3-10-14 Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Following a mostly pleasant weekend and very warm Monday, temperatures drop to levels that are more seasonal. Considering this winter, many people will see ‘normal’ temperatures as a welcome warming trend!
“Game fish season closed, so the focus turns to panfish,” says Pat at Happy Hooker. “However, deep snow and slush are limiting mobility and few anglers are fishing.
“Crappies are schooling in deep water, sometimes on the bottom and other times suspending nearly anywhere in the water column. Most anglers are catching crappies on minnows, though waxies are producing a few fish.
“Bluegills in cabbage weeds – and a few fish suspended in deeper water – are hitting waxies. Rather than struggle through the deep snow, watch your electronics and wait for the fish to pass by. Perch anglers are catching fish on minnows and waxies in shallow weed beds and on soft bottom, deep water flats.”
Jim at Hayward Bait says travel conditions on the lakes are very difficult, but the few anglers getting out are doing well on bluegill and crappie.
“Unless you have a tracked vehicle or do not mind walking, you will probably not get to your favorite honey hole. My hope is that as the snow shrinks, the bite will really pick up and more anglers will have the opportunity to go fishing.”
Guide Dave Dorazio at Outdoor Creations says anglers are pursuing panfish on the Chippewa Flowage, but travel is tough on all area lakes.
“There is a lot of snow with slush under it making for tough travel. The Flowage’s extensive network of snowmobile trails is safe to traverse, but the best advice is not to travel on undisturbed areas.
“Use electronics to find crappies on deep (15-22 feet) flats. When you find them, dangle a crappie minnow just above them, though jigs tipped with plastics or waxies produce more fish. Try a #2 Jigging Rapala for fewer, but larger fish. Use smaller jigs with plastics or spikes for bluegills mixed in with the crappies.”
Carolyn at Anglers All in Ashland says people are still fishing on Chequamegon Bay and travel is still difficult unless you have a snowmobile.
“There are a few roads plowed toward the hot pond and coal dock. Anglers are catching coho, brown trout, and steelhead in that area during the day and walleyes during low light hours. They are catching large numbers of smelt in the channel areas, with the best bite in late afternoon. At night, anglers are targeting eelpout.
“Anglers are still fishing in the Islands, but conditions change constantly so be sure to check your way.”
This week, DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter discusses the dispersal of stocked walleye.
“People often ask how fast stocked walleye spread out in the lake. A Minnesota study found stocked fingerling walleye often stayed within one kilometer of the stocking site through the first winter. This was not the case in all lakes and years, and there was some indication larger fingerling might move farther away than smaller ones.
“Not surprisingly, lake size affected the dispersal of stocked fish. In small lakes, stocked fish quickly mixed throughout the lake, but in large lakes, stocked fish associated with (within a few kilometers) the stocking location up to three years after stocking.
“These results provide support for multiple release stations for stocking fish, something DNR crews typically try to achieve.”
DNR fisheries biologist Skip Sommerfeldt says fishing pressure is very low due to deep snow, slush, and tough access conditions.
“Ice and snow depths are 22-30 inches on most lakes, but it is difficult to tell where the snow ends and the ice begins. Most lakes have several layers of slush in the upper foot of ice/snow, adding to the tough access. The slush layers also make hole drilling difficult – the slush is even bogging down some power augers.
“It will likely take an extended thaw to melt down the upper foot of slush/ice, which should then allow better access.”
The Namekagon River Partnership, Trout Unlimited, and Sons and Daughters of Zebedee are sponsoring theWild River Fishing Expo Saturday, March 15, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Hayward Wesleyan Church. Admission is free. The event offers family fishing fun, door prizes, food, tackle auction, raffles, exhibits, discussions with guides, fly tying, lure making, fish art, casting, and other hands-on events.
Starting at 10 a.m. Monday, March 17, the DNR will open the sale of 101,872 leftover spring turkey seasonpermits on a first-come, first-served basis, beginning with Zone 1. Permits for designated zones go on sale each day, with zone 5, 6, and 7 on sale Friday March 21. The sale of any remaining permits begins Saturday, March 22, and continues until the periods or zones sell out or the season ends. Residents ($10), nonresidents ($15), and hunters 10-11 years old ($5) have equal opportunity and may purchase one permit per day. The 2014 spring season runs April 16 through May 27, with the youth hunt April 12-13. For more information, checkleftover permit availability on the DNR website.
The March 7 Hayward Lakes Visitors & Convention Bureau snowmobile trail report says the trails continue to be in very good to excellent condition, making for great March riding. There is so much snow the warming temperatures have not yet affected the trails, but stay on marked and groomed areas to avoid becoming stuck in the deep snow and slush.
The March 6 Cable Area snowmobile trails report says this is a great March for snowmobile riding. Many people expect the season to end after the first weekend, but there is enough snow to last through the month. Warmer temperatures make for great riding, and resorts now offer spring rates, making for an even more affordable snowmobile trip.
FISHING REPORT
Fishing conditions continue to frustrate ice angler. Deep snow, and slush under the snow, makes for difficult access to the lakes and restricts travel to established trails. People wandering off the trails often become stuck in deep snow and/or slush. Check with your favorite bait shop for the most up-to-date information on access and travel conditions, as well as baits and presentations.
Crappie:
Crappie action is fair to good once you find the fish and electronics are nearly mandatory. Concentrate your search for suspended fish in deeper water areas (to 25 feet) and be sure to check the ENTIRE water column, from on bottom to just under the ice. The most productive baits include crappie minnows, waxies, plastic, and small jigging spoons/baits.
Bluegill:
Bluegill fishing is decent, but as with crappie, it can be tough fishing. Look for fish in/near shallow weed beds and suspending over deeper water. Small jigs tipped with waxies, spikes, and plastics work well. Try small minnows to target the larger ‘gills.
Perch:
Anglers are catching perch in shallow weed beds and on soft bottom flats in deeper water with waxies, minnows, and jigging spoons.
Upcoming Events
March 15: Wild River Fishing Expo at Wesleyan Church, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., free admission.
March 16: Remove ice fishing shelters from inland lakes north of Highway 64.
March 20: Winter crow season closes.
March 17-21: Remaining spring turkey permits on sale.
March 29: Trout season opens on some Lake Superior tributaries (See regs for exceptions).
March 31: Hunting, fishing, sports, and conservation patron licenses expire.
April 11: Namekagon River Gobblers NWTF Banquet (715-580-0792; 558-2496; 669-3401).
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.