IRON MOUNTAIN — The Michigan Department of Natural Resources reports deer numbers similar to a year ago in the southern Upper Peninsula as the archery season opens Sunday.

“Where oaks are abundant, acorn production looks good for this year, and bowhunters may find added success by emphasizing these areas early in the season,” the DNR said in its deer hunting preview.

While there were several late snowfalls, major winter and spring die-offs from the severe weather were mostly avoided. At the same time, deer numbers remain low along the Superior shoreline, western U.P. counties, and some locations in the eastern U.P., the DNR said.

Hunters are also reminded that baiting is now permitted in the former Chronic Wasting Disease Surveillance Zone, which included parts of Delta, Dickinson and Menominee counties.

Wisconsin will have its youth gun deer hunt next weekend. Hunters 15 years of age and younger, with or without hunter education certification, are eligible to participate with a mentor.

Anyone who owns woods or forestland in Florence, Forest, Langlade, Marinette, Menominee, Oconto, Oneida or Shawano counties in Wisconsin is invited to join a webinar at 6 p.m. Tuesday.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service has funding available to help create a forestry plan, control invasive species, plant trees and shrubs, improve stream habitat, and more. Information will be provided on technical and financial assistance available under the Joint Chiefs’ Landscape Restoration Partnership and how to apply for this voluntary conservation program.

For more information, go to https://nrcs.staging.platform.usda.gov/events/usda-funding-for-wisconsin-woodland-owners-webinar.

Water levels were low this week on the lower Menominee and Peshtigo rivers, making fishing conditions less than ideal, the Wisconsin DNR said. Anglers fishing below the Hattie Street bridge in Marinette, Wis., were finding a few sturgeon.

The Michigan DNR reported this Upper Peninsula fishing activity:

Little Bay de Noc: Yellow perch anglers reported fair fishing, with the best results in the morning hours. Anglers reported that foggy or overcast days extended the bite window. Walleye anglers reported a tough bite, with few fish to speak of. Anglers caught a few coho and Chinook salmon in the rivers. Smallmouth bass fishing was good, both in terms of quality and numbers.

Big Bay de Noc: Yellow perch anglers had some success, although overall catch varied based on conditions. Minnows on perch rigs or on bobbers was the most widely used tactic to target these fish. Smallmouth bass anglers reported fair fishing.

Marquette: The best places for catching lake trout were reported as near the northeast side of the White Islands. Warm weather seemed to push the fish back out into deeper waters, and anglers who were trolling in 120 to 180 feet of water were catching the most lake trout. Anglers who trolled for lake trout around Granite Rock had the most luck trolling or jigging at around 120 to 200 feet of water. Anglers reported watermelon, multicolored spoons and bright green were good lures to use for lake trout, while gold spoons, lime and moonshine glow spoons were good colors for salmon.

Au Train: Au Train saw a major decrease in fishing pressure; however, those who made it out caught near their limit of lake trout.

Keweenaw Bay/Huron Bay: Anglers reported more frequent catches of Chinook salmon, coho and steelhead in the bays. The most successful anglers were trolling with spoons and flies and caught fish on both presentations. Fishing early mornings or in the few hours before sunset produced good salmon bites.

Big Traverse Bay/South Portage Canal: Anglers reported more and more salmon being caught, especially in the early hours of the day. Most fish were caught while trolling with artificial lures, and the fish seemed to be moving into waters 70 feet and shallower.

Ontonagon River: Anglers fishing on the river had luck in finding some walleye, smallmouth bass and the occasional rock bass.

Black River Harbor: Anglers reported catches of primarily lake trout along with an occasional coho or Chinook salmon. Trips were successful at all times of day. Reports show that fish were caught in a variety of depths when trolling artificial lures. However, it seemed that shallower waters yielded slightly more success.