfowlers -- must wear blaze orange or fluorescent pink in the woods this weekend and it is recommended for everyone who will be out in the woods or fields.
Grouse hunters are reporting seeing good numbers of birds in the north and woodcock are being readily seen on logging roads in the evening. Goose hunters have been successful targeting recently picked or chopped corn fields. Duck hunters have been seeing a wide variety of ducks, including wood ducks, mallards, teal, mergansers, and ruddy ducks.
Mushrooms are popping up all over the place with the moist weather we've been having. Puffballs in particular have made a huge appearance in some areas.
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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