Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman
The North Woods has an interesting week ahead, according to present prognostications, with milder temperatures and more chances for rain than snow.
Good news – you recoup an hour of sleep November 3 when (if!) you turn back your clocks at 2 a.m. for the end of Daylight Saving Time.
“Very cold conditions caused a huge drop in water temperatures,” says Pat at Happy Hooker. “This is a great time for walleye and muskie anglers, and grouse hunters say with leaves down hunting is much better than expected.
“Muskie action is good on bigger suckers and after a turnover the fish can be anywhere in the water column. Larger jerkbaits fished slowly over deeper weed edges also work well. For walleyes, fish fatheads or walleye suckers on drop-offs in 18-30 feet of water.”
Jim at Hayward Bait says most anglers report turnover is occurring, which will slow fishing for a short period.
“Typical of this entire season, the muskie bite is spotty. Muskie suckers work best and anglers are catching most fish in less than 20 feet of water. Improved northern action should get better right up to freeze-up.
“Smallmouth are still very active on the clear water lakes, particularly with live bait, but also spoons, spinnerbaits, and plastics.”
Guide Dave Dorazio at Outdoor Creations says Chippewa Flowage muskie anglers report decent action and some large fish.
“Work deeper water with gliders and plastics, but the best action is on live bait so be sure to have a sucker alongside the boat.
“Crappies are schooled in their traditional fall areas, such as Moores Bay and Pine Point, with crappie minnows producing well, but jigs and tube skirts best.
Randy at Jenk’s says Hay Creek boat landing closed with the low and dropping Chippewa Flowage water level, though other public ramps are still useable.
“For muskies, fish suckers on the drops in 15-20 feet of water. Catch big walleyes deep this time of year – 25-35 feet – on three- to four-inch minnows. Crappies are schooling and hitting minnows in 20 feet of water in Blueberry Creek, Moores Bay, and Pine Point.”
At Anglers All in Ashland, Carolyn says trout and salmon continue to be the target fish for most anglers.
“Whether trolling, casting from shore, or stream fishing, we are hearing exceptional reports. Most fishing is off the Sioux and Onion rivers, but the head of Chequamegon Bay on the Ashland side is also producing many fish. The few brave souls fishing smallmouth are doing well, particularly with suckers on the rock pile.”
DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter says the DNR Fisheries Management Board, made up of administrators and scientists from around the state who make decisions for the program, held a meeting in Hayward October 15-16.
“We (local fisheries staff) presented a variety of topics on local area issues, including recent efforts to determine the amount of good walleye habitat in our lakes and advances in our survey reporting system. Fisheries technician Scott Braden presented information covering 27 years of results from the Hayward Muskies Inc. fall tournament.
“Other discussion topics included how we could be more efficient by reporting survey results online, as well as better ways to communicate stocking information to the public.”
DNR fisheries biologist Skip Sommerfeldt says cool, windy, wet (including snow!) weather limited fishing in the North Woods last week. Water temperatures have dropped into the low 50s and upper 40s, and most lakes have completed turnover.
“Muskie anglers are providing most of the fishing pressure, though many report slow fishing in the last week. There is a surge in crappie action, with fish near mid-depth cover and suspending a few feet off the bottom in deeper water. With the cold water temperatures, bass fishing is all but over for the year.”
In the past week, Hayward area registration stations (Shooting Star, Hillman’s Store, Hayward Bait) registered 19 antlerless deer and eight bucks for archery season.
“Hunters are seeing scrapes and rubs and the bucks are just starting to get going,” says Dennis at Shooting Star Archery. “Expect hunting to be very good in the coming weeks.”
Jim at Hayward Bait says hunting is still a little slow, but hunters are reporting an increase in buck activity.
FISHING REPORT
Muskie:
Muskie fishing is fair to good and you will find them in various depths and locations, but concentrate on deeper drops and weed edges in depths to 20 feet. The sucker bite is very good right now, but anglers are also catching fish on gliders, bucktails, Bull Dawgs, swim baits, jerkbaits, and even topwaters.
Walleye:
Walleye action slowed with the turnover, but a few anglers are boating some very nice, big fish. Target gravel bars/hard bottom areas, drop-offs, and weed edges in 8-35 feet of water (depending on the lake). Top bait choices include walleye suckers, fatheads, and crawlers for live bait, fished on bright jigs, plain hooks, or Lindy Rigs. Stick and crank baits can also be productive at the right time and place.
Northern:
Northern pike action is improving with the colder water and anglers are catching fish in 6-20 feet around weeds (green ones if you can find them), weed beds, deep weed edges, and in the bays. Spinners, spinnerbaits, spoons, and twitch baits are all productive, but as always, it is difficult to beat a northern sucker.
Bass:
Bass fishing, particularly for largemouth, is primarily a warm water activity and as such, interest is waning with the dropping water (and air!) temperatures. Bass anglers who continue to fish report success, however, especially for smallmouth on the deep, clear lakes. Spinnerbaits, spoons, plastics, and live bait all work well this time of year.
Crappie:
Crappie action is fair to very good, with fish on some lakes moving into their long-established fall schooling locations (check with your favorite bait shop). Look for them near weeds, wood, and brush in 8-20 feet of water, and near bottom in the deeper depths. Crappie minnows and fatheads work well, but jigs and plastics are often more effective than live bait.
Bluegill:
Bluegill fishing is good, though few anglers are pursuing them. Work weeds, wood, and brush in 6-15 feet of water with waxies, worms, crawlers, and plastics on small jigs, teardrops, and plain hooks. This time of year, small minnows can be effective for bigger ‘gills.
Upcoming Events
Nov. 1: Ginseng season closes.
Nov. 2: Seasons open: Beaver trapping; Otter trapping; Non-resident raccoon.
Nov. 3: Turn back your clock – Daylight Saving Time ends at 2 a.m.
Nov. 4: Woodcock season closes.
Nov. 9: Mourning dove season closes.
Nov. 15: Trout and salmon season closes on sections of Lake Superior tributaries (see regs).
Nov. 19: Duck season closes in North Zone.
Nov. 21: Seasons close: Early archery deer; Turkey; Crow.
Nov. 22: Illegal to hunt with firearm or bow the day before gun deer season opens (see regs for exceptions).
Nov. 23: Seasons open: Regular gun deer; Archery deer.
Nov. 30: Seasons close: Muskellunge; Turtle.
Dec. 1: Regular gun deer season closes; Lake Superior lake trout season opens.
Dec. 2: Muzzleloader deer season opens.
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.