1-14-14 Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman
The North Woods finally received a reprieve from the frigid weather, with the Sunday afternoon temperature reaching into the mid-30s. The forecast predicts a return to the cold this week, though not as extreme, and good chances for snow nearly every day.
Wisconsin’s second annual winter Free Fishing Weekend is January 18-19 and both residents and visitors can fish anywhere in the state without a fishing license or Great Lakes salmon stamp. This includes all inland waters, Wisconsin’s side of the Great Lakes and Mississippi River, and other boundary waters. Other rules, such as seasons and size and bag limits, remain in effect. For more information, search ‘Free Fishing Weekend’ on the DNR website.
“If you planned to do any outdoor activity,” says Pat at Happy Hooker, “this past weekend was a very good one to do it and this may be a good time to try your ice fishing luck. Be aware, if you are driving out, there are reports of slush on some lakes.”
Jim at Hayward Bait says ice conditions on some lakes are still questionable.
“Most of the slush is frozen, but ice depths did not increase much with the cold snap and travel can be difficult due to the snow depth.
“Walleyes have moved to deeper water and tip-ups with walleye suckers produce well, though anglers still have success with fatheads on jigging spoons.”
Guide Dave Dorazio at Outdoor Creations says that despite brutal temperatures last week, some hardcore anglers did well on the Chippewa Flowage.
“Northern anglers are catching decent pike on weedlines with large suckers and shiners on tip-ups. Most anglers are targeting crappies in 18-22 feet of water, using electronics to find the fish. Try crappie minnows under bobbers for negative fish, as well as jigs tipped with waxies, plastics, or Gulp! Alive.”
Carolyn at Anglers All in Ashland says warm temperatures finally brought out the anglers.
“Behind Anglers All and in town, most anglers are fishing the channel and drops into it. Many are heading for the deep water out in the Islands. We had great reports from Red Cliff anglers fishing in 60 feet of water. If you travel out in the Islands, check your way with a spud, NEVER assume you can safely go where there are others, and wear floatation!
“Trout anglers fishing off Bodin’s and the Sioux are doing well fishing lake shiners on jigs in 30 feet and deeper water. There are good reports of coho, walleye, and perch off Second Landing, especially toward the tip of Long Island.”
DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter discusses winter pike movements this week.
“Northern pike are a popular target species for anglers in the winter and understanding their movement patterns may help ice anglers find pike.
“Researchers in Canada used radio transmitters to track and study pike movement under the ice. The researchers found that pike moved considerable distances from day to day, sometimes up to 2.5 miles! Unlike many other fish species, pike did not establish home ranges and never seemed to stay in one area for more than a few days.
“The researchers also looked at the type of habitat in which pike were spending their time. Not surprisingly, pike associated with weeds (when present) and 84 percent of the time in winter, the pike were in less than 12 feet of water.
“What does this mean for anglers? Fish shallow and know that if you are harvesting pike from an area, more pike are likely to move in within a few days.”
DNR fisheries biologist Skip Sommerfeldt says last week’s brutal cold put a damper on both angling pressure and fish activity.
“Subzero highs and wind kept most anglers off the ice, with virtually no fishing activity on many lakes during a few of the coldest days, and diehard panfish and walleye anglers found very limited action.
“Most area lakes now have about 14 inches of ice, with 4 to 8 inches of snow cover on top, and travel on the ice is fair. There are some good-sized snow drifts and some areas of slush, so anglers venturing out should be cautious, sticking to packed trails to avoid getting stuck.”
The Namakagon Trail Groomers trail report for January 11 says they are receiving complaints from landowners that riders are leaving the trails and riding across the fields. This will cause the loss of use of those trails! Please stay on the trail. It takes only a few bad eggs to mess up our trail system. The groomers are not grooming Trail 63 south of the Trail 70 intersection due to a land dispute. The alternate route is to head south on Randysack Road to meet with Sawyer County Trail 13 and then Trail 8.
The January 10 Hayward Lakes Visitors & Convention Bureau snowmobile trail report says there is a substantial base, plenty of snow, all trails are open, and lake trails are staked and safe. Again, watch for ice heaves on the lakes and for stumps on the Chippewa Flowage. Sawyer County trails and the surrounding county trails have some of the best conditions seen in a long time!
The Lakewoods snowmobile trail report for January 8 says the arctic air finally moved out of the region, the trails held up incredibly well during the cold snap, and trails are in great conditions. Trail 13 north from Sawyer County is a bit choppy due to some heavy machinery work in the area, so be cautious as you ride that portion of the trail.
FISHING REPORT
Walleye:
Walleye action remains relatively good, though it waned just a bit in the past week. Fish for them in deeper water (to 35 feet or more) using walleye suckers on tip-ups or jigging spoons tipped with fatheads.
Northern:
You will find northern in/on deep weeds and weedlines in 10-20 feet of water. Presentation of choice is fishing large northern suckers and shiners under tip-ups. Be sure to read DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter’s item above – it could easily help increase your pike fishing success.
Crappie:
Crappie action is fair to good on Nelson, Smith, Chippewa Flowage, and Long Lake. Be mobile with your electronics until you find the fish, then start drilling. Look for them in 15-22 feet of water and use crappie minnows or jigs tipped with waxies, plastics, or Gulp! baits.
Bluegill:
Bluegill action remains only fair, with anglers reporting success on Spring, Chippewa Flowage, and Chetac. Target 10-22 feet of water, with the top baits waxies, spikes, and plastics on small jigs or teardrops.
Perch:
Perch action is picking up on the deep, clear lakes, with anglers fishing 6-18 feet of water with crappie minnows, rosy reds, waxies, and plastics on the bottom and near deep weedlines.
Upcoming Events
Jan. 18-19: Free Fishing Weekend.
Jan. 18: Winter crow season opens.
Jan. 18: Relic Rider’s Vintage & Antique Snowmobile Show at Chief Lake Lodge.
Jan. 31: Seasons close: Ruffed grouse (Northern Zone); Squirrel; Bobcat (Period 2).
Feb. 8: Walleyes for Northwest Wisconsin 18th Annual Family Ice Fishing Event (715-634-2921).
Feb. 14-17: Great Backyard Bird Count.
Feb. 15: Seasons close: Fox trapping; Coyote trapping; Raccoon hunting/trapping.
Feb. 15: Namekagon River Valley Chapter RMEF banquet (715-634-1742).
Feb. 19: DNR Sawyer County fish management forum, Hayward High School, 7-9 p.m.
Feb. 20-23: American Birkebeiner (715-634-5025).
Feb. 28: Seasons close: Mink trapping; Muskrat trapping; Cottontail rabbit.
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.