Some very warm summer weather in the last week has provided excellent conditions for outdoor recreation especially on lakes and rivers, but it has also caused some water-related concerns. In the southern part of the state, outbreaks of blue-green algae are being reported on some lakes. Blue-green algae is not only unsightly and smelly, but can reduce oxygen levels in lakes and sometimes produce toxins. People and their pets should avoid water with blue-green algae outbreaks. In the north, outbreaks of columnaris, a naturally occurring bacteria, has caused fish kills on some lakes. Columnaris primarily affects panfish and can cause fish kills especially if outbreaks occur during or just after spawning periods. These kills generally do not cause long term damage to the fishery, and columnaris does not pose a threat to people or pets.
Most of the state received rain in the last week, with some parts of southeastern Wisconsin receiving 3 inches. Water levels were up on many southern rivers, providing some good conditions for paddlers. Northern Wisconsin received less rain, and many lakes and flowages in the north continue to well below normal water levels.
Bass have finished spawning, with largemouth settling into their early summer pattern of cruising the weed beds and hitting on surface baits and soft plastics. Smallmouth have been hanging in deeper water following the rigors of spawning, but they should start moving to mid-depth woody cover. Bluegills have finished spawning on some lakes, but continue to be found in nesting colonies on other waters and some nice catches continue to be reported.
Musky action has been heating up on northern waters with many more fish moving into an active feeding mode, especially on the Flambeau and Chippewa rivers and their flowages. The mayfly hatches have subsided and walleye action has improving in the later evening hours near weed edges and break lines.
Lake Winnebago anglers braving the heat this week were rewarded with bags of walleye and white bass, and bass and bluegill have also been found in shallow water and bays. Catfish have been biting on the upper Rock and Crawfish rivers. With the warmer water, bluegills are beginning to suspend in deeper water in southern lakes.
Smallmouth bass fishing has remained good along the Door County peninsula. Walleye action has also picked up on Green Bay again. With the warmer weather, salmon fishing was also heating up on Lake Michigan, but many fish have moved deeper, with trollers fishing in 90 down to 250 feet of water. Pier and shore fishing was generally slow this week, except in Port Washington where anglers were catching brown trout and at Milwaukee were some nice perch were being caught.
White-tailed bucks are now being seen sporting some very impressive sized antlers in full velvet. Fawns are abundant and moving around more now so be watchful along the roads. Wild turkey broods are beginning to appear. Watch for wild turkey broods in grassy fields, where the poults feed voraciously on insects.
A recent news report has caused some confusion over the 2009 fall turkey hunting season. The Sept. 12 to Nov. 19 season will take place in all seven Wisconsin turkey management zones. A proposal to extend the season from Nov. 30 to Dec. 31 is currently under legislative review and if approved would take place only in zones 1 through 5.
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