IRON MOUNTAIN — With another cold week ahead, snow could be on the ground for Friday’s Michigan firearm deer season opener.

“We’re hearing better reports on deer hunting,” said John Grier at Whispering Pines Outpost in Breitung Township, noting a number of archers have gotten six- or eight-pointers. Grouse hunters, he added, are jumping lots of birds, but no one is fishing.

At Whisler Outdoors in Florence, Wis., Doug Whisler urged caution for anglers wanting to explore the skim ice that’s been forming. “There’s no safe ice,” he said.

Wisconsin archers have been getting some eight-pointers as the Department of Natural Resources reports rutting at its peak. “People are seeing a lot of deer moving around,” Whisler said.

Wisconsin’s gun deer season opens Nov. 23.

The forecast for Friday is mostly sunny with a high near 34, following highs in the 20s for much of the week.

Whitefish are beginning their spawning runs on the Green Bay tributaries, the Wisconsin DNR said.

The Michigan DNR reported the following Upper Peninsula activity:

Little Bay De Noc: Winter like weather is upon us as anglers start targeting primarily walleye. Overall, walleye fishing was pretty good with bigger fishing showing up. Some reported catching over a limit of fish however because of size they were only able to keep a few. Those fishing the reefs near Kipling reported fair catches. Daytime anglers were trolling stick baits in 30 to 32 feet or jigging. The First and Second Reefs were best but those targeting the Third and Center Reefs were marking good numbers of fish. Night anglers did best between the Second and Third Reefs when trolling stick baits in 18 to 22 feet. Some were fishing in shallow waters 6 to 10 feet and casting stick baits while anchored. Not many perch anglers but a few nice catches were taken just north of the “Narrows” when using minnows in 30 to 35 feet.

Big Bay De Noc: Those targeting pike caught fish up in the shallows. The bite continued as these fish tend to go on a feeding frenzy this time of year. Smallmouth bass fishing was fair for those using tube baits.

Manistique River: Had a late report of a couple steelhead caught between the mouth and the dam.