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Hayward Lakes Sherry
07-28-2009, 09:47 AM
July 27, 2009
Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman

This past Saturday Hayward received much needed rain, but it fell in shifts – a five-minute deluge followed by 20 minutes of clear skies and sunshine. Followed by another deluge.
You still have time to register for this Sunday’s free Kid’s Fishing Day, hosted by Hayward Lakes Chapter of Muskies, Inc. Young anglers (10-16 years of age) will spend the morning fishing Upper Twin Lake with knowledgeable musky anglers, and then enjoy a noon shore lunch prepared by club members and volunteers. Pre-registration is required, and a parent or guardian must be present to sign the form. Call Hayward Bait (715) 634-2921 for more information.
DNR fisheries biologist Frank Pratt says brook trout reproduction in small stream is the best in 30 years, and fishing should be outstanding in about three years.
The Moose Lake Festival is Sat., Aug. 1, from noon to 11 p.m., at Louie’s Landing. This is the major fundraiser for the Round Lake volunteer fire department and Chequamegon Lion’s Club, but monies are also used for numerous projects in all communities involved. For more information, call 462-9445; 462-3300.

Muskies:
According to angler reports, musky action very good to excellent – or fair and inconsistent. Most are seeing fish and getting follows, if not experiencing hook-ups. Shallow water is key – one angler said you can’t fish too shallow. Weeds and weed edges are important. In the past week, shallow weeds and Double Cowgirls and surface baits were the “right” combination, but that might not hold true this week. If not, try smaller stick and crank baits, Bull Dawgs, #5 Mepps spinners, and vary both the depth and retrieve speed.

Walleye:
Walleye anglers are shaking their heads. They are catching fish, but the bite is “erratic” at best, and fish are scattered. Start with deep weeds and timber. If no success, try drop offs, sand or rock bottom areas, and even shallower weed beds. In general, work depths from 6-20 feet, depending on the time of day and lake fished. Crawlers and leeches, whether on jigs, under bobbers, or on harnesses, are working best. Beetle Spins, crank and stick baits also work. Fish during low light conditions to improve your odds.

Northern:
Northern might be the only species currently more aggressive than bass, and action is excellent. Work the weeds – nearly any weeds – at various depths, but primarily 4-20 feet of water. Spoons, spinners, spinner and buzz baits, surface lures, minnows and leeches can all catch pike. Larger fish will usually be in deeper water and want bigger offerings.

Largemouth Bass:
Largemouth bass populations are excellent in most area lakes and the fish are very active. You will find them in shallower water weeds, wood, brush, bogs, and lily pad beds. Choose your baits carefully. If you’re fishing where the fish are (if not, why not?) you will be casting into heavy cover. This a great time for topwaters and/or weedless baits, from soft plastics such as frogs and tubes and other topwaters, to weedless plastic worms and spoons. You can work the edges of heavy cover with crank, buzz, stick, and spinner baits, and minnows, leeches, and crawlers can also be very effective.

Smallmouth Bass:
Smallmouth fishing isn’t necessarily “hot,” but it’s consistent and you should be able to catch some fish. Look for smallies in a variety of depths and locations, from shallow weeds, brush, slop, and lily pads, to deep bog edges, cribs, and rocks, as well as suspending on/over hard-bottom areas. Soft plastics such as frogs and tubes, spinnerbaits, X-Raps, crawlers and leeches are good choices, with mornings and evenings prime for topwater baits.

Crappie:
Crappie fishing continues to be very good. Look for crappies on weedlines, cribs, bogs, suspending over deeper water and in the bays, and use crappie minnows, small leeches, waxies, Mini-Mites, and plastics, fished alone or in combination. If you’re fishing heavy weeds and cover, use a slip bobber and plop your bait into any hole or opening inside the cover.

Bluegill:
Bluegill action is also very good on most lakes. Fish are holding in and around shallow weeds and weed edges, brush, on cribs, around docks, and under bogs, particularly in the evening. Larger ‘gills will be in the deeper water, and minnows can be their downfall. Plain hooks, small/ice jigs tipped with waxies, worms, leaf worms, crawler pieces, and plastics will all catch bluegills, and don’t overlook poppers for great topwater action.

Upcoming Events
Aug. 1: Application Deadlines: Fall turkey; Sharp-tailed grouse; Bobcat; Otter; Fisher; Horicon and Collins goose zones.
Aug. 1: Moose Lake Festival (462-9445; 462-3300.)
Aug. 2: Hayward Lakes Chapter of Muskies, Inc. Kid’s Fishing Day (634-2921.)
Aug. 20-23: Sawyer County Fair (934-2721.)
Aug. 22-24: Bonus antlerless deer tags for regular DMUs go on sale.
Aug. 28-30: Mega Bass Shootout at Musky Tale Resort (462-3838.)
Aug. 29: Remaining fall turkey permits go on sale.
Through Aug. 31: Training dogs by pursuing bear allowed. (See regs.)

For more information on area events and activities, see the Calendar of Events, visit Hayward Lakes Visitor and Convention Bureau, or call 1-800-724-2992.