Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
October 5, 2015
Steve Suman
Aside from possible showers Wednesday and Saturday, this looks to be a very pleasant fall week in the North Woods, following the annual Hayward Lakes Chapter-Muskies, Inc. muskie tournament – that came and wentwithout snow!
“Cool nights and warm days in the upper 60s are making fall season very pleasant,” says Pat at Happy Hooker.
“Most musky anglers are fishing for trophies and floating suckers, but bucktails and topwaters fished along weed edges in 8-14 feet also work. Walleye fishing remains slow. Fish light line with jigs and minnows or crawlers tight to the bottom on deep weed edges in 10-14 feet or on sand grass flats in 20-23 feet. Northern pike anglers have success fishing spinners along weed edges in 5-12 feet.
“Largemouth are in 3-8 feet in heavy weeds and around docks, wood, and brush. Use spinnerbaits or plastics such as worms, lizards, or frogs. Smallmouth action is fair with jigs and minnows on hard bottom areas around rocks and rock humps in 10-15 feet.
“Crappies are suspending over lake basins in 8-20 feet and taking crappie minnows on slip bobbers. Catch bluegills in weeds 4-8 feet on waxies and leaf worms under slip bobbers.”
Jim at Hayward Bait says the musky bite is really picking up for anglers.
“The bite is good on suckers, as well as on bucktails, topwaters, Phantoms, Suicks, and Bull Dawgs and most area lakes had multiple fish caught during the Muskies, Inc. tournament. Walleye fishing is slow and they are deep. Fish walleye suckers on slip bobbers and fatheads on jigs on hard bottoms and rocks in 15-30 feet. Northern action is good on northern suckers and artificials on weeds in 5-15 feet.
“Largemouth fishing is good on topwaters, plastic worms, and twitch baits in 3-10 feet. Smallmouth action is good on walleye suckers and crawlers on jigs, crankbaits, and topwaters in 5-10 feet.
“There is a good crappie bite for fish suspending over deep water and sometimes tight to the bottom. Use crappie minnows, waxies, plastics, and Gulp! baits. Bluegill fishing is fair on waxies, leaf worms, and small plastics.
“Bird hunters are bagging a few grouse and woodcock and success should improve with the falling leaves.”
Mike at Jenk’s says muskies were very active during the past month, but action slowed recently.
“The cold front might turn them on again as conditions become more in tune with autumn weather. Walleye fishing is slow, but expect fish to become more aggressive as the water cools. Use larger minnows and fish deeper holes. Northern anglers are catching pike on weed beds and bars with baits ranging from crawlers to spinnerbaits.
“Crappies are on cribs in Blueberry Flats and Chief Lake and various offerings from crappie minnows to Gulp! baits are producing fantastic amounts of crappies. Expect fish to begin schooling with the cooler temperatures.”
This week, DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter discusses the 2015 walleye reproduction.
“Early results from a handful of fall juvenile walleye surveys indicate 2015 was another poor walleye reproduction year in the Hayward area.
“Chippewa Flowage, Nelson, Round, Lac Courte Oreilles, and Teal/Lost Land and other area lakes all produced less young walleye than in typically years. Possible reasons for the poor production may include the exceptionally early spring, cold snaps during mid-spring when larval walleye are still fragile, and predator imbalances.
“There are reasons to be optimistic, however. Survival of the 2013 and 2014 classes of natural born and stocked fish appears solid in many of these lakes. They will provide some walleye for the future and there will be plenty of walleye stocking on many Hayward lakes in 2015. Still, it would be good if the walleyes could catch a break and get a normal spring with good spawning conditions in 2016!”
DNR fisheries biologist Skip Sommerfeldt says fishing pressure really dropped with the opening of nearly all major hunting seasons.
“Musky anglers have enjoyed real nice weather, but slow action. Try bucktails, stickbaits, and suckers along deep weed edges. Walleye fishing is erratic, but jig/minnow combinations on mid-depth gravel bars and weed edges are producing a few catches.
“Largemouth are shallow, though temperamental, with best action in late afternoon hours after the water has warmed. Smallmouth are active near cover along deep water in rivers and flowages, but fish will go deeper with declining water temperatures. Panfish anglers using small minnows report catches of crappies suspending near mid-depth cover in late afternoon.
“A reminder that the general trout season closed September 30, but many stocked trout lakes remain open. You can find them in the trout fishing regulations and guide.”
The Hayward Chapter-Fishing Has No Boundaries will hold its fall “all you can eat” spaghetti feed fundraiser October 17 at Flat Creek Inn and Suites in Hayward. Dinner begins at 4:30 p.m., along with silent and live auctions. Dinner tickets cost $8 for adults and $4 for children (10 and younger). At 8:30 p.m., organizers will draw for the raffle prizes, including First Prize a Snapper lawn mower, Second Prize a Triton utility trailer, and Third Prize a Snapper snow blower. Raffle tickets cost $2/ea; 3/$5; and 7/$10. For more information, visit the website or call (715) 634-3185.
FISHING REPORT
Musky:
Musky action is improving on most waters. Target weed edges in 5-18 feet with bucktails, topwaters, Bull Dawgs, stickbaits, and northern suckers. Of the 434 entrants fishing the annual Hayward Lakes Chapter-Muskies, Inc. fall tournament this past weekend, 52 anglers caught 61 fish, the largest a 48.5-inch fish from Lake Namakagon.
Walleye:
Walleye action remains slow and inconsistent, but should improve with cooler water temperatures. Best times are early morning, evening, and on overcast days. Concentrate on depths from 8-30 feet on weeds, weed edges, hard bottoms, rock, and gravel, with many fish hugging the bottom. The most effective baits include walleye suckers, fatheads, and crawlers on jigs, slip bobbers, and split shot rigs.
Northern Pike:
Northern action is good around weeds and bars in 3-18 feet. Northern suckers, spinners, spinnerbaits, stickbaits, and bucktails will all tempt pike. For trophies, fish deeper water with bigger baits.
Largemouth Bass:
It is October, but largemouth anglers continue to find fish in shallow, heavy cover such as weeds, wood, brush, bogs, and around docks in depths to 12 feet. Action improves as the water warms in late afternoon. Use topwaters, plastics (worms, frogs, lizards, crayfish), spinnerbaits, and twitch baits.
Smallmouth Bass:
Smallmouth anglers continue to have success fishing hard bottom areas, rocks, humps, and gravel out to 20 feet with crankbaits, topwaters, and jigs with walleye suckers, crawlers, and trailers. Fishing is good throughout the day.
Crappie:
Crappie action can be very good once you find the fish, which can be a challenge. Look for fish in 6-25 feet, suspending over deeper water or mid-depth cover or hugging the bottom, and on cribs and brush. Fish are just starting to school. Top baits include crappie minnows, waxies, plastics, Gulp! baits, and tube jigs under slip bobbers.
Bluegill:
Bluegill fishing is fair to good around weeds and brush in 3-10 feet. The most productive baits include waxies, leaf worms, plastics, and Gulp! baits on small jigs, teardrops, and plain hooks.
Upcoming Events
Oct. 3-11: Deer hunt for people disabilities (see regs).
Oct. 10-11: Youth Deer Hunt (see regs).
Oct. 13: Bear season closes.
Oct. 17: FHNB Fall Fundraiser at Flat Creek Inn & Suites; (715-634-3185).
Oct. 17: Seasons open: Raccoon gun and trapping (residents); Red and gray fox; Coyote trapping; Bobcat Period 1 (north of Hwy 64); Pheasant (noon opener).
Oct. 24: Seasons open in north: Muskrat; Mink.
Hayward Lakes Visitor and Convention Bureau and Sawyer County Record co-sponsor this report. For more information on area events and activities, visit the HLVCB’s Calendar of Events or call 800-724-2992.