My friend Dave Zentner of Duluth went prospecting in northern Wisconsin on Wednesday to see what he could see, in advance of spring steelhead fishing.
Here's his report:
"Saw two long strings of tundra swans in south Superior, headed, I think, toward Spirit Lake in St. Louis River. I'd guess their normal arrival time would be April 10-15, assuming they were tundras. Could have been trumpeters, but I doubt it.
"Lake Nebagamon is wide open, as are all small ponds. Usual ice out for them? I'd guess sometime after 15 April.
"Goldeneyes, mallards, scaup, wood ducks, ringneck and black ducks all were prevalent. I've also heard reports of green wings that are back. Often I don't start to see ringnecks until late April or early May. It has been common to have scaup hanging around the first two weekends of walleye season in the past. Maybe tomorrow I'll see blue wings and shovelers!!
"Also saw lots of sparrows.
"Weird.
"Came home with three wood ticks."
