Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report July 16, 2012
By Steve Suman
The forecast indicates another week of warm weather, with highs in the upper 80s and into the 90s and a few chances for rain showers and thunderstorms (and we can use the moisture). When possible, enjoy your outdoor recreational pursuits during the cooler morning and evening hours – and bug repellent and head nets are wise choices.
Muskies have been tough to find during the past week, says Pat at Happy Hooker. “It does not make any sense – with this weather and warmer temps they should be very active. Maybe some weather changes will get things going again. Walleye action is better on some days than on others and it definitely pays to be out early and late in the day. Use light tackle, the lightest jigs you can, and with no snaps or swivels.”
Ronnie at Hayward Bait says anglers should fish during early morning and evening hours and use the mid-day to swim, sunbathe, visit town ... or nap. “Aerate live bait and keep it cool with ice or ice packs, whether in the boat, at the cabin, or at home. Do not expect the bait to survive if you leave it in the boat, at the end of the dock, or sitting outside the door overnight! Also, don’t plunge your bait into the warm water – take a few seconds temper it.”
Randy at Jenk’s says the Chippewa Flowage water level continues to drop slowly and the water temperature is still in the low 80s. “Muskie fishing is decent on bucktails and spinnerbaits, with some jerkbait action. Walleye anglers are doing best fishing leeches and crawlers on brushy drops in 14-18 feet of water. In the evening, work the weeds with Beetle Spins and Twister Tails.”
Guide Dave Dorazio at Outdoor Creations says Chippewa Flowage muskie anglers should key on low light periods. “The best muskie action is on topwaters and bucktails during dusk and dawn. With the high water temperatures, keep the muskie in your net, in the water, snap a couple quick photos, and release it as soon as possible.”
Jim at Minnow Jim’s says most Nelson Lake fish are in the weeds and other cover. “Fish largemouth with Scum frogs in the weed beds and lily pads; use Rattlin’ Raps, Countdowns, and live bait in other locations.”
At Bay Park Resort on Trego Flowage, Dan says anglers are catching walleye in the evening with leeches on the bottom near the edges of shallow water drop-offs. “Namekagon River smallmouth action is hot near deeper water. In the lake, use surface baits in early morning and sunset and leeches or minnows during the day. Anglers fishing below the dam are still catching catfish weighing more than 15 pounds!”
Carolyn at Anglers All on Chequamegon Bay in Ashland says trollers continue to catch lake and brown trout from the flats all the way out to Outer Island. Anglers are fishing the rock pile with sucker minnows for smallmouth, using crawler harnesses of Second Landing for walleyes, and catching northern pike in Sand Cut and near the break wall.
Jim at Jim Hudson’s Guide Service in Bayfield says smallmouth and walleye action is hot on Chequamegon Bay. “Walleyes are tucked into the numerous weed beds throughout the bay – troll crawler harnesses over the tops to catch them. Look to the weeds for smallmouth as well, and do not overlook the common smallmouth spots throughout the bay.”
DNR fisheries biologist Skip Sommerfeldt says most rivers and streams have dropped back to normal, with some nearing their summer lows, affecting recreational activities. “Canoeists are starting to bump more rocks in the rapids and scrape gravel in the shallow riffle areas.”
DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter says fisheries intern Janell Rogers will collect information from anglers on Whitefish, Big Sissabagama, and Nelson lakes this summer. “Janell will ask opinion questions related to the harvest of walleye and bass, and about basic species identification, and the interview takes only about five minutes. Please take the time to share your opinions on local fisheries issues. We consider this very important information that will guide future regulations.”
FISHING REPORT
Muskies: Muskies continue to provide fair to good action. Work deeper weed edges during the day and shallower weeds and weed edges during early and late hours. Topwaters, bucktails, jerkbaits, and Bull Dawgs are all working. Some anglers recommend big baits and others say small to mid-size baits. If one doesn’t work, try the other.
Walleye: Walleyes are widely scattered. Fish rock bars, humps, drop-offs, and break lines, flats, weed edges, bogs, brush, and wood in depths from six feet to more than 30 feet. Fish shallower water in early morning and evening, but do not overlook shallow weed edges during the day. Leeches and crawlers on jigs, harnesses, slip bobbers, and Lindy Rigs are best, with some fathead action. Beetle Spins, Twister Tails, crankbaits, stickbaits, and Rapalas are also effective.
Northern: Action is somewhat slow for northern pike. Work the weed beds, from shallow to deep, with spinners, spinnerbaits, spoons, crankbaits, and live bait from crappie minnows to northern suckers.
Largemouth Bass: Largemouth action is fair to very good depending on various factors (water fished, time of day, and cover). Fish shallower weeds, stumps, lily pads, and slop in early morning and evening hours with topwaters (rubber frogs, weedless plastics, poppers). Fish mid-depth weed edges, wood, logs, bogs, stumps, and breaklines during mid-day hours with Senkos, jig/plastic combinations, leeches, and crawlers.
Smallmouth Bass: Smallmouth, too, are in their summer patterns. Look for them on deeper rock, wood, weeds/weed edges, break lines, and other structure, as well as in shallow lily pads and weed beds. Top baits include crayfish color tubes and crankbaits, plastics, leeches, and crawlers.
Bluegill: Bluegill fishing is good in shallower water for smaller fish, but bigger fish are difficult to locate. Work deeper weed lines, weed edges, cribs, and brush with waxies, worms, leaf worms, plastics, tubes, Mini-Mites, Tattle-Tails, and topwaters.
Upcoming Events
July 19-22: LCO Honor the Earth Pow Wow (715-634-8934).
July 20-22: Birchwood Bluegill Festival (800-236-2252).
July 27-29: Lumberjack World Championships (715-634-2484).
July 29: Hayward Bass Club tournament on Chippewa Flowage (715-699-1015).
Through July 31: Illegal to run dogs off leash on DNR and WPA lands (see regs).
Aug. 1: Application deadline: Fall turkey; Sharptail grouse; Bobcat, Fisher, Otter.
Aug. 16-19: Sawyer County Fair (715-934-2721).
Aug. 18: Antlerless deer permits go on sale at 10 a.m.
Through Aug. 31: Training dogs by pursuing bear (see regs.)
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.