Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman
Sunshine, blue skies, and temperatures in the high 80s made for near-perfect conditions during this past weekend’s fishing opener. The forecast indicates more moderate temperatures and rain this week, but we do need considerable moisture to minimize the current Very High fire danger.
“This was the best opening weekend in a number of years,” says Pat at Happy Hooker. “Do not wait too long to take advantage of this great start!
“The best walleye action is in 5-8 feet just off weeds and drops-off. Anglers are catching plenty of legal size fish on jigs with fatheads or leeches. For northern pike in the shallows, try spinnerbaits tipped with Twister Tails in the weeds with slow to medium retrieves. Slip bobbers and walleye suckers will also produce.
“Friday’s summer-like weather triggered crappies to move shallow water to begin their spawn cycle. Fish are very aggressive, hitting live bait, small plastics, and tubes under slip bobbers.”
At Hayward Bait, Bob and Sonya say the weather for the Wisconsin opener was beautiful.
“We have numerous reports of walleye catches on jigs and minnows fished along structure and weed edges in 8-16 feet. Stickbaits and crankbaits in evening and early morning hours also work. Northern pike are along weed beds in 5-10 feet, taking live bait, spinnerbaits, and spoons.
“Some anglers are doing well on largemouth bass, fishing plastics and spinnerbaits out to 10 feet. Crappie and bluegill fishing is good on plastics and live bait out to 10 feet, though most action is very shallow.”
Mike at Jenk’s says walleye anglers report solid fishing action.
“Anglers are finding an abundance of walleye in 15-17 feet around brush and irregular bottoms. Use medium walleye minnows and rainbow chubs, as well as crawlers and leeches, or troll and cast Beetle Spins and crankbaits. Northern pike are in shallower weeds and cover, feeding on live bait.
“Largemouth bass are very active around cover in bays in 3-4 feet, hitting crawlers, Beetle Spins, spinnerbaits, and crankbaits. Crappie fishing is great on live minnows, one-inch Gulp! Minnows, and various crappie plastics and jigs. Look for them in the same areas as largemouth.”
Jim at Minnow Jim’s says the weather was a nice treat for the opener!
“Anglers are catching walleyes of all sizes, most by jigging fatheads off bottom in 5-8 feet on developing weed beds. Leeches under slip bobbers and Rapalas are also working. Fish northerns in shallow bays with sucker minnows, surface baits, and spinners.
“Crappies are still in deeper water and full of soft spawn. For bluegills, fish shallow, warmer bays with small hooks and jigs tipped with waxies, worms, leeches, and Gulp! baits under bobbers.”
Walleye have completed spawning on all but the largest the lakes, says DNR fisheries biologist Skip Sommerfeldt.
“Many males are still along spawning areas such as rocky shorelines and islands, but most larger females have retreated to deeper water. Look for both live bait and artificials to produce good action. Northern pike are also well past their spring spawning ritual and muskies are about toward the end of theirs. Look for northern pike along emergent vegetation lines and over old weeds beds.
“Both largemouth and smallmouth bass are showing up in shallow water around woody structure and rocky shorelines. Crappies are about a week or two from starting spawning activity, while bluegill and pumpkinseed are three to four weeks away. Some nice crappie and bluegill are in the shallow, warmer bays.
“With trout stocking completed on all managed trout lakes and most prescribed streams, anglers should find good action. Mayfly nymphs observed in many waters may be a clue to use small spinners, as well as worms and crawlers.”
This week, DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter discusses not catching fish where there are plenty of fish.
“Recently, while working on a small lake, the Hayward fish team was very impressed with both the numbers and size of walleye. The lake has shown a dramatic increase in walleye numbers over the last five years, which we were very pleased to see. However, in talking to shoreline owners and others who fish the lake, we learned that most people are not catching many walleye.
“Why would anglers have trouble catching fish in a lake with high abundance? The answer to this question might involve several factors.
“First, in lakes where there is an abundance of prey fish, it can be more challenging for anglers to catch fish. This appears to be the case on this lake, which has a lot of small perch.
“Second, fishing some lakes can be challenging if is there is no structure concentrating the fish. In lakes without such structure, fish can be spread out or even suspending and can be difficult to catch.
“Another reason may be too much structure, particularly aquatic vegetation. Some lakes become so overgrown with aquatic plants or filamentous algae that they become very difficult to fish.
“These are all situations where clever anglers, if they solve the puzzle, can reap large rewards!”
The DNR reminds anglers to be aware of new, experimental panfish regulations in effect on 93 lakesacross the state. Biologists are posting signs at boat landings and public fishing spots. Most inland waters still have the 25 fish per day bag limit for species including bluegill, pumpkinseed, sunfish, crappie, and yellow perch. Search “experimental panfish regulations” on the DNR website.
The Hayward Chapter of Fishing Has No Boundaries will hold its 29th annual fishing event for people with disabilities May 20-21 at Lake Chippewa Campground on the Chippewa Flowage. The event always needs additional volunteers to work the docks, assist participants on and off boats, clean fish, and other duties; fishing and pontoon boats with trustworthy operators; and volunteers to sell raffle tickets throughout the summer. For more information, call (715) 634-3185 or email hayfhnb@cheqnet.net.
The 32nd Annual Treeland Challenge walleye and largemouth bass catch and release tournament is this weekend, May 13-15. The contest offers thousands of dollars in prizes every day and plenty of food. Registration is limited to the first 300 adult entries. Entry fees after April 15 are $95 single; $160 w/spouse; and $25 child w/parent. For information, visit www.treelandresorts.com or call (715) 462-3874.
FISHING REPORT
Walleye:
Walleye anglers did well during opening weekend, though some did better than others. Look for the post-spawn fish in depths from 4-18 feet around brush, drop-offs, weed beds, rock, mud bottoms, and flats. Baits of choice include jigs with fatheads or leeches, walleye suckers, crawlers, Beetle Spins, and crankbaits.
Northern:
Northern pike are very active in shallow bays and weeds – any location holding panfish. Top bait choices include live bait such as walleye and northern suckers under bobbers, spinners, spinnerbaits, and surface baits.
Largemouth Bass:
Largemouth bass fishing is fair to very good in shallower, warmer bays near cover such as wood and rock. Crawlers, Beetle Spins, spinnerbaits, and crankbaits are all effective presentations.
Crappie:
Crappie fishing is good to excellent, with fish close to spawning. Look for fish in shallow bays (3-4 feet) to deeper water (holding larger fish), near weeds and cover. Crappie minnows, jigs, plastics, and Gulp! one-inch minnows will all entice the crappies.
Bluegill:
Bluegills are moving to the shallow, warmer bays for spawning in a few weeks. Best baits include small, plain hooks or various jigs configurations tipped with waxies, worms, or leeches under bobbers.
Upcoming Events
May 13-15: 32nd Annual Treeland Challenge (715-462-3874).
May 20-21: Fishing Has No Boundaries on Chippewa Flowage (715-634-3185).
May 20-22: Musky Tale Resort – Northern Encounter (715-462-3838).
May 28: Musky season opens in North Zone.
May 28: Wisconsin Canoe Heritage Museum canoe and wooden boat show in Spooner (715-635-3580).
Through June 17: Northern Zone smallmouth bass catch and release only.
Through July 31: Illegal to allow dogs to run on DNR lands and FWPAs (see regs).
Spring turkey season dates
May 4-10: Period D.
May 11-17: Period E.
May 18-24: Period F.
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.