Weekly Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Outdoor Report
OutdoorHub 02.09.12
After yet another week of mild temperatures and no snow, winter recreation conditions continued to deteriorate in most areas. The far north continues to be the only area with complete snow cover, and even there southern hillsides are getting thin and bare spots. Snowmobile trails remain open in about a dozen northern counties according to the Wisconsin Department of Tourism’s Snow Conditions Report (exit DNR), with conditions ranging from poor to fair, with a few areas still reporting good, but heavily used trails.
Prior to colder temperatures that arrived mid-week, lake ice conditions had continued to worsen, with a number of areas reporting increased areas of open water in southern and central Wisconsin, with additional reports of trucks and other vehicles breaking through the ice.
With a record number of spearers expected, fisheries officials are hoping the colder weather will improve ice conditions on the Lake Winnebago system for this Saturday’s opening of the lake sturgeon spearing season. State fish managers say that while the system has a good population of trophy sized fish and higher harvest caps, ice conditions remain the big question mark. Spearers should check with local clubs and sport shops around Lake Winnebago and the Upper River Lakes for the latest information on ice conditions. A record 12,680 people bought licenses to participate in the seasons. More information about the season, videos, slide shows and articles about lake sturgeon and the season can be found on 2012 sturgeon spearing season feature page of the DNR website.
There is very little good ice on Green Bay, though some ice anglers continue to venture out where there is some ice along shore, with fair reports for whitefish and some smaller perch. Open water anglers continued to have some success for brown and rainbow trout at Lake Michigan harbors. Ice fishing continued to be on the slow side on most inland lakes, but with some reports of action picking up, especially for walleye on northern flowages and on some southern rivers.
Deer are moving freely with the reduced snow pack and are being observed feeding in fields in the evening hours. Some turkeys were seen strutting last week when temperatures were in the 40s and 50s and pheasants have been herd crowing. Wolves have been heard howling as they define their breeding territories. Great horned and barred owls have also been calling. Some bluebirds have been reported in the south throughout the winter, but more numbers are being seen, so now is the time to clean out and disinfect bluebird houses. Another sign of the approaching spring — male cardinals are being heard singing.
This is the last big weekend for candlelight events on state properties, most of which have been held as candlelight hikes this year because of lack of snow. As of Thursday, there were still nine candlelight events scheduled for Saturday night, with events at Lake Kegonsa State park and Peshtigo River State Forest cancelled due to lack of snow and icy conditions. As always call ahead to confirm events and get the latest conditions.
