justnorth posted on August 22, 2007 17:22 :: 1712 Views
Although most of Wisconsin has received rain in the past week, with more than 2 inches reported in some southern and southwestern parts of the state, moderate to severe drought conditions continue across the northern half of the state. Wildfire danger is high in the Brule, Cumberland, Woodruff, and Peshtigo areas. More than 70 wildfires have occurred in the Northwoods in the past week. Burning permits have been cancelled in Bayfield, Burnett, Douglas, Florence, Marinette, Sawyer, Washburn, and parts of Barron, Oconto, and Polk counties. People working and recreating in these areas need to take all precautions to prevent wildfires.
Fishing success was pretty good in the north in the past week with both the weather and the fish cooperating. Warm temperatures with a bit lower humidity made for some pleasant angling conditions, with musky and bass becoming especially active. Musky success showed a nice little surge and most anglers reported some good action from small and medium-size fish on top-water baits.
Action for both largemouth and smallmouth bass has been pretty consistent. Walleye action has been erratic, but a few anglers have been reporting some decent catches on leeches and night crawlers fished along the weed edges and in weed pockets. Panfish action continued to be fair, with some larger bluegill caught near cover in the 12 to 16-foot depth range and some nice crappie have been found suspended over deep water. Water levels in streams, rivers, flowages and lakes continue to be at very low.
The Menominee River in Marinette County has been active for salmon and smallmouth bass. In the south, fishing action has slowed a bit lately, but bass and northern pike have remained relatively active. Panfish have been a little more difficult to find. Trout streams improved and are in fairly good shape with the recent rains.
Perch fishing was good this week off the west shore of Green Bay near the Oconto harbor. Perch fishing continued to be spotty along the east and southern shore, but the southern area of Green Bay continued to produce some walleyes. Smallmouth bass action continued to be good with Little Sturgeon, Riley’s Bay and Sturgeon Bay still producing some smallmouth. Anglers fishing out on Lake Michigan continued to bring respectable catches of trout and salmon, and the early morning bite continued to be the most productive. Good numbers of chinooks were reported, along with occasional rainbows and coho. Water temperatures are still warm so fish were still being found in deeper water. Anglers fishing off piers generally had a slow week. Boaters have been catching good numbers of perch in out of Milwaukee and at the Oak Creek Power Plant. The Mississippi River level at Prairie du Chien remained unchanged this week at 7.0 feet.
Signs that fall is around the corner are showing up. A few lake run brown trout are trickling into the Bois Brule River in Douglas County, but due to very low water levels their numbers are very low. Northern flickers are starting to concentrate along Northwoods roadsides. The first blue-winged teal and coots arrived on the Mississippi near La Crosse last week. Summer molt birds such as ducks and geese are more mobile now with their new flight feathers.
Poorly formed and small acorns are beginning to fall adding yet another nutritious treat for wildlife. Squirrels and chipmunks are busy harvesting black walnuts, acorns, and hickory nuts. Mast crops are important food resources relished by a host of large and small animals. Some animals, such as black bears, gorge themselves on mast in preparation for winter slumber.
Late summer flowers such as goldenrods, pearly everlasting, joe-pye weed, wild cucumber, and large-leaved aster are blooming. Blackberries are still ripening in the north, but they have been difficult to find as most have dried up this year due to the drought conditions. Wild rice is getting closer to being ripe in many northern areas. Remember to obtain the necessary permits required for harvest.
Article Source:
http://justnorth.com/Articles/tabid/105/articleType/AuthorView/authorID/12/justnorth.aspx