Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
By Steve Suman
If the forecast holds true for the latter part of this week, the 63rd Annual Musky Festival should enjoy good weather. There are ‘chances’ of rain, but for most days, odds are 50-50 or better against it.
“Water temperature are in the upper to mid 60s on most lakes, the low 60s on large lakes, and weed beds are developing nicely,” says Pat at Happy Hooker. “Muskies seem to be in their typical summer pattern, holding on weed edges and hitting medium size twitch or topwater baits. If the walleye bite is slow due to the mayfly hatch, try shallow water cabbage and coontail with leeches under slip bobbers.”
Randy at Jenk’s says Chippewa Flowage muskies are in their summer pattern, hitting surface baits and bucktails. If you do not find walleyes in deep brush with crawlers or leeches, try the weeds with Beetle Spins or Twister Tails.
At Minnow Jim’s, Cathy says Nelson Lake walleye anglers should jig minnows and fish leeches under slip bobbers, or they can try trolling Lindy Rigs and stickbaits. Bass action is good in the weed beds and lily pads on chatter baits, poppers, spoons, or rigged worms.
Guide Dave Dorazio at Outdoor Creations says Chippewa Flowage muskies are active on bucktails and topwaters fished around weeds in 4-10 feet of water.
“Walleye anglers are finding fish shallow, especially during periods of low light, but they are catching most of them in 16-20 feet of water on leeches and crawlers. There are also good numbers of largemouth bass in the shallow, actively taking spinnerbaits and jig/plastic combinations.
Dan at Bay Park Resort on the Trego Flowage says walleye fishing is good below the dam on crankbaits and leeches. On the lake after dark, they are hitting walleye suckers on shallow humps on the edges of the river channel. For smallmouth, work leeches around shallow water structure in early morning, while surface baits are a good bet in the evening. Pike are hitting large northern suckers on the weed edges on the south end of the lake, and the panfish bite is good around shoreline structure in 2-4 feet of water.
Carolyn at Anglers All on Chequamegon Bay in Ashland says trout and salmon fishing is good on the flats with spoons and Spin-N-Glos. The islands offer good fishing on most days. In early morning, fish shallow rocks with stickbaits, and as the day progresses, fish spoons in deeper water. Bass are in transition, with many fish in wood. Walleye fishing is good off Brush Point and the breaks off Second Landing, and trolling weed beds, humps, and channel edges from the ore dock east.
Jim at Jim Hudson’s Guide Service in Bayfield says Chequamegon Bay smallmouth are mostly post-spawn, but many are feeding heavily in shallow weeds along drop offs before moving to summering grounds. Topwaters work great in the morning and evening. For walleye and northern, troll crankbaits or crawler harnesses around weeds in 10-15 feet of water in the eastern and western part of the bay. Troll for lake trout off flats and structure throughout the Apostle Islands.
“Fishing success continues to be pretty good,” says DNR senior fisheries biologist Skip Sommerfeldt, “though windy and variable weather made for some tough fishing. The dryer conditions lessened the number of biting insects, and good hatches of dragonflies have also helped keep the deer flies, mosquitoes, and ankle-biters at tolerable levels.”
There is still time to register for Hayward Bass Club’s open tournament this Sunday June 24, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., on Round Lake. Anglers fish in two-person teams and the entry fee is $100 per boat. Entry forms are available at Hayward Bait, Outdoor Creations, Famous Dave’s, Round Lake Marina, Stone Lake Bait, and St Croix Rods in Park Falls. For more information, contact Wayne Balsavich (715) 699-1015 or email haywardbassclub@charter.net.
FISHING REPORT
Muskies: Muskies are in their typical summer patterns and fishing is good to very good on most waters. Fish the weeds, weed edges, and slop in 4-12 feet of water with small to medium size twitch and topwater baits, bucktails, jerk baits, and small to medium muskie suckers.
Walleye: Walleye action is a bit slow, in part due to mayfly hatches. Fish can be in shallow weeds or in deeper water, with depths ranging from four to more than 20 feet. Concentrate on weeds – beds, edges, and pockets – and brush. Use leeches and crawlers on slip bobbers, jigs, and harnesses, though fatheads and walleye suckers still work, as do plastics, Gulp! minnows, Beetle Spins, Twister Tails, and cast/trolled stick and crank baits.
Northern: Northern pike continue to be on the feed and you will find them in weeds, cabbage, and coontail as shallow as four feet out to deeper water. Best baits include spinner and buzz baits, spoons, Beetle Spins, Husky Jerks, rattling lures, and northern suckers
Largemouth Bass: Largemouth bass completed spawning and action is very good on most waters. The northern bass zone harvest season opened last Saturday, June 16. Look for largemouth in and along shallow weeds and weed beds, lily pads, and brush. Lures of choice include spinnerbaits, jig/plastic combinations, chatter baits, surface baits, spoons, and rigged worms.
Smallmouth Bass: Smallmouth bass have also completed their spawning in most waters and you will find them on weed flats, gravel edges, and hard bottom areas. Live bait and artificials are both effective for smallmouth
Crappie: Crappies are scattered in most lakes and in depths from 6-12 feet. Work in and along shallow weed edges, near brush, and around the cribs with crappie minnows, plastics, and Beetle Spins. Use jigs and/or bobbers with the live bait and artificials. Some anglers are having success fishing in the hour just before dark
Bluegill: Bluegill anglers continue to enjoy good success in shallower water, though fish are starting to move slightly deeper, in particular bigger bluegills. Fish weeds, brush, and cribs in depths from 4-12 feet of water. Best baits include waxies, worms, and plastics on jigs or plain hooks, with or without bobbers. Try small minnows in deeper water for bigger ‘gills
Upcoming Events
June 16: Northern zone bass season switched from catch-and-release to daily bag limits. (See regs.)
June 21-24: Musky Festival (715-634-8662).
June 22-24: Hayward Lions Club 63rd Annual Musky Festival Fishing Contest.
July 3-4: Winter July Jubilee (715-266-7233).
July 20-22: Birchwood Bluegill Festival (800-236-2252).
July 27-29: Lumberjack World Championships (715-634-2484).
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.