Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report June 10, 2013
By Steve Suman
This week looks to be one of the better ones for this spring, with high temperatures in the upper 70, a few chances for rain, and fog the only ‘white stuff’ in the forecast!
“We are nearly a month into open water fishing season,” says Pat at Happy Hooker, “and it is quite a different season. Fishing success is concentrated in shallow water, and while usually the case for early May, this is June and we are still finding fish in the shallows.”
At Hayward Bait, Jim says walleye action is generally good, with fish still in depths out to about 15 feet.
“Anglers are doing well with jigs and minnows, leeches, crawlers, and trolled stickbaits. The best bite is on shallow water gravel and rock bottoms in the evening hours.”
Guide Dave Dorazio at Outdoor Creations says the Chippewa Flowage remains very productive despite the changing weather.
“Muskie anglers should key on green weeds with topwaters, bucktails, and glide baits. For walleyes, work thick brush in 12-20 feet of water with jigs and fatheads and leeches under slip bobbers, or cast Rapalas along shorelines in the evening.”
Jim at Minnow Jim’s says Nelson Lake bluegills are shallow and biting on waxies, worms, and small leeches.
“Crappies are hitting crappie minnows, waxies, and Gulp! baits in 3-8 feet of water, and walleye anglers report success with fatheads, leeches, and walleye suckers.”
Randy at Jenk’s says it is amazing what a little sun can do and he is seeing mid to upper 60-degree water temperatures.
“Most muskie action is on bucktails near new weeds, while walleye fishing is best on leeches and minnows fished on drops and humps in 15-20 feet of water. Try worms and waxies for the bigger bluegills now in the shallows.”
Carolyn at Anglers All on Chequamegon Bay in Ashland says smallmouth bass fishing is still phenomenal.
“There are fish going on the beds as well as pre-spawn fish, and anglers are catching walleyes in the same areas.
“Trout and salmon fishing remains good from Houghton and Long Island out, with stickbaits still the hot ticket, but more anglers moving toward spoons. The Bay remains very dirty, with a few people trolling the channel edges.”
DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter says bluegill spawning is set to begin as water temperatures reach the upper 60s and bluegills have one of the most complex and interesting spawning behaviors of all freshwater fish.
“Male bluegills build saucer-shaped nests in shallow water areas of lakes. Oftentimes, many males will nest together in colonies, with the largest males typically setting up in the middle of the colony. Females come in, select a male (often several males) to pair up with, and drop eggs.
“There are also ‘sneakers’ or ‘mimics,’ smaller male bluegills that do not build their own nests. These fish either sneak in to try and fertilize a female’s eggs in a nest or they have coloration mimicking a female, allowing them to get close enough to fertilize eggs in another nest.”
DNR fisheries biologist Skip Sommerfeldt says the constantly changing weather continues to make for erratic fishing success.
“Water temperatures are quite variable, ranging from the low 50s to mid-60s on some of the large, deep lakes. On lakes with warmer temperatures, both smallmouth and largemouth bass have started their spring spawning rituals. For panfish, many crappies are still in spawning mode, but bluegills are just starting to congregate for their spawning period.”
Hayward Lions Club’s 64th Annual Musky Fest Fishing Contest is June 21-23, a catch-and-release only photo contest. Anglers can print their 5x7 fish photos free at Wal-Mart and Walgreens all weekend, and the first 200 anglers up to 12 years of age bringing in their fish photo receive a Stearns life jacket. Official rules and entry forms are available at the Lions Club contest booth, bait shops, and the Hayward Chamber of Commerce office.
There is still time to enter the Sunday June 23 Hayward Bass Club open tournament on Round Lake. The entry fee is $100 per boat, with registration limited to 40 two-person teams. Registration forms are available at Hayward Bait, Outdoor Creations, Stone Lake Bait, Famous Dave’s, Round Lake Marina, and St. Croix Rods in Park Falls. For more information, contact Wayne Balsavich (715) 699-1015, or email haywardbassclub@charter.net.
FISHING REPORT
Muskie: Muskie action is fair to very good, though somewhat inconsistent (surprise, surprise!) Look for fish in shallower water along/in/on/over new green weeds and weed beds, or holding in deeper water adjacent to areas holding spawning panfish. Bucktails, Bull Dawgs, tubes, gliders, swim baits, and topwaters are all catching fish – with lure size personal preference.
Walleye: Walleyes action is fair to good, with fish scattered in depths from 4-20 feet, and in various locations, such as brush, gravel, and rock. Top baits include jigs/fatheads, jigs/plastics, leeches and crawlers under slip bobbers, and walleye suckers. Anglers are catching some nice fish by casting/trolling stickbaits and crankbaits along shallow shorelines in the evening.
Northern: Northern pike are on the feed and offer good action on most waters. Work shallow weed lines, particularly in areas containing spawning panfish. Baits of choice include northern suckers under bobbers, spinners, spinnerbaits, spoons, bucktails, and crankbaits. Look for bigger pike holding in deeper water just off those panfish spawning areas.
Bass: Bass fishing (still catch-and-release only until June 15) is very good for both largemouth and smallmouth. The fish are shallow, active, aggressive, and making spawning beds – and too vulnerable, so use common sense and good judgment for the sake of the fish. (Catching bass this time of year neither takes nor proves any great degree of fishing prowess.) Stick with artificials, such as plastics worms, creature baits, tubes, jigs/Twister tails, and spinnerbaits.
Crappie: Crappie action is good to very good, with fish pre-spawn, post-spawn, and spawning, depending on the lake. You will find crappies from very shallow out to about 10 feet and willingly taking crappie minnows, waxies, plastics, and Gulp! baits fished on small jigs or plain hooks, with or without bobbers.
Bluegill: The water is warming, bluegills are staging, and this could be the week for bluegills to commence spawning. Look for them in shallow water along weed lines, wooded shorelines, and on sand bottoms. Waxies, worms, leaf worms, panfish leeches, and plastics on small jigs will all work well.
Upcoming Events
June 15: Bass harvest season opens in Northern Bass Zone.
June 16: Fourth Annual Big Chip Fish Fest (715-462-4911; 634-2204).
June 20: Walleyes for Northwest Wisconsin meeting (715-462-3559).
June 20-23: 64th Annual Musky Festival (715-634-8662).
June 21-23: Hayward Lions Club Musky Fest Fishing Contest.
June 23: Hayward Bass Club open tournament (715-699-1015).
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.