3-24-14 Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman
The North Woods continues to experience all the wonders of winter, but the extended forecast indicates a real change – not just a one- or two-day respite – is arriving about April 3. Most of us are ready for it!
“We had a lot of snow melt that left us with standing water,” says Pat at Happy Hooker. “Then it turned cold again and all that water turned to ice and here is still no one fishing due to the snow and slush. Old licenses expire March 31, so this might be a good time to purchase your new license for the upcoming seasons.
“Spring will get here – it is just a matter of time.”
Jim at Hayward Bait says travel is still difficult, though the snow has frozen on some lakes and you can actually walk on top of it.
“Fish are fairly active. Crappie action is good with minnows, waxies, and plastics; bluegill anglers report success with waxies, spikes, and plastics; and perch fishing is okay with waxies, crappie minnows, rosy reds, and fatheads.”
Guide Dave Dorazio at Outdoor Creations says anglers can use the large network of Chippewa Flowage snowmobile trails to find fishing areas, but if they venture off those trails, deep snow and slush can make for tough travel.
“Look for 15-22 feet of water and use your electronics to find fish. Crappies are suspending so they should be easy to spot. Fishing just above the crappies with crappie minnows will take fish, but tipping jigs with waxies or plastics produces better action. Downsize your jigs and plastics to target bluegills.”
Carolyn at Anglers All in Ashland says the last snowfall helped smooth the ice on Chequamegon Bay, but anglers are back to using snowmobiles.
“Coho action is spotty off the coal dock, hot pond, and marina, with most successful anglers setting tip-ups just under the ice or jigging off bottom and fishing in approximately 10 feet of water. For finicky fish, try waxies or swim shiners on very small trebles.
“The channel is loaded with smelt and a few game fish are again following them, but it is hit-and-miss. Perch anglers off Second Landing report nice catches in 10-15 feet. Bobbers are still travelling out to the islands and doing well using tubes and other plastics when fresh smelt is not available.
“The warmer days brought whitefish catches off Bono Creek and steelhead to some river mouths.”
This week, DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter discusses the Chippewa Flowage and the ‘ageing’ of lakes.
“The term ‘aging’ refers to the process by which reservoirs gradually fill with sediment. The Chippewa Flowage is one of the most important walleye fisheries in Wisconsin and certainly in the Hayward area. Locally, many people have speculated that the ‘aging’ of the Chippewa Flowage might be hurting the success of the walleye population.
“A study by Idaho researchers suggests otherwise, however, at least in terms of stocking success. They found that in the United States, older reservoirs actually had a higher probability of walleye stocking success. The researchers suggest that older reservoirs have more nutrients that create a better environment for young walleye growth and survival.
“The conditions in each reservoir are unique and competition with other species and prey availability are still important factors, but this study suggests the aging of reservoirs is unlikely to hurt walleye stocking success.”
DNR fisheries biologist Skip Sommerfeldt says ice conditions remain relatively unchanged on area lakes.
“Ice depths range from 22-30 inches, with the upper third consisting of several layers of crusted snow and slush. Access conditions are very tough and most motorized vehicles just break thru the first layer or two of slush.
“As such, fishing pressure remains minimal and most anglers are waiting for a spring thaw when water starts to run down the holes, usually spurring a late-ice panfish bite.”
The 2014 Wisconsin Fishing Report, regulations, trout guide, and fishing calendar are now available online. The 16-page report includes fishing forecasts submitted by DNR fisheries biologists containing information about the number and sizes of fish found during population surveys on a wide range of waters across the state, organized by species and alphabetically by county name. A printed version is available at DNR service centers.
If you plan to hunt turkeys this spring or hunt next fall, this is a great time to take the DNR Hunter Education Course starting April 1 (classes April 1, 3, 5, 8), offered in conjunction with the Sawyer County Outdoor Projects and Education (SCOPE) organization. The course is limited to 35 students (requires advance registration) and the $10 fee includes all class materials. To register, emailscope4youth@hotmail.com with your name, indicating you would like to register for this class. You will receive additional class information by e-mail. For more information, contact Chris Wunrow (715) 558-5371.
The annual spring banquet for the Namekagon River Gobblers Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) is April 11 at the Hayward VFW. Individual tickets for dinner and NWTF membership cost $60; couples cost $110; and Jakes (17 and younger) tickets cost $35. Other ticket packages are available. The event includes numerous raffles and raffle packages, early bird, and “bring a buddy” special offers. Doors open at 5 p.m. and dinner begins at 7 p.m. For more information, contact Brad (715-580-0792); Bruce (715-558-2496); or Tim (715-669-3401).
The Hayward Lakes Visitors & Convention Bureau snowmobile trail report says the trails are excellent and the weather is perfect for snowmobiling. The lake trails remain staked and in good condition, but make sure you stay close to the stakes on the well-ridden paths to avoid getting stuck in the deep snow and slush.
The Hayward Power Sports report say Sawyer County woods trails are in good shape, but trails on roads have numerous bare sports. Trails are hard and crusty on cold days, with limited lubrication. Trails should remain good and lake trails are still marked and good – as long as you stay on the staked trail.
The Cable Area snowmobile trails report says do not put away your sleds! The Drummond Sno Jacks, Namakagon Trail Groomers, and Cable Area Chamber made donations totaling $11,000 to the Bayfield County Snowmobile Alliance to ensure grooming will continue if winter chooses to stick around longer. We call this our “March Madness!”
FISHING REPORT
Access to the lakes and travel on them continue to be very difficult due to snow and slush. Few anglers are fishing, though those who get on the ice are catching fish, but reports remain sparse.
Crappie fishing is best on minnows, waxies, and plastics, though some baits work better than others do on any given day. Take a selection and let the fish tell you what they want. Use your electronics to find fish in 12-25 feet of water, and be sure to check the entire water column.
Bluegill action is good on many area lakes, with waxies, spikes, and plastics the most productive baits. Downsizing tackle and baits can make all the difference.
Perch fishing is decent with crappie minnows, rosy reads, fatheads, and waxies.
Upcoming Events
March 20: Winter crow season closed.
March 29: Trout season opens on some Lake Superior tributaries (See regs for exceptions).
March 31: Hunting, fishing, sports, and conservation patron licenses expire.
April 1: Hunter Education course begins (715-558-5371).
April 11: Namekagon River Gobblers NWTF Banquet (715-580-0792; 558-2496; 669-3401).
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.