Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report August 20, 2012
by Steve Suman
This Saturday, August 25, Sawyer County Outdoors Projects and Education (SCOPE) is holding its Family Fun Day at Summit Lake Game Farm. The event is free to youth to 18 years of age and $3 for adults.
Registration starts at 8 a.m. and interactive stations start at 8:30 a.m., including .22 rifle, shotgun, muzzleloader, and archery shooting, laser hunting simulator, birdhouse building, kayaking, and more. Exhibition shooters include Guinness World Record holder archer Randy Oitker and shotgun shooting by Benelli Pro Staff member Scott Matthews.
For more information, visit www.sawyercountyoutdoors.com or call Chris Wunrow (715) 558-5371.
“Water temperatures have dropped into the mid to low 70s,” says Pat at Happy Hooker, “and multiple fronts seem to have scattered fish. More stable weather should get fish into more predictable patterns. The strongest bite is during the mid-day, possibly when the water is the warmest.”
Guide Steve Genson at Hayward Bait says muskies are getting more active with cooling water temperatures.
“Target weed edges and bars in 5-10 feet of water with large spinners, topwaters, and jerkbaits. Make sure to do good figure eights – the fish are showing up at the boat!”
Randy at Jenk’s says cooler water has Chippewa Flowage muskies showing more movement on surface baits and bucktails. For crappies, fish minnows and Gulp! baits on cribs and on bogs in the evening.
Jim at Minnow Jim’s says all Nelson Lake species seem to turn on at dusk. He notes lily pads are already starting to dry up and wither.
Guide Dave Dorazio at Outdoor Creations says Chippewa Flowage muskies are on the move.
“The surface water temperature is mid 70s and dropping and keying muskies to feed. Bucktails and topwaters are still very effective, but it is also time to start working jerkbaits.”
Dan at Bay Park Resort says Trego Flowage crappie fishing is excellent after midnight on jigs and minnows. Northern action is good with spinnerbaits on weed edges, and bass fishing will get even better into September. Anglers are still catching catfish and walleyes below the dam.
Carolyn at Anglers All in Ashland says Chequamegon Bay walleye fishing is the best in a long time, with most anglers trolling stickbaits on the rock pile, humps, channel drop-offs, and weed beds.
“The flats and Outer Island are the hotspots for brown trout on spoons and Spin-N-Glos. The smallmouth hotspots – rock pile, back of the breakwall, and tip of Long Island – are best with suckers, crankbaits, swim jigs, and plastics.”
DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter says we will have to wait to see the impact of the unseasonably warm spring and extremely hot July, but he has observed changes in the density and timing of plant growth in many lakes.
“The warm spring meant early spawning and a longer growing season, and could benefit overwinter survival of young fish, but the heat pushed many species to the brink. With temperatures cooling, it appears Sawyer County dodged a bullet this year.”
DNR fisheries biologist Skip Sommerfeldt says most river and stream levels continue to be near their summer lows.
“Many lakes and flowages are seeing a bit of a water level decline and weed abundances are very thick in many of the shallow bay areas.”
License and permit reminders:
Sale of antlerless deer permits for regular DMUs began August 18. Sale of remaining fall turkey permits begins at 10 a.m. Saturday August 25. The deadline to apply for a wolf permit is August 31.
FISHING REPORT
Muskies: Muskies are more active with the cooling water temperatures and are hitting throughout the day. Guide Steve Genson says anglers should be sure to make good figure eights since fish are showing up at the boat. Work shallower weed and bar edges in 4-12 feet of water with big bucktails, jerkbaits, topwaters, soft plastics, and stickbaits.
Walleye: Walleye action is challenging, but some anglers are doing well. Depths vary from shallower water out to more than 30 feet, with evenings into dark in shallower water best. Locations include bars, bar edges, weed lines, weed pockets, flats, deep holes, brush, rocky shorelines, gravel, and rock bars. It is still a leech and crawler bite, but minnows are getting more interest. Try Lindy Rigs and spinner harnesses with leeches and crawlers, jigs/fatheads, and trolling stick and crank baits.
Northern: Northern pike were somewhat quiet with the warm water, but fish getting more active with cooling water temperatures. Look for them in and around weeds, weed edges, cribs, and wherever you find panfish. Bigger pike are in deeper water. Use spinners, spinnerbaits, crankbaits, jerkbaits, minnows, and northern suckers.
Largemouth Bass: Largemouth fishing continues to be good, primarily in shallower water (three to eight feet) around wood, weeds and weed pockets, lily pads, and bogs. Topwaters, including weedless plastic frogs, are working well, as are spinnerbaits, soft plastics, and live bait such as leeches and crawlers on jigs.
Smallmouth Bass: Smallmouth action is improving and the best fishing is in deeper water around wood, rocks, cribs, and drop-offs. Best offerings include jigs; Senkos; soft plastics; jigs with leeches, worms, or plastics; tubes; drop-shot rigs; and live bait under slip bobbers.
Crappie: Crappies are scattered, suspended, and difficult to locate, but action can be very good once you find them. Work weed line and channel edges, cribs, and bogs in 12-24 feet of water. Baits of choice include crappie minnows, tube jigs, Gulp! baits, and plastics under slip bobbers or with vertical jigging.
Bluegill: Bluegill fishing continues to be very good for smaller fish around shallow weeds, brush, and docks. For larger ‘gills, work deeper water weeds, brush, and cribs. Best baits include waxies, worms, and leaf worms for small fish. Use leeches, Gulp! baits, jigs/plastics, and minnows for larger fish.
Upcoming Events
Aug. 18: Antlerless deer permits now on sale.
Aug. 25: SCOPE Family Fun Days (715-558-5371).
Aug. 25: Remaining fall turkey permits go on sale 10 a.m.
Aug. 31: Application deadline for wolf season permits.
Aug. 31: Training dogs by pursuing bear closes (see regs.)
Aug. 31-Sept. 2: Exeland Rod & Gun Club Trout Fest.
Sept. 1: Seasons open: Early Canada goose; Mourning dove; Lake sturgeon (hook and line; see regs.); Wild ginseng.
Sept. 4: Hayward Lakes Chapter Muskies, Inc. meeting at Dick-Sy Roadhouse. (715-634-4543.)
Sept. 5: Bear season opens for bait hunters only.
Sept. 12: Bear season opens for bait hunters and with aid of dogs.
Sept. 15: Seasons open: Early archery deer; Turkey; Ruffed grouse (Zone A); Cottontail rabbit (Northern Zone); Squirrel (gray and fox); Crow.
Sept. 15: Early Canada goose season closes.
Sept. 15-16: Youth waterfowl hunt.
Sept. 16: Exterior Zone Canada goose season opens.
Sept. 22: Seasons open: Duck in Northern Zone; Woodcock.
Sept. 30: Seasons close: Inland trout (see regs.); Sturgeon on inland waters.
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.