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Brule River State Forest Spring conditions have been a little less than ideal for those who are looking to get out and enjoy a warm spring weekend. Last weekend started out with wind, snow, and cold temperatures...it is looking like this weekend is going to be similar. Birds continue to filter into the northland. Pine, and palm warblers, brown thrasher, ruby-crowned kinglets, tree swallows yellow-bellied sapsuckers are just some of the birds that have been observed. Dandelions are just starting to appear along the warm sides of buildings. The Wisconsin fishing opener is Saturday May 3, opening up the remainder of the Bois Brule River and it's tributaries for fishing. The Bois Brule River flow has gone down to 267 cubic feet per second (cfs). Last week the flow was around 400 cfs. The 63 year average flow is 247 cfs. April turned out to be the snowiest month of 2008 with 24 inches of accumulated snow. April actually "outsnowed" the previous three months combined, which totaled 22 inches of snow. There is a workday is planned for May 10, 2008 starting at 10 a.m. at the Afterhours Archery course. This workday will focus on repairing target backstops, removing debris from target trails, and placing targets. An informal meeting will convene around noon with turkey sandwiches provided. Please bring any side dishes and beverage you wish to provide. In the case of rain, the rain date for this workday will be May 17, same time and place. Also, bring your bows and plan to shoot the course once it is all set up for the year. Even though the Annual Brule River Sportsmen's Club Brule River Spring Clean-up day turned out to be a windy, snowy, and cold day, it that did not stop people from showing up to clean up litter along the river corridor. Close to 30 people braved the weather conditions on Saturday April 26 to pick up what they could see through the snow. Due to the poor conditions some sites were not reached. Some people have volunteered to go back to these sites in the next couple of weeks. Cleanup volunteers are still needed for the "unclaimed" sites. (If interested call Dennis Smet at 715-372-8377).
Park Falls
Unseasonably cold weather along with snow flurries has slowed the spring progression. Below average temperatures are forecast through the weekend. Those enjoying the fishing opener will experience cold water temperatures and walleye spawning activity in the Park Falls area. Some of the larger lakes still have some ice cover, which may or may not clear entirely by the opener. Anglers will have no worries over insect problems, though ticks are being reported in most areas. Waterfowl numbers continue to increase in the area and are more visible on area waterways. The number and variety of birds visiting area bird feeders continues to increase as the migrants find their way back to their summer range. The risk of forest fires currently is low in the Park Falls area and buds are beginning to open in the woodlands. Please be sure to check if burning permits are being issued in your area before considering burning brush piles. Area rivers are above normal and canoeists and kayakers are advised to check conditions before deciding to paddle in faster high water. Caution is also advised when venturing out on the water in the spring when air temperatures are warm but the water is slowly warming and temperatures remain cold. Hypothermia can be a real danger if a person is exposed to the water without proper gear. Always wear a personal flotation device while enjoying paddle sports on the water and be sure to inform others of your trip plans and return time.
Upper Chippewa Basin fisheries report ( Price, Rusk, Sawyer Taylor and inland Ashland and Iron counties) The big concern for the fishing opener in the Upper Chippewa Basin is whether lakes will be ice free for anglers on Saturday morning. It was very cold last weekend with very little precipitation. Nighttime temperatures dipped below freezing and daytime highs did not exceed 50. In northern Sawyer County and southern Bayfield County (south of Hwy 2), many lakes were still ice covered as of Wednesday and were not expected to be open by the weekend. Ice went out on Moose Lake and parts of the Chippewa Flowage. As a result of the cool weather, water temperatures have been in the mid-40s, 3 to 5 degrees cooler than last week. Water levels are still very high on many lakes and flowages. By the weekend opener, ice will be out on dark-water lakes and flowages, but there may still be areas of ice on the deep, clear-water lakes near Hayward. Most waters in Price and Taylor counties have opened up, though Butternut Lake and the Pike Lake Chain still had some ice at mid-week but were expected to be completely open by the weekend. In general, flowages and shallow, stained-water lakes were open; but the deeper, clear-water lakes were still ice covered. Opening weekend anglers can expect to find that northern pike and perch have completed their spawning rituals and should be starting their spring feeding binge. Walleye however, will likely be in various stages of spawning or immediate post-spawn condition - which could make them tough to catch. Trout lakes and spring ponds should have all been stocked by opening weekend and trout anglers should enjoy some good action.
Flambeau River
State Forest Trails continue to be wet. Ice has been out on area lakes and both forks of the Flambeau River for over a week now. The South Fork is at flood stage, whitewater canoeing/kayaking should be good but dangerous, please use caution. The North Fork is also at a spring high. Redhorse are starting to nibble and should be good fishing within the next couple of weeks. Walleye are spawning. Red maple buds are starting to swell. Male catkins are off the trees. Bear are making an appearance and starting to play havoc on the birdfeeders. Beaver trapping is winding down, the season ends April 30 for the north.
Woodruff
Opening weekend of fishing season begins on May 3 and will bring with it a wide variety of fishing conditions. Be sure to do some homework prior to venturing out on your favorite lake as you just might find it ice covered. Cold weather has hampered the traditional ice out across much of the north. Some smaller lakes are ice free but will have all stages of spawning fish. The predicted cool and wet weather through the weekend should prolong spring arrival. Crappies should start moving in along the shallows and stage prior to spawning. Bass opens this weekend as well but is catch and release only until June 14. Musky does not open until May 24. A reminder to anglers to make sure that you have a current fishing license and that the license is on your person when you are out on the water. Also, please remember that you must have the appropriate and correct number of personal flotation devices in your boat. Boater safety courses are currently being given and/or scheduled to begin. A Boating Safety Internet course is available on line. Bear are reported to be out and about and moving in to visit bird feeders and garbage cans. Homeowners should secure their garbage cans and to remember that bear consider birdseed to be quite a delicacy. Bringing in the bird feeders at night can eliminate a lot of work caused by bears coming in for an easy meal.
Upper Wisconsin Basin fisheries report (Oneida, Vilas, Lincoln, Langlade, Forest and Florence counties) Fisheries staff have just begun netting surveys in the southern areas of the region. However, in northern Oneida and Vilas counties there is still lots of ice on the lakes and will cause some grief for anglers this coming weekend. Air temperatures have dropped into the 20s each night. As of April 30, popular area lakes such as Big Arbor Vitae, Minocqua, Big St. Germain, and Muskellunge Lake still were socked in with ice and will almost certainly be for the opener. Larger deep-water lakes like Tomahawk, Trout, and Fence Lakes certainly will have full ice cover well into next week. If the area gets warm weather later in the week and some rain, the smaller Vilas County lakes have a 50 percent chance of being ice free. The smaller shallower lakes should be out in Oneida County this week. The Willow Flowage as well as the Eagle and Three Lakes Chains are open. On a more positive note, late ice-out dates generally mean better fishing since walleye have just finished spawning and are eager to bite. Male walleye will hang around shallow rock bars waiting for any remaining females to spawn for at least a week after the peak spawning activity.
Antigo
Council Grounds State Park - The ice has finally melted off of Lake Alexander. The docks are in at the Boat Landing and ready for opening weekend of fishing. Small walleyes are being caught below the dam. The campground will open on May 1, but flush toilet buildings will not open until May 22. Spring peepers can be heard through out the park. Volunteers are needed for spring clean-up: raking, garbage pick-up, and trail maintenance.
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