Reports
Up-to-date reports on trail conditions and recreational opportunities in Price County.
ATV, UTV & Off Road Motorcycle Trail Report – 5/16/12
The Flambeau Trail System, Solberg Trail, and Tuscobia State Trail are now all open to motorized use. The Tuscobia is currently being graded. The Georgetown Trail and Flambeau River State Forest Trail open to motorized use on May 15. The Georgetown Trail is reported in good condition; however, trail users need to watch out for the log piles at the first gate from the south crossing Skinner Creek Road. Visit our website’s ATV/UTV/ORM page under the Recreation tab for further information on trail uses and dates.
The Wisconsin ATV Association (WATVA) representing both ATV & UTV riders is excited to announce the signing of a new law that creates Wisconsin’s next motorized recreational registration program. The law also makes fundamental changes to the ATV program which adapts changes based on years of feedback from users, local / state/ federal land managers, and law enforcement officials. For detailed information, please visit http://watva.blogspot.com/2012/04/permanent-utility-terrain-vehicle-utv.html.
Fishing Report - 5/16/12
Free Fishing Weekend – June 2 & 3, 2012 – 715-762-3204 / 888-936-7463
All bodies of water are free to fish without a license or stamp(s), including state waters of the Great Lakes and rivers bordering Wisconsin. Size and bag limits still apply. Residents and non-residents of all ages can fish for free both days.
More summer-like weather has made for some improved fishing across the Northwoods and most anglers have been enjoying some pretty good success. Water temperatures have moved up into the low to mid-60′s on most lakes and this has spurred on a lot of fish activity. Walleye fishing continued to attract a quite a few anglers this past week and action has been generally good. The best success has been on minnows – either on a slip bobber, a lead-head jig or on a bare hook/split shot rig. Action has been best in the early morning and late evening hours, and fish have been most active along drop-offs in the 6 to 12 foot range. Anglers seem to be catching good numbers of walleye and quite a few limits of fish in the 12″ to 18″ size have been taken. A few nicer walleye have been caught on rapalas casted in the shallows in the hour before dark. The milder weather has spurred on a lot of smallmouth and largemouth bass activity and both species have been observed spawning in area lakes. Northern pike success has also moved up a notch and a good number of fish have been found in and around the newly forming weed beds.
Panfish activity has really picked up with the warm-up in water temperatures. Crappie have already finished up their spawning season on many of the smaller lakes, tho some good catches of have still been made around old emergent weed lines and brushy cover up in shallow water. Bluegill are also congregating near their spawning areas and a lot of nice fish have been caught on small nightcrawler pieces fished below a bobber up in 1′ to 3′ of water. Skip Sommerfeldt, DNR Fisheries Biologist – Senior
DNR fisheries crews are stocking several Price County inland waters with catchable-size trout the week prior to the opening day of the regular trout season including Camp Four Springs (627 Brook Trout), Murray Creek (209 Brook Trout), Niebauer Springs (392 Brook Trout), Patterson Lake (3,700 Brook Trout, 200 Brown Trout, 2,300 Rainbow Trout), Smith Creek (196 Brook Trout), and Twin Lakes (845 Brook Trout).
To view a list of all fishing season dates, visit the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources website at http://dnr.wi.gov/fish/seasons.
Outdoor Report – 5/16/12
May 12 is International Migratory Bird Day. Many migratory birds are declining in numbers in part because of loss of habitat. Wintering in Mexico and Central and South America, each year these birds make the long trip to their breeding grounds in North America and then back.
Migratory birds are showing up now that insects are more plentiful. Many wildflowers are blooming including trilliums and dandelions, and lupine will be blooming soon. Tree frogs and American toads are singing loudly at night.
Wisconsin 2011-12 fishing and hunting licenses expire on March 31, 2012. Beginning Wednesday, March 7, licenses for hunting, fishing, trapping, and other activities for the 2012-13 year went on sale and they are valid April 1, 2012, through March 31, 2013. The licenses can be purchased at DNR service centers, authorized license agents, over the Internet, or by calling 1-877-945-4236 toll free.
Opossum, skunk, weasel and snowshoe hare hunting has no season limits, bags limits size limits or possession limits. Coyote hunting is a continuous open season except during gun deer hunting seasons. To view a list of all hunting and trapping season dates, visit the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources website at http://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/wildlife/hunt/seasondates.pdf.
The DNR hotline answers questions 7 days a week from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m., call 1-888-WDNR INFO (1-888-936-7463) or visit the DNR website for weekly news and outdoor information at http://dnr.wi.gov/news/weekly.asp.
Fishing/Hunting Guide Reports
5/13/12 – The Crappie action is slowing a little but good numbers are still being found, Bluegill are really turning on with some really nice size fish being caught. The gills are really shallow and hitting just about anything that you throw at them. I have been using Wax worms on a plain hook about a foot under a float and fishing around downed trees or brush piles that are tight to the shoreline. Pike are also being found in these areas taking advantage of the easy meal of the smaller gills. The walleye are still scattered with an ok daytime bite around wood and green weeds, the action really turns on the last hour of the day and then again at first light.
Remember to only keep what you need, panfish populations can take a big hit this time of year because they are very easy to catch while shallow and spawning. John Carlson, Ross’s Sport Shop & Guide Service
5/14/12 – Walleye action was good this past week especially the low lite periods with many fish taken casting rapallas in shallow water. Fish were also taken on jig and minnow combos. Bass are in the shallow water and are aggressive. Remember that the bass are catch and release only. Northern pike are hitting in the newly emergent weeds. Water temps were 60 degrees on some of the area lakes. Joe Brezinski, Northland Guide Service
5/14/12 - Now is the Time—panfish are spawning on many bodies of water—the med to larger bodies of water where temps are this week hitting 65 degrees– crappies are spawning and Bluegills are moving in the follow the crappie spawn—plenty of Bass and Pike in the mix to keep things interesting—-Please Please Please keep only a few and let the rest go they are getting a lot of pressure right now it would be very easy to overharvest even larger bodies of water.
Walleyes are fairly active but scattered some shallow in the weeds some deep on the rocks —just about anywhere there is wood-but scattered -keep moving try different areas. Tony B., St. Croix Rod Store
Please see http://www.lake-link.com/boards/forums/viewposts.cfm?Thread_ID=19953 for reports from grouse hunters and anglers.
Paddling / River Report – 5/16/12
Conditions are good for an early-season river trip. River levels are at the ordinary high water mark. Redhorse, crappies and bluegill were providing the most action. Surface water temperatures were reported to be near 65 degrees. Always take appropriate safety precautions when venturing out and check with a local guide to determine a suitable stretch of river based on experience.
Fall Color Report
Typically our leaves begin to change in early September with good fall color viewing from mid-September through the first week in October with the fall color peak near October 1st. See you in the fall!
Snowmobile Trail Report
Snowmobile trails are no longer rideable for the 2011-2012 season. See you next December.
Cross Country Ski Trail Report
Cross country ski trails are no longer skiable for the 2011-2012 season. See you next December.
Snowshoe Trail Report
Snowshoe Trails are no longer open for the 2011-2012 season.
