Rain brings relief, but fire danger remains; early decline at Victoria Dam | News, Sports, Work

IRON MOUNTAIN — The fire risk in the Dickinson County area is now moderate thanks to recent rains, but officials continue to urge caution with campfires, SUVs and trailer chains or anything else that could cause a spark.

As of Friday morning, Michigan Department of Natural Resources firefighters were battling 17 fires in the Upper Peninsula and eight to 10 fires in the northern Lower Peninsula. Additionally, the Summit Lake Fire in the McCormick Wilderness of the Ottawa National Forest has grown to more than 300 acres.

As of Friday, open burning was prohibited anywhere in Dickinson, Iron and Menominee counties. According to the US Drought Monitor, the drought in the region is severe to moderate.

Starting Monday, Upper Peninsula Power Co. will begin early pumping of Victoria Reservoir on the Ontonagon River at Bruce Crossing. The spending will support the power plant improvement project and lower the reservoir level for several days.

UPPCO reminds the public to be safe while recreation near the company’s hydroelectric facilities and to obey all posted warning signs.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources will hold meetings in November to present information and gather feedback on smallmouth bass management in Green Bay and northern Lake Michigan.

The first meeting will begin at 6:00 p.m. Monday, November 4, at the DNR Green Bay Service Center, 2984 Shawano Ave., Green Bay. The second meeting will begin at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 6, at Crossroads at Big Creek, 2041 Michigan St., Sturgeon Bay. Members of the public can also attend virtually via Microsoft Teams.

DNR staff will present the latest smallmouth bass survey and research data and gather feedback on a proposed rule change to expand the catch and release season. To learn more, go to

The Michigan DPR reported this activity in the Upper Peninsula:

Little Bay de Knock: pikeperch fishing has picked up significantly. Anglers reported a solid bite, with the best action seen during the first and last light of the day. Most anglers have been jigging or trolling at dawn and dusk, although some have reported success trolling in the dark. Fishermen fished on reefs, in narrow channels and in front of the Escanaba River. Perch caught well; most anglers were either drifting or jigging for bass. Anglers fishing from Kipling reported good fishing.

Marquette: When conditions allowed, a few boat anglers went out of the upper harbor for lake trout and nearly all reported success. A few boat anglers were still going down to the mouth of the Chokolay River to try for coho and saw mixed results. Codfish continued to be caught from the mouth of the Chokoley River up to the fishing pier M-28. It is also reported that the bud was permanent. The Chocolate and Carp Rivers have had plenty of fish, including steelhead, but anglers have reported that the bite has been picky. The spawn has generally worked best with a few anglers also fishing green spinners and blue/silver spoons.

Manistique: Cast iron salmon have been seen and caught by anglers fishing the river. Most anglers reported that some of the fish appeared to be fresher, however most were those that had been in the river for a while. Steelhead anglers reported slow fishing with little to no success. The redfish run was reported to be over and only a few remained in place. Most anglers drifted a skein or a bead.

Kevin Bay/Huron Bay: Anglers trolling the bays have been catching large numbers of lake trout using artificial lures such as flies, spoons and sticks. Anglers also had good luck casting lake trout in the shallows near shore. Some anglers have been jigging in spawning coves with natural baits and reporting great success.

Big Traverse Bay/South Portage Entry Canal: Anglers have had some success catching lake trout. Trolling anglers used artificial lures such as spinners and flies, while jigging anglers used natural lures such as cut sucker.