Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report 6-6-13
By: Steve Suman
Our non-typical spring has offered a few (very infrequent) warm, humid days – and the forecast for this week simply shows more of the mild/moist/cool weather. All we can do is make the best of it – it certainly appears the biting bugs are doing just that!
“With the continuing cool spring weather, we are still at least a couple weeks behind normal,” says Pat at Happy Hooker. “Muskie season opened May 25 and we have a few fish on the registration board, but no legal-size 40-inchers. Walleyes have completed spawning in most of the lakes, though anglers are still catching some in shallow water.”
Guide Steve Genson at Hayward Bait says fishing for all species is improving with the warming water.
“Muskie fishing is good, with anglers already catching quite a few fish, including some big ones. Bass, pike, and walleye action is consistent, and crappie fishing is excellent everywhere.
“Fishing for most species is good throughout the day, with walleye success best in early morning and evening hours.”
Randy at Jenk’s says Chippewa Flowage muskie action is somewhat quiet due to chilly water and lack of weeds.
“It looks like another chilly early and mid-week, with mid-week wet – and even scattered snow showers Wednesday night! The water level is still high and water temperatures cooled to the mid-50s, except in shallow bays.”
At Minnow Jim’s, Jim says Nelson Lake anglers are catching walleyes on jigs tipped with fatheads and small walleye suckers, and with Rapalas worked on points and rock bars in the evening hours and along shorelines just before dark. Bass action is good on minnows and Rapalas fished around new weeds in shallower water.”
Guide Dave Dorazio at Outdoor Creations says fishing is good to excellent for most species on the Chippewa Flowage!
“For muskies, work fresh weed growth with bucktails and topwater baits. Fish walleyes in 12-20 feet of water with jigs/fatheads or leeches under slip bobbers in newly emergent weeds.”ve Dorazio at Outdoor Creations says fishing is good to excellent for most species on the Chippewa Flowage!
At Anglers All in Ashland, Carolyn says Chequamegon Bay smallmouth fishing is phenomenal.
“Sand Cut is loaded with fish and anglers are catching them on suckers, crawlers, leeches, plastics, crankbaits, and poppers. Trout and salmon anglers report good success trolling stickbaits along the mud line by flat-lining or using Dipsey Divers from Houghton to Long Island, off Red Cliff, in the Islands, and off Sand Bay.”
DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter says columnaris bacteria affects many fish populations in this area.
“According to DNR fish health specialist Sue Marcquenski, columnaris most commonly kills fish as water temperatures rise above 60 degrees. These water temperatures often coincide with spawning activity, stress that increases fish susceptibility.
“Columnaris is very widespread, but some lakes seem to have annual kills while others are less affected. Signs of the disease are necrotic patches on the gills and skin. Fish in columnaris infected waters are still safe for human consumption.
“Fish kills from columnaris are expected this time of year –in Wisconsin, panfish are the most commonly affected fish – and people can report them through the DNR hotline or local service center.”
DNR fisheries biologist Skip Sommerfeldt says the variable and continually changing weather conditions continue to keep anglers guessing on most waters.
“With the warm-up, smallmouth and largemouth bass began their spring spawning rituals as evidenced by the many dished out nests in the shallows. Warmer weather also brought out biting insects, with large numbers of mosquitoes and black flies pestering anglers in early morning and evening hours.”
Chippewa Flowage Area Property Owners Association (CFAPOA) is hosting its Fourth Annual Big Chip Fish Fest Sunday June 16 at The Landing on County Road CC. Purchase an entry/fish stocking button for $5 and enjoy a fresh fish lunch from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m., with proceeds used for the stocking of extended growth walleyes in the Chippewa Flowage. For more event details, visit http://www.BigChipFishFest.com.
Hayward Lakes Chapter-Muskies, Inc. invites the public to attend its meeting Tuesday, June 4, starting at 7 p.m., at Dick-Sy Roadhouse, 10 miles east of Hayward on Highway 77. Admission is free and visiting non-members can purchase a MI membership for half price. DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter will discuss analysis of 25 years of the Chapter’s fall tournament. Kevin Bushnick, MI-International youth activities, will have a presentation on an annual September kids fishing day on Moose Lake. For information, call Mike Persson (715) 634-4543.
FISHING REPORT
Muskie: Muskie action reports range from fair to very good due to various factors, such as water temperature, weed growth, and weather conditions. Look for muskies primarily in shallow water near new weeds and shoreline structure. The most productive baits include gliders, jerkbaits, spinners, spinnerbaits, stick/minnow baits, bucktails, and even some topwaters.
Walleye: Walleye anglers report fair to good success, with fish scattered from shallow to 20 feet or so. Concentrate on rock bars, points, gravel, wood, and weeds. Leeches, fatheads, and small walleye suckers work well with appropriate presentations – jigs, live bait rigs, or slip bobbers. Early morning and late evening are best. Crank and stick baits cast or trolled along shallower shorelines just before dark are producing some nice fish.
Northern: Northern pike action is good in shallower water (4-8 feet) around new weed beds and wherever you find panfish. Live bait – northern suckers and big minnows – work best, but you can catch fish on Rapalas, twitch baits, Jerk Shad, plastics, spinners, spinnerbaits, and spoons.
Bass: Bass fishing (catch-and-release only until June 15) is fair to good for both largemouth and smallmouth, with both species moving to shallower water for spawning purposes. Look for weeds, wood, and warmer water, including near crappies and bluegills. Jerkbaits, jigs, crankbaits, Rapalas, plastics, tubes, and live bait will all catch bass at this time.
Crappie: Crappie action is very good, with fish in various stages of spawning activity in 2-8 feet of water near weeds, wood, stumps, and structure, particularly in dark-bottom bays with cover. Use crappie minnows, waxies, plastics (Mini-Mites, Tattle-Tales), and Gulp! Minnows on jigs and plain hooks, with or without a bobber.
Bluegill: Bluegill action is improving with the (slowly) warming water temperatures. They are heading shallow, but still holding deeper than crappies. Look for weeds, cribs, and brush, with bigger ‘gills in deeper water. Top baits include waxies, worms, leaf worms, leeches, and plastics on jigs or plain hooks, fished with or without bobbers, and rubber spiders and poppers.
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.
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.