Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman
This week should bring warmer temperatures, though the trade-off might be rain showers (note they are rainshowers!) Fall is THE time to explore the North Woods and take part in the plethora of outdoor activities. Fishing, hunting, hiking, biking, golfing, sightseeing, attending various fall events – deciding “what” to do is the biggest challenge! Take advantage of all the area offers! (Okay, maybe you cannot take advantage of all of them – but do SOMETHING!)
“Fall is here,” says Pat at Happy Hooker, “with a couple of below freezing nights, cold winds, skim ice on lakes, and even some snowflakes. Colors are past peak, the falling leaves mean grouse hunters now have better shooting, and archery deer hunters know rut will be soon underway.
“Fishing is good in general, with some limits of walleyes along with bonus crappie and bass.
“The musky bite is getting better every day and anglers are reporting some very nice size fish. Most musky action is in 6-10 feet, with medium to large suckers the bait if choice. During the annual Hayward Lakes Chapter-Muskies, Inc.tournament October 2-4, the ‘Quiet Lakes’ produced 38 percent of all the fish. If you want to catch a legal size musky, the Quiet Lakes area is great destination!
“Walleyes and crappies are holding a bit deeper, but with the warm sun they have been moving shallower and at times found in shallow water.”
At Hayward Bait, Sonya says fishing is picking up with the cooler temperatures.
“Muskies are hitting smaller bucktails, topwaters, tubes, Top Raiders, Whopper Ploppers, Monster Tubes, and Depth Charges on weed beds in 5-15 feet. The walleye bite is fair in deeper water with crawlers, walleye suckers, fatheads, and crankbaits. Fish northern pike along weedlines in 5-15 feet with suckers, crankbaits, spinners, and spinnerbaits.
“Bass are in weeds, on rock piles, and around structure. For largemouth, use topwaters and plastic worms. For smallmouth, go with walleye suckers, crawlers, and topwaters.
“Crappies are still suspending over deeper water and fishing is fairly good on most lakes. Use crappie minnows, waxies, and plastics on small jigs, Tattle-Tails, Beetle Spins, and Charlie Brewer spinners. Bluegills are in 5-15 feet along rock bars and weedlines. Use waxies, leaf worms, and small plastics. Use fatheads in deeper water for perch.”
Carolyn at Anglers All in Ashland says fishing was tough due to strong winds last week.
“Trollers are sporadically picking up a salmon or a trout off the Sioux and Onion rivers and at the head of the Chequamegon Bay. Stream fishing difficult with the low and clear water – we need rain!
“Though water temperatures are still in the 50s, smallmouth bass have started to move to and school in their usual fall haunts.”
This week, DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter discusses musky spawning habitat.
“A recent study conducted in northern Wisconsin sheds some light on where muskies prefer to spawn in lakes. The researchers looked at 28 lakes in northeastern Wisconsin and by using spotlights identified where muskies were spawning.
“Muskies liked to spawn on east facing shorelines that were more likely to offer protection from wind. Spawning sites were most often gradually sloping or had small flats. Muskies would often spawn in and around aquatic vegetation, but strongly preferred less leafy vegetation such as rushes. Not surprisingly, the most preferred spawning areas were on undeveloped shorelines.
“This highlights the need to identify and then protect critical spawning areas in a lake.”
The DNR now offers “first certificates” for hunters and trappers who harvest their first deer, turkey, bear, bobcat, otter, or fisher, or simply have a great first year in the field without harvest. The first trapping and hunting experience certificates are a way to commemorate the entire experience, from the first time going into the outdoors to the first successful harvest. People interested can submit a photograph of their special moment, as well as details about the experience, to help preserve hunting memories with friends and family. The DNR sends certificates electronically within a few weeks following submission.
An October 13 ruling by U.S. District Judge Barbara Crabb approved regulations allowing Wisconsin’s Lake Superior Chippewa Indians to conduct night hunting for deer on lands open to public hunting in the Ceded Territory, roughly the northern third of the state. (The DNR has issued a statement regarding the ruling.) The season starts November 1 and the DNR is working to inform the public to minimize potential safety related issues. For more information, visit www.glifwc.org or call (715) 682-6619.
FISHING REPORT
Musky:
Musky fishing is good and getting better as fall progresses. Concentrate your efforts on weed beds and weedlines in 5-15 feet. Suckers on quick strike rigs are the ticket at this time, but anglers are catching fish on topwaters, bucktails, tubes, and jerkbaits.
Walleye:
Walleye fishing is fair to good on most waters. Fish green weeds, rock/gravel bars, mud flats, humps, brush, stumps, and drop-offs with crawlers, walleye suckers, and fatheads on jigs, slip bobbers, split-shot rigs, and crank and stick baits.
Northern Pike:
Northern action is good around weeds and weedlines in 5-15 feet and anywhere you find panfish. Top baits include sucker minnows, crankbaits, spinners, and spinnerbaits.
Largemouth Bass:
Largemouth fishing is fair to good (especially for this time of year), with fish on/near weeds, rock piles, and structure. The most productive baits include topwaters (frogs, mice), plastics in various configurations and riggings, and live bait.
Smallmouth Bass:
Smallmouth action is improving, and as with largemouth, fish are on weeds, rock piles, and structure. Baits of choice include walleye suckers, crawlers, and topwaters.
Crappie:
Crappie fishing is good on crappie minnows, waxies, plastics, Tattle-Tails, Mini-Mites, Beetle Spins, spinners, and Gulp! baits. Fish are suspending over deeper water, but if the bite is slow, check shallower areas around weedlines.
Bluegill:
Bluegill action is fair to good in 4-18 feet near weedlines and rock bars. Use waxies, leaf worms, crawler chunks, and plastics on small jigs and teardrops. Use small minnows in the deeper water for larger ‘gills.
Perch:
Look for perch in many of the same deeper water areas holding walleye. Work jigs and split shot rigs tight to the bottom along weed edges with fatheads and crawlers.
Upcoming Events
Oct. 17: Seasons opened: Raccoon gun and trapping (residents); Red and gray fox; Coyote trapping; Bobcat Period 1 (north of Hwy 64); Pheasant (noon opener).
Oct. 24: Seasons open in north: Muskrat; Mink.
Nov. 2: Woodcock season closes.
Nov. 19: Seasons close: Fall turkey (zones 6 and 7); Crow.
Nov. 19-Dec. 7: Northwest Relic Riders Vintage Snowmobile Club antique snowmobile display; Northern Lakes Co-op.
Nov. 21-29: Regular gun deer season.
Nov. 29: Mourning dove season closes.
Nov. 30-Dec. 9: Muzzleloader deer season.
Dec. 10-13: Four-day antlerless deer hunt.
Hayward Lakes Visitor and Convention Bureau and Sawyer County Record co-sponsor this report. For more information on area events and activities, visit the HLVCB’s Calendar of Events or call 800-724-2992.