Hayward Lakes Outdoor Report February 27, 2012
Steve Suman
It is a beautiful, mild, and sunny February Monday afternoon, but the current Hayward forecast indicates “significant” (up to a foot or more) snowfall in the next few days. Should we receive only half of expectations, it will still make for outstanding snowmobiling and cross-country ski conditions.
“If walleye, pike, or bass are your targeted species, time is running out for game fish season,” says Pat at Happy Hooker. “It closes March 4, and after that date it will be all about panfish until the May fishing opener. Be careful with the warming weather. We hear of thin spots on some lakes and do not assume any ice is safe until you test it.”
At Hayward Bait, Bob reminds anglers there is less than one week remaining for game fish season and says it is time to think spring – get your fishing gear ready for open water season and hunting gear in order for spring turkey season.
Al at Pastika’s says the last week of game fish season can sometimes be a very good time to catch big walleyes. Panfish also start moving higher in the water column, so pay attention to your locators. Inland catch-and-release trout fishing season opens Saturday March 3, and game fish season closes Sunday March 4.
Guide Dave Dorazio at Outdoor Creations says anglers are catching perch on the mud flats, and jigs tipped with plastics are out-producing live bait.
Carolyn at Anglers All on Chequamegon Bay in Ashland says Bay anglers continue to catch multiple species, including coho, brown trout, herring, eelpout, northern, walleye, whitefish, perch, and sturgeon. Ice depths remain about 14 inches, but with some bad spots – use caution.
“Most waters now have 15-18 inches of pretty solid ice,” says DNR fisheries biologist Skip Sommerfeldt. “Strong winds created some deeper drifts in many areas and will hinder travel and bog down two-wheel-drive vehicles. In addition, slush pockets under many deep snow areas create problems for travel and fishing.”
Hayward Lakes Visitors and Convention Bureau snowmobile trail report of February 27 says Sawyer County trails are in fair condition, though good on lakes and in the woods. Snow covers trails along highways and in open areas, but with some thin spots.
The February 22 Lakewoods Resort snowmobile trail report says snowmobilers can expect fair conditions, but a little icy under the packed snow. Snow (in the forecast) should make for good or better conditions. The Namakagon stick trail has more than 16 inches of ice, but use caution around bridges and stream inlet/outlet areas that could have thin ice and open water.
The February 22 Cable area snowmobile trails report says that following three inches of new snow last week the groomers report a good-looking trail.
Lakewoods Resort’s World's Longest Weenie Roast March 3 on Lake Namakagon benefits local emergency services and area charities and non-profits. The event holds the world record for the longest line of hot dog cookers over one fire. There are activities for everyone, including snowmobile speed runs, ice bowling, outlaw drags, and the frozen weenie polar bear plunge into Lake Namakagon. For more information, call 1-800-255-5937.
FISHING REPORT
Reminder: Game fish season ends Sunday March 4; sales of new hunting and fishing licenses begin March 7; current licenses expire March 31.
Walleye:
Walleye and game fish season closes March 4, so now is the time to give it one last shot through the ice. It is a fair bite, primarily in late afternoon into early evening, and with short feeding windows. Work weeds, structure, mid-lake bars and humps, rocks, and breaklines in depths from six feet to deep water. Top baits are fatheads, walleye suckers, shiners, and spoons, and in general jigging is more productive than tip-ups.
Northern:
Northern pike fishing is your best choice for good, consistent action. It is a simple process – fish on/over/near weeds with northern suckers and shiners under tip-ups.
Crappie:
Crappie action is inconsistent and you will have to drill holes and search for the fish in/over deeper water, suspending and/or near weeds and cribs. Use your locator and make sure to search the entire water column. Plastics work best, but anglers are catching fish on crappie minnows, rosy reds, waxies, and Gulp! baits. Tip-downs work great; downsize tackle to improve success.
Bluegill:
Bluegill action is fair to good and improving. Best fishing is during early morning and late afternoon hours. Look for fish holding near bottom around weeds and cribs in six feet and deeper water, and use your locator to check the entire water column. Best baits include waxies, spikes, and plastics on small jigs, teardrops, and plain hooks. Use light tackle, including tip-downs and jigging poles.
Perch:
Perch fishing is fair to good, but as with other panfish, you will have to drill some holes and move to find them. Start on deep mud flats, weed edges, cribs, and transition areas, but perch will soon start moving shallower and stage for spawning. Top producers include fatheads, crappie minnows, small walleye suckers, waxies, plastics, and spoons.
Upcoming Events
Feb. 29: Seasons Close: Cottontail rabbit; Mink trapping; Muskrat.
March 2: Namekagon River Gobblers NWTF banquet (715-580-0792; 699-3401; 492-8443).
March 3: Early inland trout season opens (see regs).
March 3: World's Longest Weenie Roast Lakewoods Resort (1-800-255-5937).
March 4: Inland game fish season closes (see regs).
March 3: Hayward Lakes Chapter Muskies, Inc. award banquet (715-634-4543).
March 7: New hunting and fishing licenses go on sale.
March 11: Deadline to remove ice fishing shelters north of Hwy 64.
March 15: Deadline to remove ice fishing shelters from WI-MI boundary waters.
March 19: OTC sales begin for leftover spring turkey permits.
March 20: Winter crow season closes.
March 23: SCOPE fundraising banquet (715-634-2027).
March 31: Hunting, fishing licenses expire; Trout season opens on some Lake Superior tributaries (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.
All my best,
Sherry Beckman
Marketing Director
Hayward Lakes Visitors and Convention Bureau
Sawyer County, WI USA