Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report July 15, 2013
By Steve Suman
Forecasters say the Hayward area is in for another warm week, and while hot and sunny is not the best for mid-day fishing, the weather is certainly inviting for various water sports!
“The days of heat and humidity are now with us,” says Pat at Happy Hooker. “Daytime temperatures can reach more than 80 degrees with high humidity, but nights can be very pleasant and cool, early mornings enjoyable.
“July and August usually brings slow fishing, but fish still feed – the key is finding them!”
Jim at Hayward Bait says muskie anglers are catching some nice fish.
“Work deep weedlines, drop-offs, and wind-swept points with bucktails, plastics, gliders, and topwaters. Largemouth action is extremely good on plastic worms, topwaters, and jerkbaits in 3-10 feet of water.”
Randy at Jenk’s says Chippewa Flowage water temperatures are now in the mid to upper 70s.
“Your best bets for muskies are surface baits and bucktails on the edges of weed bars. Walleye anglers are catching some fish on crawlers and leeches in brush in 15-20 feet of water, so it is not as tough as it could be for this time of year.”
Guide Dave Dorazio at Outdoor Creations says Chippewa Flowage muskie anglers are catching many nice fish, including a recent 48 incher. Bucktails and topwaters in the evening provide the best action. For bass, fish jig/plastic combos in the slop for largemouth and on rock and wood for smallmouth.”
At Minnow Jim’s, Jim advises Nelson Lake walleye anglers to fish shallow running crankbaits, leeches under slip bobbers, or fatheads on jigs. For bass, cast scented worms, frogs, spoons, and topwaters in lily pads and weed beds.”
Carolyn at Anglers All in Ashland says anglers report great fishing on Chequamegon Bay.
“Trollers are finding lakers, browns, and salmon in surprisingly shallow water, as water temps on the big lake remain cold for this time of year. Many are still flat lining with stickbaits and picking up coho.
“Smallmouth are all over the Bay – anywhere there is structure – as well as the rock pile and tip of Long Island.”
Some might think the ‘hot’ fishing is over until fall, but DNR LTE fisheries technician Scott Braden says it has only just begun!
“Lakes begin to lose the cool water, oxygen in the shallows falls as temperatures rise, and fish move deeper, congregating in cooler, more oxygen-enriched water. Once you find fish, you can pattern them by applying that location information to similar areas around the lake.”
DNR fisheries biologist Skip Sommerfeldt says with the late spring, weed growth is quite variable.
“Some waters have moderate densities, while other waters have much lower abundances for this time of year.“Some waters have moderate densities, while other waters have much lower abundances for this time of year.
“Fishing is generally good, even with the heavy rains, but large numbers of mosquitoes, deer flies, and ‘ankle-biters’ are a nuisance to both stream and lake anglers.”
Flambeau River State Forest is holding its annual nighttime Wolf Howl Trek Saturday July 20. Trek leaders Laine and Diane Stowell will lead a car trek, stopping at several areas to howl for wolves and wait for responses. Meet at Flambeau River State Forest headquarters at 9:45 p.m. The trek runs until midnight (or later). Rain will cancel the event. For more information, call (715) 332-5271.
Hayward Lakes Chapter Muskies, Inc. annual free Kids Fishing Day is Sunday August 4, from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The event offers anglers 10-16 years of age an opportunity to fish with knowledgeable muskie anglers on Upper Twin and nearby lakes. Fishing concludes at noon, followed by a shore lunch and prize distribution. Pre-register at Hayward Bait (required) with a parent or guardian present to sign the form. For more information, call Hayward Bait (715) 634-2921.
Hayward Bass Club is holding an open tournament on the Chippewa Flowage, Sunday July 28. The event is limited to 50 boats and the entry fee is $50 per boat. For more information, pick up entry forms at Hayward Bait, Outdoor Creations, The Landing, Deerfoot Lodge, and Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame, or contact Wayne Balsavich (715) 699-1015; email haywardbassclub@charter.net.
FISHING REPORT
Muskie: Muskie action is improving, but early morning and late evening offer the best odds for success. You will find muskies along deep weeds, weedlines, and drop offs, and on the edges of weed bars and points. Bucktails, Bull Dawgs, gliders, topwaters, crankbaits, and plastics are all catching fish.
Walleye: Walleye action is surprisingly good, with fish scattered in depths from 8-25 feet and deeper in/on/near weeds, weedlines, gravel, rock, brush, bogs, and suspending over deeper water. Leeches and crawlers on jigs, live bait rigs, and under slip bobbers are the favorites, with trolled crankbaits and stickbaits also producing fish.
Northern: Northern fishing slowed, but good action continues throughout the day. Fish weeds and weedlines at various depths, but work deeper water with bigger baits for trophy pike. Live bait is usually best, but artificials might be the best use of resources with the hot temperatures. Try spinners, spinnerbaits, spoons, buzz baits, bucktails, and surface baits.
Largemouth Bass: Largemouth action is excellent and this is prime time. Fish slop, lily pads, docks, trees, weeds, wood, and brush in depths to 10 feet with plastic worms in various configurations, topwaters, jerkbaits, spoons, spinnerbaits, crawlers, and leeches.
Smallmouth Bass: Smallmouth are also providing good fishing action. Look for fish holding on/near rocks, humps, gravel, wood, and weeds in depths from 10-25 feet. Baits of choice include various plastics such as tubes, crayfish, and pre-rigged worms; spinner and crank baits; crawlers, and leeches.
Crappie: Crappies are scattered in deeper water and suspending or holding near various structure such as weeds, wood, brush, humps, and cribs. Top producing baits include crappie minnows, waxies, worms, panfish leeches, Gulp! baits, plastics, Beetle Spins, tube jigs, and even some surface baits.
Bluegill: Bluegill fishing is good for small fish in shallower water, but fish deeper water for bigger ‘gills. Look for fish in/on and suspending near weeds, weedlines, wood, cribs, and brush in 3-16 feet of water. Best baits include waxies, worms, leaf worms, panfish leeches, Gulp! baits, and plastics on small jigs or plain hooks, and poppers and foam spiders.
Upcoming Events
July 19-21: Birchwood Bluegill Festival (800-236-2252).
July 19-21: LCO Honor the Earth PowWow (715-634-8934).
July 20: Flambeau River State Forest night wolf howl trek (715-332-5271).
July 25-27: Lumberjack World Championships (715-634-2484).
July 28: Hayward Bass Club Open Tournament on Chippewa Flowage (715-699-1015).
Through July 31: Illegal to allow dogs to run on DNR lands and Federal WPA (see regs for exceptions).
Aug. 1: Application deadline: Wolf; Fall turkey; Sharptail grouse; Bobcat, Fisher, Otter.
Aug. 3-4: Project Appleseed at Hayward Rod & Gun Club (715-466-5145).
Aug. 4: Hayward Lakes Chapter Muskies, Inc. Kid’s Fishing Day (715-634-2921).
Aug. 15-18: Sawyer County Fair (715-934-2721).
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.