Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman
Cold, wind, and rain dampened a few spirits last week, but the forecast promises a switch to warmer temperatures (in the 70s!) starting Wednesday and at least through this weekend. Perhaps the frosty nights are now behind us...
“The weather did a complete turnaround from opening weekend,” says Pat at Happy Hooker, “and we hope this is not the pattern of the past few years, with one week good and the next week not so good.
“Walleyes are in 5-10 feet, just off the weeds and on drop-offs, with jigs and minnows working best. It is a little early for leeches and crawlers, but some people are trying them.
“Northern pike and musky are still roaming the shallows and walleye and crappie anglers are catching them on jigs and minnows. If you target pike, try spinnerbaits and smaller crankbaits fished with slow to medium retrieves. Musky season does not open until May 28.
“Anglers are catching largemouth bass in the shallows on jigs and minnows, crankbaits, spinners, and small plastics. On the Quite Lakes Chain, largemouth are in season and there is no minimum length. Smallmouth fishing in the northern bass zone is catch and release only until June 18.
“Crappies moved to deeper water, 5-8 feet, with the colder temperatures. Live bait on slip bobbers works best, along with Tattle-Tails, Mini-Mites, and Gulp! Minnows.”
Guide Steve Genson at Hayward Bait says walleye fishing is not great, but the weather has taken a turn.
“The week ahead looks great with a warming trend, so look forward to the bite improving with the temperatures.
“We have reports of smaller walleye catches in 10-20 feet on jigs tipped with fatheads, leeches, and plastics. Trolling Rapalas in the evening should get some bites as well.
“Crappie reports are good for fish in 3-10 feet, with minnows and plastics catching fish.”
Jim at Minnow Jim’s says the cold and wind really put a damper on most fishing.
“The walleye bite is steady on jigs and fatheads, Beetle Spins, and sucker minnows. Try the bays in late afternoon and evening hours. Pike anglers report success on weedless spoons tipped with Twister Tails; black and white combinations work best. For largemouth, fish around developing weed beds with scented worms, frogs, and spoons.
“Before the temperature dropped, male crappies were in shallow water preparing beds. Start your fishing at bay openings and move toward shore. Try minnows, Gulp! baits, and small spinners.”
Carolyn at Anglers All in Ashland says Chequamegon Bay fishing is very productive for trout and salmon trollers.
“Most anglers continue to target the fish with stickbaits. The colder nights dropped the water temperatures in the Bay, keeping the salmonids in shallower water for the time being.
“Anglers using the same stickbaits as for trout are catching some walleye in the channel, the slough areas, and along the Ashland shoreline. Also along the shoreline, anglers soaking smelt are catching northern and brown trout. Smallmouth fishing was great until the temperature drop, but it will pick up again as water temperatures warm in the shallows.”
Walleye fishing is fair to mediocre, says DNR fisheries biologist Skip Sommerfeldt.
“The best action is in 8-14 feet, with the active bite concentrated in early morning hours and the hour before dark. Jig/minnow combination or leeches on slip bobber rigs provide the best success, though Rapalas and stickbaits cast along shore in the hour before dark produce fair action.
“Panfish anglers are finding the most consistent success, with crappie and bluegill really starting to concentrate in the shallows, tucked along shore in the warmer bays.
“The managed trout lakes and spring ponds are producing a few excellent catches of brook and brown trout.”
This week, DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter discusses the homing tendency of fish species.
“How much do fish move around in a lake? Researchers in Green Bay set out to get an answer.
“Working in a small lake, the researchers tagged largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and perch, keeping track of where each fish came from in the lake. They released the fish at one central point and then returned several times to check the locations of the fish.
“They found that largemouth bass and yellow perch returned to their original capture site. The fish stayed there much more than expected if fish movement was random. Smallmouth bass showed some tendency to home to one area, but not as strong as the other species.
“These results show that fish do not swim around randomly in lakes, but prefer to be in their home range. When removed, they will likely return to that spot, at least in small lakes.
“For anglers, this means that if you release a fish, it will, in the future, likely be near the same spot where you caught it – you can go back and try again after it has grown even more!”
On Friday June 3, Flambeau River State Forest will host an open house at Forest office headquarters on Hwy W, 22 miles west of Phillips or 15 miles east of Winter. Staff will be there from 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to answer any questions about the forest. Hiking trails are open and Lake of the Pines, Little Falls/Slough Gundy, Bass Lake Wilderness Area, and the Flambeau Hills ski trail offer an abundance of scenic backcountry. If you go to Little Falls/Slough Gundy, try crossing to Slough Gundy. You will see large white pine, cedar, and hemlock – and elephant rock, a large boulder with a white pine straddling over it, making it look like a very large elephant with trunk.
The DNR is hosting an online bear chat May 19 and DNR experts will answer questions ranging from habitat to behavior to homeowner tips to avoid bear conflicts. To participate, search “chat” on the DNR website.
FISHING REPORT
Walleye:
Walleye fishing is fair and inconsistent. As usual, the prime hours are early morning and the hour before dark. Depths vary from 4-22 feet, depending on the lake, location, time, and weather. Jigs and fatheads work best, but anglers are also reporting success on walleye suckers, crawlers, leeches, and plastics under slip bobbers or on split shot rigs, and with Beetle Spins. In the evening, just before dark, cast or troll Rapalas and stickbaits along shorelines.
Northern:
Northern pike action is good in shallow weeds and anywhere you find concentrations of panfish. Sucker minnows are always a good choice. For artificials, try crankbaits or work spinnerbaits and spoons tipped with Twister Tails through the weed beds.
Largemouth Bass:
Largemouth bass are moving towards the shallows and you will find them around weeds, brush, and other structure. Live bait, spinnerbaits, crankbaits, spoons, and plastics (worms, frogs, grubs, etc.) are all effective baits.
Smallmouth Bass:
Smallmouth bass fishing in the northern bass zone is catch and release only until the season opens June 18.
Crappie:
Crappies are making a spawning effort, but the cold weather pushed them to somewhat deeper water. Start in 10 feet or so and move shallower – or start shallow and work deeper – until you find the fish. Bait choices include crappie minnows, Tattle-Tails, Mini-Mites, Gulp! baits, and small plastics under slip bobbers, and small spinners.
Bluegill:
Look for bluegills in warm water bays and shallows. Sunshine and warmer temperatures will move them back to shallow water. Best baits include waxies, worms, plastics, and Gulp! baits on small hooks, jigs, and teardrops fished under slip bobbers.
Upcoming Events
May 7: Seasons opened: General inland fishing (see regs); Musky in South Zone; Frog.
May 20-21: Fishing Has No Boundaries on Chippewa Flowage (715-634-3185).
May 20-22: Musky Tale Resort – Northern Encounter (715-462-3838).
May 28: Musky season opens in North Zone.
May 28: Wisconsin Canoe Heritage Museum canoe and wooden boat show in Spooner (715-635-3580).
June 3: Flambeau River State Forest open house 7:45 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; (715-332-5271).
June 4-5: Free Fishing Weekend - No license required!
Through June 17: Northern Zone smallmouth bass catch and release only.
Through July 31: Illegal to allow dogs to run on DNR lands and FWPAs (see regs).
Spring turkey season dates
May 11-17: Period E.
May 18-24: Period F.
For more information on area events and activities, visit the Hayward Lakes Visitor and Convention Bureau website, view its Calendar of Events, or call 1-800-724-2992.