Current West Central Wisconsin-Baldwin-La Crosse-Crawford County-Eau Claire-Wisconsin Rapids Fishing Reports- Click Here
Fishing Reports - Baldwin-La Crosse-Crawford County-Eau Claire-Wisconsin Rapids
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WI DNR
May 5, 2008
Baldwin
All area waters are ice free, but the rivers are running high. The Mississippi and St. Croix rivers are very high, which will cause the St. Croix River to be slow-no wake speed for boaters river-wide for the May 3 walleye opener. The Stillwater River gauge is expected to read 683 feet by Wednesday or Thursday of this week. When the St Croix reaches this level, a river wide slow no wake rule is required to be in effect to protect shorelines and structures. Many boat access points may also be closed due to the high water. Trout streams, however, are looking good and unless the region gets additional heavy rain before the weekend, conditions for trout anglers on the Rush, Kinni, Trimbell and Willow rivers should be good. Anglers in St. Croix County are reminded that a county wide panfish bag limit of 10 is in effect starting this spring and Cedar Lake has a new walleye slot and bag limit. Walleye between 14 and 18 inches cannot be kept, with a bag of three, only one may be over 18 inches. Conditions on Dunn County waters of Tainter Lake and Lake Menomin should be good, but the Chippewa River is still quite high. Turkey hunting success has been very good in spite of poor weather conditions.
Willow River State Park
Due to unseasonably cold weather, it may not be possible to get water turned on and buildings open in the campground for the weekend of May 3. Possible frost below ground is still capable of damaging the pipes. Campers will find dry wood (oak) along the trail from the campground to the beach. Cutting trees that are already down is allowed with hand tools only, no power saws. Runners were reporting good trails. The hills are a "Fitness Course" for runners, walkers, and skiers. More on this topic is on the Parks web site under Current Conditions, Willow River. Trout fishing is closed until May 3. The river is running high and dirty. Lake anglers have been few and have had limited success at the dam. A few bluegills have been caught. The panfish limit on the lake is now 10 fish. The cool weather has shut down the frog calling. Frog calling generally starts when water temperatures rise above 50 degrees. The air temperature was near 80 degrees the day the frogs were heard calling. The white suckers are finished spawning below Willow Falls. Another common spring wildlife sighting in the falls area is the eastern fox snake. This harmless snake can shake its tail fast enough against something dry to make a buzzing sound, often mistaken for a rattlesnake. Large numbers of the fox snake may be seen on warm days in the falls area until they disperse. These snakes are also common in the area of the Little Falls dam. Turtles, like frogs, also need the water above 50 degrees to become active.
La Crosse
Toads and gray tree frogs are calling. House wrens, upland sandpipers, palm warblers, prairie warblers, and brown thrashers are some of the recent songbird arrivals. Hummingbirds, orioles, bobolinks, rose-breasted grosbeaks, scarlet tanagers, and many warblers will be arriving soon. Speaking of hummingbirds, now is the time to put out hummingbird feeders so they are in place when the birds arrive. Fill hummingbird feeders with a nectar mixture of four parts water to one part cane sugar, which is boiled and left to cool. Turkey hunters are reporting average success despite adverse weather conditions. Two-year old gobblers appear plentiful and are responding readily to hunters' calls and decoys. Turtles and many amphibians are on the move now. Drivers should watch for them crossing roads near wetlands, especially during warm weather, and try to safely avoid them. The first Canada goose broods are starting to show up. Early mallard broods will not be far behind.
Crawford County
Last week at this time the Mississippi River was at 14.7 feet. The big river crested on Sunday at 17.1 feet which is more than a foot over flood stage. By Monday of this week the river started to drop and is now at about 16.7 feet. The forecast for the Mississippi River is for it to drop rather rapidly this week. The Wisconsin River has been on the rise but it appears to be stabilizing. The Kickapoo River has been rising also but severe flooding conditions are not present so far. The Mississippi River is seeing barge traffic and light recreational boating traffic. Bluegill, perch, and crappie action was again slow this week due to the high water. Perch action at the dams has slowed. Bluegill and crappie action was slow throughout the area. Fishing from the shore at Cold Spring was slow this week also, mainly because much of the area is under water. Not much of a bite going on for either crappie or bluegill. Anglers fishing at Cold Spring are reminded that those waters are considered inland waters where the game fish season is closed. The boat ramp this past week was under water and extremely hard to access. The Ambro Slough complex and Sturgeon Slough did not see much fishing activity either because of the high water. The Spring Lake is full of water as is the entire Ambro Slough complex. Fishing below the Lynxville dam for sauger and walleye was pretty slow this week. There were a few days last week where anglers were able to come off the water with a few walleyes or sauger, otherwise action was slow. The boat landing at Gordon's Bay is completely under water and unusable. Some shore anglers have been fishing on the long wall at the dam with limited success with perch, northern and walleye. Anglers can park in the lot at Lock and Dam #9 and walk down to the wall, however you might need knee or hip boots to access the wall. The second turkey season closed Sunday and hunters were met with a variety of weather patterns, mostly bad. High winds, heavy rain, and fog and cold temperatures hampered some hunts. Even though, a fair number of hunters were able to bag their gobbler. Most hunters report fair gobbling action with a decent number of sightings. Bald eagles are starting to occupy nests along the Mississippi and Wisconsin Rivers. Some of the best viewing areas can be found on Pool 9 in the Lynxville/Ferryville area and in the Pool 10 area around Prairie du Chien. Canvasback, bluebill, bufflehead, red head, mallard, wood duck, teal, shoveler and many other species of ducks are still here to some degree. Pelicans, geese, and some swans are also present. Sandhill cranes, robins, blue birds, red-winged blackbirds and other song birds have returned and are starting to nest. Turkeys are in the thick of their mating ritual. Rooster pheasants are crowing and some ruffed grouse drumming has started up. A chorus of frogs can be heard on warm days throughout the day.
Buffalo River State Trail
Warm weather and rain has made the trail soft in spots. Grading will be done as conditions allow. ATVs are allowed year around on the Buffalo River Trail. Check with counties for their trail conditions and opening dates. Some wildflowers are beginning to bloom.
Great River State Trail
The warm weather and rain has made the trail soft in spots. Grading will be done as conditions allow. Enjoy the unique character of a flooded forest due to high water levels of the Black and Mississippi rivers. The best view is this is between Lytle's Landing and Trempealeau. Some wildflowers are beginning to bloom. The toilet buildings at Trempealeau and Lytle's Landing are open for the season. The Saint Clare Health Mission will be holding a fundraising half marathon and 5K walk/run on May 3. For more information contact www.stclarehealthmission.org..
Merrick State Park
Fishing has been slow. The river is about 2 feet above normal. The boat dock will be put in once the river level returns to normal. Waterfowl are returning to the area. Some wild flowers are starting to bloom. The north campground is open for camping. The dump station is open and fresh water is available. From April 18 through May 16 the shower/flush toilet building will only be open Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The dump station is open and potable water is available.
Perrot State Park
With all the rain the past week the trail are very soft and muddy. Fishing has been slow and the river level is high. The dock will be installed after the water returns to normal. The spring wild flowers are beginning to come out. Spotted this past week are bellwort, blood root, rue anemone, wood anemone, hepatica, columbine and wild ginger. Sites 1-50 are open for camping. The flush toilet/shower buildings in the lower loop are open. The dump station is open and potable water is available.
Wildcat Mountain State Park
Trails are starting to dry out. Horse trails will open May 1. Spring flowers are starting to bloom, including hepatica, blood root and spring beauties. May apples are up but not blooming yet. Trout season opens May 3. The shower building will open the week of May 5.
Eau Claire
Brunet Island State Park
Most of the Cornell Flowage is open and the boat ramp is ice free. The docks have not been put in. Park trails are generally dry with occasional muddy areas. The chipmunks and ground squirrels have come out of hibernation. Spring peepers have emerged. Species of birds seen or heard include: the lake gulls, golden finches, mallard and bufflehead ducks, common loons, great blue herons, red winged blackbirds, phoebes, Canada geese, sandhill cranes, robins, mourning doves, nuthatches, ravens, black capped chickadees, pileated woodpeckers, great horned owls, barred owls, and bald eagles. The campground is open with electric sites, hand water pump, and a pit toilet. The campground shower facility, the picnic area flush toilet building, and the camper dump station are still closed.
Wisconsin Rapids
Buckhorn State Park
Many sites are open for camping. Some far sites are still closed. Sandhill cranes have been heard in the area and some robins seen. Osprey have started rebuilding nests. Many birds are starting to migrate through the Castle Rock area. Remember, park stickers are required for Launch C and D and there are no additional launch fees. Dates are still available for the accessible cabin in May, Sept, and Oct. Applications are available for the November Buckhorn Youth Deer Hunt. Contact the park office at 608-565-2789 for questions or to get an application. The 2008 application is also available on the park website through the DNR internet site. Spring turkey hunting in the park and Buckhorn wildlife area is 15C - special permit only. Turkey hunting for area 15 is allowed in the Yellow River Wildlife Area (formerly wildlife area B).
Roche-A-Cri State Park
Trails are in good condition for hiking. The main entrance is open and the first loop of the campground will be open May 2 for first come camping. If you register for an annual sticker it will be mailed to you. Early spring is a great time to get out and take photos for the annual photo contest.
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