Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman
The forecast looks good for the first part of this week, though cooler weather and rain chances keep increasing toward the weekend ... and the annual Muskies, Inc. fall tournament. Of course. At least for now, the only moisture mention is ‘rain’.
“As we slip into fall, water temperatures are in the low to mid 60s,” says Pat at Happy Hooker. “These warmer days may slightly increase those temperatures, but the cool nights bring them back down.
“This is a good time to fish or enjoy the colors, but be prepared for those fluctuating temperatures.”
Guide Dave Dorazio at Outdoor Creations says Chippewa Flowage muskies show several patterns.
“During the day, cast Bull Dawgs in deeper water or bucktails and Suicks over/along weed edges. Topwaters action is good in the evenings, and sucker action should increase as water temperatures drop.”
Jim and Dennis at Hayward Bait say muskie fishing is spotty and we need consistent cooler temperatures. The best baits are currently bucktails, topwaters, plastics, Depth Raiders, and suckers. Walleye anglers are doing well trolling stick and crank baits in 25-35 feet of water on the deep, clear lakes.
Randy at Jenk’s says bucktails and twitch baits are good for muskies, with jerkbaits and suckers close behind.
“Walleye anglers should try minnows in 18-24 feet of water, while bass fishing is good on plastics and spinnerbaits around shallow wood and weed edges. Crappies remain scattered with the warm water. Use minnows and Gulp! baits on cribs and on brush in 16-22 feet.”
At Anglers All in Ashland, Carolyn says trolling for coho and brown trout is ‘crazy good’ on Chequamegon Bay.
“Most trollers start at Washburn, work north to the Sioux and Onion rivers (the hot spot 20-30 feet of water) out to Long Island. Anglers still use spoons and bait flies off downriggers, but flat-lining stickbaits is extremely successful. There are reports of trout and salmon at the mouth of Fish Creek.”
“Stream anglers report some brown trout, steelhead, and coho on spinners, spoons, spawn bags, and yarn, with fly anglers using bright streamers or egg patterns.”
DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter says the Chippewa Flowage will receive a stocking of 3,000 extended-growth, PIT-tagged muskies this fall.
“Each of these muskies received a PIT tag (passive integrated transponder), a tiny radio transmitter tag, the same style used to identify lost pets. The tags enable us to gather critical information on growth, survival, natural recruitment, and on fish used as future broodstock.
“The stocking is an increase from recent years, necessary due to low natural recruitment and an adult population lower than target levels.”
Fishing pressure declined on most lakes with the opening of many hunting seasons, says DNR fisheries biologist Skip Sommerfeldt.
“Muskie action is good on bucktails, Bull Dawgs, and jerkbaits, but suckers on quick-strike rigs are the most productive. Sturgeon anglers report many sub-legal fish and just a few legal 60-inch or larger. Cut bait and crawler gobs in deep holes or bends on the larger rivers offer the best action.”
The annual Muskies Inc. and Youth Conservation Alliance Youth Muskie Hunt was September 19-22 on Moose Lake, hosted by Mystic Moose Resort. Nearly 40 youth ages 6-17, each accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, participated in the event, learning to read lake maps, the importance of boating safety, and making and using their own bucktails. Next year’s event is September 18-21. Check the YCA and Muskies Inc. websites in the coming months for more information.
In the past week, Hayward area registration stations Hillman’s Store and Hayward Bait registered eight antlerless deer and three bucks for archery season, including one nice 10-point, and six bear.
There is still time to enter Hayward Lakes Chapter-Muskies, Inc. Fall Muskie Tournament Oct. 4-6. Every entrant is eligible for the Grand Door Prize, a 2013 Lund 1725 Pro Guide tiller boat, ShoreLand’r trailer, and 60 hp Mercury motor. Entry fees are $90 for adults and $25 for youth 16 and younger. Until 11 p.m. October 3, enter in person or by phone at Hayward Bait (715-634-2921) or Jenk’s (715-462-3055).
FISHING REPORT
Reminder: Inland trout season closed Sept. 30.
Muskie:
Muskie action is good to very good, though it can be somewhat erratic. Look for fish in various depths, from shallow to deep, on weedlines, weed edges, and steep drops adjacent to deep water. Top producing baits include bucktails, Bull Dawgs, topwaters, plastics, jerkbaits, crankbaits, twitch baits, and suckers on quick-strike rigs.
Walleye:
Walleye action is far from hot, though it is improving. Fish are scattered in depths from 15-35 feet on humps and around brush, weeds, and other structure. The primary bite is now on walleye suckers and fatheads, but anglers continue to catch walleyes on crawlers and leeches (when available), and trolled/cast crank and stick baits.
Northern:
Northern pike are very active and fishing is good around weeds, weedlines, and weed edges in 8-22 feet with bucktails, crankbaits, chatterbaits, spinners, spinnerbaits, spoons, and suckers.
Largemouth Bass:
Largemouth action is more consistent than smallmouth and you will find them near wood, weed edges, docks, brush, and bogs in depths from 3-15 feet. Baits of choice include plastics, topwaters/rubber frogs, spinnerbaits, jig/craw combination, and live bait.
Smallmouth Bass:
Smallmouth fishing is inconsistent and frustrating, with best action in moving water, such as rivers and flowages. Work cribs, rock humps, wood, and weed edges in depths to 30 feet with plastics, jigs/ trailers, and spinnerbaits. For live bait, use crawlers and leeches on Lindy and drop-shot rigs.
Crappie:
Crappie action is fair to good, with fish scattered and suspending over deep water (15-22 feet), weedlines, weed edges, brush, and cribs. Crappie minnows, fatheads, plastics, and Gulp! baits are all working, though preference varies from day to day.
Bluegill:
Bluegill fishing is good once you locate them. Look for larger fish in deeper water (10-20 feet) around weeds and deeper weed edges. Waxies, leaf worms, crawler chunks and pieces, plastics, Gulp! baits, and small minnows, on jigs or plain hooks, with or without bobbers, are all catching fish.
Upcoming Events
Sept. 30: Seasons closed: Sturgeon on inland waters; Lake trout season on Lake Superior; Inland trout (see regs.)
Oct. 4-5: Stone Lake Cranberry Festival.
Oct. 4-6: Hayward Lakes Chapter Muskies, Inc. Fall Muskie Tournament (715-634-2921).
Oct. 5-6: Youth Deer Hunt.
Oct. 5-6: Musky Tale Resort Crappie Quest (715-462-3838).
Oct. 5-13: Special deer hunt for people with disabilities.
Oct. 8: Bear season closes.
Oct. 15: Wolf hunting and trapping season opens.
Oct. 19: Seasons open: Pheasant; Ruffed grouse (Zone B); Bobwhite quail; Hungarian partridge; Raccoon gun and trapping (residents); Red and gray fox hunting and trapping; Coyote trapping (hunting continuous); Muskrat; Mink (Northern Zone);Fisher trapping; Bobcat hunting and trapping Period 1.
Oct. 28: Hayward Chapter-Whitetails Unlimited banquet (715-634-6013).
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.