Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report June 17, 2013
By Steve Suman
Constantly changing weather patterns make it difficult to know what to expect, but the ‘current’ forecast predicts a warm week with (too many) chances for rain.
June is peak nesting time for turtles and they are on the move near rivers and wetlands. Watch for them crossing roads, and if safe to do so, move them to the side of the road they are facing. Of the 12 turtle species calling Wisconsin home, three are threatened or endangered.
“Mosquitoes are out in force thanks to our wet spring,” says Pat at Happy Hooker. “Do NOT forget the bug spray!
“Walleye anglers are using leeches and crawlers off the first break and bass are on spawning beds and easy to catch.”
Jim at Hayward Bait says bass are in shallow water and providing great action.
“Fish largemouth with artificials as well as jigs and minnows. Smallmouth are spawning, very aggressive, and easy to catch, so please practice catch and release.”
At Jenk’s, Randy says Chippewa Flowage anglers are catching muskies with bucktails and surface baits on bars with weeds, and walleyes with leeches and crawlers in 15-20 feet of water. Largemouth fishing is good on the west side with plastics, while smallmouth in the shallows on the east side prefer crawlers.”
Guide Dave Dorazio at Outdoor Creations recommends bucktails and topwaters around green weeds in 2-8 feet of water for Chippewa Flowage muskies. Walleye fishing is good with leeches on sunken bogs in 12-20 feet of water.
At Minnow Jim’s, Jim says Nelson Lake walleyes are taking jigs with minnows or leeches fished on structure and snags, while northern are hitting suckers, spinners, and spoons near new weed beds. Fish largemouth with live bait, plastics, spinnerbaits, and buzz baits.
Carolyn at Anglers All in Ashland says Chequamegon Bay continues to offer excellent smallmouth fishing.
“Anglers are catching big smallmouth in 2-10 feet of water on wood, weeds, and drops, with fish in all stages from pre- to post-spawn.
“Trout and salmon anglers report success from Houghton Point to Long Island into South Channel and in the Islands. Troll the first drop in early morning with spoons on downriggers, Dipsey Divers, and lead core.”
DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter says during Musky Fest Shue’s Pond will be full of hungry bluegills ready for young anglers to test their skills.
“All young anglers are invited to fish from noon until 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and those younger than 16 years of age do not need a license. This is a great chance to get kids hooked on fishing!
“The DNR staff will provide loaner rods, bait, and fishing tips, and former DNR fisheries biologist Frank Pratt will again be on site to teach lure making.”
Flambeau River State Forest is holding a free “Critter Search” Sunday June 23, from 1-2 p.m., at Connors Lake picnic area. Visitor services associate Judy Freeman says if you know what to look for, there are animals of all sizes and signs of their activity everywhere. Be ready to get your hands dirty as you go exploring, and be sure to bring a camera. For more information, call (715) 332-5271.
Openings remain for Hayward Bass Club’s Round Lake open bass tournament June 23 and all anglers are eligible to participate. Registration is limited to the first 40 two-person teams, however, a single angler may fish alone as a ‘team.’ The entry fee is $100 per boat. 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. The club pays out 90-percent and uses the remaining 10 percent to fund its free youth bass tournament in late summer. Famous Dave’s is the tournament base and the club welcomes the public to attend the start, finish, and weigh-in. For more information, contact Wayne Balsavich (715) 699-1015; email haywardbassclub@charter.net.
FISHING REPORT
Muskie: Muskie action reports vary from slow to good, depending on the water fished – and the anglers doing the fishing. Target new weeds from very shallow out to about 12 feet, as well as deeper water adjacent to panfish spawning areas. Best bait choices include bucktails, Bull Dawgs, plastics, crankbaits, and surface baits.
Walleye: Walleye fishing is improving, though fish are scattered at various depths and locations. During the day, concentrate on deeper weeds, weedlines, bogs, and structure out to about 20 feet. Work shallower weeds, rocks, and bars in the evening hours. Top producing walleye offerings include leeches, crawlers, and fatheads on jigs, slip-bobbers, and live bait rigs. Also working well are trolled stick and crank baits.
Northern: Northern pike action is good to excellent on most waters. Anglers fishing for other species, such as muskie anglers and crappie anglers using minnows, are making many incidental catches of some big pike. Look for northern along weedlines, new weed beds, and spawning panfish in depths out to about 15 feet. Northern suckers fished under bobbers are difficult to beat, but anglers are also catching pike on spinners, spinnerbaits, spoons, stickbaits, and crankbaits.
Largemouth Bass: Largemouth bass are on the spawning beds in shallow water and aggressively protective of their nests. Plastic worms, crankbaits, buzz baits, spinners, spinnerbaits, and plastics are all productive at this time. If you want a meal, keep a few smaller fish, but release the big ones to fight (and spawn) another day.
Smallmouth Bass: Smallmouth fishing is very good, with fish on spawning beds. Using artificials, such as tubes and crankbaits, and continuing to practice catch-and-release will help sustain our trophy smallmouth fishery.
Crappie: Crappie fishing remains very good as fish begin to move toward deeper water, but you might find them from very shallow to about 20 feet of water near weeds and wood. Top producing baits include crappie minnows, waxies, Tattle-Tails, Mini-Mites, plastics, tubes, Beetle Spins, and Gulp! baits. Be prepared to offer them the option the desire that day.
Bluegill: Bluegill action is excellent and, depending on the lake, near the season peak as fish move into the shallows for spawning. Bait choices include waxies, worms, leaf worms, plastics, Gulp! baits, poppers, and topwaters. As with other species, use common sense and discretion – it is too easy to overharvest at this time.
Upcoming Events
June 15: Bass harvest season opened in Northern Bass Zone.
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 (715-634-8662).
June 23: Hayward Bass Club open tournament (715-699-1015).
June 23: Flambeau River State Forest critter hunt 1-2 p.m. Connors Lake picnic area (715-332-5271).
July 19-21: Birchwood Bluegill Festival (800-236-2252).
July 25-27: Lumberjack World Championships (715-634-2484).
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.