Wisconsin's ruffed grouse drumming counts increased 7 percent statewide from 2007 to 2008. The counts were up12 percent in the northern region. Most regions had mixed results, with some survey routes up, some down and some unchanged from last year.
"We expected the surveys would show an increase, but some of us thought the increase would be greater than what it showed," said Fred Strand, Department of Natural Resources wildlife biologist in Superior.
This is the third year in a row that spring drumming counts have increased in Wisconsin.
"We would expect it to increase for a couple more years before it levels off, then goes back down," Strand said.
The next two weeks will be critical because chicks will be hatching, he said.
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"The next two weeks, in terms of weather, can be important in terms of survival of chicks," Strand said. "We'd like to see it warmer and drier."
Fishing contests coming up
* The 13th annual Courage Center Duluth Walleye Contest will be held from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday on Fish Lake. It is co-sponsored by the 148th Fighter Wing and the Minnesota chapter of the Paralyzed Veterans Association. Entry fee is $25 per angler or $45 per team. For information, call Jamie at 726-4834.
* The seventh annual Acme Tools Hawg Walleye Hunt will be held July 26- 27 on Island Lake north of Duluth. Entry fee is $10 or $5 for kids younger than 14. First prize is $1,000, and $3,000 in door prizes will be offered. Entry forms are available at Chalstrom's Bait and Tackle, Fisherman's Corner, Marine General Supply and the Minno-ette.
* The Lake Vermilion Muskie Challenge Kids Fishing Contest will be held Aug. 9 on Lake Vermilion. Up to 50 kids will be provided fishing guides from8 a.m. to noon. Entry fee is $10. For information or to register, call Doug Ellis at Virginia Surplus, (218) 741-0331.
* The Lake Vermilion Muskie Challenge will be held Aug. 9 at Fortune Bay on Lake Vermilion, with a $2,000 cash first prize. Entry fee is $75 per angler. For information, go to doctor@doctoroutdoors.com or call Doug Ellis at (218) 741-0331.
Hautajarvi win bass event
The Duluth Area Bass League held its second tournament event May 29 on Fish Lake. First place went to Gene Hautajarvi and his son Tyler with five fish that weighed 15.9 pounds. Second went to Ouitdee and Lee Carson, 14.2 pounds, and third to Brian Stevenson and James Kunze with 13.2 pounds.
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Caribou, Nichols lakes comments sought
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources seeks public comment until June 13 on lake vegetation management plans for Caribou and Nichols lakes. The draft plans and comment forms are available at www.dnr.state.mn.us/ areas/fisheries/duluth/reports.html.
DNR to studyKabetogama walleyes
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will release marked walleye fry in Lake Kabetogama this spring as part of a three-year study to learn more about walleye reproduction in the lake, according to the DNR. The fish will be marked with oxytetracyclene, or OTC, before their release. By later recapturing the fish and comparing their numbers to unmarked fish, biologists will be able to make a population estimate. That will allow biologists to estimate wild fry production.
