justnorth posted on April 23, 2007 06:03 :: 1583 Views
The ever changing weather patterns are responsible for a wide range of spring time conditions. The spring wildfire season is underway in Wisconsin and fire danger levels are at High to Very High in certain areas of the state. There have already been more than 1,500 wildlifes reported in Wisconsin this year. Burning permits have been cancelled in some west central counties. Debris burning continues to be the dominant cause of wildfires in the state. With spring clean up, burning should always be the last option. Current fire danger levels and more information about fire laws, regulations, and burning permit requirements can be found on the DNR Web site.
In the north, smaller lakes are ice free, but larger lakes still have ice and there were even still a few ice anglers reported. The warm waters have initiated the spring fish spawning. Some of the smaller lakes are past the peak spawning activity. As of Tuesday April 17, water temperatures in the Wolf River had increased to 51 degrees, only a few degrees away from optimum sturgeon spawning temperature. Some sturgeon can be seen doing their pre-spawn porpoising at spawning sites, which means spawning may begin in a matter of days. Once spawning begins the sturgeon hotline will be updated daily at (920) 303-5444.
Inland fishing activity has been low, with the exception of walleye runs on rivers and some Great Lakes tributary and inland catch-and-release trout fishing. There have been a few panfish anglers out in boats on smaller lakes but water temperatures are still quite cold and fishing has been somewhat slow. Anglers have started to snoop around for panfish action on southern lakes but, have not reported any hot action yet. Walleye action has been excellent on the Wolf River. Anglers had another good week fishing inside harbors and trolling Lake Michigan with many brown trout in the 2 to 4 pound range. Early catch and release season trout anglers have enjoyed good success fishing coulee region streams in recent days. Angers are reporting that streams are in good condition for fishing with waters clear but not too clear.
The Mississippi River is starting to fall after topping out around 13.8 feet last week. As of early this week the river stage was down to 12.1 feet. The Wisconsin River is also starting to drop. Few panfish anglers were out because of the water conditions. Walleye and sauger action was spotty, but better than last week.
First- period turkey hunters were met with blizzard conditions in parts of the state, which severely hampered hunting success. Conditions are much better for the second period, which runs through this Sunday.
April migrants being seen include brown thrasher, eastern towhee, vesper and savanna sparrow, Virginia rail, sora, American bittern, Bonaparte's gull, yellow-bellied sapsucker, and yellow-rumped warblers. Greater prairie chickens are at peak booming activity on leks at Buena Vista Wildlife Area and other areas within the central Wisconsin grasslands. Great horned owls, ravens, and eagles should have chicks in their nests now.
Spring peepers and chorus and wood frogs are loudly vocalizing trying to attract a mate. Salamanders will be moving to and from their breeding ponds when the first warm rain comes. and wild canines such as wolves, coyotes, and fox are giving birth. For those with excellent hearing and a soft tread, these young pups can sometimes be heard softly calling for their next meal from their secretive dens.
Following last week’s snow and a return to warm temperatures, there is a resurgence of spring woodland flowers in the south, with hepatica and Dutchman's britches, spring beauties and bloodroot blooming. Mayapples are pushing their way through the leaf litter, and will be in bloom soon. Garlic mustard is also emerging, making this a good time to identify and pull this highly invasive, non-native plant.
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