12-23-13 Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
The Hayward area enjoyed mild temperatures (20-degree range) and continuing snowfall over the weekend, with just enough to shovel and make for ‘iffy’ driving conditions. By the way – as of December 21, it is now officially winter.
“One would think it was the end of January with the bitter cold the last several weeks,” says Pat atHappy Hooker. “The good news is we now have 10 to 13 inches of ice on the lakes.
“Walleye fishing is good, with a consistent evening bite throughout the area. Set your tip-ups by 3 p.m. using medium shiners or suckers in 10-15 feet, right off any structure, to intercept the fish coming in from deeper water to feed.”
Bob at Hayward Bait says ice thickness ranges up to 14 inches on a few lakes, but there is snow and slush on some lakes so be careful.
“Walleye action is decent on the deep, clear lakes in 8-18 feet of water around structure. Northern pike are hitting live bait, and crappie and bluegill anglers are catching fish on live bait and plastics.”
Guide Dave Dorazio at Outdoor Creations says moderating temperatures have more anglers venturing onto the Chippewa Flowage.
“Be cautious while traveling on the ice – there are areas of slush, and current areas have some open water. Anglers are doing well on crappies, fishing 12-20 feet of water with crappie minnows, jigs with waxies, plastics, and Gulp! Alive. Downsize your bait to target the nice size bluegills mixed in with the crappies.”
Guide Roger Lapenter at Anglers All on Chequamegon Bay in Ashland says he has not seen such an early start to ice fishing season in many years.
“We had ice, it blew out before the big snow, re-formed, and we now have 10-14 inches of good ice with no snow on top. We still recommend no vehicles – only snowmobiles and ATVs – as not all Bay areas are safe. Anglers should check with a local bait shop before heading out on the ice.
“Second landing is good for perch, with some coho, browns, and walleye, and the same in the bay, with northern, herring, and whitefish. We are seeing so many big brown trout this year – 25-inch and larger into the 30s!”
Fishing in large groups is a fun way to spend a day on the water, says DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter, but how are bag limits handled when everybody in a large group is harvesting fish?
Sawyer County warden Rick Peters addresses the issue of group fishing.
“Each angler is still held to a daily bag limit, and once the angler hits that limit, he or she is done fishing for that species. You cannot assign a fish you caught to another angler’s bag. If the entire group is over their bag limit and fish are pooled together, a citation could be written for each angler in the boat, even if only one person is over his or her daily limit.”
DNR fisheries biologist Skip Sommerfeldt says most lakes in the North Woods have 9-11 inches of ice, though a few larger lakes and areas with snow cover have only six to seven inches.
“Anglers traveling with any motorized vehicle should be cautious and always check ice thickness and slush conditions before heading across any body of water.
“Walleyes are the primary target for most early season anglers, but tip-up anglers are reporting sporadic catches. The most productive fishing is in 5-8 feet of water on sand/mud flats and weed edges with small suckers or large fatheads in late afternoon hours.”
Last week, Hayward area registration stations (Shooting Star, Hillman’s Store, Hayward Bait) registered one antlerless deer for the special antlerless-only season, and three antlerless deer and four bucks for archery season, including a big 10-pointer (240 pounds field dressed!) with a 21-inch inside spread and 24-inch outside spread.
Wisconsin’s wolf harvest reached 248 animals (statewide quota 251) as of December 22. The only remaining open zone, Zone 3 (quota 71; harvest 66), closes to wolf hunting and trapping as of 5 p.m. December 23. With the harvest of wolf 64 December 21, the DNR initiated the closure process for Zone 3.
The December 18 Hayward Power Sports trail conditions report says Sawyer County trails and those in surrounding counties have some of the best early trail conditions in many years. The primary battle is downed trees and overhanging branches. As of this report, 90 percent of the trails are passable, except for the LCO loop between Grindstone Lake and the Casino. Signs are hard to see because of the snow hanging in trees, so stay on the trails! The eight-foot water level drop on the Chippewa Flowage exposed many stumps. Due to a dispute between the county and private property owners, groomers will not groom Trail 63 from Boedeker Road north to the intersection of trails 70 and 73 by Cable.
The December 20 Cable Area snowmobile trails report says the area has seen regular snowfalls of two to five inches since early December. Snow depths in the woods are more than 20 inches, with a solid eight-inch trail base. Namakagon Trail Groomers logged more than 120 hours since last week, running two groomers, with two staff each, clearing trails of downed branches and trees. As of December 18, they have cleared and rolled all trails in their district. The Drummond Sno Jacks have cleared and groomed all trails in their region and report very good riding conditions. Weather.com predicts excellent riding conditions during the holiday riding season, with temperatures ranging from 21 to 4 degrees and several more minor snowfalls.
FISHING REPORT
By nearly all reports, fishing action is good for most winter species, but weather conditions kept a damper on angler interest during the first part of December. In recent past years, anglers still had open water fishing available this time of year, so it is possible anglers are out of the “habit” of fishing in early December. Whatever the case, there is decent ice thickness, travel conditions are relatively good, though with some slush in some areas, and anglers are catching fish!
Walleye:
Walleye action is fair to good, with your best chances for success the late afternoon and evening hours. Depths range from 5-20 feet of water near structure or on sand flats, mud flats, and weed edges. Baits of choice include small to medium walleye suckers, shiners, and fatheads fished on tip-ups.
Northern:
Northern pike are feeding around weeds and wherever you find panfish. Fishing tip-ups with northern suckers or shiners is the preferred presentation.
Crappie:
Crappie action is good with crappie minnows, jigs/waxies, plastics, and Gulp! baits. Look for fish suspending in 12-24 feet of water, primarily in the lower part of the water column. Use your electronics!
Bluegill:
Bluegills are suspending and/or mixed in with the crappies. Fish smaller plastics and live bait just off the bottom in deep water.
Upcoming Events
Dec. 25: Period 1 bobcat season closes.
Dec. 26: Period 2 bobcat season opens north of Hwy 64.
Dec. 31: Seasons Close: Pheasant; Turkey (zones 1-5); Fisher; Frog; Hungarian partridge.
Jan. 5: Late archery deer season closes.
Jan. 5: Relic Rider’s Paul Wick Memorial Snowmobile Ride; 1 p.m., Anglers Haven Resort.
Jan. 18-19: Free Fishing Weekend.
Jan. 18: Winter crow season opens.
Jan. 31: Seasons close: Ruffed grouse (Northern Zone); Squirrel; Bobcat (Period 2).
For more information on area events and activities, visit the Hayward Lakes Visitor and Convention Bureauwebsite, view its Calendar of Events, or call 1-800-724-2992.