Slow start to spring brings open water
April is proving a slow-moving transition month with heavy snow this week stalling out any real move to true spring weather. That may change as early as Sunday but good spring weather this year is a long time coming and April’s title as true mud season seems to be holding up.
Slow moving as it may be the spring weather that we’ve had has taken the ice off many area lakes. Open water now is the rule and for that we are one step closer to boating season even as ice fishing now fades in the rear view mirror. May 2, the opening of inland fishing season is now less than 30 days out and time will be well spent in making ready for that.
For now any fishing is for panfish on the open water we have or walleyes on lower reaches of the Wisconsin River. Best to check the regulations on the latter for exact locations. Cold water so far has limited success but a warm day or two will change all that.
Turkey hunting kicks off this weekend with the Youth Hunt; the general season on the 15th. Turkey numbers have increased from a year ago when the hard winter thinned the flock considerably. Hunter success is always variable based largely on weather (in the early periods) but the forecast for the upcoming week looks good and we’d think there will be toms responding to calls for the next weeks.
The other notable event in the days ahead is the Conservation Congress Spring hearings at which proposed changes to DNR regulations and such will be discussed and voted on (in a non-binding vote). Those meetings are statewide on April 13. Oneida County will hold its meeting at the James Williams Middle School; Vilas County will meet at the St. Germain Elementary School; and Lincoln County will vote at the Tomahawk School District. April is proving a slow-moving transition month with heavy snow this week stalling out any real move to true spring weather. That may change as early as Sunday but good spring weather this year is a long time coming and April’s title as true mud season seems to be holding up.
The Outdoor Report is provided by the staff of Mel’s Trading Post in downtown Rhinelander.
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