HLVCB Outdoor Report for April 25, 2016
Steve Suman
If you own a weather rock, expect to see it wet and swinging in the wind for much of this week – and maybe coated with sn*w on a few days. Just telling it as the forecast shows it! Hang in there – the current extended forecast (for what it is worth) shows exceptionally good weather through most of May!
“The ice is off the lakes,” says Pat at Happy Hooker, “and we are seeing a good number of boats on the water. If we have mild temperatures, it should not be long for the fish to complete their spawning cycles.
“Some anglers report catches of perch in the shallows. Find the warmest water on the warmest part of the lake. There can be significant temperature differences on the lakes at this time of year, as much as 8 degrees from main lake basins to the back of bays. Look for weeds (they absorb the sun), stumps, inlets, and the very back of bays, particularly on the north side, and fish as shallow as 2 feet. Afternoons, with the warmest water of the day, are best. Minnows, worms, Mini Mites, tube jigs, and other plastics work very well in the shallows.
“After perch complete their spawning cycle, crappies will start moving into some of the same areas.
“With the opener less than two weeks away, this is a good time to get your license to avoid the rush. The new license system is more time consuming and bringing your old license for the agent to scan will cut your waiting time.”
Bob and Sonya at Hayward Bait say walleyes are spawning.
“They should finish by the season opener and the post-spawn walleye bite should be on fire!
“Crappies are moving into the shallow as the water temperature warms and the bite picked up a bit. Use both live bait and plastics.
“Steelhead are active on the Brule and other Lake Superior tributaries. Anglers report good success with spawn, yarn, and wet flies, and hardware such as Mepps and Panther Martin spinners.
“Be cautious on the rivers – the water is still high and moving fast!”
At Anglers All in Ashland, Carolyn says smelt are still running on the Ashland shoreline of Chequamegon Bay.
“Northern are following the smelt and anglers are catching pike by soaking a smelt on the bottom. Anglers fishing sturgeon on both ends of the breakwall are also catching fish by soaking a smelt.
“On the Washburn side of the Bay, trollers continue to do well on brown trout, lake trout, coho, splake, and steelhead. Most anglers are running stickbaits such as Scatter Raps, Bay Rats, Bombers, ThunderSticks, Husky Jerks, and Flicker Shads over shallow water or along mud lines.
“As the smelt run winds down, fishing will improve and become more consistent.
“Stream anglers report very good numbers of steelhead in the Sioux river and Fish Creek.”
According to DNR fisheries biologist Skip Sommerfeldt, ice disappearing and water temperatures climbing into the upper 40s spurred walleye spawning.
“The DNR fishery crews have been busy surveying walleye populations and many crews are just now seeing their workload easing. Walleye spawning season moved along very quickly and now muskies are beginning to show up in the shallows. Musky spawning gets into full gear when water temperatures get into the low 50 degrees.
“As the water warms, look for smallmouth bass and crappie to begin their nesting activities, followed by largemouth bass and bluegill as we progress into May.
“Panfish will move up shallow in greater numbers, especially in the dark-bottomed bays that get a lot of sun. Perch are in the middle of their annual spawning ritual, crappie begin theirs as the water warms to the upper 50s, and bluegill start when the water hits the mid to upper 60s.
“Fishing pressure is light, with a few sucker and panfish anglers reporting fair success. Panfish anglers are catching a few nice crappie and bluegill in 3-5 feet in warm bays. Sucker anglers report decent redhorse and white sucker catches in deep holes on the Flambeau and Chippewa rivers.”
This week, DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter discusses the rough business of spring spawning.
“It is spring and the fish are ready to spawn. In our area, most fish spawn only once a year, making this the most important time for them.
“For some species, spawning season brings on increased aggression. Bass and panfish valiantly defend their nests, particularly if the nests contain eggs. Recent research (and decades of angler and fish biologist observations) reveals that muskies, too, can get rough during spawning.
“During spawning season, you often see muskies with fresh scars and scrapes. Some might be from bumping against rocks and logs, but some are bites from other fish. Researchers in Canada found male muskellunge set-up tight home ranges during spawning season and defend them from other males.
“The scars on muskellunge might not be from boys and girls nipping each other (though that happens), but could be from males chasing other males off their areas.”
With spawning season in progress and panfish moving shallower, here is a reminder for anglers that concerns the new DNR experimental panfish regulations in effect on 93 lakes across the state. Biologists are posting signs at boat landings and public fishing spots. Most inland waters still have the 25 fish per day bag limit for species including bluegill, pumpkinseed, sunfish, crappie, and yellow perch. The DNR will evaluate the new rules in five years and again in 10 years to determine their effectiveness on the affected lakes. It takes panfish six or seven years to reach 8 inches and then their growth rate slows. In Wisconsin, bluegills 9-10 inches long can be 14-16 years old!
Hayward Lakes Chapter Muskies, Inc. is holding a meeting Tuesday, May 3, at Coop’s Pizza in Hayward. The Chapter invites the public and admission is free. A general meeting starts at 7 p.m., followed by guest speaker and local guide Scott Keiper, who will present his “The Science of Giants” seminar. Keiper guides exclusively in northwest Wisconsin. The Hayward Chapter welcomes public attendance and new members attending the meeting can purchase an annual Muskies Inc. membership for half price. For more information, call Mike Persson (715) 634-4543.
Upcoming Events
April 15-July 31: Illegal to allow dogs to run on DNR lands and FWPAs (see regs).
April 30: Otter trapping season closes in North Zone.
May 3: Hayward Lakes Chapter Muskies, Inc. meeting at Coop’s Pizza, 7 p.m. (715-634-4543).
May 6: Early catch and release trout season closes.
May 7: Seasons open: General inland fishing (see regs); Musky in South Zone; Frog.
May 7-June 17: Northern Zone smallmouth bass catch and release only.
May 20-21: Fishing Has No Boundaries on Chippewa Flowage (715-634-3185).
May 28: Musky season opens in North Zone.
Spring turkey season dates
April 20-26: Period B.
April 27-May 3: Period C.
May 4-10: Period D.
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 800-724-2992.