Wisconsin Outdoor Report as of July 9, 2009

Northern Region Northeast Region Southeast Region South Central Region West Central Region

Wisconsin enjoyed some very pleasant weather over the July Fourth holiday weekend that brought out many people to enjoy the state’s lakes and rivers. Following a cold spell at the end June, water temperatures on some northern lakes had dropped back down into the 60s, but with the warm-up over the weekend, water temperatures returned back into the 70s.

Conditions have remained very dry, with most of the state receiving less than a quarter of an inch of rain in the last week. The northeast in particular remains very dry with lake and river levels low. The Bois Brule River in Douglas County was running at a record low this week. Vegetation in the area is also showing signs of the drought, with grasses along roadsides looking more golden than green and trees showing early signs of stress. Fire danger levels moved into the moderate level across much of the state, and wildfires were reported this week in several different areas.

This increase in water temperatures spurred on bass activity and anglers have continued to see good action. Musky action has also improved with the warmer weather and many anglers have reported a lot of follows. Some decent catches are also being made, with most fish in the mid 30-inch range and a few up to 44 inches being reported. Panfish success has also been good, with crappies found on deep weed edges or suspended near any mid-depth cover. Some bigger bluegill were still being caught in shallower water and some even have been noted to still have eggs. It appears that with the cold spring and late warm-up of the water, some panfish and bass may have foregone spawning this year. Walleye action slowed on Lake Winnebago this week, but perch fishing picked up.

Along Green Bay, both walleye and perch anglers were out in good numbers this week, but action was spotty. Anglers took advantage of the nice weather this past week to get out on Lake Michigan with some very nice fish being landed from the northern harbors. Anglers trolling for trout and salmon were the most successful in the early morning or in the late afternoon, with mixed catches of chinook salmon, rainbow trout and a few coho salmon. Action was slower along southern Lake Michigan with trollers out of some harbors struggling to find fish while other reported chinooks, coho, lake trout, and rainbows scattered in anywhere from 45 to 400 feet of water. In Milwaukee anglers have caught perch both from piers and boats.

Water levels on the Mississippi River also continue to be low. The river was at 7.2 feet this week at Prairie du Chien. Boaters need to use caution when operating outside of the main navigation channel as many submerged obstructions now pose significant hazards. The lower Wisconsin River is also low, with many sandbars now exposed for camping.

Reports of turkey and grouse broods are becoming more numerous. Monarch butterflies are being seen.

Summer wildflowers are now in full bloom with white wild indigo, spiderwort, harebell, prairie larkspur, butterfly weed, coneflowers, common yarrow, bouncing bet, hoary alyssum, sweet clovers, Queen Anne's lace, fleabanes, elderberry, hawkweed, common yarrow, lanceleaf coreopsis and common milkweed are currently blooming. Wild parsnip, stinging nettle and poison ivy are also out, so outdoor users should take appropriate precautions.