walleyemaxx
09-24-2010, 10:24 AM
Hi everyone,
Here is this weeks HLVCB report.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
September 20, 2010
Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman
Leaf colors are quickly changing in the north woods, and daily temperatures indicate fall's presence. This week's forecast list chances for showers for a few days, but daytime highs are primarily in the 60- to 70-degree range.
"Many of our lakes developed a noticeable thermocline this summer," says Pat at Happy Hooker, "and the 'turnover' effect may be more significant than in the past several years when a gradual mixing of warm surface water and cool deep water was less-noticeable.
"Fishing during this time can be frustrating, but fish it as you would a cold front period - go deep with slow presentations.
"Do not confuse 'algae bloom' with turnover. Some lakes retain green water long into the fall, even to freeze-up. Turnover is most noticeable on clear water lakes when they take on a very cloudy look."
Al and Dan at Pastika's say most all species are now in their fall patterns.
"Cool, seasonal fall weather prevailed across the north woods for the last week or so, spurring on fall fishing action," says DNR fisheries biologist Skip Sommerfeldt. "The aquatic weeds are dying back on most waters, opening up some of the thicker weed beds."
Bear hunting seasons opened Sept. 8, and archery deer and fall turkey seasons opened this past weekend (Saturday Sept. 18.) So far this year, Hayward area registration stations (Shooting Star, Hillman's Store, Hayward Bait) registered no turkeys, 11 deer, and 69 bears, the largest 412 pounds field dressed.
You still have time to register for the Hayward Lakes Chapter Muskies, Inc. fall muskie tournament Oct. 1-3, and everyone who enters is eligible for the Grand Door Prize. This year it is a 2010 Lund 1725 Pro Guide tiller boat, 50 hp Mercury motor, ShoreLand'r trailer, MotorGuide trolling motor, and Lowrance locator. Enter the tournament (you do not have to fish), be present at the Sunday awards ceremony drawing - and you might win a new boat. Entry fee is $80 for adults and $25 for youth ages 16 and younger. All monies are used for fishing related projects in the Hayward area. For information, call Hayward Bait and Tackle (715) 634-2921.
The 2010 edition of the Sawyer County Record's free and popular Fall Fun Guide is now available at numerous outlets throughout Sawyer County, as well as at the Record's office. The Guide covers Sawyer County events and activities available during September through November.
Fishing Reports
Muskies:
Muskie action is very good. Concentrate on green weeds and weed edges in depths to about 12 feet or so with bucktails, Bull Dawgs, Ghost Tails, Double Cowgirls, surface, crank, and jerk baits, gliders, topwaters, plastics, and live suckers.
Walleye:
Walleye fishing is starting to show improvement thanks to cooling weather. Look for fish near weeds and weed lines, rocks, bars, humps, breaks, and structure, and in various depths to more than 30 feet. Leeches, walleye suckers, fatheads, and crawlers are catching fish on a variety of presentations, including jigs, plain hooks, bottom bouncers, spinner bait rigs, and slip bobbers. Trolling crank and stick baits along weed lines and on rocky areas in the evening and after dark is also producing good action.
Northern:
Northern action is very good around green weeds/weedlines, and deep structure. Some say the pike will hit whatever you throw, but spinnerbaits, spoons, and suckers are the top producers.
Largemouth Bass:
Largemouth reports are mixed as fish change to fall patterns. Fish green weeds out to about 18 feet of water with spinnerbaits, plastics, topwaters, frogs, and live bait.
Smallmouth Bass:
Smallmouth action is good to great. Look for fish on hard bottom areas, in green weeds, rocky areas, and woody cover adjacent to deeper water, in depths ranging from 10-25 feet or deeper. Plastics, crankbaits, jigs, and particularly walleye suckers are all effective at this time.
Crappie:
Crappie fishing is fair to good once you find their location. They are suspending over deeper water, near cribs, and in/on deep weeds, from shallow water cover out to 25 feet or deeper. Randy at Jenk's says the Chippewa Flowage crappie are still scattered and NOT yet schooling. Most productive baits include crappie minnows, waxies, worms, tubes, Gulp! baits, and spinners.
Bluegill:
Bluegill action is fair. Fish weeds, cribs, structure, and shallower cover with waxies, worms, and plastics, and the Gulp! baits were outstanding all summer. For larger 'gills fish deeper (8-15 feet) water.
Perch:
Perch anglers are picking up a few fish, but you will have to look for them. Work shallow to mid-depth weed lines with jig/minnow, waxies, worms, or jigging spoons.
Upcoming Events
Sept. 25: Seasons Open: Duck and Canada goose (Northern Zone) at 9 a.m.; Woodcock.
Sept. 25: Hayward Fall Festival.
Sept. 30: Seasons Close: Trout on inland waters (see regs.); Lake trout (Lake Superior); Sturgeon.
Oct. 1-3: Hayward Lakes Chapter Muskies, Inc. Fall Muskie Tournament. (715-634-2921; 634-4543.)
Oct. 2: Stone Lake Cranberry Festival.
Oct. 2-10: Special deer hunt for hunters with disabilities (see regs.)
Oct. 9-10: Youth deer hunt.
Oct. 12: Bear season closes.
Oct. 16: Seasons Open: Pheasant; Sharp-tailed grouse; Raccoon gun and trapping; Fisher trapping. In north zone: Red and gray fox hunting and trapping; Coyote trapping; Bobcat hunting and trapping; Muskrat; Mink.
Oct. 30: Raccoon (non-resident.)
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.
Thanks for reading!
Sherry Beckman
Hayward Lakes Visitors and Convention Bureau
Good luck on your fishing and hunting adventures everyone.
Walleyemaxx
Here is this weeks HLVCB report.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
September 20, 2010
Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman
Leaf colors are quickly changing in the north woods, and daily temperatures indicate fall's presence. This week's forecast list chances for showers for a few days, but daytime highs are primarily in the 60- to 70-degree range.
"Many of our lakes developed a noticeable thermocline this summer," says Pat at Happy Hooker, "and the 'turnover' effect may be more significant than in the past several years when a gradual mixing of warm surface water and cool deep water was less-noticeable.
"Fishing during this time can be frustrating, but fish it as you would a cold front period - go deep with slow presentations.
"Do not confuse 'algae bloom' with turnover. Some lakes retain green water long into the fall, even to freeze-up. Turnover is most noticeable on clear water lakes when they take on a very cloudy look."
Al and Dan at Pastika's say most all species are now in their fall patterns.
"Cool, seasonal fall weather prevailed across the north woods for the last week or so, spurring on fall fishing action," says DNR fisheries biologist Skip Sommerfeldt. "The aquatic weeds are dying back on most waters, opening up some of the thicker weed beds."
Bear hunting seasons opened Sept. 8, and archery deer and fall turkey seasons opened this past weekend (Saturday Sept. 18.) So far this year, Hayward area registration stations (Shooting Star, Hillman's Store, Hayward Bait) registered no turkeys, 11 deer, and 69 bears, the largest 412 pounds field dressed.
You still have time to register for the Hayward Lakes Chapter Muskies, Inc. fall muskie tournament Oct. 1-3, and everyone who enters is eligible for the Grand Door Prize. This year it is a 2010 Lund 1725 Pro Guide tiller boat, 50 hp Mercury motor, ShoreLand'r trailer, MotorGuide trolling motor, and Lowrance locator. Enter the tournament (you do not have to fish), be present at the Sunday awards ceremony drawing - and you might win a new boat. Entry fee is $80 for adults and $25 for youth ages 16 and younger. All monies are used for fishing related projects in the Hayward area. For information, call Hayward Bait and Tackle (715) 634-2921.
The 2010 edition of the Sawyer County Record's free and popular Fall Fun Guide is now available at numerous outlets throughout Sawyer County, as well as at the Record's office. The Guide covers Sawyer County events and activities available during September through November.
Fishing Reports
Muskies:
Muskie action is very good. Concentrate on green weeds and weed edges in depths to about 12 feet or so with bucktails, Bull Dawgs, Ghost Tails, Double Cowgirls, surface, crank, and jerk baits, gliders, topwaters, plastics, and live suckers.
Walleye:
Walleye fishing is starting to show improvement thanks to cooling weather. Look for fish near weeds and weed lines, rocks, bars, humps, breaks, and structure, and in various depths to more than 30 feet. Leeches, walleye suckers, fatheads, and crawlers are catching fish on a variety of presentations, including jigs, plain hooks, bottom bouncers, spinner bait rigs, and slip bobbers. Trolling crank and stick baits along weed lines and on rocky areas in the evening and after dark is also producing good action.
Northern:
Northern action is very good around green weeds/weedlines, and deep structure. Some say the pike will hit whatever you throw, but spinnerbaits, spoons, and suckers are the top producers.
Largemouth Bass:
Largemouth reports are mixed as fish change to fall patterns. Fish green weeds out to about 18 feet of water with spinnerbaits, plastics, topwaters, frogs, and live bait.
Smallmouth Bass:
Smallmouth action is good to great. Look for fish on hard bottom areas, in green weeds, rocky areas, and woody cover adjacent to deeper water, in depths ranging from 10-25 feet or deeper. Plastics, crankbaits, jigs, and particularly walleye suckers are all effective at this time.
Crappie:
Crappie fishing is fair to good once you find their location. They are suspending over deeper water, near cribs, and in/on deep weeds, from shallow water cover out to 25 feet or deeper. Randy at Jenk's says the Chippewa Flowage crappie are still scattered and NOT yet schooling. Most productive baits include crappie minnows, waxies, worms, tubes, Gulp! baits, and spinners.
Bluegill:
Bluegill action is fair. Fish weeds, cribs, structure, and shallower cover with waxies, worms, and plastics, and the Gulp! baits were outstanding all summer. For larger 'gills fish deeper (8-15 feet) water.
Perch:
Perch anglers are picking up a few fish, but you will have to look for them. Work shallow to mid-depth weed lines with jig/minnow, waxies, worms, or jigging spoons.
Upcoming Events
Sept. 25: Seasons Open: Duck and Canada goose (Northern Zone) at 9 a.m.; Woodcock.
Sept. 25: Hayward Fall Festival.
Sept. 30: Seasons Close: Trout on inland waters (see regs.); Lake trout (Lake Superior); Sturgeon.
Oct. 1-3: Hayward Lakes Chapter Muskies, Inc. Fall Muskie Tournament. (715-634-2921; 634-4543.)
Oct. 2: Stone Lake Cranberry Festival.
Oct. 2-10: Special deer hunt for hunters with disabilities (see regs.)
Oct. 9-10: Youth deer hunt.
Oct. 12: Bear season closes.
Oct. 16: Seasons Open: Pheasant; Sharp-tailed grouse; Raccoon gun and trapping; Fisher trapping. In north zone: Red and gray fox hunting and trapping; Coyote trapping; Bobcat hunting and trapping; Muskrat; Mink.
Oct. 30: Raccoon (non-resident.)
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.
Thanks for reading!
Sherry Beckman
Hayward Lakes Visitors and Convention Bureau
Good luck on your fishing and hunting adventures everyone.
Walleyemaxx