May 9, 2019
Ice is finally off all the lakes in the north, but a mid-week snowstorm dropped 6 to 10 inches of snow from Bayfield to Douglas counties. Widespread rain and even snow in the northwest has lowered current fire danger but earlier in the week 89 wildfires burned 155 acres, destroying three buildings and most were caused by debris burning.
Although there have been continuous fluctuations in the weather, anglers were catching crappie and walleye on the east shore of Lake Winnebago. Crappies are just starting to move into the shallow water in central Wisconsin lakes to spawn. Near Shiocton, recent rain had the Wolf River up near record heights but now the water is beginning to recede and a few walleyes and white bass were being caught.
Some walleye continue to be caught on the Menominee, Peshtigo, Marinette and Oconto rivers but action has slowed from previous weeks. Suckers, northern pike, perch, and muskies were also reported as species caught.
High winds and rain at the start of the week kept a lot of boats off Green Bay. Temperatures rose, and conditions calmed considerably by the weekend and high numbers of anglers and boats were going out of the launches. Most anglers were interested mainly in walleye and bass but success was low. Success was a bit better along the bay side of Door County with anglers averaging two to three walleyes.
Anglers trolling Lake Michigan out of Kewaunee were catching brown trout on crankbaits and spoons. After a quiet week, the McKinley Marina in Milwaukee was fairly busy on the weekend with anglers coming in reporting browns and coho caught in the harbor. Anglers launching out of Racine and Kenosha were targeting coho salmon, with one boat bringing about a half dozen coho, along with a few brown trout as well.
Sandhill crane colts are starting to fledge at the Collins Marsh Wildlife Area in Manitowoc County. Photo credit: Allison Parker
Turkeys have quieted and gobbling activity has decreased with many hens apparently in nesting mode as they were wandering around by themselves. But grouse are drumming. Fawns should start to drop over the next week or so. Sandhill cranes, wood ducks, and Canada geese are fledging young across the south. Up north, young Canada jays were seen already in Ashland County.
Bloodroot and spring beauty were blooming in Ashland County before being covered with snow. Wild geranium leaves are out and may apples are fully emerged in the south, where morel reports have also started coming in; this weekend should be excellent for them to really pop. The invasive garlic mustard is bolting – if you pull it, bag it now or it will still have enough energy to produce seed.
Backyards across southern Wisconsin were alive this week with Baltimore and orchard orioles, rose-breasted grosbeaks, ruby-throated hummingbirds, as well as the first indigo buntings and scarlet tanagers enjoying orange halves, jelly dishes, and nectar feeders. Warbler reports out of Milwaukee were especially spectacular, including 24 species seen early in the week, a rare yellow-throated warbler among them.
The Horicon Marsh Bird Club is hosting the 22nd annual Horicon Marsh Bird Festival (exit DNR) May 9-13, the oldest bird festival in Wisconsin. Birding tours by boat, bus and on foot, bird banding demonstration, and many more activities are planned.
It’s Mother’s Day weekend and in honor of moms a special OutWiGo Girls event will be held Saturday in beautiful Kettle Moraine State Forest – Southern Unit, with wildflower hikes, inspiring talks, bike rides, nature crafts and more [PDF] , this day of fun is fit for OutWiGo Girls and families of all ages.
