January 17, 2019
The snow drought has continued yet another week with only flurries and some far north lake affect snow reported. That could change if a snowstorm forecast for Friday into Saturday arrives and finally brings some snow to southern Wisconsin. That storm will be followed by cold temperatures just in time for the lunar eclipse on Sunday night.
Snowmobile and ski trails remain open mostly in just the northern tier of counties but conditions are still being reported good in some areas despite the lack of new snow on the Wisconsin Department of Tourism’s Snow Conditions Report (exit DNR). A few state properties have been able to groom ski trails on the Cross-country ski trail conditions page of the DNR website.
The lack of snow has made for some good hiking conditions on the Black Trail at Whitefish Dunes State Park.Photo credit: DNR
Ice reports continue to be highly variable with many lakes in southern and central Wisconsin still having areas of open water. A reminder that no ice is safe ice and that couldn’t be more true this year with the warm ups. The colder weather should help firm up ice conditions. Ice fishing activity has picked up but many anglers report lethargic and finicky fish. Those anglers have been having success report nice catches for panfish and northern pike.
The Fox River at Voyageurs Park is mostly open and anglers fishing the lock canal earlier in the week report catching perch and small walleye open water fishing. Increasing numbers of ice shanties are showing up on some of the smaller bays of Green Bay mostly fishing whitefish and perch. Access has been difficult at many locations because of ice shoves. Anglers fishing off the east and west shores of Green Bay report catching some whitefish and perch but mostly of smaller size.
This coming weekend, Jan 19-20 is Free Fishing Weekend. Anyone can fish without a license but all other regulations apply. Both Kettle Moraine north and south are offering fishing clinics on Saturday. MacKenzie is also holding one that requires preregistration. Clinic at Devil’s Lake and Richard Bong have been cancelled due to poor ice conditions. For additional clinics across the state search the DNR website for “free fishing.”
The lack of snow has also lead to additional candlelight events cancellations this weekend. Events at Governor Dodge, Lake Wissota and Rib Mountain have been cancelled. Despite the lack of snow, candlelight events will go on Saturday night at the southern Kettles, Horicon Marsh and for a special fee at Heritage Hill. The Horicon Candlelight event is extremely popular and there have already been thousands of people who expressed interest in attending on social media. The Education Center will be limiting parking to families with young children and vehicles with disable parking permits. All others interested in attending are urged to take shuttles. Check the DNR website or Friends of Horicon website at www.horiconmarsh.org for details.
This weekend is also the extremely popular Eagle Watching Days at Sauk City and Prairie du Sac, with the release of three rehabilitated eagles to the wild on Saturday and opportunities to see eagles perching or soaring above the Wisconsin River, and view eagles up close indoors during live raptor shows.
New flocks of Bohemian waxwings have appeared across the north, suggesting fruit sources even farther north are waning. Other winter favorites being seen right now include various raptors such as bald eagles, red-tailed hawks, Cooper’s and sharp-shinned hawks, American kestrels, and great horned owls.