DNR OUTDOOR REPORT FOR 6-7-2019

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Temperature and humidity are on the rise following some very cold nights with some central and northern areas even experiencing frost. People are out enjoying the summer-like weather camping, fishing, kayaking, and canoeing. While warmer days are making the water more attractive, swimmers and paddlers are being cautioned that many lakes and rivers are still cold and at higher than normal summer water levels.

Warmer weather is drawing paddlers and other boaters to lakes and rivers but many remain colder than normal and have higher than normal water levels.Photo credit: Sunrise at Bark Bay Slough State Natural Area by Ryan Brady

Some municipalities have enacted slow no wake ordinances on river systems, including the Wolf, Wisconsin and Rock. Take time to read and learn about these ordinances at boat landings.

The water is slowly warming up and that means that fishing is also starting to pick up on many lakes. Bass have been seen on beds and crappies are still biting off and on in shallow water related to weeds, downed trees and docks. Bluegill and other panfish are in their pre-spawn stage, with some nests beginning to be made in the shallow, warmer water.

There was high angler effort at most launches along the west shore of Green Bay as many people were pre-fishing for a walleye tournament. Anglers on the east shore were fishing from Little Sturgeon Bay up to Ephraim. Smallmouth bass fishing was hit and miss but walleye anglers were doing okay with some averaging only one or two while others averaged five to seven. The only lakeside port where there was fishing effort was Rowley Bay where smallmouth bass fishing was slower than what most would’ve preferred, but still on average 10 fish boated in an all-day trip.

Fishing on Lake Michigan out of Port Washington started to pick up during the weekend with many anglers out targeting lake trout or coho, and a few targeting chinook.  Anglers fishing out of Milwaukee’s McKinley Marina had limited success catching a few coho and lake trout. The south shore ramps saw better success with anglers reaching bag limits with coho and steelheads. One party came in with some good sized chinook – the biggest being 24 pounds.

More and more fawns are being seen. Remember to observe from a distance and keep wildlife wild.Photo credit: DNR

Fishing activity at Racine and Kenosha has picked up and success has also begun to improve. Coho continues to be the most targeted fish species, but fishermen are having luck catching steelhead, lake trout and chinook salmon.

Fawns and other young wildlife critters from young bunnies and squirrels to bird chicks are spotted regularly now. It’s great to look from a distance but remember to keep wildlife wild.

Mosquitoes and ticks are out in large numbers in some areas, especially the Northwoods where the was a big hatch this week, and are virtually non-existent in others. A beautiful Cecropia moth was seen drying its large, spotted wings outside the Flambeau River State Forest office this week.

Bird migration is still going on across the north, where warblers, flycatchers, thrushes and vireos continue to pass through about 7-10 days later than usual. The breeding season has really taken center stage, with some birds singing to declare a territory and attract a mate, others already paired up and building nests, sitting on eggs, feeding nestlings, or even caring for young already fledged.