Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
April 29, 2013
Steve Suman
‘Spring is sprung, the grass is’ ... at least now visible! The warm, sunny weekend renewed spirits, and none too soon, since the May 4 game fish opener is this coming Saturday. The forecast indicates a few weather bumps in the road ahead, but it appears we are at last heading in the right direction.
“There is still a lot of ice and snow to contend with,” says Pat at Happy Hooker, “and as of last Friday, there was still 24 to 28 inches of ice on the Quiet Lakes. As for this Saturday’s fishing opener – we will just have to wait and see.
“The few panfish anglers pushing the season are catching fish on crappie minnows, waxies, and plastics in and around weeds in 5-15 feet of water.”
Jim at Hayward Bait says shorelines are eroding and late season ice anglers should use great caution.
“Sucker fishing is very good on the Namekagon River, while trout and salmon anglers are trolling Lake Superior or fishing tributaries with spawn sacs, spinners, Rapalas, and yarn flies.”
Randy at Jenk’s says two days in the 70s turned the ice gray, shorelines are opening, and Sunday night’s thunderstorm will certainly help.
At Outdoor Creations, Guide Dave Dorazio says walleye fishing should be great with this late ice-out.
“There should good numbers of male walleyes shallow and hungry. Fish depths out to eight feet with jig/minnow combos, or cast Rapalas in the shallows, and expect some nice northern using the same methods in the same areas.”
At Anglers All on Chequamegon Bay in Ashland, Carolyn says steelhead fishing is very good, especially in Fish Creek, but streams could have blown out with the warm weekend.
“Trollers are getting out of Saxon Harbor and the Sioux and Onion rivers. The back side of the breakwall opens more each day, so smelting is yet to come!”
DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter says ice-out marks the beginning of a couple very busy months for fisheries biologists and technicians.
“Most fish species in our lakes will spawn between now and late-June, our best opportunity to conduct surveys.
“Northern pike, yellow perch, and walleye are the first to go, and pike sometimes spawn when skim ice is still on parts of the lake. Muskies are next, followed by the nest builders, starting with crappie, largemouth bass, and smallmouth bass. Bluegills are late spawners and their large, ‘honey-combed’ colonies of nests are visible through much of June.
“This year, the survey team will be on the following lakes: Chetac, Chippewa Flowage, Round, Moose, Whitefish, Black Dan, Green, Durphee, and Helane.”
DNR fisheries biologist Skip Sommerfeldt says it is likely that most area lakes will still have some ice cover for the May 4 fishing opener and anglers should have alternate plans.
“Those plans could include spring ponds or smaller lakes that usually see ice-out before the larger lakes, or area streams and rivers that should be fully open, though running high.
“As mentioned last week, the belief that with late ice-out fish will spawn under the ice is for the most part just not true. Water temperature is the key to spawning and temperatures under the ice are 32-36 degrees. Once the ice goes out, water temperatures rise quickly, triggering the spawning urge.
“This usually happens very fast with late ice-outs, and fish complete most spawning in just a matter of days.”
Hayward Lakes Chapter-Muskies, Inc. invites the public to attend its Tuesday May 7 meeting with featured speaker Steve Genson, well-known local guide, TV personality, and muskie tournament angler. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. at Dick-Sy Roadhouse, 10 miles east of Hayward on Highway 77. Admission is free. Genson’s presentation, ‘Hidden Gems,’ focuses on finding small, overlooked lakes and rivers that hold great muskie fishing potential in spring, summer, and fall. For more information, call Mike Persson (715) 634-4543.
Openings are still available for the May 10-12 Treeland Walleye Challenge catch-and-release event on the Chippewa Flowage offering thousands of dollars in prizes. Entry is limited to the first 300 adults ($70 single; $125 with spouse; and $15 per child with parents). For more information, visit www.treelandresorts.com or call (715) 462-3874.
Musky Tale Resort’s Northern Encounter northern pike fishing tournament is May 17-19 on the Chippewa Flowage. This is a two-angler team event with a $75/per team entry fee ($85 after May 1). The tournament pays first place $1,000 (based on 30-team entry), a minimum of top five places, and awards door prizes Saturday night. For more information, visit www.muskytale.com/ (715-462-3838).
The 26th annual Hayward Fishing Has No Boundaries event is May 17-18 at Lake Chippewa Campground on the Chippewa Flowage. The two-day event hosts 120-150 participants for a fishing experience that for some was once only a dream. Additional volunteers are welcome and needed for various duties – guiding, cooking, assisting participants on/off boats, fish cleaning, emergency medical care, and more – as are boats and operators. For information, call (715) 634-3185; (800) 243-3462; or email hayfhnb@cheqnet.net.
FISHING REPORT
The following fishing reports pertained to conditions prior to the weekend warm-up and rain. With ice conditions quickly deteriorating, anglers attempting to extend the ice fishing season should use extreme caution.
Crappie: Crappie action is good in depths from five to more than 20 feet, suspending and near weeds and weed lines. Fish should soon start moving toward shallower water. Baits of choice include crappie minnows, waxies, spikes, plastics, and Gulp! baits on jigs or plain hooks, fished on tip-ups, tip-downs, and jigging rods.
Bluegill: Bluegill fishing is good one most lakes. Fish for them around weeds in 5-15 feet of water with waxies, spikes, and plastics on jigs or plain hooks, using jigging poles, tip-downs, or tip-ups.
Perch: Perch anglers continue to find good action for fish near weeds or suspending in 5-15 feet of water. Top baits include waxies, spikes, plastics, and Jigging Raps. Light line and spring bobbers will increase success.
Upcoming Events
April 28: Early catch-and-release trout season closed 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 4: Seasons open: Northern Zone bass (catch and release only); Muskie in Southern Zone; Frog.
May 7: Hayward Lakes Chapter-Muskies, Inc. meeting at Dick-Sy Roadhouse (715-634-4543.)
May 8-14: Period E spring turkey season.
May 10-12: Treeland Walleye Challenge (715-462-3874).
May 15-21: Period F spring turkey season.
May 17-18: Fishing Has No Boundaries (800-243-3462).
May 17-19: Musky Tale Resort’s Northern Encounter northern pike fishing tournament (715-462-3838).
May 25: Muskie season opens in Northern Zone.
June 1-2: Free Fishing Weekend.
June 15: Bass harvest season opens in Northern Zone.
Through July 31: Illegal to allow dogs to run on DNR lands and Federal WPA (see regs for exceptions).
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.