Outdoor Report

April 4, 2019

After a week with sparse precipitation and warmer temperatures things are beginning to dry out. The only snow that remains is across the far north and it is diminishing rapidly, through there were still a few locations with up to a foot.

The spring fire season has begun and so far 75 fires have burned 569 acres, threatening 25 structures and destroying two buildings. Debris burning is the leading cause of wildfires. Consider alternatives such as composting and if you do burn, be sure to get a burning permit.

Northern lakes have as much as 36 inches of ice and as little as 12 inches of ice not including inlets, outlets and river channels. Southern lakes are opening rapidly. The Madison chain of lakes opened in the last week.

Last weekend’s Bois Brule River trout fishing opener brought out quite a showing of excited visitors. The vehicle count from Highway 2 to Lake Superior was just over 250, slightly higher than the historic average.

Anglers fishing the Bois Brule River for the Lake Superior run opener.Photo credit: DNR

Ice conditions along the shores Green Bay are rapidly declining and some bays have open water. Anglers are shifting their attention to open water walleye and brown trout fishing on the rivers. The Menominee River was producing both brown trout and walleye. Walleye are showing up on the Peshtigo and Menominee rivers but the “big push” hasn’t happened yet. Walleyes are running on the Wolf and Fox rivers.

In the southeast, warm temperatures last week brought many anglers out to the Sheboygan and Pigeon rivers. Fishing efforts on the Milwaukee River are now in full swing. Anglers were catching steelheads and musky, including a 40-incher caught and released. Although fishing pressure was high on the Menomonee River, success was very hit-or-miss. McKinley Marina is ice-free and many boaters took advantage of that last weekend. Lakeshore State Park is ice-free with kayaks, canoes, and fishing boats using the lagoon. Brown trout are starting to jump, and fishermen continue to pull these and a few steelheads out of the water.

Fishing pressure was high on the Root River and steelhead catches have been numerous. Fishing activity is starting to pick up on the Pike River also, though nowhere near the pressure like that on the Root River.

The 2019 Wisconsin Fish and Wildlife Rules Hearings and County Conservation Congress meetings will be held at 7 p.m., Monday, April 8, in each county of the state [PDF]. People have the opportunity to provide their input and testimony on rule change questions as wells as Congress proposals for rules to regulate fishing, hunting, trapping and other outdoor recreation activities. Citizens may also submit ideas and vote for delegates to represent their county on the congress. This year offers additional opportunity for the public to weigh in with an online option of the Spring Hearing questionnaire [PDF] that will be posted on the DNR website (dnr.wi.gov keywords “spring hearings”) from 7 p.m. on April 8 to 7 p.m. on April 11.

Black bears have emerged and are being seen in many locations. Turkeys have been strutting and heard gobbling regularly. The first chorus frogs of the spring are calling.

Maple sap collecting is still going strong. Come to the MacKenzie Center on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. for Maple Syrup Festival and learn about how maple sugar and syrup are made. There will be live music, food, horse wagon rides and more.