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walleyemaxx
12-28-2010, 10:09 AM
Hi everyone,

Hereis this weeks HLVCB report. Note that everyone cautions about the slush.

December 27, 2010
Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman

Additional snow is not improving ice fishing conditions, but it is also not stopping anglers from fishing. The forecast for this week indicates seasonal or warmer temperatures ... and more snow (or freezing rain) towards the end of the week.

Walleyes for Northwest Wisconsin's annual family ice fishing event on Lac Courte Oreilles is February 12.

At Happy Hooker, Pat reports good ice conditions, but with a layer of slush under the snow. He says the ice - once you get to it - is anywhere from eight to 12 inches thick.

Al at Pastika's says walleye fishing is decent, with a good bite after dark. He reports ice is 10 inches on most areas, though with quite a bit of water on it in some locations, and anglers should continue to be cautious.

"Ice depths in the Upper Chippewa basin continue to be real variable," says DNR fisheries biologist Skip Sommerfeldt, "and range from five to ten inches in thickness. Recent heavy snowfall also caused quite a bit of slush to form, and this is limiting access and travel."

Sommerfeldt says some anglers are beginning to drive ATVs and snowmobiles on a few lakes, but urges them to use extreme caution.

"Lake ice cover is very irregular, with a solid 10 inches in some areas and only five inches just a few hundred yards away. Slush adds a lot of weight to the top of the ice and even softens the ice underneath it, resulting in weaker ice cover and less weight-holding capability."

The biologist says ice fishing success is generally fair, and action for walleye and panfish- the species of main interest - is quite variable on a day-to-day basis. The best walleye success on the stained lakes and flowages is in late afternoon with small to medium suckers on tip-ups.

"The mud flats and weed edges at 5-8 feet are producing fair numbers of 12- to 15-inch walleye, while deeper break lines and rock bar edges at 8-12-feet depth are producing a few walleye in the 20-inch size. Fish the clear-water lakes a little deeper at dusk and just after dark.

"Panfish anglers are making some good catches of crappies, bluegills, and perch. Using waxies and small minnows, fish perch in 4-20 feet or deeper, and 15-24 feet for suspending crappies and bluegills.



In the past week, Hayward area registration stations (Shooting Star, Hillman's Store, Hayward Bait)registered four antlerless deer and seven bucks. Late archery deer season ends January 9, and though relatively mild temperatures make for comfortable hunting conditions, relatively few hunters are taking advantage of the late season opportunity.



Hayward Power Sports reports 10 inches of snow on the ground and they have staked all lake trails. Trail 25 south from the Tuscobia Trail to Big Bear Lodge on the way to Rusk County is impossible for grooming and appears closed for the season. Use trail 36 as an alternate. Many downed trees have closed Trail 40 from Tuscobia's mouth to Trail 25. Use Trail 25 as an alternate. A housing development caused the closure of Trail 29 from Little Round Lake to Trail 30. Use trails 9 and 3 as alternates. A newly seeded a field is causing confusion on Trail 30 by LCO Casino. You may have to work your way through the Casino, motor home, and Subway parking lots.

Virgin Timber Resort reports 18 inches of snow cover and fair, early season trail conditions. Moose Lake is marked, but slushy, so stay by the stakes. Groomers are on the trails.

The Cable area trail report says the staked Namakagon stick trail has a small amount of slush sitting on top of the ice and trails are in good to very good condition. The Namakagon Trail Groomers are grooming around the clock trying to keep up with the early season riding. They will not groom Trail 8 to Clam Lake until the swamp is frozen, and a small stretch on Trail 90 and a half-mile behind Evergreen Tavern are rough due to the swamps.

Lakewoods Resort reports the new snow and groomed trails are in great condition. Groomers bypassed many wetlands and lakes, and heavy snow will keep groomers off trail sections with large wetlands until swamps are firm. The Lake Namakagon stick trail (now staked) has new trail markers to improve visibility during low light and snowy conditions. Big, bright barrels now mark all trail intersections.



Upcoming Events

Dec. 31: Seasons Close: Pheasant; Hungarian partridge; Bobcat hunting/trapping; Fisher trapping; Frog.

Jan. 8: Northwest Relic Riders vintage stud run.

Jan. 8: Stone Lake Pub ice fishing contest (715-865-2141.)

Jan. 9: Late archery deer season closes.

Jan. 25: Winter crow season open through March 20.

Jan. 29: Northwest Relic RidersBig Boyz Toyz vintage ride

Jan. 31: Seasons Close: Squirrel; Ruffed grouse in northern zone.

Feb. 5: Cable Rod and Gun Club Ice Fishing Conteston Lake Namakagon (715-798-4459.)

Feb. 5: Northwest Relic Riders5th Annual Kaye Johnson Memorial vintage snowmobile ride.

Feb. 12: Walleyes for Northwest Wisconsin Family Ice Fishing Event (715-634-2921.)

Feb. 24-26: American Birkebeiner (715-634-5025.)

March 4-6: World's Longest Weenie RoastLakewoods Resort

March 4-6: Hayward National Snocross at LCO Casino Lodge and Convention Center.



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

Enjoy the outdoors everyone.

Walleyemaxx