Outdoor Report July 18

July 18, 2011
Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman

It is unseasonably hot and humid in the north woods, with the 90-degree temperatures and high humidity forecast for the entire week. One benefit is that largemouth bass and muskie action is also hot, particularly for heart-stopping, smile-inducing topwater encounters.

“July certainly brought the long-awaited summer weather,” says Pat at Happy Hooker. “The temperature increase warmed the water to seasonal norms, spurring weed growth to the point it now provides good cover.”
Al at Pastika’s says muskie anglers should expect muskies to switch to primarily a night bite.
“In addition, we are starting to see a thermocline develop on the deep, clear lakes. This will bring on the trolling bite for walleye and muskies, as well as fishing for suspended fish.”
At Hayward Bait, Bob says bass fishing is fantastic on topwater baits fished in and over the slop, lily pads, shallow wood, weeds, and rock.
Randy at Jenk’s says that if you find Chippewa Flowage muskies a bit sluggish, try fishing green-bladed bucktails on deep bars edges.
Cathy at Minnow Jim’s says Nelson Lake anglers are catching some nice largemouth in deeper water with dressed jigs, leeches, and minnows, and in shallow water with surface baits, spinnerbaits, and weedless spoons.

“Panfish anglers fishing shallow water report catching bigger bluegills still carrying eggs,” says DNR fisheries biologist Skip Sommerfeldt. “With the delayed spring warm-up, some panfish and bass may have foregone spawning. While not common, this happens during ‘cold years’ when conditions are not right for a successful spawn. The fish re-absorb their eggs, utilizing the energy for growth and next year’s spawning period.”

Hayward Bass Club postpones league night
Hayward Bass Club is postponing the July 20 Wednesday fishing night due to high temperatures and heat indexes, rescheduling the Spider Lake night for July 27. For more information, contact Wayne Balsavich (715) 699-1789; haywardbassclub@charter.net.

Reminders:
Application deadline
The application deadline for fall turkey, sharp-tailed grouse, bobcat, fisher, and otter permits is August 1 – less than one month. Visit the DNR website for specific details.

Free Kids Fishing Day
Hayward Lakes Chapter Muskies, Inc. free Kids Fishing Day is Sunday Aug. 7. Pre-register (required) at Hayward Bait. A parent or guardian must be present to sign the form. Call Hayward Bait (715) 634-2921 for more information.

FISHING REPORT
Muskies:
Muskie fishing is good with the warm weather, but particularly so after dark. Hot and humid days can be excellent, too, but keep an eye on the sky for developing storms. During the day, fish deeper break lines, and weed and bar edges, with big bucktails, jerk, crank, and twitch baits. In the evening, work shallower weed beds and edges with topwaters, bucktails, Bull Dawgs, plastics, and crankbaits.

Walleye:
Best walleyes action is during times of low light, though some anglers are catching fishing during sunny, mid-day hours. Walleyes are scattered at various depths, from shallower to deep, in and on deep weeds and weed edges, rock, gravel, sand, cribs, and brush. Leeches and crawlers are the top choice, fished under slip bobbers or on jigs, Lindy rigs, and bait harnesses. Rapalas, stickbaits, and crankbaits, cast or trolled, can also be effective.

Northern:
Hot weather pushed northern pike to deeper water, slowing action. Still, you will find plenty of small pike along weed edges and structure. Catch them on spoons, spinners, and spinner, stick, and chatter baits. For trophy pike, fish deeper, cooler water with large northern suckers.

Largemouth Bass:
Largemouth action is very good. Fish weed and bog edges, docks, shallow flats, rock, wood, brush, cribs, and lily pads, from very shallow to the second break. Use surface baits, soft plastics, spinnerbaits, crankbaits, chatter baits, buzz baits, weedless spoons, minnows, and leeches. Bass populations are very strong. If you are not catching fish, try other locations and/or presentations.

Smallmouth Bass:
Look for smallmouth on deep structure, rock bars and points, weeds, wood, sand, gravel, and cribs. Best artificial bait choices include crank and minnow baits, tubes, plastics (particularly in crawfish colors), spinnerbaits, and topwaters. For live bait, go with crawlers and leeches. Vary your retrieve speed and presentations.

Crappie:
Crappie action is good, with best success in early morning or late evening. Look for fish along weed edges, cribs, bogs, and brush in various depths, and suspending near structure in deeper water. Use crappie minnows, panfish leeches, waxies, plastic, Gulp! baits, and worms.

Bluegill:
Bluegill action is good on most waters. Depths vary, with some fish shallow and others out to 18 feet or so, in/near weeds and weed edges, cribs, lily pads, and brush. Waxies, worms, leaf worms, crawler chunks, plastics, topwaters, and Gulp! baits will all work. Fish deeper water for bigger ‘gills; small minnows help avoid little bait robbers.

Upcoming Events
Through July 31: Illegal to run dogs on DNR and WPA lands (see regs).
Through Aug. 31: Training dogs by pursuing bear allowed (see regs for exceptions).
July 29-31: Lumberjack World Championships (715) 634-2484).
Aug. 1: Application deadline: Fall turkey; Sharptail grouse; Bobcat; Fisher; Otter.
Aug. 7: Hayward Lakes Chapter Muskies, Inc. Annual Kids Fishing Day (715-634-2921; 634-4543).
Aug. 18-21: Sawyer County Fair (715-934-2721).
Aug. 26-28: Musky Tale Resort’s Mega Bass Shootout (715-462-3838).
Sept. 2-4: Exeland Trout Festival (715-266-4181).
Sept. 4: Cable Rod & Gun Club Pig Roast & Turkey Shoot (715-798-4459).
Sept. 7-10: Chippewa Flowage Musky Hunt (715-462-3276).
Sept. 11: Kids Fish O Rama at Fishing Hall of Fame (715-634-4440).
Sept. 24: Hayward Fall Festival (715) 634-8662).
Sept. 30-Oct. 2: 34th Annual Hayward Lakes Chapter of Muskies, Inc. Fall Fishing Tournament (715-634-2161).

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.