Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman
This week’s forecast indicates more seasonal temperatures, with some wind and possible showers, but “sunshine” is the dominate term nearly every day. Grab your jacket and get outdoors!
“Musky anglers are fishing weed edges in 8-12 feet with medium bucktails,” says Pat at Happy Hooker, “and do not forget a ‘figure 8’ as your lure nears the boat.
“The majority of anglers are floating suckers while casting, with suckers becoming more effective as feeding windows increase. Try topwaters in early morning and later evening.
“For walleyes, work jigs and minnows tight to bottom on weed edges in 10-15 feet or sand grass areas in 20 feet. Fish northern on weedlines and over weeds in 3-10 feet with spinnerbaits and Johnson Silver Minnows.
“Largemouth are in heavy weeds in 3-5 feet. Use plastics or weedless jigs in the midday hours. Fish smallmouth in 8-15 feet over hard bottom areas, rock piles, and humps with jigs and minnows or diving crankbaits.
“Crappies are suspending in main lake basins in 10-20 feet. Use slip bobbers and small fatheads. Fish bluegills in weeds in 6-10 feet with slip bobbers and leaf worms. Catch perch tight to the bottom on weed edges in 15 feet with jigs and crawlers and minnows.”
Jim at Hayward Bait says musky fishing picked up with the dropping temperatures.
“Musky anglers report success on smaller bucktails, tubes, topwaters, and Depth Charges working weed beds in 5-15 feet. Walleyes are deep and fishing is fair on walleye suckers, fatheads, crawlers, and crankbaits. For northern, work weedlines and points in 5-15 feet with crankbaits, spinners, and northern suckers.
“Largemouth are taking topwaters, plastics (frogs, worms), and artificial mice. Fish smallmouth on weeds, wood, and rock humps with walleye suckers, crawlers, and topwaters.
“Crappie fishing is good, with fish suspending over deeper water and taking crappie minnows, waxies, plastics, Beetle Spins, and spinners. Fish bluegills on rock bars and weedlines in 5-15 feet with waxies, leaf worms, and small plastics. Catch perch on fatheads in deep water on Round and Grindstone lakes.
“Grouse and woodcock hunters report fair to good hunting.”
Mike at Jenk’s says Chippewa Flowage musky fishing is average, with anglers catching a few nice fish.
“Usually, musky fishing this time of year is strictly subsurface baits, but with the nice weather it is a mix of subsurface and surface lures. Walleyes are active, but not yet in their fall spots. Fish brush and weeds in 20-25 feet with crawlers and minnows during the day.
“There is not much to report on Flowage bass, however Round Lake smallmouth action is great on cribs on the north and west ends of the lake with large sucker minnows. Crappies are getting more active and Blueberry Flats is probably the best spot so far this fall, followed by Hay Creek bottoms and Moores Bay. Fish are hitting a variety of baits, from live bait to crappie jigs to Gulp! baits.”
Carolyn at Anglers All in Ashland says anglers are hitting the stream mouths as well as the streams very heavily, targeting the salmon, brown trout, and steelhead preparing to spawn.
“Success is varied, as the fish arrive in waves.
“Water temperatures are starting to drop slightly and trollers are mainly using shallow running stickbaits and casting spoons. Stream anglers are using spawn, yarn, spinners, nymphs, and small hair jigs.”
This week, DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter discusses tree drop projects.
“This winter, Nelson Lake Association will again work with the DNR to add woody habitat to Nelson Lake. This year’s project is a continuation of the 2014 project dropping approximately 50 trees into the water from Big Island’s south shoreline. The project this winter will continue along the south and west side of Big Island and include more trees.
“Tree drops differ somewhat from ‘fish sticks’ in that tree drop trees are taken right off the shoreline, a nice option in areas difficult to access with heavy equipment. We specifically select trees based on their health, aesthetic contribution to the shoreline, potential benefit as fish habitat, and if they are already leaning toward the lake.
“Other lake associations interested in doing fish sticks or tree drops should discuss their interest at an association meeting and then email Max Wolter at max.wolter@wisconsin.gov.”
DNR fisheries biologist Skip Sommerfeldt says the mild, dry weather made for a very pleasant fall, but slow fishing success.
“Most fishing pressure is for muskies and action is fair at best. Many anglers are using suckers, but with low success rates. Walleye action is improving, though erratic. With the shorter days, more walleyes are moving to the shallows and in/around dying weed beds. Most success is on minnows on jigs or slip bobbers fished on deep edges in the hour before dark.
“Largemouth and smallmouth are active, but finicky biters. Fish weed edges and near heavy cover with soft plastics and slow presentations. Catch nice crappies near shallow water close to cover and weed edges.”
The Hayward Chapter-Fishing Has No Boundaries fall “all you can eat” spaghetti feed fundraiser is October 17 at Flat Creek Inn and Suites in Hayward. Dinner begins at 4:30 p.m., along with silent and live auctions. Dinner tickets cost $8 for adults and $4 for children (10 and younger). Raffle prize drawings start at 8:30 p.m. Prizes include: First Prize –Snapper lawn mower; Second Prize – Triton utility trailer; and Third Prize – Snapper snow blower. Raffle tickets cost $2/ea; 3/$5; and 7/$10. For more information, visit the website or call the FHNB office at (715) 634-3185.
FISHING REPORT
Musky:
Musky action is fair to good, with best success in early morning and late evening hours. Work weed beds and edges in 5-18 feet with bucktails, topwaters, tubes, Bull Dawgs and similar baits, and suckers on quick strike rigs.
Walleye:
Walleye fishing is fair and improving, but inconsistent. Target weeds and weed edges, sand grass, and brush in depths to 28 feet, particularly just before sunset. The most productive baits and presentations include walleye suckers, fatheads, and crawlers on jigs or under slip bobbers, and crankbaits.
Northern Pike:
Northern fishing is good in 3-18 feet on weedlines, points, and near panfish concentrations. Spinners, spinnerbaits, spoons, crankbaits, and northern suckers will all catch fish. As always, go deeper with bigger baits for trophy pike.
Largemouth Bass:
Largemouth action continues in shallow, thick weeds and other heavy cover, though fish can be less than cooperative. Work soft plastics (worms, frogs), swim jigs, crankbaits, and topwaters slowly in/on/along/over the weeds and cover.
Smallmouth Bass:
Smallmouth fishing is improving, with fish hanging around hard bottoms (rock, humps,), weeds, wood, and cribs in 8-18 feet. Top offerings include jigs and minnows, walleye suckers, crawlers, crankbaits, and topwaters.
Crappie:
Crappie action is good and improving with the cooling water. Look for fish suspending over deep water and/or near shallower weeds, weed edges, and other cover. Best baits include crappie minnows, fatheads, waxies, and plastics on jigs and/or slip bobbers, Beetle Spins, spinners, and Gulp! baits.
Bluegill:
Bluegill fishing is good in 4-18 feet around weeds, weedlines, and rock bars. Use waxies, leaf worms, plastics, and Gulp! baits on slip bobbers.
Perch:
Anglers are catching perch in many of the same areas holding walleyes. Try fishing Round and Grindstone, working jigs with fatheads or crawlers near the bottom on weed edges in depths to 25 feet.
Upcoming Events
Oct. 13: Bear season closed.
Oct. 17: FHNB Fall Fundraiser at Flat Creek Inn & Suites; (715-634-3185).
Oct. 17: Seasons open: Raccoon gun and trapping (residents); Red and gray fox; Coyote trapping; Bobcat Period 1 (north of Hwy 64); Pheasant (noon opener).
Oct. 24: Seasons open in north: Muskrat; Mink.
Nov. 2: Woodcock season closes.
Nov. 19: Seasons close: Fall turkey (zones 6 and 7); Crow.
Nov. 21-29: Regular gun deer season.
Nov. 29: Mourning dove season closes.
Hayward Lakes Visitor and Convention Bureau and Sawyer County Record co-sponsor this report. For more information on area events and activities, visit the HLVCB’s Calendar of Events or call 800-724-2992.