Outdoor Report – June 14, 2019
People are out enjoying the summer-like weather camping, fishing, kayaking, and canoeing. While warmer days are making the water more attractive, swimmers and paddlers are being cautioned that many lakes and rivers are still cold and at higher than normal summer water levels.
The water is slowly warming up and that means that fishing is also starting to pick up on many lakes. Bass have been seen on beds and crappies are still biting off and on in shallow water related to weeds, downed trees, and docks. Bluegill and other panfish are in their pre-spawn stage, with some nests beginning to be made in the shallow, warmer water.
Fishing on Lake Michigan out of Port Washington started to pick up during the weekend with many anglers out targeting lake trout or coho, and a few targeting chinook.
Fawns and other young wildlife critters from young bunnies and squirrels to bird chicks are spotted regularly now. It’s great to look from a distance but remember to keep wildlife wild.
Mosquitoes and ticks are out in large numbers in some areas, especially the Northwoods where there was a big hatch this week and are virtually non-existent in others.
In Manitowoc County, DNR Conservation Warden Allysa Neff-Miller says; If you are on Collins Marsh State Wildlife Area you will notice a great deal of changes, the marsh is being drawn down for planned maintenance on the dam. It is also part of the program to draw down the marsh to increase habitat growth. Several of the parking lots have been redone and access roads improved as well. Please respect our state wildlife areas and do not litter or vandalize these public areas. This weekend is a great time to get outside and explore the great outdoors, the nice weather won’t last forever!
