Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report August 13, 2012
By Steve Suman
The Hayward area has another beautiful week in the making, with a few chances of rain, if forecasts hold anywhere close to true. Mild daytime highs in the 70s, nighttime lows in the 40s and 50s – great for just about any and every outdoor recreational activity!
“A welcome break in the weather at last,” says Pat at Happy Hooker. “Cooler daytime highs and lower nighttime temperatures should lower lake water temperatures and improve fishing. Water temperatures are currently in the 70s.
“The cooling water should get muskie anglers back on the water. Bull Dawgs, glide baits, and crank baits fished along breaks or over deeper water should be effective. Try topwaters in the shallows during early morning and late evening into dark.”
At Hayward Bait, guide Steve Genson says anglers can look for a significant improvement in the fishing action with the change in weather and cooling water temperatures.
Mark says anglers having trouble getting bluegills should switch to live bait and simple tackle. Since the fish tend to swallow the bait, use worms on plain, long shank hooks to make it easier to unhooks and release fish.
Randy at Jenk’s says fishing conditions are very nice, with both air and water temperatures in the mid-70s, the Chippewa Flowage water level is down about two feet, and if you are fishing largemouth, go with weedless plastic frogs.
At Minnow Jim’s, Jim recommends Nelson Lake walleye anglers troll Rapalas along weed lines in morning and evening – and closer to the shoreline with the cooling water.
Guide Dave Dorazio at Outdoor Creations says muskie fishing is picking up with the cooling water temperatures on the Chippewa Flowage. Topwaters and bucktails are still the hot lures, but try Bull Dawgs on deeper structures.
Dan at Bay Park Resort on the Trego Flowage says fishing is good for most species. Fish northern pike on weed edges in 4-6 feet of water on the south end. Catch bass with plastic worms and surface baits. Best fishing is in the last hour of daylight. Catch crappies with minnows in deep water on the north end and panfish with crawlers and leeches on deep shoreline structure. Below the dam, walleyes are taking walleye suckers in the fast current. Fish Namekagon River smallmouth the with crawlers, minnows, and plastic worms.
Carolyn at Anglers All in Ashland says Chequamegon Bay fishing is good when the wind allows it.
“Smallmouth are all over the Bay, with the usual hot spots – break wall, rock pile, and Long Island – holding the larger fish. Walleye suckers provide the most consistent action, but plastics and crankbaits also work. Walleye action is very good on crankbaits over weeds and the rock pile. Trollers are catching many lake trout on the flats and at Outer Island on spoons and Spin-N-Glos.
DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter says the Hayward fisheries crew has surveyed a number of small area trout streams in the past few weeks and the results include good and bad news. Some streams were too warm for trout to tolerate, likely due to several factors, such as beaver, land use, and recent high air temperatures. Other streams with strong spring water are maintaining good numbers of adult fish and support natural reproduction.
You can still register for Hayward Bass Club’s annual free youth bass tournament. The event for youth 10 to 17 years of age is Sunday August 19, from 11:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., at Dick-Sy Roadhouse. The young anglers fish with club members, local guides, and other experienced anglers until 4 p.m., when they stop for a shore lunch and awards ceremony. Register at Hayward Bait (parent or guardian must sign the permission slip). For more information, contact Wayne Balsavich (715) 699-1015.
FISHING REPORT
Muskies: Muskie fishing is good to very good, with most activity in early morning and in the evening until after dark in shallower water. You will also find fish on deeper cribs, mid-lake bars, drop-offs, breaks, and points. Top producing baits include bucktails, topwaters, jerkbaits, glide baits, and Bull Dawgs.
Walleye: Walleye action is fair to good and best during low light conditions. Fish are scattered, from shallow to deep, and in various locations, such as green weeds, wood, mud flats, humps, bogs, and brush. If they are not in one place, try another. Leeches, crawlers and minnows are all working, fished on jigs, bait harnesses, and Lindy Rigs. Where legal, try trolling crankbaits, stickbaits, and spinner rigs with live bait.
Northern: Northern action was quiet for bigger fish with the warm water. Now, with the water cooling, look for pike action to improve. Work the weed lines and any areas you see panfish out to about 20 feet, more or less. Spinners, spinnerbaits, spoons, stick, buzz, jerk, and twitch baits, and northern suckers under bobbers or on live bait rigs will do the trick.
Largemouth Bass: Largemouth action is very good, particularly in early morning and late afternoon/evening hours. Work deeper weed lines and wood, docks, lily pads, and shallow slop. Nearly any bait will work – wacky worms, weedless plastics, rubber frogs, spinnerbaits, surface baits, jigs, crawlers, leeches, and small suckers fished under slip bobbers or on live bait rigs.
Smallmouth Bass: Smallmouth fishing is fair to very good on deeper cribs, drop-offs, weed lines, and rock bars, and it is also not unusual to catch smallmouth in the same shallower areas as largemouth. Try plastics, jigs, crankbaits, Beetle Spins, tubes, drop-shot rigs, wacky worms, leeches, crawlers, and sucker minnows.
Crappie: Crappie action is fair to good once you find the fish. Best hours are in morning and evening. Look for fish on cribs, bogs, and deeper weed lines in 10-20 feet of water, and suspending over deeper water. Baits of choice include crappie minnows, Gulp! minnows, Tattle-Tails, Mini-Mites, and waxies.
Bluegill: Bluegill action is very good for small fish in shallower water around docks, brush, and weeds. For larger fish, work deeper weeds, weed lines, and cribs in 6-14 feet of water. Best baits include waxies, worms, leaf worms, leeches, minnows, plastics, tubes, and Gulp! baits. Tip the baits on jigs or plain hooks and use slip bobbers.
Upcoming Events
Through Aug. 31: Training dogs by pursuing bear (see regs.)
Aug. 16-19: Sawyer County Fair (715-934-2721).
Aug. 18: Antlerless deer permits go on sale at 10 a.m.
Aug. 19: Hayward Bass Club free youth bass tournament (715-699-1015).
Aug. 31: Application deadline for wolf season permit.
Aug. 31-Sept. 2: Exeland Rod & Gun Club Trout Fest.
Sept. 1-15: Early Canada goose season.
Sept. 5: Bear season opens for bait hunters only.
Sept. 12: Bear season opens for bait hunters and with aid of dogs.
Sept. 15: Seasons open: Early archery deer; Turkey; Ruffed grouse (Zone A); Cottontail rabbit (Northern Zone); Squirrel (gray and fox); Crow.
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.