Category: General

Fall colors will be peaking in southern Wisconsin within the next week, with only some stubborn maples and oaks hanging on to their summer colors. In northern Wisconsin the recent rain and heavy wind has all but nearly knocked most leaves off of trees, but the tamarack trees are making up for them with their increasing gold color. Leaf drop is providing for some better archery hunting and upland bird hunting. Morning frost in forecast for some areas of the state will provide for more leaf drop, along with the oaks beginning to turn to their fall reds and bronze.

The reopening of the southern zone duck season proved successful for many hunters last weekend with ducks in nearly everyone’s bag. Some diving ducks, mostly ring-necks and canvasbacks have been seen throughout the state. Diving duck migration should continue as more seasonal temperatures arrive. Some more exotic birds such as trumpeter swans, egrets, and large flocks of cormorants have been seen around the Mississippi River.

Last weekend brought several hunting season openers. On Saturday Oct. 19 the pheasant and bobwhite quail season will be opening statewide at noon. Many state properties are going to be stocked of pheasant for the opener. Southern area cottontail, statewide raccoon and fox seasons will also be opening. Several trapping seasons will be opening this Saturday as well. isconsin’s second wolf season kicked of Tuesday morning, with a few successful hunts being confirmed in northern Wisconsin and also one in Columbia County.

Wardens and biologists from across the state are reporting that the classic signs of the pre rut are starting to show with many rubs and scrapes are beginning to cover Wisconsin’s landscape. Smaller bucks are reported to be chasing doe, and there has been many large bucks harvested. In Sauk County, a buck harvested by bow and arrow was unofficially scored at 196. Look for cooler temperatures and the harvesting of crops to create more deer movement.

The Lake Michigan tributaries have been host to some heavy action for salmon. Perch and walleye have also been providing for good fishing across the state as water temperatures drop.

Anglers fishing the structure below the dam at Stiles caught some bluegill and crappies using slip bobbers and minnows or leaf worms. Chinook were caught near the Iron Bridge on the Oconto River using spawn sacks, spoons and stick baits and wooly buggers. Perch were caught in the Breakwater Park and Oconto Park II landings using minnows or chunks of crawlers. – Kevin King, creel clerk

MADISON – As fall colors near peak in northern Wisconsin, state officials want the public to know that state park, trail, forest, wildlife and other properties all remain open for public recreation and enjoyment.

With many hunting seasons open, inland fishing pressure was a bit reduced across the Northwoods. Musky have been receiving the most attention lately and the action has continued to be good. The musky have been active at nearly all times of the day and most anglers were reporting some sort of action including short hits, follows, swirls, and a good number of catches as well. In the south, walleye were being caught on the ler Wisconsin and Rock rivers. Trout fishers are reminded the inland trout season closes September 30.

Anglers at the mouth of the Oconto River caught a few small perch and freshwater drum using crawlers. Walleye and perch anglers from Pensaukee to Oconto Park II reported a few fish being caught. Anglers fishing below the Stiles Dam were catching crappie, blue gill, and small mouth using slip bobbers and minnow or plastics, fishing along the pilings. Salmon and trout fishing has been slow. Perch action on the Bay has slowed due to windy conditions. – Kevin King, creel clerk

The leaves are beginning to change in Oconto County with lowlands being the first to go. Some great reds and yellows can be seen. The northern waterfowl opener had mixed results with wood ducks being the most seen bird in hunters bags. Some hunters are already reporting scrapes and bucks chasing does. Grouse hunters not reporting much success but still a good number of leaves need to fall. – Mike Stahl, conservation warden, Oconto Falls.

The first day of fall officially arrives this Sunday with the autumnal equinox, and outdoor conditions are pretty much in line, with some areas of the north starting to report good fall colors arriving, migrant Canada geese are moving into the state, and white-tail bucks have begun rubbing trees.

Conservation wardens and wildlife staff from around the state reported an unusually high number of bucks brought in on the opening weekend of the archery deer season with antlers still in velvet and they are reminding hunters that they must get a permit from a warden to keep velvet antlers. Archers reported seeing good numbers of deer with some very good success harvesting deer opening weekend.

Oak tree have produced a heavy acorn crop this year so turkeys, deer, and bear have been feeding heavily on the fall crop. Some bear hunters report it has been difficult to attract bear to baits due to the heavy mast crop this year.

The recent cold spell has pushed down some Canada geese and more and more agricultural fields are being harvested offering some good hunting opportunities. This past weekend’s youth waterfowl hunt proved successful for many youths with wood ducks prevalent this year in many areas.

This coming weekend’s duck opener should provide large water fowl numbers for the hunters. Many of the birds will still be in eclipse plumage so hunters will have to brush up on their identification skills. Several concentrations and morning flights of wood ducks and teal have been seen along the Mississippi River, with a few scattered mallards also observed. Water levels remain very low, and for the opening weekend, Mississippi River duck hunters will find large expanses of water lilies and other emergent plants that harbor ducks and hinder their retrieval.

Ample late summer rains have extended the paddling season on some popular rivers, including the lower Flambeau, Pine and Brule, providing opportunity for lovely and rare autumn river runs. However, the lower Wisconsin River continues to be very low with many exposed sandbars.

Musky continue to provide the most consistent action in the Northwoods and most musky anglers have been reporting a lot of follows and sightings, with quite a few hook-ups and catches as well. Walleye fishing continues to improve and more anglers are starting to target this species.

Lake Michigan tributary fall salmon and trout runs have still not kicked into high gear. Some fish were seen in the Manitowoc, Twin, Sheboygan, Milwaukee and Root rivers but not in high numbers. Strong winds and high waves have kept many trollers off the lake and most who did venture out stayed near harbors, with some success. Shore and pier angler numbers have been high with some success for chinook salmon and brown trout.

While many think that spring time is when you see newly hatched turtles some species, such wood turtle, are making their appearance now. It takes these Wisconsin threatened turtles 10 to 12 years to reproduce so please “give them a break” if you see these youngsters crossing the roads.

Recent cold fronts and northwest winds have migration humming across most of the state. In the north observers have noted good flights of broad-winged and sharp-shinned hawks along with turkey vulture flights. Warblers and other Neotropical migrants are now past peak, but orange-crowned, palm and yellow-rumped warblers are still being seen.