As a decades-long Conservation Patron, one of my favorite year-round benefits is having the colorful Wisconsin Natural Resources magazine arrive in my mailbox four times a year.
Every issue is packed with stories highlighting Wisconsin’s wild side, including the latest research and recreational opportunities, nature notes, terrific photography, a column by the DNR secretary and much more, including letters to the editor on a wide range of topics.
The summer issue has more than two dozen excellent pieces, along with a commemorative 125th anniversary state park system poster.
You can still get your hands on that one as part of a special offer. (More on that later).
One of the feature pieces in the latest issue is by Garrett Dietz, public information officer in the DNR’s Office of Communications. He highlights the benefits of adding coarse woody habitat to lakes with data from a 10-year study in Vilas County’s Sanford Lake.
Trees in the forest surrounding the lake are cut down and added to the water (these are called “tree drops”). Trees can also be brought to lakes from other areas (these are called “fish sticks”) to help conserve the surrounding riparian forest cover. Whatever the case, the newly added habitat encourages the growth of algae and other microbes, increasing the available food for macroinvertebrates. This, in turn, means more food for smaller fish species using the habitat as a nursery, or a refuge from larger predators.
The DNR’s Office of Applied Science is conducting the long-term research with the DNR’s Bureau of Fisheries Management, UW-Stevens Point and UW-Madison. It’s being funded by the Federal Aid in Sportfish Restoration program.
The first three years of the study involved monitoring the lake to understand its fish populations and other features. Once a baseline was established, 140 trees from the adjacent riparian zone were cut and dropped into the water. Then the monitoring began.
Essentially, what researchers have found is that the woody habitat does a lot more than simply attract fish to congregate around the new structure. It actually helps increase the lake’s ability to carry and produce more fish.
DNR fisheries team leader Greg Sass said since adding the trees to Sanford Lake in 2018, they’ve seen fish production double.
Researchers will now drop more trees to see how that further influences fish production, and the study continues until 2031.
If you’re a lakefront property owner who wants to pursue habitat additions to your waterbody, contact your local DNR fisheries biologist and learn about the best practices and permits required to do so. You can find contact info at https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Fishing/people/fisheriesbiologists.
There’s also good info at https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/ShorelandZoning/Care/explore.html.
Meanwhile, use code IEXPLORE for $2 off the $8.97 annual subscription price for the magazine. Call 1-800-678-9472, or visit https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/wnrmag. By clicking the “subscribe” link and adding the code, you’ll pay $6.97 for one year, $13.97 for two, or $19.97 for three.
If you just want to get a taste first, check it out for free at https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/wnrmag/2025/Summer/e-Edition.
Wisconsin hunters who like their fast food on the wild side can begin their quest for frequent fliers Sept. 1, opening day of the early goose, teal and mourning dove seasons.
While those migratory birds attract a small percentage of the state’s 800,000 or so hunters, a much larger group has been scouting all summer in anticipation of the archery and crossbow deer opener Sept. 13. In between, those lucky enough to draw black bear permits can begin Sept. 3 if using hounds in Zones A, B and D, or Sept. 10 if baiting in those zones.
This year’s youth seasons include the waterfowl weekend Sept. 17-18 and gun deer hunt Oct. 11-12. The regular gun opener begins Nov. 22, the muzzleloader hunt Dec. 1, the four-day antlerless deer season Dec. 11, the holiday antlerless hunt (select farm zones) Dec. 24 and the extended archery and crossbow hunt (select farm zones) Jan. 5.
The wild turkey, gray and fox squirrel, Zone A ruffed grouse and northern zone cottontail rabbit hunts all begin Sept. 13, followed by the northern zone goose season Sept. 16 and the northern zone duck hunt Sept. 27.
Check out all the 2025-2026 seasons and regulations at https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/hunt/regulations.
Anyone interested in a lottery for one of 500 coveted harvest tags for the 2026 Lake Winnebago system Upriver Lakes spearing season needs to apply by the end of the day Friday, Aug. 1.
A much higher harvest rate on lakes Poygan, Winneconne and Butte des Morts means anyone wishing to spear there must apply and get drawn for an upriver lakes tag. Lake Winnebago spearing permits aren’t limited; a harvest quota system prevents overharvest there.
Successful applicants for the upriver lakes are notified by Oct. 1. The deadline to apply for a regular spearing tag for Lake Winnebago is Oct. 31.
More than 1,000 amateur anglers will be trying to catch big fish and net some cash and prizes in the 39th annual National Championship Musky Open Tournament Aug. 14-17. Read all about it at https://eagleriver.org/events/national-championship-musky-open/.
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