Outdoor Report - January 2, 2017

January 2, 2017
Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman

It is winter in the North Woods and this week’s forecast reflects the season – cold, snow, and wind in various combinations. There is no winter recreation without winter, so get out and enjoy your favorite winter activity!

“This year’s ice fishing season started a little late due to the slow building of safe ice,” says Pat at Happy Hooker, “but anglers are now searching for fish and looking for patterns.
“The lakes average four to eight inches of ice, with some slush areas, so wear rubber/rubber bottom boots. Check ice thickness as you go, especially if going where no one has been yet. If using a snowmobile or four-wheeler, check the thickness before going out.
“Walleye action is okay, with evenings best, but anglers are also catching some fish in the afternoons, with sucker minnows and golden shiners under tip-ups the baits of choice. Northern action is good if you can locate deeper, grassy weed areas and walleye suckers and shiners work best. Since pike are mostly daytime feeders, many anglers fish northern during the day and walleye in the evenings.
“Crappie action has yet to start because people are (wisely) reluctant to go out over deeper water this soon, but in a little more time anglers will be to get out over the deep holes. Panfish action started slowly and anglers are still searching for those fish. Bluegills are hitting waxies, but we have yet to hear of big concentrations these fish. There are some reports of small perch in the weeds, but anglers should fish mudflats for bigger fish.”
Guide Steve Genson at Hayward Bait says ice conditions are improving quickly.
“Most lakes have 4-8 inches, with some as much as 10 inches. Anglers are taking ATVs and snowmobiles out on some of the lakes, but still, exercise caution when checking new areas or stick to areas that have traffic.
“Walleyes are active on most lakes. Focus on points or irregular breaklines with weeds or rocks in 10-30 feet. Deep crib fields can also be excellent this time of year. Walleye suckers and medium shiners on tip-ups work well, as do Jigging Raps, Rippin’ Raps, and spoons.
“Pike action is very good with large shiners and northern suckers under tip-ups on shallow weed flats in 5-20 feet. Crappie anglers are getting some action on minnows and plastics. Use electronics, target 15-30 feet, watch for suspended fish, and move until you find them. Fish bluegills on weed flats in 6-20 feet with waxies or spikes on tungsten jigs.”

This week, DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter discusses the odd, cyclical history of Wisconsin panfish regulations.
“Anglers around the state may have noticed that a handful of lakes now have experimental panfish regulations with different combinations of reduced bag limits intended to improve the average size of panfish. These regulations are not the first changes to panfish fishing rules in Wisconsin – this state has an interesting history of panfish rules that have fluctuated between being more and less restrictive.
“Before 1925, Wisconsin did not regulate panfish by a season or with any limits. In 1925, the state established a June 1 to March 1 season, controlling harvest by limits that varied by waterbody. In 1943, the state split into two zones, with the southern zone having a delayed start to panfish fishing season and a lower bag limit.
“Rules from 1950 might look very familiar to anglers, as at that time, the state eliminated the zones, made a year-round season, and set the bag limit at 25 aggregate.
“In 1960, the state again eliminated the bag limit, allowing unlimited harvest. Then in 1965, back came a bag limit, this time 50 aggregate. In 1998, the DNR reduced the bag limit to 25 per day aggregate, though many individual lakes around the state received more restrictive limits.”

Hayward Lakes Chapter-Muskies, Inc. welcomes the public to attend its business meeting Tuesday, January 3, starting at 7 p.m., at the Gridiron Bar and Grill on Main Street in Hayward. Members will set the budget, spending, and the 2017 calendar of events. Admission is free and anyone attending the meeting who is interested in joining Muskies Inc. can purchase an annual membership for half price. For more information, call Mike Persson (715) 634-4543.

SNOWMOBILE TRAIL REPORT
Note: Trail conditions can change quickly – for better or worse. Always check with local businesses for the most current, up-to-the-minute trail conditions.
The December 29 HLVCB trail report says most Sawyer County trails are open, including the Chequamegon National Forest and Tuscobia trails, with a great base and groomers are grooming. The Flambeau trails are open, with the exception of new trail 36, routed back to the old trail. Staked lake trails include Spider, Lost Land, Moose, Chippewa Flowage, Osprey, and Little Round. Crews are staking Grindstone, Whitefish, Tiger Cat Flowage, Blueberry, and Lac Courte Oreilles – with the exception of the spur going to Trails End, as there are ice heaves and open water. Stay on the marked trails. Closures include Trail 5/27 from Tuscobia south to the Rusk County line and Trail 6 from the Tuscobia by Ojibwa north to the Chippewa Flowage.
The December 28 Lakewoods trail report says Sawyer County trails are open and groomers are at work. Trails heading south from Lakewoods are in decent condition with a good base, and snow predicted for this week will make for great riding on the solid base. North of Lakewoods, Bayfield County opened trails, though without grooming. With luck, they will hit the trails after the predicted snowfall this week. Crews have not yet staked the Lake Namakagon stick trail and lake travel is not a recommendation. Ride at your own risk!
The December 28 Namakagon Trail Groomers trail report says snow cover is between 1-4 inches and although all snowmobile trails in Bayfield County are officially open, most trails in early season condition and with no grooming. All riders should exercise extra caution when recreating on the trails at this time as they might experience trail segments with little to no snow, icy or rocky conditions, wet and muddy areas, or otherwise very rough riding. In addition, some areas may still have downed trees. Please report any downed trees or unsafe conditions to the Bayfield County Snowmobile Alliance (715-969-4150). Please refrain from riding trails on private land if riding could result in damage, as it will jeopardize future use privileges and potentially result in permanent trail closures.

FISHING REPORT
Walleye:
Walleye action is good and improving, with evening fishing providing the best opportunities for success, though some anglers report catches during afternoon hours. Concentrate your efforts on weeds and rocks on points and breaklines, deeper cribs, and shallower weedlines and bays in the evening. Use tip-ups with walleye suckers and shiners, or try jigging baits and spoons.

Northern Pike:
Northern pike fishing is good to very good, with much of the success for pickling size fish. Work weed flats and deep grass and weed areas in 5-20 feet with walleye suckers, northern suckers, and large shiners under tip-ups. As DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter noted last week, filets from one 20-inch pike weigh about the same as the filets from three eight-inch bluegills.

Crappie:
Crappie fishing is improving as the ice thickens and anglers gain access to deeper water holding areas. Use your electronics to look for fish suspending in 12-30 feet and plan to keep on the move until you locate them. Best baits include crappie minnows, plastics, and Gulp! baits.

Bluegill:
Bluegill anglers are catching some fish, though not large quantities, around weeds and weed edges in 5-20 feet. Use small jigs tipped with waxies, spikes, plastics, and Gulp! baits.

Perch:
Find good action for small perch in the weeds, but fish deeper mudflats for larger fish on the mudflat. Waxies, spikes, and plastics on small jigs or teardrops, as well as small minnows, should do the trick.

Upcoming Events
Dec. 31: Seasons closed: Pheasant; Turkey (zones 1-5); Hungarian partridge; Fisher trapping; Frog.
Jan. 2: Early catch-and-release only trout season opened statewide (see regs).
Jan. 3: Hayward Lakes Chapter Muskies, Inc. business meeting at Gridiron Pub & Grub (715-634-4543).
Jan. 7: Northwest Relic Riders “Ride from Frosty’s” (715-416-2097).
Jan. 8: Archery and crossbow deer seasons close.
Jan. 14: Northwest Relic Riders vintage and antique snowmobile show; Jack Frost Festival, Spooner (715-416-2097).
Jan. 18: Winter crow season opens.
Jan. 21: Elk Country ATV Club’s 9th annual ice fishing contest, Upper Clam Lake (715-794-2298; 681-0581).
Jan. 21-22: Free Fishing Weekend – fish nearly anywhere in WI without a license or trout stamp (see regs).
Jan. 31: Seasons close: Grouse in North Zone; Bobcat Period 2; Squirrel.
Feb. 4: Flambeau River State Forest 25th annual candlelight event 6-9 p.m. (715-332-5271).
Feb. 11: Brule River State Forest – candlelight ski and snowshoe 5-9 p.m. (715-372-5678).

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