justnorth posted on March 24, 2008 23:03 :: 1827 Views
Spring officially begins today, and while signs of spring have been showing up in greater numbers across central and southern Wisconsin, winter was holding on in the north, with some areas receiving as much as 6 inches of new snow in the last week. Snow depths of up to two feet were still being reported in Vilas and Iron counties, and snowmobile trails were still being reported in fair to good conditions.
Most state parks are reporting cross-country ski trails were now closed. The few trails that remain open in far northern Wisconsin have been soft in the day and icy in the early morning. Areas of central Wisconsin still had up to a foot of snow on the ground, and bare ground was being reported through most of southern Wisconsin.
Most lakes continue to be ice covered, but ice conditions on southern lakes are deteriorating in some areas. Open areas near inlets and outlets are increasing in size. Many southern river systems are running very high with snow melt.
Anglers are beginning to fish the open water of many river systems with good success for walleye and sauger being reported. Boat ramps along the Fox River in the Green Bay area are open; however, there are no docks in yet. There is ice along both sides of the river and some floating ice from DePere to the river mouth. Fishing has been good with walleyes in the 18- to 23-inch range reported and a few lake whitefish have also been caught. The Main Channel of the Mississippi has opened up. The river rose quickly this week going from 7.7 feet at Prairie du Chien last week to 9.1 feet early this week. The boat landings are open but again no piers are in place yet.
Many anglers were limiting out on sauger with some decent walleye also showing up. Mississippi back water sloughs that have current flowing through them are dangerous with varying ice conditions. At least three ATVs and one snowmobile broke through the ice this week. The lower Wisconsin River is also open and there has been very good action for walleyes and saugers below the Prairie du Sac dam and some walleye biting near the bluff at Peck’s landing.
All Lake Michigan tributaries in southeastern Wisconsin have high stream flows and muddy water. Conditions on smaller streams will improve first, so look for steelheading opportunities in the Pigeon River, Sauk Creek, the Menomonee River, Oak Creek, or the Pike River.
Good numbers of migratory birds are showing up across the state. The first bluebird scouts are back looking for suitable places to nest and raise their young. Now is the time to clean out bluebird houses from last year if it hasn’t been done already. Good numbers of sandhill cranes, red-winged blackbirds and meadow larks are being reported. Small groups of robins are foraging along the edge of the retreating snow. Geese and ducks are arriving along the open waters of the Mississippi River in good numbers.
The sap is flowing in the sugar maples with collection buckets visible in many areas. Chipmunks have ended their hibernation and are scrambling for food supplies. Deer have moved out of the yard areas in the southern portion of the state. And now is the time for turkey hunters to get out and re-gain permission from landowners for the up coming turkey seasons.
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