Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report April 1, 2013
By: Steve Suman
Two weeks into spring and it still looks like winter! The forecast for this week predicts fluctuating temperatures and various types of precipitation, but in general shows a gradual warming trend.
“There is still plenty of ice,” says Pat at Happy Hooker, “but the melting snow is creating some slushy areas on the lakes. It freezes at night, forms a crust of ice in the morning, and thaws again during the day. This makes for slippery travel, and walking or ATVs are the recommended modes of travel.”
At Hayward Bait, guide Steve Genson says travel conditions are improving and panfish anglers are getting some fish.
“The melting should promote a good late ice bite for crappies, bluegills and perch, and waxies, minnows, spikes, and plastics can all catch fish this time of year.
“Steelhead season opened this past Saturday, March 30. Streams are opening, there should be a decent flow, and this is the time to tangle with a big steelhead. Catch and release trout season is also open on the inland streams.”
Guide Dave Dorazio at Outdoor Creations says Chippewa Flowage anglers are doing well on panfish, though there is very little angling pressure.
“Use your electronics to find crappies in 18-25 feet of water and use jigs tipped with plastics. Try crappie minnows or jigs tipped with waxies on fussy fish. For bluegills, use smaller jigs tipped with spikes or plastics.”
DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter says winter is stretching on, a thick layer of ice remains on our lakes, and there are signs that some lakes are becoming oxygen limited for fish.
“Winterkills of fish become increasingly likely in these situations, especially in shallow, productive lakes.
“Obviously, the loss of fish life is unfortunate – and largely unavoidable in these circumstances. However, partial winterkills are not the end of the world and there is reason to believe that partial winterkills can be beneficial to fishing.
“Winterkills can thin out dense populations, particularly of panfish, which result in better growth of the remaining fish. For example, some believe the excellent panfish fishing found in Spring Lake was the result of regular winterkills of small panfish. Those winterkills have not happened for many years now, and the panfish there have become stunted.”
DNR fisheries biologist Skip Sommerfeldt says ice depths remain 18-20 inches, with 8-10 inches of slush on top.
“Access remains difficult on most lakes, though on some lakes a crust over the slush makes for easier foot travel. Ice fishing pressure is very light with the tough travel conditions, but anglers on the lakes with packed and frozen trails report fair success.”
On Monday April 8, the DNR will host the 2013 Spring Fish and Wildlife Rules Hearings and Conservation Congress Meetings statewide in every county, with all meetings starting at 7 p.m. The questionnaire package and list of meeting locations are available for review on the DNR website. The Sawyer County meetings are at Hayward High School on Greenwood Lane this year.
The DNR says the Clam Lake elk herd in Ashland County has not grown to a sufficient size to support a hunt this year. According to state law, an elk hunt may not take place until the population surpasses 200 animals. For more information, search “elk” on the DNR website, or call Wallenfang at (608) 261-7589.
The spring Youth Turkey Hunt is this weekend, April 6-7. Parents, guardians, and mentors can take any youth ages 10-15 years of age who have a tag and license, allowing one-on-one mentoring in a relaxed atmosphere, without competition from regular season hunters. For more information, search “youth turkey hunt” on the DNR website.
Hayward Bass Club will hold its finally planning meeting Wednesday April 3, at Hayward Rod & Gun Club, starting at 7 p.m. The club still has room for more teams and welcomes new members to attend this meeting. Season fees are $30 per team. For more information, contact Wayne Balsavich (715) 699-1015; haywardbassclub@charter.net.
According to the April 1 Cable trail report, Bayfield County released a statement declaring snowmobile trails officially closed for the season and a spring closure is in effect for ATV/UTV and snowmobile traffic on all Bayfield County trails.
The March 28 Hayward Power Sports trail report says snowmobile trails are still open in Sawyer County, passable though not in great condition, and will start showing more are spots. A few ATV trails are open, including the Tuscobia in Sawyer County, 63 railroad grade, Lenroot town roads/routes, and the LCO Casino trail to Tuscobia. Most other ATV trails open May 15.
FISHING REPORT
Do not store your ice fishing equipment quite yet – early spring offers some of the best panfish fishing of the year. Recent conditions made access and travel on the ice difficult, but conditions are quickly improving. Trout season opened Saturday March 30 on some Lake Superior tributaries (check the regs) and early catch and release trout season remains open on inland streams through April 28. Reminder: Your 2012-13 fishing and hunting licenses expired March 31.
Crappie: Crappie action is good and they should soon start a gradual move toward shallower water. For now, you will find crappies suspending over deeper water and they could be anywhere in the water column. Baits of choice include crappies minnows, rosy reds, waxies, spikes, plastics, and Gulp! baits. Tip these baits on plain hooks, small jigs, and small jigging spoons, under tip-ups, tip-downs, or on jigging poles. Downsize line and equipment will increase success rates.
Bluegill: Bluegill action is fair to good once you locate the fish. Look for them near weeds, brush, cribs, and suspending over deeper water. Waxies, spikes, plastics, and Gulp! baits will also produce catches, fished on plain hooks or small jigs. Catch bigger ‘gills in deeper water with somewhat larger baits and small minnows.
Perch: Perch fishing success is improving, with fish near weeds in deeper water, around old weed beds, and on mid-depth mud flats. Move until you find them – check the entire water column – and expect movement toward shallower water in the near future. Top baits include waxies, spikes, minnows, and plastics, and jigging spoons tipped with waxies or minnow heads.
Upcoming Events
March 31: 2012-13 hunting/fishing licenses expired.
April 6-7: Youth Turkey Hunt.
April 8: Spring Fish and Wildlife Rules Hearings/Conservation Congress meetings.
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 8-14: Period E spring turkey season.
May 15-21: Period F spring turkey season.
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.