Hayward Lakes Sherry
10-01-2013, 10:52 AM
FISHING REPORT
Reminder: Inland trout season closed Sept. 30.
Muskie:
Muskie action is good to very good, though it can be somewhat erratic. Look for fish in various depths, from shallow to deep, on weedlines, weed edges, and steep drops adjacent to deep water. Top producing baits include bucktails, Bull Dawgs, topwaters, plastics, jerkbaits, crankbaits, twitch baits, and suckers on quick-strike rigs.
Walleye:
Walleye action is far from hot, though it is improving. Fish are scattered in depths from 15-35 feet on humps and around brush, weeds, and other structure. The primary bite is now on walleye suckers and fatheads, but anglers continue to catch walleyes on crawlers and leeches (when available), and trolled/cast crank and stick baits.
Northern:
Northern pike are very active and fishing is good around weeds, weedlines, and weed edges in 8-22 feet with bucktails, crankbaits, chatterbaits, spinners, spinnerbaits, spoons, and suckers.
Largemouth Bass:
Largemouth action is more consistent than smallmouth and you will find them near wood, weed edges, docks, brush, and bogs in depths from 3-15 feet. Baits of choice include plastics, topwaters/rubber frogs, spinnerbaits, jig/craw combination, and live bait.
Smallmouth Bass:
Smallmouth fishing is inconsistent and frustrating, with best action in moving water, such as rivers and flowages. Work cribs, rock humps, wood, and weed edges in depths to 30 feet with plastics, jigs/ trailers, and spinnerbaits. For live bait, use crawlers and leeches on Lindy and drop-shot rigs.
Crappie:
Crappie action is fair to good, with fish scattered and suspending over deep water (15-22 feet), weedlines, weed edges, brush, and cribs. Crappie minnows, fatheads, plastics, and Gulp! baits are all working, though preference varies from day to day.
Bluegill:
Bluegill fishing is good once you locate them. Look for larger fish in deeper water (10-20 feet) around weeds and deeper weed edges. Waxies, leaf worms, crawler chunks and pieces, plastics, Gulp! baits, and small minnows, on jigs or plain hooks, with or without bobbers, are all catching fish.
Upcoming Events
Sept. 30: Seasons closed: Sturgeon on inland waters; Lake trout season on Lake Superior; Inland trout (see regs.)
Oct. 4-5: Stone Lake Cranberry Festival.
Oct. 4-6: Hayward Lakes Chapter Muskies, Inc. Fall Muskie Tournament (715-634-2921).
Oct. 5-6: Youth Deer Hunt.
Oct. 5-6: Musky Tale Resort Crappie Quest (715-462-3838).
Oct. 5-13: Special deer hunt for people with disabilities.
Oct. 8: Bear season closes.
Oct. 15: Wolf hunting and trapping season opens.
Oct. 19: Seasons open: Pheasant; Ruffed grouse (Zone B); Bobwhite quail; Hungarian partridge; Raccoon gun and trapping (residents); Red and gray fox hunting and trapping; Coyote trapping (hunting continuous); Muskrat; Mink (Northern Zone);Fisher trapping; Bobcat hunting and trapping Period 1.
Oct. 28: Hayward Chapter-Whitetails Unlimited banquet (715-634-6013).
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.
Reminder: Inland trout season closed Sept. 30.
Muskie:
Muskie action is good to very good, though it can be somewhat erratic. Look for fish in various depths, from shallow to deep, on weedlines, weed edges, and steep drops adjacent to deep water. Top producing baits include bucktails, Bull Dawgs, topwaters, plastics, jerkbaits, crankbaits, twitch baits, and suckers on quick-strike rigs.
Walleye:
Walleye action is far from hot, though it is improving. Fish are scattered in depths from 15-35 feet on humps and around brush, weeds, and other structure. The primary bite is now on walleye suckers and fatheads, but anglers continue to catch walleyes on crawlers and leeches (when available), and trolled/cast crank and stick baits.
Northern:
Northern pike are very active and fishing is good around weeds, weedlines, and weed edges in 8-22 feet with bucktails, crankbaits, chatterbaits, spinners, spinnerbaits, spoons, and suckers.
Largemouth Bass:
Largemouth action is more consistent than smallmouth and you will find them near wood, weed edges, docks, brush, and bogs in depths from 3-15 feet. Baits of choice include plastics, topwaters/rubber frogs, spinnerbaits, jig/craw combination, and live bait.
Smallmouth Bass:
Smallmouth fishing is inconsistent and frustrating, with best action in moving water, such as rivers and flowages. Work cribs, rock humps, wood, and weed edges in depths to 30 feet with plastics, jigs/ trailers, and spinnerbaits. For live bait, use crawlers and leeches on Lindy and drop-shot rigs.
Crappie:
Crappie action is fair to good, with fish scattered and suspending over deep water (15-22 feet), weedlines, weed edges, brush, and cribs. Crappie minnows, fatheads, plastics, and Gulp! baits are all working, though preference varies from day to day.
Bluegill:
Bluegill fishing is good once you locate them. Look for larger fish in deeper water (10-20 feet) around weeds and deeper weed edges. Waxies, leaf worms, crawler chunks and pieces, plastics, Gulp! baits, and small minnows, on jigs or plain hooks, with or without bobbers, are all catching fish.
Upcoming Events
Sept. 30: Seasons closed: Sturgeon on inland waters; Lake trout season on Lake Superior; Inland trout (see regs.)
Oct. 4-5: Stone Lake Cranberry Festival.
Oct. 4-6: Hayward Lakes Chapter Muskies, Inc. Fall Muskie Tournament (715-634-2921).
Oct. 5-6: Youth Deer Hunt.
Oct. 5-6: Musky Tale Resort Crappie Quest (715-462-3838).
Oct. 5-13: Special deer hunt for people with disabilities.
Oct. 8: Bear season closes.
Oct. 15: Wolf hunting and trapping season opens.
Oct. 19: Seasons open: Pheasant; Ruffed grouse (Zone B); Bobwhite quail; Hungarian partridge; Raccoon gun and trapping (residents); Red and gray fox hunting and trapping; Coyote trapping (hunting continuous); Muskrat; Mink (Northern Zone);Fisher trapping; Bobcat hunting and trapping Period 1.
Oct. 28: Hayward Chapter-Whitetails Unlimited banquet (715-634-6013).
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.