Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report 4-8-13
By: Steve Suman
Officially, March 20 marked the first day of spring, but as a friend recently opined, it should probably be April 20 in the north woods. It is difficult to argue against his point when this week’s forecast includes snow and low temperatures in the teens. Still – far nicer than what people in the western states expect mid-week!
One last reminder – your 2012-13 fishing and hunting licenses expired March 31. To avoid hassles, renew your licenses now, before the May 4 fishing opener ... unless you enjoy standing in line on Friday night or Saturday morning, hoping the license system does not suffer a glitch. It is an easy process to purchase a license through license agents, DNR service centers, the Online Licensing Center, or calling toll-free 1-877-945-4236.
“Some ice anglers report finding shorelines that are starting to deteriorate,” says Pat at Happy Hooker, “so use caution if you head out on the ice. Snowmobiles and ATVs are the only recommended mode of travel. Just remember that on warm, sunny days, you might be able to get out on the ice, but you may not be able to get off of it!”
Bob at Hayward Bait says panfish reports are heating up on most area lakes and Brule River anglers are catching steelhead and brown trout. Ice fishing is good, but do use caution – late ice is no safer than early ice.
At Outdoor Creations, guide Dave Dorazio says Chippewa Flowage ice fishing interest slowed due to slush inhibiting movement. Anglers should stay on well-traveled trails to avoid the slush and water.
“Crappie anglers are still catching fish in deeper water (18-25 feet), but if you do not find fish there, check shallower areas. Jigs tipped with plastics work well, but try crappie minnows for ‘negative’ fish.”
Randy at Jenk’s says winter just will not let loose.
“There is still a lot of snow in the woods and ice on the lakes. There is probably 20 inches of ice on the Chippewa Flowage and it looks like it is going to be a really late ice out! The Flowage is down more than four feet, about normal for this time of year, and we hope to have enough runoff to fill it. There is some ice fishing, but most people are just waiting for spring.”
At Anglers All on Chequamegon Bay in Ashland, Carolyn says the ice is holding up, but anglers should call ahead.
“Coho anglers are fishing the hot pond, Ashland coal dock, and river mouths, with the best bite in early morning and again in late afternoon.
“The early opener on the tributary streams was a great success. Anglers reported some legal (26-inch) fish on spawn and yarn, while fly anglers are doing well on nymphs and crystal wooly buggers.”
DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter says the DNR Fish Research team is conducting surveys on coldwater fish populations, and in inland northwestern Wisconsin lakes, the two coldwater species present are ciscoes and whitefish. Both inhabit cold lakes and spend most of their time in deep water.
“Over the last two years, the team surveyed 29 lakes with historical populations of one or both of these species. DNR researcher Martin Jennings says the team found ciscoes in 23 of these lakes, including Whitefish Lake in Sawyer County, where they also found many small ciscoes.
“These coldwater fish populations are typically not targeted much by anglers, but can play an important role in structuring fish communities.”
DNR fisheries biologist Skip Sommerfeldt says most lakes still have about 18-20 inches of ice, but there is also 6-8 inches of snow and quite a bit of slush in many areas of the lakes.
“This is making for difficult travel and minimizing fishing pressure, and the few panfish anglers venturing out report spotty success.”
Spring turkey hunting season begins April 10. The season consists of six, seven-day periods, each beginning on a Wednesday and continuing through the following Tuesday. Remaining leftover tags are available for purchase until sold out or the season ends. For information, search ‘turkey’ on the DNR website.
The Hayward Chapter-Wisconsin Waterfowl Association is selling wood duck houses built by students from Northern Waters Environmental School. (Install them now!) The houses ($20 each; three for $50) are available at Shooting Star Archery, Hayward Bait, Hayward Outdoor Gear, Hayward Feed & Seed, and Sawyer County Record. For more information, call David LaPorte (715) 558-0380 or Shooting Star Archery (715) 634-8880.
The Tuscobia State Trail runs 74 miles through Barron, Price, Sawyer, and Washburn counties, and ATV use varies by different trail sections. From the Price/Sawyer county line to Red Cedar Lake Bridge just west of Birchwood, the trail is open to ATV use year-round, except November 15 to December 15 (hunting seasons). In Price County, the trail is open to ATV use between April 15 and November 15.
FISHING REPORT
Crappie:
Crappie action is good and improving as we move towards ice-out. Most are suspending in 15-25 feet of water, though some have started their move to shallower locations. Use your electronics to search varied depths until you find them, and then (surprise, surprise!) check the ENTIRE water column, from just under the ice to the bottom. Crappie minnows, waxies, plastics, and Gulp! baits are all effective, though not necessarily all at the same time – go prepared to offer a variety of presentations.
Bluegill:
Bluegill action is improving with the (slowly) melting snow and ice. They are suspending in 6-15 feet of water, often holding with crappies. Waxies, spikes, plastics, and Gulp! baits all work for bluegills, and you can increase your catch rate by downsizing line and baits.
Perch:
Perch anglers are finding some good action of nice sized fish, particularly on the deep, clear lakes. Look for the fish near the bottom, primarily in deeper water out to 20 feet of water on mud flats and bar edges, but expect them to start moving toward shallower water. Top baits include fatheads, rosy reds, waxies, spikes, and plastics on jigs and plain hooks, or tipped on jigging spoons.
Upcoming Events
March 31: 2012-13 hunting/fishing licenses expired.
April 10-16: Period A spring turkey season.
April 15-July 31: Illegal to allow dogs to run on DNR lands and Federal WPA (see regs for exceptions).
April 17-23: Period B spring turkey season.
April 24-30: Period C spring turkey season.
April 28: Early catch-and-release trout season closes at midnight.
April 30: Otter trapping season closes in North Zone.
May 1-7: Period D spring turkey season.
May 4: General inland fishing opener (see regs).
May 8-14: Period E spring turkey season.
May 15-21: Period F spring turkey season.
May 25: Muskie season opens in Northern Zone.
June 1-2: Free Fishing Weekend.
June 15: Bass harvest season opens in Northern Zone.
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.