Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
May 20, 2013
Steve Suman
Mild temperatures and rain are on tap all week, weather typical of the too-long-awaited spring! With the quickly rising water temperatures, we should be approaching prime spring fishing conditions.
“Old man winter finally loosened his grip on the North Woods,” says Pat at Happy Hooker. “Lakes are devoid of ice, anglers are again on the water – and one might think we bypassed spring and entered into summer!”
At Hayward Bait, Dennis says walleye spawning reports vary – some anglers say walleyes have spawned out, while others report females full of spawn.
“The walleye bite is inconsistent, but as lakes continue to warm, expect it to really pick up during the next week or so. Bass fishing is good, especially in warmer water bays.”
Randy at Jenk’s says the Chippewa Flowage water temperature is about 50 degrees in the main lake and pushing 60 degrees in shallow bays.
“Walleye fishing is spotty, but anglers are catching fish on live bait in deeper water and along brushy shorelines with minnow lures. Crappies are moving shallow, though not yet spawning (yes, my chokecherry tree is almost in full bloom!) and anglers are catching good numbers of fish on minnows in 3-5 feet of water.”
Guide Dave Dorazio at Outdoor Creations says Chippewa Flowage anglers are finding walleyes in various depths.
“They are catching many ‘eater size’ walleyes in 15-20 feet of water on bright colored jigs tipped with fatheads. In the evening, work 2-10 feet of water with Rapalas, crankbaits, and jig/minnow combinations. Anglers are starting to catch crappies in the shallows on crappie minnows, marabou or hair jigs, and jig/plastic combinations.”
At Minnow Jim’s, Jim says Nelson Lake crappies are spawning and anglers using crappie minnows are making good catches in the shallows. Walleye anglers using fatheads are catching fish in the shallows, on rock bars and points, and on Rapalas along shorelines in the evening.
Dan at Bay Park Resort on Trego Flowage says fishing is good for crappies and smallmouth bass, with most species taking minnows and crawlers.
“Anglers are catching walleyes on minnows near the river channel on the North End near Bull Brook, the south end near Namekagon, and Mackie Creek, and pike on spinnerbaits in 9-15 feet of water on the north end of the lake. Not much panfish action yet, but action will pick up every day with the warmer weather.”
Carolyn at Anglers All on Chequamegon Bay in Ashland says anglers are catching smallmouth in the Sand Cut area.
“Move your baits slowly – the fish are a little sluggish with the cooler water.
“Trollers running stickbaits from Bono Creek out to the Islands report success on coho, brown trout, and some lake trout. Tributary streams are fishing well for steelhead anglers using spawn, spinners, yarn, and flies.”
DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter says they are observing a continuing pattern occurring in our lakes.
“When walleye numbers drop because of poor recruitment, panfish numbers explode, leading to a short period of very good panfish fishing. However, as panfish densities increase, growth rates decrease, and the number of ‘keeper size’ fish drops.
“We are finding walleyes are an effective and necessary control on panfish numbers. Having good numbers of walleye usually means faster panfish growth and more keepers.
“Nelson, Smith, Durphee, and Chippewa Flowage are lakes where walleye have decreased and panfish numbers increased. Grindstone, LCO, and Sand are examples of walleye-dominated lakes with low-density panfish of good size.”
DNR fisheries biologist Skip Sommerfeldt says even though anglers had open water for the second week of fishing season, most lakes had water temperatures in the mid to upper 40-degree range and the constantly changing weather made for erratic fishing success.
During Free Fun June 1-2, Wisconsin residents and visitors can – for free – fish, hike and bike state trails, and ride public ATV trails. On Sunday June 2, visitors to state parks and forests receive free admission. For more information, search ‘free fun’ on the DNR website.
The Great Divide Ranger District of the U.S. Forest Service invites young people up to 15 years of age to the free Hayward Kids Fishing Derby Saturday morning June 1 at Lake Hayward City Beach and Park, behind the Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame. Registration starts at 9 a.m., with events continuing until noon and all registered youth anglers receive prizes. An adult must accompany each participant. For more information, call Kathy Moe (715) 634-4821.
The Winter Area Armed Forces Fish Fest is May 31 through June 2 and is open to all current and former soldiers ($5 registration fee). All proceeds go to the Wounded Warrior Project. For more information, contact Mike Heath (715) 266-4203, 492-6407, or email phantomlures4u@yahoo.com.
Crews are grading Tuscobia State Trail this week, ditching and crowning the trail to eliminate build-up along its sides.
FISHING REPORT
Walleye: Reports on walleye spawning progress differ lake by lake. During the day, fish 8- to 20-foot depths near weeds and structure with walleye suckers, fatheads, shiners, leeches, and crawlers. In low light conditions, work shallower depths (2-10 feet) around shorelines, weed lines, rock bars, points, and moving water with live bait, Rapalas, and crankbaits.
Northern: Northern fishing is fair to very good in shallower, warmer water near weeds and anywhere holding panfish. Northern suckers work best, but spinners, spinnerbaits, stickbaits, crankbaits, and minnow baits will also catch pike while enabling anglers to cover more water, more quickly.
Bass: Bass action is good (but catch-and-release only in Northern Bass Zone) until June 15. For largemouth, fish shallower, warmer water with plastic worms, spinnerbaits, jigs/plastics, crankbaits, and live bait near weeds, docks, and drop-offs. For smallmouth, work shallow rock bars, breaks, and points with leeches, fatheads, jerkbaits, and tubes.
Crappie: Crappie fishing is very good and fish are spawning or near spawning in most area waters. Look for them in shallow water areas (3-12 feet) with green weeds and/or dark bottoms. Crappie minnows, fatheads, waxies, and plastics on plain hooks or jigs, fished with or without bobbers, are all effective crappie baits.
Bluegill: Bluegill action is somewhat slow, though anglers are catching fish near weeds, brush, and cribs in 3-10 feet of water. Waxies, leaf worms, plastics, and Gulp! baits on plain hooks or jigs, with or without a bobber, will all work for bluegills.
Upcoming Events
May 25: Muskie season opens in the Northern Muskie Zone.
May 31-June 2: Winter Area Armed Forces Fish Fest (715-266-4203; 492-6407).
June 1-2: Free Fishing Weekend.
June 1: Free Kids Fishing Derby (715-634-4821).
June 7: Flambeau River State Forest headquarters open house (715-332-5271).
June 15: Bass harvest season opens in Northern Bass Zone.
June 20-23: 64th Annual Musky Festival (715-634-8662).
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.