IRON MOUNTAIN — The first ice is starting to form, though it’s too early even for caution warnings from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

The DNR, in its weekly report, focused only on steelhead in rivers, including near the Papermill Dam on the Manistique River.

In the eastern Upper Peninsula, musky and walleye fishing was good in Munuscong Bay.

At Whisler Outdoors in Florence, Wis., Fay Whisler said anglers were “catching some nice walleye.” There were reports of ice thickness ranging from 2 to 3 inches locally, she said.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources reminds black bear and wild turkey hunters the 2021 season application deadline is before midnight Thursday.

Hunters can purchase applications for permit drawings at GoWild.wi.gov or through an authorized license agent.

Harvest numbers from the 2020 black bear season are not finalized, but preliminary estimates show that Wisconsin hunters harvested more than 4,100 bears. DNR staff and the Bear Advisory Committee are currently determining 2021 harvest quotas.

Michigan’s late ruffed grouse season is underway and will be open through Jan. 1.

The DNR maintains Grouse Enhanced Management Sites near Ralph in Dickinson County and north of Iron River in Iron County. The GEMS have parking lots with local area information available.