State wildlife officials say it was bound to happen eventually. Evidence of Asian carp has been found in Wisconsin waterways, with an angler recently catching a bighead carp in the Lower Wisconsin River and traces of silver carp DNA found in the St. Croix River last month.

DNR Aquatic Invasive Species coordinator Bob Wakeman says they always knew it was going to happen, but for now it only appears a small number of the fish are making their way into the state from the Upper Mississippi River Basin. Wakeman says there does not appear to be a breeding population present right now, which is also a good sign. [Read more...]

The state Department of Natural Resources is stepping up efforts to stop the spread of aquatic invasive species in Wisconsin’s waterways.

State law requires boaters and anglers to take steps to keep aquatic hitchhikers from moving between bodies of water, such as draining live wells and removing plants when taking boats out of the water.

DNR aquatic invasive species coordinator Bob Wakeman says most people know by now what they should be doing. He says public education efforts have helped to raise awareness, although questions remain about how many people are actually complying with the law. [Read more...]

The Department of Natural Resources is undertaking a massive effort to study the life and movement of Wisconsin’s deer herd. The agency began using helicopters this week to track and capture deer living around Shawano and Rusk Counties. [Read more...]