Outdoor Report January 12, 2015

January 12, 2015
Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman

Cold temperatures continue the first part of this week, but hang in there – the week’s end promises highs in the 30s!

“Walleye action peaks in the evening,” says Pat at Happy Hooker, “but fishing is good on cloudy days.
“Work shiners and walleye suckers under tip-ups on mud flats and break edges out to 20 feet. Fish tight to bottom or try jigging spoons tipped with minnows. For northern, use the same presentation over weed tops out to 10 feet.
“Crappie, bluegill, and perch are out to 15 feet on weed edges, break edges, and shallow lake basins. Crappies and bluegills are low in the water column; perch are tight to bottom. Use crappie minnows and waxies on small jigs or slip bobbers.”
Guide Dave Dorazio at Outdoor Creations says Chippewa Flowage pike anglers are doing well.
“The natural lakes on the west side are best. Fish along weedlines in 4-10 feet with 5- to 8-inch suckers on tip-ups, though at times pike prefer large shiners.
“For crappies, search wooded flats in 12-22 feet on the west side, looking for crappies suspending or tight to bottom. Use crappie minnows or jigs tipped with plastics and Gulp! baits, jigs with a single waxie for fussy crappies, and #2 or #3 Jigging Raps for larger fish.”
Jim at Hayward Bait says the walleye bite is fair.
“Work gravel bars and deeper weedlines in 10-25 feet with jigs and minnow heads and suckers under tip-ups. For northern, fish northern suckers and shiners under tip-ups on weedlines in 5-15 feet.
“Crappies are suspending over deep holes – use crappie minnows and rosie reds. Catch bluegills near weed beds in 10-20 feet with waxies, spikes, and small plastics.”

Carolyn at Anglers All in Ashland says anglers are fishing all over Chequamegon Bay.
“Most head to the Washburn side and to Bayfield since there is now ice to Basswood Island and the ferry is not running. If you go off Bayfield, take flotation and check your way with an ice bar.
“On the Ashland side, anglers fishing weed beds on 10- to 12-foot breaks off the first and second landings are doing well on perch, walleye, northern, and an occasional brown trout. Along the breakwall, anglers are catching northerns.”

This week, DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter discusses fish growth during the winter.
“As ice anglers know, fish feed under the ice throughout the winter, but some species are more active and feed more than other species. Pike and walleye, for example, are more active than bass in cold water.
“Despite this feeding, most fish do not grow much throughout the winter because they basically use the food for metabolism.
“Because of this phenomenon, fish develop rings in their bones, much like trees develop rings in their trunks in the winter. This allows fish biologists to determine the age of fish when looking at the bones under a microscope.”
DNR fisheries biologist Skip Sommerfeldt says ice depths range from 12-15 inches, with 2-6 inches of wind-blown snow cover.
“Walleye anglers fishing medium suckers and extra-large fatheads just off bottom are catching eater-size fish on mud flats in 4-8 feet and a few larger walleye on deep breaklines in 12-18 feet. Northern action is slow, but tip-up anglers report a few nice fish while walleye fishing.
“Catch crappies and bluegills suspending 3-5 feet off bottom in deep water with small minnows and waxies. Fish perch on mud flats in 16-20 feet, as well as in 4-6 feet, with rosie reds and small fatheads.”

Hayward Lakes Chapter Muskies, Inc. is holding a meeting at Coop’s Pizza January 13, starting at 7 p.m. As always, the club welcomes public attendance. For more information, call Mike (715) 634-4543.

Free Fishing Weekend is this Saturday and Sunday, January 17-18. Residents and nonresidents can fish anywhere in Wisconsin without a license or trout stamp, including all inland waters and Wisconsin’s side of the Great Lakes and Mississippi River. On Saturday January 17, from 9 a.m. to noon, Gov. Tommy G. Thompson State Fish Hatchery in Spooner is offering Introduction to Ice Fishing for Youth classroom instruction on fish ID and basic gear. For information, call Amos Melton (715) 645-2526.

Snowmobile Trail Reports
The Namakagon Trail Groomers report for January 12 says trail conditions are fair, with some thin spots and unfilled dips due to lack of snow, but riders report trails are better than expected. The lakes are marked and in excellent condition, though there might be a few drifts.
The January 11 Runamuk Rides trail report says the base is 10-14 inches in Sawyer and Ashland counties and 19-25 inches in Bayfield County. Trails show little wear from the fair amount of traffic this past weekend.
Lakewoods trail report for January 9 says Bayfield County trails are in good shape, with a base of 18-24 inches. Warming temperatures will make for great riding weather. Sawyer and Ashland county trails are in good shape with 10-16 inches of snow and marked lake trails are in great shape. Be prepared for emergencies and stick to marked areas.
Hayward Power Sports trail report for January 8 says northern Sawyer County trails are fair to good. Tuscobia Trail is groomed and in good condition. Groomers groomed Trail #5 south to Rusk County, but Rusk County trails are not yet open. Crews staked most lake trails with good ice, though some ice heaves formed so stay on marked trails. The Trail 63 railroad grade north of Seeley remains re-routed due to a property dispute.

Northwest Relic Riders Vintage Snowmobile Club is holding a “Ride to Lunch” event January 15, starting at 10:30 a.m., at the Snowshoe Saloon. On January 17, the club will hold a “Wheel Inn Arctic Cat Poster turns 30 Years old” photo shoot and seeks all original members and new ones as well. The fun and photo shoot begins at 5 p.m. Proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society. For more information, call Mike Wells (715) 634-4608; 520-8220.

FISHING REPORT
Walleye:
Walleye fishing is still good and anglers are catching fish during overcast days, but late afternoon into dark is best. Fish are scattered in 4-28 feet on gravel bars, weedlines, breaklines, break edges, and mud flats. Fish just off the bottom with walleye suckers, fatheads, and shiners on tip-ups, jigs, and jigging spoons.

Northern Pike:
Northern pike action is fair to very good, depending on the day and weather. Use tip-ups with northern suckers, walleye suckers, and shiners suspended along/over the top of weedlines in 4-15 feet of water.

Crappie:
Crappie anglers are enjoying some action once they locate fish. Using electronics, concentrate efforts on wooded flats, weed edges, break edges, and deep holes in depths to 24 feet. Look for crappies suspending or holding near bottom – and check the ENTIRE water column. The most productive baits include crappie minnows, rosie reds, waxies, plastics, and Gulp! baits fished on jigs and plain hooks. Use Jigging Raps for larger fish.

Bluegill:
Bluegill fishing is a bit slow and anglers have to move to find fish. Look for ‘gills near bottom in depths to 20 feet. Weed beds/edges and break edges are prime locations. Waxies, spikes, minnows, and plastics are all effective.

Perch:
Perch are on weed edges, break edges, and shallow flats, hugging the bottom in 4-20 feet of water. Baits of choice include crappie minnows, rosie reds, fatheads, and waxies on small jigs, plain hooks, and jigging spoons.

Upcoming Events
Jan. 13: Hayward Lakes Chapter Muskies, Inc. business meeting at Coop’s Pizza; 7 p.m. (715-634-4543).
Jan. 15: Relic Riders Ride to Lunch; Snowshoe Saloon; 10:30 a.m. (715-634-4608; 520-8220).
Jan. 17: Relic Riders - Wheel Inn Arctic Cat poster turns 30; photos and food, 5 p.m. (715-634-4608; 520-8220).
Jan. 17-18: Free Fishing Weekend.
Jan. 25-March 20: Winter crow season.
Through Jan. 31: Bobcat hunting/trapping season Period 2 north of Hwy. 64.
Jan. 31: Seasons close: Squirrel; Ruffed grouse in northern zone; Bobcat Period 2 hunting/trapping.
Feb. 7: Flambeau River State Forest 23rd Annual Candlelight Ski (715-332-5271).
Feb. 19-22: American Birkebeiner (715-634-5025).

Hayward Lakes Visitor and Convention Bureau and Sawyer County Record co-sponsor this report. For more information on area events and activities, visit the HLVCB’s Calendar of Events or call 800-724-2992.