Fishing Report - 7/1/09
Fishing Report for Upper Chippewa Basin: The cloudy, cool and wet weather of the past week has kept fishing pressure down - but action has been good to excellent. The highlight of the week has been bass angling, with both largemouth and smallmouth providing some great action. Largemouth are settling into their typical summer pattern and have been found near woody cover, along bog edges and in/along lily pad beds. Topwater baits and soft plastics have been the favorite baits and many 18" to 20" largemouth have been reported. Smallmouth have been showing up in increasing numbers near mid-depth woody cover and small finesse plastics have been key in getting the smallies to bite. Walleye success has been good with some very nice catches being made in and around the mid-depth weed beds. A leech or piece of night crawler fished on a slip bobber or small leadhead jig (1/32 or 1/16 oz) and dropped into pockets in the weeds has been the key to catching these mid-summer walleye on many northern waters. Musky action has been generally slow with many anglers having a tough time finding fish. The few reports of success have come from deep weed lines and the most productive lures have been bucktails and stickbaits. Panfish action continues to be good with some nice catches of bluegill, crappie, pumpkinseed and rock bass being reported. Bluegill have pretty much finished their spawning period on most waters, with rock bass and pumpkinseed now in the middle of theirs. Crappie are still being found along emergent weed lines and over mid-depth cover such as fish cribs, brush piles and weed beds.
2009-10 Fishing licenses are now available for purchase
For more information on Fishing in Price County, visit our website at http://www.pricecountywi.net/fsh.html.
Fishing/Hunting Guide Reports
Iwent out on Friday the 26th, the water in the area lakes is really warm, which makes for great bass fishing, the northern are also hitting top water baits aggressively. I would fish the edges of deep water reefs for walleye, and the weed line for musky. The Bluegills are still hitting on most area lakes, I have a friend that was fishing with a friend and they took 50 gills ranging for ½ to ¾ of a pound. I am a little behind last year in black bear captures as is my counterpart from Sawyer Co. However the guy in Ashland and Bayfield County is way ahead of last year. I spoke to a wildlife manager today and he believes the ratio of cubs to Sow has increased to 3 as opposed to 1.8 only a few years ago. I haven’t seen many turkey broods but the summer is still young. I have seen several grouse broods and the fall hunt is stacking up to be really good. Both for the hunters and the resort owners. Keep your lure in the water and don’t forget to wear your PFD. TonyBlattler, Blattler's Northwoods Guide Service - 6/30/09
Rain and wind kept many anglers off the water this weekend. Surface water temps on area lakes are now in the 70s due to the extreme hot weather this past week. Topwater action continues to improve especially during low light conditions for muskies. Fish have been found in shallow water of 3 feet or less around cabbage weed beds. Walleye anglers catching fish around the cribs and rock piles with slip bobber rigs. Good Luck fishing! Joe Brezinski, Northland Guide Service - 6/29/09
Clarity, water source,depth, are just some of the factors involved. The South Fork is really low, at best I would say canoeing is possible but you will have to get out and walk the shallows. I would not recommend a pleasure trip, it will be work in most of the South Fork. Even the North Fork is iffy below the dams. Most of our lakes [local] temps are in the mid- 70s. Rivers upper 70s, maybe 80 after this hot spell. Our lakes are warmer because of stained water. They heat up quickly. Water temps vary immensely from lake to lake and river to river. Terry, Ides Guides - 6/24/09
Area guides are available to assist you with your outing, http://www.pricecountywi.net/guides.html.
Some very warm summer weather in the last week provided excellent conditions for outdoor recreation especially on lakes and rivers, but it has also caused some water-related concerns. In the southern part of the state, outbreaks of blue-green algae are being reported on some lakes. Blue-green algae is not only unsightly and smelly, but can reduce oxygen levels in lakes and sometimes produce toxins. People and their pets should avoid water with blue-green algae outbreaks. In the north, outbreaks of columnaris, a naturally occurring bacteria, has caused fish kills on some lakes. Columnaris primarily affects panfish and can cause fish kills especially if outbreaks occur during or just after spawning periods. These kills generally do not cause long term damage to the fishery, and columnaris does not pose a threat to people or pets.
White-tailed bucks are now being seen sporting some very impressive sized antlers in full velvet. Fawns are abundant and moving around more now so be watchful along the roads. Wild turkey broods are beginning to appear. Watch for wild turkey broods in grassy fields, where the poults feed voraciously on insects.
With good weather in the forecast for this weekend’s Fourth of July holiday, state recreational safety specialists are expecting people to be out in force on Wisconsin lakes and rivers. But conservation wardens are urging boaters to think twice before drinking while boating this weekend. Wisconsin is joining a national effort known as “Operation Dry Water,” and wardens and patrol officers will also be out in force looking for boat operators whose blood alcohol content exceeds the state limit of 0.08 percent. Alcohol use has become the leading contributing factor in fatal recreational boating accidents and was involved in 35 percent of the 20 boating fatalities in Wisconsin last year.
Wardens will also be checking to make sure anglers are following rules intended to prevent the spread of the VHS fish disease and aquatic invasive species. A new public service announcement on tips for transporting fish [VIDEO Length 0:41] is available on the DNR Web site.
State park and forestry officials are also reminding visitors that any fireworks that move, jump, explode or emit balls of fire, including bottle rockets, firecrackers, jumping jacks and roman candles, are illegal on all state properties. While good rain last week is keeping fire danger generally low, illegal fireworks are still a threat to parks, forests and woodlands. Remember, anyone who causes a wildfire is responsible not only for the cost of suppressing the fire, but for any damage it causes.
Upcoming DNR Public Hearings and Meetings
Upcoming Fish and Wildlife Seasons and Permit Deadlines
DNR News: http://dnr.wi.gov/news/weekly.asp
Statewide General DNR Information Number - If you are calling with general DNR questions, call 1-888-WDNR INFO (1-888-936-7463). That number is answered 7 days a week from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m.
All Price County ATV trails are now open to ATV use.
Join a club to support your sport by contacting Dan at Birch Island Resort - birllc@pctcnet.net.
Tuscobia State Trail Golden Spike Medallion Hunt - The spike has been found! A golden railroad spike was hidden on the Tuscobia State Trail and new clues were given out each week. Thanks to all who participated in the hunt! For more information, visit http://fwsp.org/calendar/?ID=184.
Wisconsin Online All-Terrain Vehicle Safety Course and Exam -
http://www.offroad-ed.com/wi/wi_internet.htm
For more information on ATVing in Price County, visit our website at http://www.pricecountywi.net/atv.html.
PADDLING/RIVER REPORT - 7/1/09
It is a great time for a Flambeau River trip. Water levels on the North Fork are currently normal for this time of year and conditions are good for paddling. The South Fork is getting quite low and you will have to maneuver around rocks and may have to walk your canoe in some areas. The water temperature is is near 70. Always wear a personal flotation device and be sure to inform others of your trip plans and expected return time.
Our boy scout troop paddled the South Fork on 20-Jun-09 from Fifield to the scout camp south of the Hwy F bridge. Weather was great but the water was low. We got hung up on almost every rapids (even Rocky Carry!). Saw 7 deer, bald eagles, osprey, and lots of ducks. Will try again next year when the water is up. Troop 439 Schofield WI - 6/30/09
Area outfitters are available to assist with your outing, www.pricecountywi.net/canoeguides.html.
For more information on Canoeing and Kayaking in Price County, visit the Canoe page at http://www.pricecountywi.net/canoe.html.
The leaves will begin to change in September 2009 with peak color around October 1, 2009. See you in the fall!
ACTIVITIES & EVENTS:
PRICE COUNTY AIRPORT & HARBOR VIEW FLOAT-IN OR FLY-IN
July 3-4, 2009
Price County Airport & Harbor View (on Long Lake), Phillips
Fri. 7 p.m. - Aerobatic show; Sat. - 10 a.m. aerobatic show;
4th OF JULY CELEBRATION
July 4, 2009
Downtown, Park Falls
Fireworks at dusk.
4th OF JULY CELEBRATION
July 4, 2009
Hwy. 13 / Lake Avenue, Phillips
Parade begins @ 2 p.m. Fireworks at dusk.
ART & MORE ON THE LAKESHORE
July 4, 2009
Elk Lake/Lionite Park, Phillips
9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
SPIRIT OF AMERICA 5K RUN/WALK
July 4, 2009
VFW Hall, Phillips
7:30 a.m. Registration; 8 a.m. Mini-Stretching class; 8:30 a.m. Race begins.
4th OF JULY TRUCK PULL/CELEBRATION
July 4, 2009
Kennan Memorial Park
10:15 a.m. Parade; 4-wheel truck pulls -1 p.m.
RING SCHOOL AREA PICNIC - Cancelled
July 4, 2009
Timm's Hill County Park, Ogema
Noon; potluck picnic, everyone welcome.
The Crazy Loon presents
THURSDAY EVENING PADDLE OUTINGS
June 4 thru August 27, 2009
Locations TBA
6 p.m.
715-339-6254
OLD TOWN HALL MUSEUM Opens for the Summer Season
June 6 - September 6, 2009
Hwy. 13, Fifield
Open Saturdays & Sundays 1-5 p.m. the first weekend in June thru Labor Day.
There is no admission charge.
JUMP RIVER VALLEY HISTORICAL MUSEUM
Hwy. 8, downtown Catawba
Open the 2nd & 4th Saturdays of each month - 10 a.m.-3 p.m - thru August 22, 2009
There is no admission charge
thru September 26, 2009
Corner of Maple & Avon, Phillips
Every Sat. 9am - noon
For a detailed listing of EVENTS in Price County, visit our web page at http://www.pricecountywi.net/events.html.
LOCAL WEATHER: WSAW Channel 7 Wausau; WAOW Channel 9 Wausau; WJFW Channel 12 Rhinelander ; National Weather Service Report for Price County