Spring wildfire season is officially upon us. If your spring cleanup plans involve fire, make sure you check the fire conditions before conducting any outdoor burning activities.
Debris burning continues to be the number one cause of wildfires in Wisconsin, which usually takes the form of burning brush or leaf piles this time of year.
Burning permits are required in DNR Protection Areas anytime the ground is not completely snow-covered (which could be now, depending on where you live!)
Permit holders are authorized to burn vegetative materials such as leaves, brush and needles. The permits are designed to ensure residents burn safely with minimal wildfire risk. They are free and can be obtained through an online application or by calling 1-888-WIS-BURN (947-2876).
Some areas of the state are not regulated by the DNR so it’s important to check with local municipal or fire department officials for any ordinances or other burning restrictions.
Head to WisBurn to see the current fire situation in your community, including any burning restrictions.
Wood Duck Goes Back-To-Back
In sports, it’s what causes franchises to become dynasties. It’s something that only teams that defy the odds by continuing to perform at the highest levels year after year can achieve.
It’s the vaunted two-peat.
For the now back-to-back winner of the DNR’s Marsh Madness bracket on Instagram, this feat has officially cemented the wood duck in the annals of the animal kingdom. In the second year of this annual competition, this vibrant marsh dweller has once again won the week-long contest to claim the hearts of the public and knock out all competition.
Wood ducks are common in Wisconsin’s marshes, ponds, flooded timber and creeks. In fact, during the DNR’s 2024 spring waterfowl surveys, biologists estimated that there were nearly 100,000 of these championship-winning birds in the state.
These colorful waterfowl captivate outdoor recreators and birding enthusiasts alike with their bright breeding plumage. If you want to see one in the wild, look for locations with wood duck boxes or visit a marsh near you.
Volunteer To Find Frogs & Toads
We’re looking for volunteers for the annual Wisconsin Frog and Toad Survey to help document frog and toad breeding calls throughout the state this spring and summer.
Formally launched in 1984, this project is the longest-running community-based frog calling survey in North America. This survey helps the DNR follow trends in Wisconsin frog and toad populations, and over the years, volunteers have helped DNR conservation biologists better define the distribution, status and population trends of all 12 the state’s frog and toad species.
Since the survey began, volunteers have collectively spent more than 10,500 nights surveying 103,400 sites across the state. These efforts have helped document increasing trends for American bullfrogs and Blanchard’s cricket frogs and are also contributing substantial knowledge into the unique calling patterns and distribution of mink frogs throughout the Northwoods.
Survey dates vary, and some depend on the changing seasons. Find more information on how to get involved in a survey on our website.
Gear Up For Spring Fishing
The spring walleye run is right around the corner, and the opening of the general inland fishing season is just over a month away.
That means that now is the perfect time to gear up and get ready for spring fishing. Buy your license online through Go Wild or in person at a license agent near you.
If you’re trying to target a new species or area of the state, plan ahead using our Find A Lake webpage. It allows you to find fishing opportunities based on location, waterbody type, boat access and the fish species present.
It also includes maps with information on additional amenities like public restrooms, picnic areas and family-friendly shore fishing sites.
