DNR OUTDOOR REPORT FOR 2-22-2019

For current statewide information on statewide snow conditions, log onto the Wisconsin Department of Tourism’s Snow Conditions Report (exit DNR).

After starting out the winter with a lack of snow February is making up for it. Earlier in the week the southern half of the state received 4 to 6 inches of snow and in the last couple of days the north and northwest received from 4 to 8 inches of snow.

Snowmobile trails are now open in most, but not all, counties across the state with conditions rated as good or excellent in many counties on the Wisconsin Department of Tourism’s Snow Conditions Report (exit DNR). Many state properties were regrooming cross-country ski trails and ski trail conditionsranged from good to excellent. Some freezing rain fell in the south after the snow, resulting in some icy conditions in some locations. Temperatures are expected to warm this weekend, especially in the south where more rain is also in the forecast, while the north is expected to get more snow.

With all the recent snow, conditions should be excellent for the American Birkebeiner Ski Race this weekend in the Hayward-Cable area. It is the largest ski race in North America and attracts thousands of skiers from all over the country and world — skiers from 49 states and 36 countries participated in 2018 — and draws tens of thousands of spectators to the area.

The recent snow events made for difficult access and travel on the ice was severely limited. Fishing pressure shadowed these limitations with low fishing pressure everywhere after the snow storm. There have been a few fishermen out on northern lakes enjoying limited success for walleye, crappie and perch.

Ice conditions on the Lake Winnebago System ranges from open water to 20-plus inches. Anglers have been having some success with walleye, sauger, and perch mid lake. Only three days remain in the 2019 sturgeon spear fishery on Lake Winnebago. Many sturgeon spearers have been moving their shacks to areas of better visibility. Wednesday’s harvest brought the season total to 373 fish from Lake Winnebago and 680 fish registered from the entire Winnebago System.

Some anglers continue to fish the west shore of Green Bay catching a few whitefish and lots of smaller perch. The Fox River had high fishing pressure at Fox Point landing, where there were reports of yellow perch and walleye being caught but with little success of catching keepers. Voyageur Park had low fishing pressure this week.

A porcupine out eating way up in a tree on one of the super cold days near WoodruffPhoto credit: DNR

Deer are now starting to travel on plowed roads to get out of the snow – not good as several road kills have been observed recently. The snow is making trapping and tracking difficult. Ermine and porcupines are active; ravens are engaged in mating behavior; and wolves are mating.

Bald eagle watching has been good at many traditional sites where open water remains. For example, observers at Prairie du Sac reported from dozens to 100-plus eagles recently. The Mississippi River is another great destination, especially this weekend during the Bald Eagle Appreciation Days event in Prairie du Chien.

This is one of the last weekends of the winter season for candlelight events at state properties. On Saturday, the Urban Ecology Center is hosting an Urban Candlelight Hike on the Hank Aaron State Trail in Milwaukee, Rib Mountain State Park is having a candlelight snowshoe hike and Pattison State Park is having a ski/snowshoe/hike as part of its Winterfest, which also includes sledding, bonfire, crafts, refreshments and other activities. For all activities search the DNR website for “Get Outdoors.”