January 5, 2009 Outdoor Report

January 5, 2009
Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman

It is mid-winter, it is the north woods – and it is cold. In addition, about five inches of fresh snow fell Saturday night, a welcome addition on snowmobile trails. Total snowfall, about half the predicted amount, had little effect on ice travel, a pre-storm concern of many anglers.
Al at Pastika’s says both ice and travel conditions are very good. While anglers are driving on some lakes, he says it is not recommended, and snowmobiles and ATVs are the best choice.
Pat at Happy Hooker says last week’s thaw left a temporary layer of slush on a number of lakes, but right now snow cover is not too bad and the ice is firm on nearly all lakes.
Tim at Hayward Bait advises caution when going on the ice, particularly on the larger lakes where thickness is inconsistent, and to always check before venturing onto the ice with any type of vehicle.
Hayward Lakes Chapter of Muskies, Inc. will hold its monthly meeting January 13 at Dow’s Corner Bar on Hwy 77. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. The Chapter’s award banquet is tentatively scheduled for March 1. For more information, contact Mike Persson 634-4543.
A number of ice fishing events are on the calendar. The Stone Lake Pub ice fishing contest is January 10 (call 715 865-2141), and the Lake Namakagon ice fishing contest is February 7 (call the Loon Saloon 715 798-4459.)
Walleyes for Northwest Wisconsin will host its 13th annual Family Ice Fishing event on Lac Courte Oreilles Saturday Feb. 14. Prizes are awarded to the first three places for the longest walleye, northern, bluegill, crappie, and perch in adult and kid divisions. Entry buttons (adults $3, youth 13-17 years of age $1) are available at Pastika’s and Hayward Bait. Children less than 12 years old get free admission AND receive a jig rod and reel with tackle. Thousands of dollars in prizes will be awarded in raffle drawings, and winners need not be present. Tickets cost $1 each or six for $5. Contact Hayward Bait (634-2921) for more information.
If you are interested in Hayward area snowmobile trails, visit Snowmobile and ATV Trail Maps. For current trail conditions, visit Sawyer County and Sno-Trails Snowmobile Club reports; for the Cable area, visit Namakagon Trail Groomers reports.
For those who enjoy vintage sleds, the Sno-Trails Snowmobile Club Vintage Stud Run is January 17 at Big Musky Resort & Motel. Registration starts at 10 a.m. ($10 donation per sled); the ride begins at 11 am.

Walleye:
Walleye anglers continue to do quite well on the bigger lakes, and some decent fish, including a few trophies, are being caught across the area. Fish are scattered at depths from 10 feet (or less) to 30 feet (and more.) Fish main lake bars, points, and breaklines with structure such as rocks, weeds, or cribs. Though fish are being caught during the day, it is mainly a night bite. Best baits include walleye suckers and shiners under tip-ups, and fatheads on jigging spoons.

Northern:
Northern pike are active and fishing is very good. Look for them in 5-18 feet of water, around weeds, weed edges/drop-offs, and anywhere you find bluegills. Northern suckers and large shiners on tip-ups are the most effective baits; work deeper water with bigger bait for trophy pike.

Crappie:
Crappie action is fairly good and improving. Look for fish around weeds and weed edges, or suspended over deeper water, with depths varying from 6-25 feet plus. Use your flasher to check the entire water column. Crappie minnows, rosy reds, waxies, mousies, spikes, and plastics can all be good at different times, and downsizing baits and equipment can often make the difference.

Bluegill:
Bluegill anglers report good, consistent action around the weeds, in depths from less than 15 feet out to 22 feet and deeper. Waxies, spikes, mousies, and plastics on teardrops, plain hooks, or tiny jigs will all work, and give small minnows a shot if you’re preference is for larger ‘gills. Action might be slower, but it’s the trade-off for bigger fish.

Perch:
Perch fishing is fair to good and you will find them in a variety of depths, from shallower weeds out to about 30 feet of water, often in the same areas as walleyes. Fatheads, crappie minnows, rosy reds, and waxies on small jigs, plain hooks, and jigging spoons are all working.

Upcoming Events
Dec. 31: Seasons Closed: Pheasant; Partridge; Bobcat; Fisher; Frog.
Jan. 4: Late archery deer season closed.
Jan. 10: Stone Lake Pub ice fishing contest.
Jan. 13: Hayward Lakes Chapter Muskies, Inc. meeting.
Jan. 18: Famous Dave’s Annual Ski-Plane Fly-In, Grand Pines Resort.
Jan. 18: Crow season opens, through March 20.
Jan. 31: Seasons Close: Squirrel; Ruffed grouse.
Feb. 7: Lake Namakagon ice fishing event.
Feb. 14: WFNW ice fishing event.
Feb. 15: Seasons Close: Raccoon; Fox; Coyote trapping.
Feb. 19-21: American Birkebeiner
Feb. 28: Seasons Close: Cottontail rabbit; Muskrat; Mink.

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.