The Wisconsin DNR reports that the warm, humid weather over the Fourth of July holiday weekend had large numbers of people out enjoying lakes and rivers, and kept most state campgrounds filled. Most of the state continued to receive some rainfall in the last week, ranging from less than half an inch in the southeast, to more than 2 inches in central part of the state.
The continued rain has kept many river systems running high, though rivers in the north are again approaching seasonal norms. Some major flowages in the north have returned to near normal water levels. The Turtle-Flambeau Flowage has come up about 2 feet since its low about a month ago, and is now just about 1 foot below full pool. The natural seepage lakes came up some, but many are still very low from the effects of the six-plus years of drought. Major river systems in central and southern Wisconsin, including the Black, Baraboo, Chippewa, Kickapoo and lower Wisconsin were all still running very high this week. The Mississippi also continued to run very high, with a lot of floating debris, except for Pool 6, which is currently undergoing a drawdown intended to improve river habitat.
Panfish and musky have been providing the most action on northern waters. Musky activity has continued to improve with the warming water, with good numbers of 32- to 40-inch fish reported. Bucktails and top-water baits have been the most productive lures. Anglers have been reporting decent catches of crappie, bluegill and rock bass. Walleye action continued to be slow. The increased water levels and dark-stained stained water has really thrown bass fishing off, with typical early summer patterns not producing many fish.
On Green Bay, walleye fishing was good in the southern part of bay and northward near Fish Creek. Perch fishing was spotty, with the best reports out of Sturgeon and Little Sturgeon bays. High winds and high waters made fishing on Lake Michigan difficult at times this week. Large capping rollers at 3-5 feet scattered success of boaters fishing a derby out of Manitowoc last weekend.
This wind did help drop the surface water temperatures from a warm 62 degrees down to 51 degrees. Fishing off piers was starting to pick up with both chinook and coho salmon being caught. When trollers were able to get out, they generally reported action had slowed some from previous weeks but many were still successful, with chinook being the majority the catch, but also coho as well as rainbow and lake trout. Fishing off southeastern Wisconsin piers and harbors was picking up, with rainbow trout and, chinook, and coho salmon being caught on alewives.
