1-22-14 Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman
The Hayward area enjoyed another short-lived break from the extreme cold Sunday as temperatures neared 30 degrees. However, this week’s forecast predicts single digit highs and lows dropping to double-digit subzero some nights.
Pat at Happy Hooker says high and low pressure systems are making ice fishing a little confusing.
“These changes affect the fish – they move deeper under high pressure and shallower under low pressure – and anglers must adjust accordingly.
“The best time for walleye is late afternoon into evening. Set tip-ups in 8-10 feet off weed edges early and wait until fish come in to feed.”
Guide Steve Genson at Hayward Bait says anglers are still catching walleyes during low light periods.
“Work deeper bars and breaklines in 10-30 feet with walleye suckers on tip-ups or jig with spoons and jigs. Catch northern pike on weedlines and in bays with cabbage in 5-20 feet of water with shiners and suckers on tip-ups.
“For crappies, during low light periods use your electronics to look for fish suspending off weed beds and cribs in 15-30 feet of water. Jigs with crappie minnows, rosy reds, waxies, and plastics will all catch fish.”
Guide Dave Dorazio at Outdoor Creations says more anglers are fishing with the moderate weather.
“Pike anglers are catching some nice fish on the Chippewa Flowage’s natural lakes, such as Chief and Scott, fishing large sucker and shiner minnows under tip-ups set along weedlines.
“Use your electronics to find crappies in 16-22 feet of water. Crappie minnows will work, but jigs tipped with waxies or plastics are more productive. Fish just above the crappies – they will rise to take the bait.”
Carolyn at Anglers All in Ashland says fishing remains good on Chequamegon Bay.
“Travel is an issue and we suggest snowmobiles for mobility. There are some plowed roads, but if they get blown in, you have problems!
“Smelt now moving into the Bay will bring in larger numbers of trout, salmon, and other species. Most anglers are fishing 20-30 feet of water in the channel or on the drop. The tip of Long Island is good for walleye in 20 feet and coho and brown trout in the 30-foot drop. The Washburn side is good for walleyes, browns, and coho off the Coal Dock.”
This week, DNR LTE fisheries technician Scott Braden in Hayward offers his insights on local ice fishing.
“Walleye action is steady, with anglers fishing tip-ups off community drop-offs and bars catching a few fish nearly every night.
“Chippewa Flowage anglers are still catching many crappies in 18-25 feet of water. Mobility is the key. Grid your favorite crappie spot and jump hole to hole until you find hungry crappies. Do not be afraid to hop back to previously fished holes and work those stubborn crappies again. Sometimes the switch flips. Bright tungsten jigs tipped with waxies work best, but tip-downs with minnows can also trigger stubborn crappies.”
DNR fisheries biologist Skip Sommerfeldt says ice depths are 14-16-inches on most lakes, but 6-10 inches of snow cover is limiting travel to snowmobiles, ATVs, and four-wheel-drive vehicles.
“Even then, a few are getting stuck in deeper drifts, especially where there is an inch or two of slush under the snow.
“Walleye action is slow, with the best catches on mild, cloudy days when temperatures reach into the 20s. In the hour before dark, fish small sucker minnows and extra large fatheads on mud and sand flats in 4-6 feet of water.”
Out-of-state snowmobilers can now purchase Wisconsin trail passes online. The cost of the annual trail pass is $35 and the DNR mails the pass within two business days. A snowmobile trail pass is required for snowmobiles not registered in Wisconsin. Use of public trails is included in a current Wisconsin snowmobile registration.
According to the January 17 Hayward Lakes Visitors & Convention Bureau snowmobile trail report, Sawyer County and surrounding county trails have some of the best trail conditions seen in a long time. Snow is plentiful, the trail base substantial, trails are groomed, and lake trails staked. There is a reminder to watch for ice heaves on the lakes and for stumps on the Chippewa Flowage.
The Cable Area snowmobile trails report for January 15 says Cable area trails are in great shape for riding. The Namakagon Trail Groomers and Drummond Sno Jacks are running a full grooming schedule to keep up with the traffic. We remind riders that Wisconsin allows riding only on designated trails and routes. There are more than 1200 miles of trails and routes in the Cable Area and you could not ride them all in one trip – but feel free to accept that challenge!
The Hayward Power Sports report for January 14 says all trails are groomed and in good condition and the weather is cooperating – to a point. We could use just enough more snow to freshen up things. Please note we do not update conditions unless a change warrants it.
Northwest Relic Riders Vintage Snowmobile Club is holding its 8th Annual Kaye Johnson Memorial Vintage Snowmobile Ride February 1. This is one of the largest vintage rides in Wisconsin. Sign-in at 9:30 a.m. atTrails End Resort off Hwy K, six miles from Hwy 27.
FISHING REPORT
Walleye:
Walleye action slowed a bit, but anglers are still catching fish. Low light conditions are best, be they on cloudy, overcast days, early mornings, or late afternoons into dark (prime time). Depending on the lake – and time of day – work deep breaklines, bars, mud/sand flats, and weed edges in 4-30 feet of water. Use walleye suckers and large fatheads under tip-ups and on jigs and jigging spoons.
Northern:
Northern pike action is fair to good. Work weedlines, shallower bays with cabbage, and weed edges in 5-22 feet of water with northern suckers, walleye suckers, or large shiners under tip-ups.
Crappie:
Crappie fishing is good to very good once you locate the fish. Be prepared to use your electronics and keep on the move, checking the entire water column. Action is best during low light conditions. Look for fish in 8-25 feet of water (varies with the lake) suspending and/or in/over/near weed beds and cribs. Bait choices include crappie minnows, rosy reds, waxies, and plastics – and any one can be “the one” on a given day. Fish them on small tungsten jigs or jigging spoons, and tip-downs work quite well at times.
Bluegill:
Bluegill action is inconsistent, but improving. Work weed beds and adjacent deeper water (6-12 feet) with waxies, spikes, plastics, and small minnows on small jigs, teardrops, and jigging spoons.
Perch:
Perch fishing is fair, but better on mud flats and weedlines in 8-30 feet of water on the deep, clear lakes. Best success is with crappie minnows, minnow heads, and waxies tipped on small jigs, ice jigs, and jigging spoons.
Upcoming Events
Jan. 31: Seasons close: Ruffed grouse (Northern Zone); Squirrel; Bobcat (Period 2).
Feb. 1: Northwest Relic Riders 8th Annual Kaye Johnson Memorial Snowmobile Ride.
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.