Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report May 6, 2013
By Steve Suman
There is little to say about this past weekend’s fishing opener that numerous disappointed anglers have not already said (much of it in very colorful language!) Many anglers who decided to try their luck opted for ice fishing – and reported ice depths still in the mid-20-inch range on some lakes.
The forecast this week, showing rain and high temperatures in the 70s on some days, should go a long way in removing the ice. If nothing else, the 2013 opener was one for the record books!
The Hayward Lakes Visitor and Convention Bureau is hosting an open house Wednesday May 8, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at the HLVCB Information Center on Hwy 63, to celebrate National Travel and Tourism Week. There will be food, beverages, and prizes, and Wisconsin Department of Tourism regional tourism specialist, Drew Nussbaum, will give a keynote address at 1 p.m.
If you missed the fishing opener, plan now to take advantage of Free Fishing Weekend June 1-2 when you can fish for free anywhere in Wisconsin, including all inland waters, Wisconsin’s side of the Great Lakes, and Mississippi River. You do not need a license or trout stamp, though all other fishing rules apply, such as seasons and size and bag limits. On Saturday morning June 1, the Great Divide Ranger District of the U.S. Forest Service is holding a free Kid’s Fishing Derby at the Lake Hayward City Beach and Park behind the Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame. For more information, call Kathy Moe (715) 634-4821.
“It was a slow opener, with most lakes still iced over,” says guide Steve Genson at Hayward Bait. “Anglers caught some walleyes on the Chippewa, Namekagon, and Flambeau rivers, primarily on jig and minnow combinations, and trout anglers did quite well on local streams with crawlers, minnows, and spinners.
“Conditions will improve with warmer weather and anglers should still consider rivers and streams or the areas where they flow into the lakes. Fishing action will get better and anglers should target crappie, walleye, northern, and stream trout.”
Randy at Jenk’s says there is not much to report since there is not much water in which to fish.
“People who ventured out this past weekend fished in either Moores Bay – lake fishing was a little spotty – or the West Fork. River anglers had a little bit better luck on small minnows, but the water is still cold (mid 30s) and there is a lot of water – with a very fast current!
“All it can do is get better.”
As of Saturday, Carolyn at Anglers All on Chequamegon Bay in Ashland said Lake Superior is open from Bodin's landing out and anglers are having good success trolling for trout and salmon, primarily with stickbaits.
“Casting off stream mouths is difficult due to dirty water coming out of the streams, but the upper White (by Delta) and Brule (above Hwy 2) rivers are fishing well.
“We are still waiting for ice-out in the Bay and hopefully a few more days will do it.”
DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter says he often receives some popular questions concerning the enforcement of fishing regulations, such as ‘How do wardens handle enforcement when two connected lakes have different bag limits?
“This is often the case for walleye and will likely happen this year in Lost Land Lake, with a one-fish daily bag limit, and Teal Lake, with a two-fish daily bag limit.
“According to warden Thomas Heisler, ‘If you catch a limit in one lake and need to go through another by boat, just go directly to your dock or the boat ramp and you will be fine. If you stop on the lake and have more than the daily limit for that lake, even if they were caught in another lake, you would be in violation.
“In other words, if you catch your limit in Teal, go directly home, do not pass Go – and do not collect any more walleyes!”
Well-known local guide, TV personality, and muskie tournament angler Steve Genson is the featured speaker for the Hayward Lakes Chapter-Muskies, Inc. meeting Tuesday May 7 at Dick-Sy Roadhouse, 10 miles east of Hayward on Highway 77. Genson’s presentation, ‘Hidden Gems,’ focuses on finding small, overlooked lakes and rivers that hold great muskie fishing potential in spring, summer, and fall. The meeting begins at 7 p.m., admission is FREE, and as always, the club welcomes and encourages the public to attend. For more information, call Mike Persson (715) 634-4543.
The Treeland Walleye Challenge on the Chippewa Flowage May 10-12, offering thousands of dollars in prizes, still has openings available. You have until 8 p.m. Thursday night to enter – but entries are limited to the first 300 adults ($70 single; $125 with spouse; and $15 per child with parents). For more information, visit www.treelandresorts.com or call (715) 462-3874.
Musky Tale Resort’s May 17-19 Northern Encounter pike fishing tournament on the Chippewa Flowage is a two-angler team event (entry fee $85/team). It pays first place $1,000 (based on 30-team entry) and a minimum of top five places, and awards door prizes Saturday night. For more information, visit www.muskytale.com, or call (715-462-3838).
The 26th annual Hayward Fishing Has No Boundaries event is May 17-18 at Lake Chippewa Campground on the Chippewa Flowage. Volunteers are always and needed for guiding, cooking, assisting participants on/off boats, fish cleaning, emergency medical care, and more. For information, call (715) 634-3185; (800) 243-3462; or email hayfhnb@cheqnet.net.
FISHING REPORT
Opening weekend weather was historic (in a lousy way), most area lakes had (and still have) ice cover, and the 15-20 inches of snow dumped on the North Woods last Wednesday made for extremely difficult travel on the lakes. As such, angler participation was perhaps at an all-time low. Determined and undeterred anglers fished open water or through the ice and good numbers of them caught fish.
For now, with the much-improved, somewhat more seasonal weather this week, ice should (finally!) quickly disappear and we can get on with normal fishing activities. Please note there IS some open, fishable waters available on lakes, rivers, and streams. Check with your favorite bait shop for the most up-to-date information on conditions.
Upcoming Events
May 7: Hayward Lakes Chapter-Muskies, Inc. meeting at Dick-Sy Roadhouse (715-634-4543.)
May 8-14: Period E spring turkey season.
May 10-12: Treeland Walleye Challenge (715-462-3874).
May 15-21: Period F spring turkey season.
May 17-18: Fishing Has No Boundaries (800-243-3462).
May 17-19: Musky Tale Resort’s Northern Encounter northern pike fishing tournament (715-462-3838).
May 25: Muskie season opens in Northern Zone.
June 1-2: Free Fishing Weekend.
June 1: Free Kids Fishing Derby (715-634-4821).
June 15: Bass harvest season opens in Northern Zone.
Through July 31: Illegal to allow dogs to run on DNR lands and Federal WPA (see regs for exceptions).
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.