Spring usually arrives quite late in northern Wisconsin! The first day of Spring may be in March, but in late April it seems like the frost has just left the ground. As a matter of fact, the resort owners are lucky that the road bans, which forbid delivery vehicles, are usually just lifted days before opening. There is a mad rush to get stock in and prepare for business.

Outside the temperatures are still quite cool. Daytime highs may reach into the 50's, but many night times bring frost. The last bit of snow in the woods disappears around April 23. Occasional snow showers are not really unexpected. But, the best part of all this cool weather is how it affects walleye fishing on opening day. The cooler it stays the more likely the walleyes will be up river and at the mouths of the many streams and rivers that feed into the Lake Chippewa Flowage. This promises to be a stellar spring fishing season.

The trees and brush are still totally bare. Even the grass has only got a hint of green in early May. You can really see far into the woods. And, since it is a time of transition, you can see a lot of bird friends passing through, that you don't usually get to see. Surprisingly, the first dragon fly hatch has also appeared, promising to really keep the mosquito emergence down. It is especially pleasant on the golf courses, where there are no lines and lots of spring bargains.

Be prepared to dress warmly, like maybe shorts under your snowmobile suit. Traveling to your favorite fishing hole will be chilly, but sitting there in the sun will be warm. Bring your binoculars. The bears, deer, fishers, elk, birds, beavers, nutrias, foxes, coyotes, wolves, badgers and more are on the move. If you find yourself harassed by a loon, then you are probably too close to a nest. Please back off. But please feel very welcome at all of the business members of the Lake Chippewa Flowage Resort Assn.