Last weekend’s warm weather spurred some thoughts of spring! The end of winter is near. Anglers won’t have to wait too much longer for an excellent late-ice panfish bite — the ice around the edges of local lakes is starting to get thin, especially at the boat landings. Remember that ice fishing shacks need to be removed daily after March 8 south of Highway 64.
There is still plenty of snow up north for various winter activities, but winter recreation enthusiasts will have to deal with ice and crusty conditions. Snowmobile trails are in good shape in the northern third of the state on the travelwisconsin.com Snow Conditions Report. Cross-country ski trail conditionsremain good to excellent in many locations. The sun has a little more warmth, so trails warm-up and may get soft before they freeze up again during the night.
Sandhill cranes and red-winged blackbirds are starting to be spotted, but snowy owls are still being seen, as well.
FISHING
Brown County
Many anglers could be seen out this week fishing for perch off Hook Road. Perch were being caught but many fish were too small to keep. On average one out of five were said to be of desirable keeper size. Sunset Beach Road anglers fishing near the mouth of the Suamico River were catching whitefish. Many schools of whitefish were reported seen on cameras but not interested in lures. Anglers reported catching most of their fish close together as a short period of high activity seemed to be the case. Low fishing pressure was seen this week at Long Tail Point with a few anglers chasing perch and pike with no luck. The Fox River had heavy fishing pressure at the end of the week with anglers fishing from Voyageurs Park down river to the 172 bridge. Walleyes were being caught in good numbers throughout the week on jigs and jigging raps with whole minnows or just the head. Numerous whitefish were also present over the weekend with reports from anglers seeing many schools on their cameras. Incidental catches of sturgeon and muskies were also reported.
Kewaunee County
Bluegill and crappie fishing is predominant on the lakes, with some northern pike activity. The short warm spell in the weather was an early sign of spring, but it has not stopped anglers from taking advantage of ice coverage on the lakes.
PARKS & TRAILS
Kewaunee County
Recent warmer temperatures impacted the snowmobile trail conditions in Kewaunee. Snowmobile operators only had a short period to enjoy the Ahnapee State Trail and trails throughout Kewaunee County, but the trails have since closed.