Migratory birds returning; walleye opener on Thursday
POSTED: May 11, 2008
By Daily News Staff
Turkey hens are nesting and the first Canada geese goslings have been reported, according to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
“The spring migration continues, although things appear to be a bit behind schedule due to the intermittent north winds and cool weather,” said Paul Holtan, a Wisconsin DNR spokesman.
Today is International Migratory Birding Day, which celebrates the return of millions of migratory birds from their warm winter habitat in South and Central America, Mexico, the Caribbean, and the southern U.S., to their North American homes.
In Michigan, anglers are preparing for Thursday’s opener for walleye, northern pike and muskellunge. Anglers are reminded that the early bass season is catch and release only, and that all bass must be returned to the water immediately.
Trout streams are still “a little too cold and a little too high,” but conditions should improve soon, said Tom Bean at Crystal Bait in Crystal Falls.
“A few trout have been caught,” said Don Ciochetto at The Sport Shop in Iron River. “The water is starting to come down and it should start to pick up — maybe this weekend.”
In Dickinson County, anglers are still catching perch below the dams on the Menominee River, said John Grier at Whispering Pines Outpost in Breitung Township.
Turkey hunting permits remain available, Grier noted.
Ciochetto reported that lots of turkey hunters have been hitting the woods in Iron County, with limited success.
Bean said an Iron County hunter has harvested a 22-pound tom with a 10-inch beard.
At Florence Sport & Bait in Florence, Wis., Walter Roberts reported walleye catches on the Brule River and the Menominee backwater.
“Staying on the surface is still working good in the evening, from about 6:30 to 8:30,” Roberts said. Bigger, floating Rapalas (silver and black) are among the hot baits, he said.
Some fish are also starting to bite on leeches, he said.
“All we’re waiting for now is some stable weather,” Roberts added.
The weather failed to cooperate last Saturday for the opening of Wisconsin’s 2008 game fishing season. Cold conditions put a bit of a damper on fishing.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources reported the following fishing activity across the Upper Peninsula:
Little Bay de Noc: Perch anglers are going out when the weather permits. The cooler evenings have lowered the water temperatures to about 42 degrees. Most are jigging minnows and worms in the deeper waters 28 to 35 feet deep around the Narrows but few fish have been caught. Those fishing Nelsons Bay were marking a lot of fish but not many were caught. The walleye opener on Thursday looks to be a good one.
Ford River: Steelhead are being caught even though the river is still high and fast.
Day’s River: Is also high, but steelhead are being caught.
Big Bay de Noc: Word has it all the boat launches are open except for the Garden Launch which should be ready to go by the walleye opener.
Menominee River: Shore anglers have done best in the morning when casting artificial baits. Those netting suckers off the Hattie Street Bridge are doing well, but the fish are small. Boat anglers fishing from the Stephenson Island dock to the mouth of the river were taking good catches of walleye and brown trout.
Green Bay: Those launching from the Cedar River access site are going out into the Bay and getting fair numbers of brown trout and splake when trolling in 10 to 15 feet of water. Closer to Stoney Point which is south of the Cedar River, some brown trout and walleye were caught when trolling artificial lures in seven to 15 feet of water.
Keweenaw Bay: Steelhead and coho were caught when trolling. Pier anglers have also caught steelhead near L’Anse. In Traverse Bay, steelhead fishing was on the slow side with only a couple fish taken by boat and pier anglers.
Falls River: Though the steelhead bite has been up and down during the past week anglers have made some nice catches. Some are still getting a few smelt at night.
Marquette: Weather has played a factor in the low angler numbers and the slow bite. A few splake were caught trolling in the upper harbor area. Those trolling in the lower harbor managed to catch brown trout and some coho off the mouth of the river.
Carp River: Steelhead were caught down near the mouth.
St. Mary’s River: Perch have been caught in the upper river near Sherman Park when using minnows. A few jumbo perch were caught just north of Sault Ste. Marie in 32 feet of water. Anglers can launch their boats at Ashmun Bay and fish around Buoys 9 and 10. A few whitefish were also caught.
Drummond Island: Perch were caught near Monahan’s old dock and Yacht Haven.
Cedarville and Hessel: Fishing at Hessel has been good for splake when trolling along the shoreline in eight to 12 feet of water and off the pier. Try rapalas, bombers or thundersticks.
