IRON MOUNTAIN — The fire risk in the Dickinson County area is now medium thanks to recent downpours, but officials continue to urge caution with campfires, off-road vehicles and trailer chains or any other element likely to cause a spark.

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

As of Friday, open burning of debris is not permitted anywhere in Dickinson, Iron and Menominee counties. Drought in the region is severe to moderate, according to the US Drought Monitor.

Upper Peninsula Power Co. will begin early withdrawal from Victoria Reservoir on the Ontonagon River at Bruce Crossing starting Monday. The drawdown will support a plant facility improvement project and lower the reservoir level over several days.

UPPCO reminds the public to use caution when entertaining near the company’s hydroelectric facilities and to obey all posted warning signs.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources will host 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 p.m. Monday, Nov. 4, at the DNR Green Bay Service Center, 2984 Shawano Ave., Green Bay. The second meeting will begin at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, November 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 regulatory change to extend the catch-and-release season. To find out more, visit

The Michigan DNR reported this activity in the Upper Peninsula:

Petite Baie de Noc: Walleye fishing has picked up noticeably. Anglers reported a tough bite, with the best action seen at first and last light. Most anglers were jigging or trolling at dawn and dusk, although some reported success fishing crankbaits after dark. Fishermen fished on the reefs, in the narrow passages and in front of the Escanaba River. Perch fishing was good; most of the fishermen were drifting or jigging perch minnows. Anglers fishing Kipling have reported good fishing.

Marquette: When conditions permitted, several boat fishermen came out from the upper harbor to fish for lake trout and almost all reported success. A few boat fishermen still headed to the mouth of the Chocolay River to attempt fishing for coho salmon and had mixed results. Coho salmon continued to be caught from the mouth of the Chocolay River to Fishing Pier M-28. Brown trout have also been reported to be consistent. There were plenty of fish, including steelhead, in the Chocolay and Carp rivers, but anglers reported the bite was finicky. Overall, spawning seemed to work best with a few anglers also catching fish on green spinners and blue/silver spoons.

Manistique: Anglers fishing the river were seeing and catching Chinook salmon. Most anglers reported that some fish appeared fresher, but the majority were those that had been in the river for a while. Steelhead anglers have reported slow fishing with little to no success. The pink salmon run would be over, there were only a few left. Most fishermen drifted with skeins or beads.

Keweenaw Bay/Huron Bay: Bay trollers were catching good numbers of lake trout using artificial lures such as flies, spoons and stick baits. Anglers also had the chance to fish for lake trout in the shallow waters close to shore. Some anglers were jigging the bays with natural bait and reporting great success.

Big Traverse Bay/South Portage Entrance Channel: Anglers trolled and jig fished with some success for lake trout. Trolling fishermen used artificial baits such as spoons and flies, while jigging fishermen used natural baits like cut suckers.