Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report July 08, 2013
By Steve Suman
The warm and humid weekend led into what is forecast to be a somewhat warm and humid week, with high temperatures in the 80s, lows in the 50s and 60s, and with the perspiration, a few ‘opportunities’ for precipitation.
Turtles are still moving to and from their egg-laying sites so be on the lookout when driving through river and wetland areas.
“Warmer weather definitely brought the feel of summer to the northland,” says Pat at Happy Hooker. “This mix of hot and humid weather may well be typical of what we will see in July.
“The hot days raised water temperatures to normal for this time of the year and water sport enthusiasts are finally seeing good times to be on the water.”
At Hayward Bait, Jim says largemouth bass anglers report good success.
“They are doing well fishing topwaters, jigs tipped with trailers, and plastic worms rigged wacky or Texas style in and along weed edges in depths to 10 feet.”
Randy at Jenk’s says Chippewa Flowage water temperatures are now in the mid to upper 70-degree range.
“It is getting tougher to keep minnows alive with these water temperatures, so if you insist on using minnows keep your water cold and sink your floating bait buckets.”
Guide Dave Dorazio at Outdoor Creations says fishing continues to be very good on the Chippewa Flowage.
“Muskie prime times are early morning and evening and anglers should key on the edges of green weeds, as well as work through the weed beds. The hot baits are topwaters and bucktails.”
Jim at Minnow Jim’s says Nelson Lake crappies are scattered and taking minnows, worms, and Gulp! baits.
“Fish deeper water, but vary the depth you present the bait.
“Largemouth are hitting spinnerbaits, scented worms, and surface baits on weed beds and rock points.”
Carolyn at Anglers All in Ashland says fishing is great on Chequamegon Bay and Lake Superior.
“Trollers report good success from Long Island out to the flats. Fish are in the upper 30 feet – even in 100 feet of water – and anglers are catching fish on flat lines with stickbaits, spoons, Spin-N-Glos, bait flies, and squids.
“Smallmouth action is excellent on jigs and plastics in the Sand Cut shallows and slightly deeper at the rock pile.”
DNR LTE fisheries technician Scott Braden says muskies seem to be in a funk.
“The numbers lakes are the ‘go-to’ muskie waters right now. Fish walleyes on deep weed edges and structure near dusk. Fish crappies on deeper weeds and structure in the clear lakes and on wood and humps in the stained lakes. Bluegills are still shallow, making them easy targets for the table.
“As the weather stabilizes, so should the fishing, so grab a rod and enjoy one of our pristine lakes.”
DNR fisheries biologist Skip Sommerfeldt says more stable weather with clear skies and lots of sun last week made for improved fishing success.
“Largemouth moved to thick overhead cover and are holding near it for extended periods of time. Slowly work soft plastics and jig/craw combinations in thicker cover, or hop plastic frogs over weed beds.”
Hayward Bass Club is holding an open tournament on the Chippewa Flowage July 28, from 8 a.m. through 4 p.m., with The Landing on Hwy CC the tournament command center. The event is limited to 50 boats (two-person teams or an individual as a team). The entry fee is $50 per boat. For more information or to sign up for the tournament, contact Wayne Balsavich at (405) 227-1789 or email haywardbassclub@charter.net.
FISHING REPORT
Muskie: Muskie fishing is fair, though improving, and mornings and evenings offer the best chances for success. You can find muskies in/on/over/along green weeds and weedlines in/adjacent to deeper water, as well as near shallower water panfish spawning areas. Anglers are catching fish on bucktails, Bull Dawgs, gliders, plastics, topwaters, and crankbaits.
Walleye: Walleye action is fair and inconsistent, with mayfly hatches affecting the bite (and not in a good way!) The best fishing is in early morning and late evening until after dark. Fish are scattered and suspending in a various depths (6-25 feet and deeper) and locations. Look for deep weeds, rock, sand, brush, bogs, bars, breaklines, cribs, stumps, humps, and points. It is primarily a leech and crawler bite (on jigs, live bait rigs, slip bobbers), but plastics and trolled crankbaits and stickbaits are producing fish.
Northern: Anglers are catching northerns along weeds and weedlines from shallow to mid-depths. For trophy pike, work larger baits in deeper water. Northern suckers work best, but they can be difficult to keep alive in this current heat. Artificials can be very effective, however, so try working on/over/along weeds and weed lines with spinners, spinnerbaits, spoons, and stick, surface, crank, and buzz baits.
Largemouth Bass: Largemouth action is good to very good on most waters, with fish holding near thick weeds and weed edges, rocks, points, brush, and stumps in depths out to 10 feet. Pick a bait and throw it! The most productive baits include jigs with trailers, topwaters, scented plastics worms rigged in various combinations, weedless plastics such as frogs and crawfish, spinnerbaits, and live bait such as leeches, crawlers, and minnows.
Smallmouth Bass: Smallmouth anglers report good success in various depths, from 10 feet out to 30 feet in some lakes. Docks, weeds, brush, and stumps can all hold smallies. Top baits include plastics, tubes, crankbaits, topwaters, crawlers, and leeches.
Crappie: Crappie fishing is fair to good, with best action in late afternoon. Finding the fish is the challenge, and they are mostly scattered in various depths and locations out to more than 20 feet. Look for them near weeds, wood, bogs, brush, humps, and cribs, and suspending over deeper water. Baits of choice include jigs tipped with minnows, plastics, waxies, worms, and Gulp! baits. Use a slip bobber to hang your bait offering right in front of their noses.
Bluegill: Bluegills continue to provide excellent action, though spawning is finished or winding down on most waters. Fish are near weeds and brush at varied depths, from very shallow to deeper water. Waxies, worms, leaf worms, crawlers, plastics, and Gulp! baits on jigs or plain hooks, fished with or without a bobber, will catch bluegills. Look for bigger fish in deeper water.
Upcoming Events
July 19-21: Birchwood Bluegill Festival (800-236-2252).
July 19-21: LCO Honor the Earth PowWow (715-634-8934).
July 25-27: Lumberjack World Championships (715-634-2484).
July 28: Hayward Bass Club Open Tournament on Chippewa Flowage (405-227-1789).
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. 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.