Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman
This week is starting out with snow and cold Monday through Tuesday, but the forecast promises sunshine and highs in the mid to upper 30s through next weekend. The weather is not typical for this time of year -- which thrills some and disappoints others.
“Ice is forming fast now,” says guide Steve Genson at Hayward Bait, “with reports of 1-4 inches of ice on some lakes.
“A few anglers are starting to get out as of this past weekend, with most of them targeting walleyes whenever they can get out on safe ice. We should have some good, solid ice by next weekend. If you go, be sure to use extreme caution and fish with friends.
“Gun deer season was a tough one here in the North Woods and there were not a lot of good reports as far as deer sightings. Hunters did harvest a few decent bucks during the season, with the largest (so far) entered in the Hayward Bait Big Buck Contest a 14-inch 8-pointer.”
This week, DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter discusses how an “El Nino” winter might affect our fisheries.
“The El Nino winter predicted by many experts would result in a shorter, warmer winter than what we are used to. Beyond potentially bad ice fishing conditions, what would that mean for fisheries?
“Trout would likely be a winner, as deep heavy winters that produce a lot of ice in streams can be hard on young trout. In a short, warm winter, we would expect high trout survival.
“Walleye and perch may be losers, as some research shows that early spring ice-out can lead to poor recruitment of the two species. The thought is that in years when spawning season comes early, eggs may not fully develop.
“It is likely there would be less effect on largemouth bass, bluegill, and other nest building species – and they may even see higher reproduction if walleye have a poor spawning year.
“Overall growth of all fish species might be slightly higher if an early spring leads to a longer growing season.”
Crex Meadows Wildlife Area will hold a wolf ecology workshop Sunday, December 13, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at its Education and Visitor Center. Learn from wolf experts about wolf history, biology, and monitoring techniques. A DNR Citizen Science Monitoring grant provides for lunch and materials. For more information, call (715) 463-2739.
The 2016 Wisconsin state park vehicle admission stickers and trail passes for are now on sale and make wonderful gifts for outdoor enthusiasts. State park properties will honor the 2016 stickers and passes as of Dec. 1. The stickers, required on all motor vehicles stopping in state parks and recreation areas, provide access to more than 60 Wisconsin state park, forest, and recreation area properties. Some state forest and trail parking areas also require a sticker. Admission stickers ($28 residents; $38 nonresidents) and daily stickers are available. Additional stickers are available at a reduced rate. A senior citizen annual sticker ($13) is available for Wisconsin residents age 65 and older.
A state trail pass is required for all people age 16 or older biking, in-line skating, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, or off-highway motorcycling on certain state trails. A pass is not required for walking or hiking. Annual trail passes are $25 for residents and nonresidents and daily rates are available.
You have until the February 1 to submit your photos and written entries to the 8th annual Great Lakes Photo Contest conducted by the DNR’s Office of the Great Lakes. The contest is accepting entries in these categories: natural features and wildlife; cultural and historic features; people enjoying Wisconsin’s Great Lakes, and seeks submissions from all seasons. For the for the new lake stewardship activities category, entries should include a photo and a 180-word description of the restoration or protection project. The Wisconsin’s Great Lakes 2016-17 calendar, distributed at the 2016 Wisconsin State Fair will feature the top photos. The office is also accepting short essays, stories, songs, and poems about Lake Superior and Lake Michigan the DNR may use in the calendar and other publications, the DNR website, and in displays and presentations.
According to the latest information from the DNR deer harvest report, deer harvest in Sawyer and surrounding counties through Saturday November 28 (the first eight days of the nine-day gun season) is as follows:
Sawyer: (1,097) - 921 bucks; 176 antlerless;
Washburn: (2,494) - 1261 bucks; 1233 antlerless;
Rusk: (1,943) - 1271 bucks; 672 antlerless;
Price: (1,180) - 951 bucks; 229 antlerless;
Douglas: (1,576) - 1257 bucks; 319 antlerless;
Bayfield: (1,612) - 1380 bucks; 232 antlerless;
Ashland: (566) - 477 bucks; 89 antlerless.
Snowmobile season is upon us and riders should be aware of changes in trail pass fees effective this year. Beginning with the 2015-16 snow season, all snowmobiles (with some exceptions) operating on a Wisconsin snowmobile trail or corridor must display a valid snowmobile trail pass whether registered in Wisconsin or another state. The snowmobile trail pass fee is dependent upon whether the snowmobile for which you are purchasing the trail pass has Wisconsin registration and whether the owner of that snowmobile is a member of a snowmobile club and the Association of Wisconsin Snowmobile Clubs (AWSC). The trail pass fee is $30 for a snowmobile registered in Wisconsin. The fee is $10 for a snowmobile registered in Wisconsin and owned by a person who is a member of both a snowmobile club and the AWSC. The nonresident snowmobile trail pass is $50 for a snowmobile registered in or in the process of registering in another state, province, or country. For more information, contact the DNR Call Center (888-936-7463) from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days per week. For information on the discounted club member trail passes, visit www.awsc.org.
FISHING REPORT
Ice is forming on some area lakes and there are reports of up to three inches or more in some bays, but it is wise to err on the side of caution when ice fishing. Get your gear in order and ready to go, but have some patience. If you HAVE to go (really?), do not go alone, have all the safety equipment you “might” need, and use extreme caution.
Wisconsin’s new, expanded early catch and release trout season opens at 5 a.m. January 2 and runs through Friday May 6 on waters where the early season currently exists (check the regs). The DNR developed the expanded early season in response to angler feedback and the resulting rule received extensive public review.
Upcoming Events
Nov. 29: Mourning dove season closed.
Nov. 30: Season closed: Muskellunge; Turtle.
Dec. 1: Season opens: Lake Superior lake trout.
Through Dec. 7: Northwest Relic Riders Vintage Snowmobile Club antique snowmobile display; Northern Lakes Co-op.
Through Dec. 9: Muzzleloader deer season.
Dec. 10: Permit application deadline: Spring turkey; Bear.
Dec. 10-13: Four-day antlerless deer hunt.
Dec. 16: Canada goose seasons closes in North Zone.
Dec. 25: Bobcat hunting/trapping Period 1 season closes.
Dec. 26: Bobcat hunting/trapping Period 2 opens (see regs).
Dec. 31: Seasons close: Pheasant; Extended fall turkey zones 1-5; Hungarian partridge; Fisher trapping; Frog.
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.