DNR Outdoor Report For October 4, 2018

Published October 4, 2018 by the Central Office

View current conditions for Wisconsin State Parks, Trails and Forests
Check out the Wisconsin Department of Tourism (exit DNR).

For current statewide information on statewide fall color, log onto the Wisconsin Department of Tourism’s Fall Color Report (exit DNR).

Fall color is now at, very near, and in a couple areas even a little past peak across northern Wisconsin on the Wisconsin Department of Tourism’s Fall Color Report (exit DNR). Colors are very good through central Wisconsin but there remain pockets that are quite green. Colors are just beginning in the southern part of the state. Northern Wisconsin has experienced a couple of hard frosts that have had brisk mornings as low as 29 degrees.

White-tailed bucks are sporting polished antlers and rubs and scrapes are being seen in the woods. A youth deer hunt will be held this weekend.Photo credit: DNR

Water levels remain high on many rivers across the state for this time of year due to recent rains. Fall fishing has been in full swing on the Flambeau River with landings busy and people enjoying the cooler temps and bug free fishing. The fall trout bite is on in central Wisconsin streams although high water has made for some very sporty if not impossible wading of the bigger streams.

A few Door County bass anglers around Ephraim, Sister Bay and Gills Rock have had success and there was a resurgence in bass anglers out of both Little Sturgeon and Sawyer Harbor. Most fishing action is in the Sturgeon Bay Canal, where trolling and casting has produced some nice kings including a 31 pounder.

The cold spell last weekend caused water temperature to drop 10 degrees or more in different locations. There were some reports of chinook salmon and brown trout in the Menominee, Peshtigo and Oconto rivers but success overall was low.

King salmon could be spotted going up into the Kewaunee River and fishing pressure was high. Many dark brown and black kings were being caught and a few coho salmon as well. Stony Creek fishing pressure and catch rate was high with fly and spin anglers hooking king and coho salmon.

Fish are jumping at a steady rate in the Manitowoc River and anglers have been able to catch chinook throughout the week. Anglers fishing the East and West Twin rivers continue to have success catching chinook along with a few brown trout. A lot of success was seen on the Sheboygan River with anglers reporting steady catches of kings, coho, steelheads, and brown trout.

For people interested in the Lake Michigan salmon fishery, the Besadny Anadromous Fisheries Facility is holding an open house Saturday. Visitors will see big chinook salmon up close and watch fisheries staff collect eggs and milt for hatcheries. Enjoy t-shirt fish printing, fishing displays, fishing games, and take a guided tour of the facilities and wagon rides.

The cooler temps also have the waterfowl on the move. The duck opener was a success for many hunters. The recent rains have caused more water to be on the landscape and thus more areas for ducks and geese to frequent.

Grouse and turkey hunters are out in force. Turkey are common while grouse are being found in small, isolated pockets. Woodcock hunters in the far north have been successful but hunting has been challenging in the central part of the state where only a few birds have arrived.

Acorns and hickory nuts are falling. Deer have been busy grazing and the cooler weather has them on the move. Scrapes and rubs are being observed in the woods. There is a youth deer hunt this weekend with cool weather and showers expected.

A number of runs and hikes will be held Saturday, including Run Wild at Potawatomi, S’more Fun Run at Mirror Lake, Fall Color Hike at Pike Lake and candlelight hikes at Governor Dodge and Kohler-Andrae. Or dress up like a Zombie and have some fun at Big Foot Beach for the Lake Geneva Zombie Trail Run.