justnorth posted on May 16, 2007 05:14 :: 1418 Views
The weather generally cooperated last weekend for the opening of the 2007 fishing season, except for a strong southeast wind that created some tough conditions for anglers on larger lakes and flowages. Angling pressure was only moderate on some of the larger Northwoods waters where walleye are usually the primary target, but good numbers of anglers were reported on southern waters as well as on trout streams across the state.
Portions of northern Wisconsin received nearly an inch of rain this week, but most of the rest of the state received only a trace of precipitation. As a result, despite trees now leafing out across the state, fire danger levels remain at high to very high in much of the state. Emergency burning restrictions remain in place in seven northern counties and burning permits are still suspended in many counties. Check the current fire danger levels on the DNR Web site for more information.
Despite the wind, some anglers reported good catches and an overall enjoyable weekend. Walleye spawning is complete and fish were in post spawn feeding patterns on most lakes. Crappies are beginning to stage for their spawning activity in southern Wisconsin and some anglers took advantage of that as well. Walleyes have been biting on the Lower Wisconsin River. Smallmouth bass fishing was reported as good to excellent on river systems and southern Wisconsin lakes. Some nice catches of smallmouth bass were also reported at Sturgeon Bay and Little Sturgeon, with one pair of anglers reported catching and releasing 50 fish.
Inland trout angling was real popular opening weekend, with anglers reporting plenty of action for brook trout on northern streams and good numbers of brown trout reported on southern streams. With trout stocking levels back to normal, managed trout lakes saw moderate to heavy pressure and success was very good.
Brown trout anglers generally had a slower week on Lake Michigan, with wind also making fishing difficult. Anglers trolling out of Manitowoc, Kewaunee Sheboygan, and Port Washington reported some nice brown trout and lake trout catches early in the week. Coho salmon have made their way into Kenosha and Racine, with trollers reporting some limits. They should be moving into the Milwaukee area and farther north over the next couple of weeks.
The Mississippi River has dropped considerably and was down to 9 feet this week with an anticipated slow decrease through the week. Fishing action was only fair with the windy conditions hampering many anglers. Bluegill action has started to pick up in the backwaters and walleye fishing has been getting better.
The spring warbler migration is near peak, just in time for International Migratory Bird Day this Saturday. Bird watching events and tours are planned at a number of locations across Wisconsin this weekend and this month. Birders have been reporting strong numbers of warblers, flycatchers and other Neotropical migrants, with some birders reporting more than 20 species of warblers in a morning. Towhees, scarlet tanagers, Baltimore orioles, and indigo buntings have also been seen. Hummingbirds began arriving last week and the nighthawks should be seen soon.
Trailing arbutus, wood anemone, wild strawberry, hepatica, bloodroot, pasque flowers shooting stars and marsh marigolds are blooming in different areas. Trilliums are opening and are beginning to blanket the forest floor. Juneberry, chokecherry, pin cherry, and sugar maples, oak, and white birch are also flowering. Tamarack tree needles are starting their spring growth. Fern fiddle heads are starting to emerge from the forest floor. Morel mushrooms are just starting to pop out, but with the weather being so dry, some “shroomers” indicated it hasn't been a real good year for them yet.
A variety of butterflies and snakes are being seen in increasing numbers. Ticks are out in record numbers, black flies and the gnats are out, and mosquitoes really came out in the last week. Most campgrounds are now open at state parks, with the majority of shower facilities and dump stations reopened for the season.
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