justnorth posted on March 09, 2008 23:30 :: 1221 Views
Snow continues to blanket most of Wisconsin, but additional snowfall in the last week has been limited and conditions in southeast and west central parts of the state have deteriorated, with some locations reporting a couple of inches or less of snow. However, snow depths continue to range from one to two feet in many locations. Snowmobile trails are now closed in counties with poor snow, but remain open and in fair to good condition in many locations, according to the Department of Tourism Snow Conditions Report (exit DNR). Rain fell last Sunday over much of the state, which was followed by a drop in temperatures. Many state park and forest cross-country ski trails were being reported as icy, but in those areas with better snow, many trails were re-groomed and conditions were still being reported as fair to good.
With the ending of the game fish ice fishing season this past Sunday, angling pressure has significantly dropped off on many waters across the state. However, there were still quite a few panfish anglers venturing out and they continue to have some generally good success, with some nice catches of crappie, perch and bluegill. Some waters do remain open year-found for game fish and walleyes were being caught on the Fox River at DePere. There was a lot of fishing pressure all over Green Bay this week, with anglers catching perch and a few whitefish along with some northern pike and walleye. In Milwaukee, open water was being found in the inner harbor and anglers have been catching a few brown trout. Steelhead should be running up the Lake Michigan tributaries any time, with a few already reported from the Root and Pike rivers.
The opening of the catch and release trout season had some anglers around on a generally good weather day. Coulee area early trout anglers found streams in good conditions for the opener. A continued slow snow melt will be beneficial for both trout and anglers trying to catch them.
The Mississippi River has been steady most of the week and was at about 7.7 feet at Prairie du Chien. Travel upon Mississippi River ice is dangerous in many areas because of melting snow and rain and river current. Most of the Main Channel was still frozen over but that may change this week. Some backwater areas with good oxygenated water were still producing good catches of bluegill and crappie. Some walleye anglers continue to venture onto dangerous ice for walleye and sauger below dams with mixed success and a few anglers have been getting their boats into the water below the dam at Genoa with some success on walleye and sauger.
Coyote are paired up due to breeding season. Due to the snow cover, deer and turkeys are still grouped up, and a few bucks have still been seen carrying antlers.
Early March, typically marks the beginning of northward bird migration; however, things may be delayed somewhat this year. Robins were spotted in Watertown the first weekend in March only to find a blanket of snow still on the ground. With the Mississippi River beginning to open up, diving ducks such as ring-necked, scaup, buffleheads, and goldeneyes should begin arriving soon.
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