Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman
The forecast for this week leading into the opening of gun deer season shows mild temperatures and some precipitation through Wednesday. Then ... the temperatures take a major drop from highs in the 50s to highs in the low 30s, with chances for snow showers Thursday and Friday. Looks to be clear and sunny for opening weekend, however!
“It feels like we are just creeping through the fall period,” says Pat at Happy Hooker. “Temperatures are falling, but very gradually.
“Musky fishing has improved and anglers are catching some nice fish on larger sucker on quick-set rigs despite warmer than normal water temperatures. Action is fair with jerkbaits and large twitch baits over deeper weeds, weed edges, and in the deeper water holding walleyes. Walleye fishing is good with the fish in deeper water (25-35 feet on the larger lakes) and along adjacent deep weedlines. Jigs and minnows are the best bait, or cast Rapalas on deeper shorelines after dark.
“Anglers are catching good numbers of northern pike in the weeds on walleye suckers, small musky suckers, spinners, and twitch baits. Largemouth season is over, but anglers targeting other fish in the weedlines are catching a few.
Crappie action is good in deeper water with crappie minnows and Gulp! one-inch minnows on slip bobbers.”
Kelly at Hayward Bait says muskie anglers are catching fish on weed beds out to 15 feet and deeper.
“Suckers on quick-strike rigs work best, but there is action on Bull Dawgs, tubes, and Fuzzy Duzzits. Walleye fishing is fair. Fish deeper water with walleye suckers and fatheads. Northern pike are hitting sucker minnows along weedlines in 5-10 feet and smallmouth fishing is improving for anglers using walleye suckers and crawlers.
“Crappies continue to suspend over deeper water and provide a good bite on most lakes. Use crappie minnows, waxies, and plastics. Fish bluegills along rock bars and weedlines in 5-15 feet with waxies, leaf worms, and small plastics.”
Bob says that with the foliage down, grouse hunting is quite good.
“Bucks are in rut and running and hunters are taking some nice ones. We have seen some dandies – sign up for our Big Buck contest!”
This week, DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter discusses two nongame fish stockings.
“In the Hayward area, fish stockings during the last few decades have essentially consisted of walleye, muskellunge, and trout. However, two lake associations recently partnered with Walleyes for Northwest Wisconsin to think outside the box and stock forage species.
“Smith Lake Association stocked 800 pounds of fathead minnows one day before the stocking of extended growth walleye. The idea is that the abundant fatheads will provide an immediate food source for both the young walleye and for predators that might otherwise eat those walleye.
“Nelson Lake Association took things even further and stocked 1,000 adult white suckers, hoping to boost a sagging adult sucker population, leading to more sucker reproduction and more food for walleye and pike.
“Both efforts are unique and forward thinking, yet the results are uncertain. Forage stockings such as these are not common in Wisconsin and it is unclear if it is possible to stock enough minnows or suckers to make a substantial difference in a large lake. In 2016, DNR crews will perform follow-up evaluations to gauge the relative success of these two stockings.”
Open-water fishing season is quickly winding down, says DNR fisheries biologist Skip Sommerfeldt.
“Even with the mild weather, fishing pressure continues to drop. With the few musky and walleye anglers, success reports are tough to find.
“Most musky anglers are dragging large suckers around deep water areas, with variable action, but this is trophy time and most anglers are just hoping for one bite from that monster trophy Esox.
“Walleye success is generally slow, with a few anglers catching fish on minnows along deep breaklines and mid-depth mud flats.
“Water temperatures are holding in the mid to low 40s so ice-up is still several weeks away – though low-teen and single-digit temperatures can change that in a hurry!”
Wisconsin’s nine-day gun deer season opens this Saturday, November 21, and hunters should be aware of changesaffecting their season. The biggest change is registration is now by phone (844-426-3734) or online (www.gamereg.wi.gov), though hunters can register electronically at participating in-person registration stations. In the Northern and Central Forest zones, there are 12 county Deer Management Units, in whole or in part, designated as buck-only units, with some exceptions for youth, Class A and C disabled, and military hunters.
State law now prohibits the use of Junior Antlerless Carcass tags under the gun deer group hunting regulation. Only the youth who received the Junior Antlerless Carcass tag may fill the tag. No other members of the hunting party may fill the tag. The printed 2015 Deer Hunting Regulations pamphlet, completed in advance of the law, does not reflect the changes and individuals should use the updated online regulations or contact DNR staff with any questions.
According to online DNR harvest data, deer registrations in Sawyer County from September 12 through November 15 show archery hunters registered 229 bucks and nine antlerless deer. Crossbow hunters registered 190 bucks and 11 antlerless deer during the same period.
FISHING REPORT
Musky:
Musky action is fair to good and improving as the season winds down (closes November 30) and anglers are catching some nice fish. You will find muskies on weeds and weed edges out to 15 feet and deeper, as well as suspending in deep water. Big suckers on quick-strike rigs are providing the best and most consistent success, but anglers are also catching fish on Bull Dawgs, tubes, jerkbaits, and Fuzzy Duzzits. This is trophy time – get out there and catch yours!
Walleye:
Walleye fishing is fair to good and improving. Look for fish in deeper water (to 35 feet) on/along weedlines, shorelines, breaklines, and on mid-depth mudflats. Use walleye suckers and fatheads on jigs, split shot rigs, and under slip bobbers. In late afternoon and after dark, try casting Rapalas/stickbaits.
Northern Pike:
Northern pike action is good on weeds and weedlines in depths to 15 feet. Baits of choice include walleye suckers, northern suckers, small musky suckers, spinners, and twitch baits.
Bass:
Largemouth season is mostly done for this year, though anglers fishing weedlines for other species are catching a few. Smallmouth fishing is improving for anglers fishing walleye suckers and crawlers on deeper, hard bottom areas.
Crappie:
Crappies continue to suspend over deeper water and offer good action for anglers using crappie minnows, waxies, plastics, and Gulp! baits on plain hooks and small jigs with/without slip bobbers.
Bluegill:
Bluegill anglers using waxies, leaf worms, plastics, and Gulp! baits are catching fish on weedlines and rock bars from shallower water out to about 17 feet.
Upcoming Events
Nov. 15: Trout and salmon fishing closed on downstream Lake Superior tributaries (see regs).
Nov. 19-Dec. 7: Northwest Relic Riders Vintage Snowmobile Club antique snowmobile display; Northern Lakes Co-op.
Nov. 19: Seasons close: Fall turkey; Crow.
Nov. 21-29: Regular gun deer season.
Nov. 24: Duck season closes in north zone.
Nov. 29: Mourning dove season closes.
Nov. 30: Season close: Muskellunge; Turtle.
Nov. 30-Dec. 9: Muzzleloader deer season.
Dec. 1: Season opens: Lake Superior Lake trout.
Dec. 10: Permit application deadline: Spring turkey; Bear.
Dec. 10-13: Four-day antlerless deer hunt.
Dec. 16: Canada goose seasons closes in North Zone.
Dec. 25: Bobcat hunting/trapping Period 1 season closes.
Dec. 26: Bobcat hunting/trapping Period 2 opens (see regs).
Dec. 31: Seasons close: Pheasant; Extended fall turkey zones 1-5; Hungarian partridge; Fisher trapping; Frog.
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.