Beaver trapping ends March 15 on the Mississippi River and in the Southern Zone. In Chippewa County, fishing has really been picking up. Lake Wissota has been producing some nice-sized crappies for anglers using jigs and minnows. Anglers are cautioned to watch for rapidly-changing ice conditions with warmer temperatures. With the warm spell, anglers are starting to venture out on Eau Claire area lakes.
Fishing still seems to be slow, but some crappies and bluegills are being taken.
Quite a few deer are being seen in the county forest areas and several flocks of turkeys have been out feeding. Remember that ice shanties south of Highway 64 were to be removed by March 5 and north of Highway 64 by March 15. Several great gray owls have been documented in the Dunn - St. Croix counties area. A food shortage probably has caused them to be wintering further south than normal. If you encounter a great gray owl, please notify the Department of Natural Resources.