3-3-14 Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman
The extended forecast calls for (finally!) a significant break in our frigid weather pattern starting this Wednesday or Thursday. Truly, this winter will go down as a memorable one – but we cannot relegate it to memory until it says goodbye!
“The 2013-14 game fish season closed this past weekend,” says Pat at Happy Hooker, “and anglers are beginning to think about late winter panfish season, but the weather is still a problem.
“Knee-high snow and waist-high drifts makes it almost impossible for anglers to move to locate fish and then stay on the bite.
“Spring is less than three weeks away and for those looking ahead, 2013-14 licenses expire March 31, but 2014-15 licenses go on sale March 5 and are valid immediately.”
Jim at Hayward Bait says not much has changed in the past week and very few people are getting out to fish.
“Travel on the lakes remains difficult and it seems track vehicles are the only ones getting around out there – and even some of them are getting stuck! There is a warm up in our future and panfish fishing should pick up as the weather warms.
“Despite frigid cold temperatures, a good number of participants showed up for the Walleyes for Northwest Wisconsin family fishing event this past weekend.”
Guide Dave Dorazio at Outdoor Creations says travel is difficult on the Chippewa Flowage and all area lakes, as deep snow and slush make it hard for anglers to fish many locations.
“With the close of game fish season, anglers are now concentrating on panfish. Drill numerous holes and then check them with your electronics to find crappies. It is possible you will have to check out several areas until you find the fish.
“Use jigs tipped with waxies or plastic, though waxies have been most productive, and try a #2 Jigging Rapala for the larger crappies. If the crappies are fussy, try suspending crappie minnows just above the fish.
“Generally, you will find some bluegills mixed in with the crappies and you can target them with smaller jigs tipped with spikes or mini plastics.”
Randy at Jenk’s Bait and Tackle is announcing the sale of his store.
“This would have been my 35th year of scooping minnows, being wet most of the time, and eating dinner at heaven knows what hour. I had an opportunity to sell the store this spring and, following discussions with family members, made the decision.
“Thank you for your many years of loyalty and friendship. Your continued support made the long hours worth it. I will still be around, helping Mike, the new owner, and do hope you continue to support the shop. God Bless you all.”
At Anglers All in Ashland, Carolyn says weather is hampering fishing activity on the Ashland side of Chequamegon Bay, with most of it now off Bayfield (the ice road), Red Cliff, and Basswood Island.
“Bobbers are still traveling out to Outer Island, but be prepared for radically changing conditions. Anglers are catching lake trout in 15-250 feet of water and brown trout, coho, and splake in shallower waters. A snowmobile is the advised mode of travel!”
This week, DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter discusses bass identification.
“In 2012, a study in our area tested the ability of anglers to identify bass. Researchers showed anglers a color photo of either a largemouth or a smallmouth bass and asked them to identify the fish. Afterwards, the researchers asked the anglers what characteristics they used to make their decision.
“Anglers using mouth size (smaller for smallmouth) to make their decision had 56 percent accuracy; anglers using stripes (horizontal black stripe for largemouth; vertical stripes for smallmouth) had 92 percent accuracy; and anglers who looked at a combination of mouth size, body color, stripes, and eye color had 100 percent accuracy.
“The lesson is that anglers should not rely on just one characteristic – learning several will lead to better identification skills.
“With different early season regulations for these two bass species in 2014, the ability to correctly identify bass will be even more important for anglers.”
DNR fisheries biologist Skip Sommerfeldt says ice depths are holding in the 18- to 20-inch range, but deep snow and slush severely limit most travel on the lakes.
“A few anglers are accessing their fishing spots via plowed trails, but wind and blowing snow seem to change conditions daily. Overall, fishing action continues to be on the slow side, with panfish fishing still erratic. Crappies are difficult to locate, but perch anglers report some fair catches with minnows in 6-12 feet of water.”
This year’s DNR spring fish and wildlife hearings and annual Conservation Congress county meetings are April 14 and the questionnaire package and meeting locations list are available on the DNR website. This year, Winter High School hosts the Sawyer County meeting. Fisheries questions include allowing trolling statewide; creating catch and release seasons for game fish to replace closed seasons; and possible management rules for panfish and trout. Wildlife questions include transferring hunting and trapping permits; allowing foot cable restraints for late season furbearer trapping; and simplifying stamp requirements. DNR wildlife staff will also address new deer hunting rules and their effect on hunting opportunities this fall and in the future.
The February 28 Hayward Lakes Visitors & Convention Bureau snowmobile trail report says trails are in very good to excellent condition and groomers will groom regularly during the week preparing for the weekend.
The February 27 Hayward Power Sports report says Sawyer County trails are in excellent condition and groomers are smoothing out trails and knocking back low hanging branches. A big thank you to all volunteers who worked to get these trails looking great.
The Cable Area snowmobile trails report for February 24 says trails are in spectacular riding condition and groomers will continue grooming through March. You will not find better snowmobile conditions than in the Cable Area right now!
The Northwest Relic Riders Vintage Snowmobile Club is holding a club meeting and election March 8 at Anglers Haven on Hwy KK. The meeting begins at 10:30 a.m.
FISHING REPORT
Early catch-and-release trout season opened March 1, but game fish season closed March 2. The brutal cold, wind, and poor travel conditions on area lakes have (negatively) affected angler interest, few are willing (or able!) to get on the ice, and if they do, slush and drifted snow greatly inhibit movement. As such, fishing reports are very limited at this time. That said, warming weather conditions late this week could fan the flames of interest for panfish – despite the travel challenges – and with a bit of luck, there will be some in-depth reports next week.
Upcoming Events
March 1: Early catch-and-release only trout season opened statewide (see regs for exceptions).
March 2: Game fish season closed on inland waters (see regs for exceptions).
March 8: Northwest Relic Riders club meeting and election, 10:30 a.m., Anglers Haven.
March 9: Daylight Saving Time begins (turn clock ahead one hour).
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.
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.