3-31-14 Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman
Mother Nature continues to toy with us here in the North Woods. Temperatures are gradually moderating, but the forecast for this week includes some type of precipitation (you know what that includes) nearly every day.
Guide Dave Dorazio at Outdoor Creations says panfish anglers are doing well on the Chippewa Flowage.
“As has been the case, travel is the biggest challenge. If you stay on the marked trails, you will be okay. Get off the trails and you may find deep snow and slush.
“Use your electronics to check 15-22 feet of water and when you locate crappies, fish just above them. Jigs tipped with waxies or plastics seem most effective, but try plain hooks with crappie minnows for fussy fish. You can catch the nice bluegills mixed in with the crappies by downsizing your offerings.”
Jim at Hayward Bait says travel on the lakes is still very difficult, although it is getting better with the warmer weather.
“Walking, snowmobile, and ATV are the best way to get to the hot spots, but there are still reports of individuals driving trucks – and getting stuck.
“Crappie fishing is good on Nelson, Smith, Spring, Long, and many smaller lakes. Fish are suspending in 15-20 feet of water and crappie minnows, waxies, and plastics are working best. Bluegill action is good in 8-15 feet of water on Lake Hayward, Long, and Chetac with waxies, spikes, and plastics, though the preference is live bait.
“The perch bite is really picking up on Lake Hayward, Grindstone, LCO, Chetac, and some smaller lakes. Fish 5-15 feet of water with minnows, waxies, and plastics.”
This week, DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter discusses fish kills.
“Here we are in early April, winter seems unwilling to let up, and these are the types of years when fish kills can be common. Fish kills are a result of oxygen depletion, which is more likely when deep snow covers the ice for long periods. Shallow, productive lakes are more susceptible to fish kills.
“Fish kills are an ugly sight, but there are some things worth remembering. It is very rare for all fish in the lake to die, particularly in our part of the state, and oftentimes a reduction in overall density improves the growth rates and size of remaining fish. For example, fish kills periodically affected Spring Lake and it was one of the best panfish fishing lakes in our area as a result.
“The best way to report a fish kill in Sawyer County is to email your local DNR (max.wolter@wisconsin.gov). Include any observations of the numbers, sizes, and species of fish, as well as wind direction, and photos (limit to two or three) are very useful.”
DNR fisheries biologist Skip Sommerfeldt says ice conditions remain mostly unchanged on lakes across the North Woods.
“Ice thickness on the lakes continues to be in the 22- to 30-inch range, with the upper third packed snow and frozen slush. Access is very difficult, with few anglers attempting to get onto the lakes, so there are scant reports of success. Most anglers are waiting for a break in the weather before giving the late-ice panfish bite a try.”
Hayward Bass Club has room for a few more teams and this year’s initial membership and planning meeting is Wednesday, April 2, at Hayward Rod and Gun Club, starting at 7 p.m. Members in two-person teams fish eight different lakes throughout spring and summer, fishing Wednesday evening every other week. The club has a liberal substitution policy for folks who cannot make all eight events. League fees are $30 per team for the season. For more information, call Wayne at (715) 699-1015, or stop at Hayward Bait.
Tickets are still available for the April 11 Namekagon River Gobblers Chapter-National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) banquet at the Hayward VFW. Individual tickets for dinner and NWTF membership cost $60; couples cost $110; and Jakes (17 and younger) cost $35. Other ticket packages are available. The event includes raffles, raffle packages, and special early bird and ‘bring a buddy’ offers. Doors open at 5 p.m.; dinner begins at 7 p.m. For more information, contact Brad (715-580-0792); Bruce (715-558-2496); or Tim (715-669-3401).
The Hayward Power Sports trail report for March 28 says Sawyer County trails are open and in ‘okay’ condition. There is still a good base, but groomers are no longer running in Sawyer County. Trails in the open will have some bare spots; trails in the woods and on the lakes are holding up better. Stay on the trail on the lakes – there is a lot of slush. People are still out riding, but we are nearing the season’s end.
The March 27 Hayward Lakes Visitors & Convention Bureau snowmobile trail report says trails are in fair to good condition, though deteriorating over the past several days, and grooming has ceased for the season. There is a good, solid trail base, but trails in the open, along roadways, and thru the city of Hayward have numerous bare spots. Trails through the woods are still in very good condition. Warming temperatures are causing the trails to start getting soft and sticky in some areas. Lake trails remain staked and in good condition, but make sure you stay close to the stakes on the well-ridden paths to avoid getting stuck in the deep snow and slush. Chequamegon National Forest trails remain open (disregard the note on the trail map that Chequamegon trails close March 15), but are reassessed as conditions change. These are late season riding conditions and many resorts have closed for gas, food, or lodging, so if possible, please call ahead.
FISHING REPORT
Access and lake travel conditions remain somewhat difficult, but there was great improvement (at least on some lakes) in the past few days. Ice thickness is good overall, with reports of depths nearing 40 inches on some lakes. Weather is always the key factor, but it appears we may yet have a good late-winter ice fishing season. Please note your old licenses expire/expired March 31.
Crappie:
Crappie action is improving on most lakes. Concentrate on 12-25 feet of water and look for suspending fish, making sure to monitor the entire water column. Crappie minnows, waxies, and plastics on plain hooks and small jigs will do the trick. Take a selection of various baits – fish preferences can change from day to day.
Bluegill:
Bluegills are showing an increase in activity in 7-20 feet of water. Baits of choice include waxies, spikes, and plastics on plain hooks, small jigs, and teardrops.
Perch:
Perch anglers are doing well on the deep, clear lakes with crappie minnows, fatheads, waxies, and plastics in 5-18 feet of water.
Upcoming Events
March 31: Hunting, fishing, sports, and conservation patron licenses expired.
April 2: Hayward Bass Club membership/planning meeting (715-699-1015).
April 11: Namekagon River Gobblers NWTF Banquet (715-580-0792; 558-2496; 669-3401).
April 12-13: Youth turkey hunt.
April 14: Spring Fish and Wildlife Hearings and Conservation Congress meetings.
April 15 through July 31: Illegal to allow dogs to run on DNR lands and Federal WPA (see regs for exceptions).
April 27: Early catch-and-release only trout season closes at midnight. Season is artificial bait, barbless-hook only.
April 30: Otter trapping season closes in the North zone.
Spring turkey hunting periods
A: April 16-22; B: April 23-29; C: April 30-May 6; D: May 7-13; E: May 14-20; F: May 21-27.
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.