Many lakes in northern Wisconsin remain ice covered, especially the larger lakes. Lakes were beginning to open up this week as far south as Lincoln and Langlade counties, but depending on weather conditions the next two weeks, it is possible some of the larger northern lakes, such as Trout Lake in Vilas County and Round and Grindstone in Sawyer County, may still have ice on the opening day of game fishing May 3. This is looking like the latest ice-out in at least the past 12 to 15 years.

Sturgeon spawning started last week on the Winnebago System with public viewing areas in on the Wolf River at New London, Shiocton and Shawano. For up to date viewing information you can contact the Sturgeon Hotline at 920-303-5444.

Canoe and kayak enthusiasts are beginning to visit popular whitewater rivers such as the Flambeau and Bois Brule rivers, but caution is advised as many rivers have been running very high and water temperatures are slowly warming but remain very cold.

Walleye spawning should begin soon in northern lakes that are free of ice. Walleye spawning is nearly complete on southern lakes. Daily walleye bag limits have been revised on 412 lakes in the Wisconsin Ceded Territory in response to harvest declarations made by six bands of Chippewa in Wisconsin. The adjusted bag limits are available on the DNR Web site (www.dnr.wi.gov) and are being published as an insert to the current hook and line fishing regulations.

While some lakes remain ice-covered, the ice fishing season has basically ended as ice conditions have deteriorated to the point that no ice travel is recommended. Panfish action was improving in the south as lakes warm up. Perch have begun spawning on southern lakes.

Walleye were still spawning on the Fox River in Green Bay and were expected to continue into next week. The walleye runs on the Peshtigo and Menominee rivers is starting to slow down with the influx of suckers. Redhorse and sucker fishing has started on rivers and streams but high water levels have hampered success. There appeared to be a living carpet of suckers below dams and falls on some rivers.

Lake Michigan harbors had good numbers of anglers fishing from the piers this week with some nice brown trout reported at Oconto, Manitowoc and Milwaukee. The weekend also brought much calmer conditions on Lake Michigan and Green Bay that allowed many boat anglers to troll the shoreline for brown trout.

The Mississippi River continued to rise last week and crested at Prairie du Chien around 15.1 feet but settled down to 14.7 feet last Monday. Another rise is forecast and by the end of this week the river could approach 16 feet, which is considered flood stage. Fishing for sauger, walleye and panfish was slow due to high water. The Wisconsin River is on the rise too and was expected to crest at 18.3 feet at Portage this week, flooding most backwater areas.

Fire danger varies from moderate in northern and west central Wisconsin to very high in the south central region. In the past week, 33 wildfires burned 19 acres statewide, more than a third of which were caused by debris burning.

Unsettled, variable weather created difficulty for first period spring turkey hunters, but some still reported fair success last week.

More frogs began calling this week and they are now being heard across the state, with spring peepers, and chorus and wood frogs all being heard. More information about Wisconsin frogs and recordings of their calls can be found on the Wisconsin DNR's EEK! Environmental Education For Kids Web site. Brown, or Dekay's, snakes will be on the move with warmer weather. These small, docile snakes that feed on worms, slugs, and snails generally exhibit a major migration from their winter hibernacula in late April.

Maple tree tapping is winding down. Wild leeks are coming up. Bear ticks are out. Snowshoe rabbits are starting to turn colors. Birds being seen and heard include flickers, white-throated, savannah, and fox sparrows, magnolia and yellow-rumped warblers, hermit thrush, and raven chicks are making their presence known in the forest as they impatiently wait for their parents.