Bluegills are hitting on crappie minnows and waxworms on jigs on Hemlock and Amacoy lakes. Some walleye are being taken on small shiners in the late evening. Fine lines and slow presentations are the rule of thumb for catching these late season nibblers. A portable electronic locator is a real asset in finding suspended panfish. Most lakes have lost their slush layer found earlier in the winter and ice travel by foot and vehicle is much easier now.
Deer remain tightly yarded across much of the area.
Snow depths range from 18 inches in Rusk County to 26 inches near Hayward and northern Price County. Moderate temperatures recently, though, have helped deer cope. Snowmobiling remains very good across the area while cross-country ski trails have become icy. Horned owls have begun nesting and some eagles have shown up recently. It's been another good winter for birders to see northern owls such as great grays, boreal and hawk owls even though the presence of such birds is an indication that they were unable to make a living farther north.