Heartland Outdoors

Wisconsin hatcheries need help

Sun, May 20, 2012

MADISON—A new study said Wisconsin’s 17 fish hatcheries are in need of $155 million in improvements.

A Springfield, Ill., engineering company recommends building a new Great Lakes cold water hatchery, a quarantine facility and two new inland lakes hatcheries.

The report recommends raising license fees, selling a $5 fish hatchery stamp or even creating a conservation sales tax, which would need approval from taxpayers.

Department of Natural Resources fisheries director Al Kaas said the agency is looking at a 10-year plan that would renovate some existing hatcheries and close four others.

Kaas told Wisconsin Public Radio News the DNR doesn’t have the money to operate and maintain all of the facilities it has in operation. The study recommends closing hatcheries in Langlade, Thunder River, Kettle Moraine and Brule River.

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Crappie still tops at Evergreen

Sun, May 20, 2012

Here’s the latest Evergreen Lake fishing report from Brad Wood.

Crappie fishing is the best bet on Evergreen this week, with Saugeye and Bass also doing well.  Crappie remain scattered with most being caught anywhere from 2-8 ft. of water.  Most of the bigger fish are coming from deeper water with a lot of small ones up in the shallow water.  Minnows have produced the best results, while tube jigs continue to catch fish as well..  We have had many reports of limits of nice sized fish being caught.  Saugeye fishing has improved with a good number of keepers being caught.  Bass fishing continues to be good with good numbers being caught.  Catfish have started to heat up with lots of nice channel and flatheads being caught.  Bluegills remain fair on crawlers and wax worms.  Muskie remain elusive with a few fish being brought to the boat.

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Kids fishing derby at Shelbyville

Sat, May 19, 2012

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Lake Shelbyville will host a kid’s fishing tournament for children 12 years of age and under on Saturday, June 9, 2012 in the Opossum Creek Recreation Area at the pond near the entrance to the park. 

The tournament is free. Participants are encouraged to pre-register, but it is not mandatory by calling 217-774-3951 ext. 2. 

Ages 6 and under are required to check-in or register at 8:30 a.m. and will fish from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m., ages 7-12 are required to check-in or register at 9:30 a.m. and will fish from 10:00 a.m. to11:00 a.m. Ages 7-12 will be divided into 7 to 9 and 10 to12 years old for prizes after the tournament.

Tournament categories include biggest fish, most fish and smallest fish for each age group. Prizes will be presented to the winners in each category and everyone will receive a certificate for participating. 

The tournament will be limited to bank fishing only. 

All participants will be required to bring and wear a life jacket.  Each participant must provide their own fishing equipment, tackle and bait and must be accompanied by an adult. Participants will have an opportunity to learn how to clean fish and enjoy a free fish fry for lunch.

Volunteers are still needed to help teach the kids how to clean fish and help gather fish from participants and record information. The supplies for all volunteer activities will be provided, but if you have supplies that you would like to bring and use during the event please do so.  All volunteers will receive one free night of camping at Lake Shelbyville at a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Campground and lunch with the event participants. 

Get your rods and reels ready to go, bring the kids and watch them enjoy a free fun morning of fishing at Lake Shelbyville. If you would like further information, to pre-register, or to volunteer call the Lake Shelbyville Interpretive Services and Outreach Department at (217) 774-3951 ext. 2.

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Rend Lake dam road closed Monday

Fri, May 18, 2012

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Rend Lake is announcing that the Rend Lake Dam/Spillway Bridge will be closed to all through traffic from 8:00 a.m. through 4:00 p.m. on Monday, May 21st.  This closure is necessary for engineers to perform periodic inspection on the Rend Lake main dam/ spillway bridge.  Periodic inspections are conducted every two years on all bridges at Rend Lake which are managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
     
For further information feel free to contact the Rend Lake Project Office and Visitor Center at 618-724-2493.

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Fawns abundant across Wisconsin

Fri, May 18, 2012

Baby fawns were being seen in good numbers across Wisconsin this week, and as usual, many people were calling DNR offices to report orphaned fawns. Fawns are rarely abandoned. Does will intentionally leave fawns unattended to prevent leaving scent around their young that can attract predators. Does are generally close by feeding and keeping an eye on their fawns. If you see a fawn in the wild, slowly back away and leave the fawn alone. Do not approach or touch it. Unless you know a doe has been killed, such as in a collision with a vehicle, please do not call DNR offices to report fawns.

Many other wildlife are also giving birth. It appears to be an excellent year for duck and goose production, with many large clutches of both being seen in many areas. Turkey poults have hatched in many areas. First of the year bluebird s are fledging from nest boxes already. Four peregrine falcon chicks hatched this week in a nest box on top of the Madison Gas and Electric Blount Street Generating Station. Trumpeter swans are still sitting on nests, but cygnets should be hatching very soon.

Water levels are very high on the Mississippi and Wisconsin rivers after last week’s rain. The Mississippi was as much as 5 feet above normal in some locations. The Wisconsin was out of its banks in many locations, but was starting to drop. The North and South Forks of the Flambeau River were both high and offering excellent whitewater paddling conditions this week.

With the warmer weather in the last week, fishing picked up in many locations and some very good catches were being reported in a number of areas. Walleye bag limits were being reported on Northwoods lakes this week, as well as on the Upper River Lake Winnebago System and along both the west and east shores of Green Bay. Some of the best northern pike fishing in years was also being reported in the north. Crappies have finished spawning on most northern lakes and bluegills and bass were now on their beds. Anglers are reminded that bluegill and bass as they are very vulnerable while sitting on their beds and can be easily overharvested while spawning.

Despite some windy days, conditions were generally better for Lake Michigan trollers to get out on the water and catching good numbers of fish, with limits of chinook not uncommon, along with a mixed bag of coho and rainbow and brown trout. Anglers fishing at harbors and piers have also been catching a few chinook, browns, and rainbows. Along Door County, bass anglers were out in good numbers prefishing for the Sturgeon Bay Open Bass Tournament this weekend.

Despite the rain in the last couple of weeks, warm, dry, and breezy weather this week kept current fire danger between moderate and very high, with 50 wildfires reported in the last week, causing the suspension of burning permits in several counties.

Turtles are crossing roads now from their wetland habitat to upland sand areas to lay eggs. Please watch for turtles crossing roads and if it can be done safely, move the turtle across the road in the direction that it was heading to help prevent it from being hit by a vehicle.

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Chicago elk banquet ahead

Sat, May 12, 2012

The Chicago chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation has its second banquet May 17 at Gibson’s Steakhouse, starting at 6 p.m.

Click here to buy tickets online. Or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or call (312) 807-4390.

You can learn more here: 2012_Downtown_Chicago_Invitation_7517_(4).pdf

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Crappie, channel cats excellent at Rend

Fri, May 11, 2012

Crappie and channel catfish are both rated as excellent in the latest Rend Lake fishing report.

Rend_Lake_fishing_5-10-12.pdf

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