Outdoor Report for November 14, 2011

November 14, 2011
Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman

Whitetails are in or nearing the peak of rut, grouse hunters willing to venture off the beaten path are having the best success, and many late season muskie anglers (few as they might be) are finding excellent action. Though daily highs are showing a decline, weather conditions are relatively moderate for mid-November and this is a wonderful time for outdoor recreation in the north woods. There is an abundance of various opportunities available, and the only problem is that fall is a short season and there is so little time to take advantage of all the choices we have available!

“This is the best time of year to catch trophy muskies,” says Pat at Happy Hooker. “For the most action, fish around weeds in 6-12 feet of water. For the bigger muskies, fish the breaks in 12-20 feet. Anglers are catching most muskies on 10- to 14-inch suckers on quick strike rigs, but Bull Dawgs, jerkbaits, spinner and twitch baits, too, are triggering fish.
“Walleye anglers fishing both deeper holes and near shallower structure are hooking fish on jigs tipped with large fatheads or walleye suckers.”
Al at Pastika’s says muskie fishing is excellent on suckers with quick-strike rigs, but it appears there are not many anglers taking advantage of the great action.
Lake Superior anglers are still catching trout and salmon in the streams and off stream mouths, says Carolyn at Anglers All, and walleye fishing is good along the shoreline after dark. The water is very clear and fish are wary during daylight hours.
“With water temperatures in the mid to low-40s, fall fishing activity on north woods’ waters continues to diminish with each passing week,” says DNR fisheries biologist Skip Sommerfeldt. “Most anglers have winterized their boats and put them in storage until spring, and nearly all docks and boat lifts are stored in anticipation of ice-up.”

In the past week, Hayward area registration stations (Shooting Star, Hillman’s Store, Hayward Bait) registered 24 antlerless deer and 43 bucks, including one very nice 10-point and a big 11-pointer weighing more than 200 pounds field dressed.

Wisconsin’s nine-day gun deer season opens November 19 and a new law taking effect that day concerns the transportation of firearms, bows, and crossbows. DNR enforcement and science division administrator Tim Lawhern says the new law, in essence, says that unless otherwise prohibited, you can carry a long gun, uncased and unloaded, in or on a motor vehicle in Wisconsin at any time. For more information, visit the law enforcement page on the DNR website.
The DNR reminds hunters to use extreme caution with any fires and to purchase or harvest firewood at the location where they will use it to avoid moving any pests and/or diseases that may be in the logs. Visit the firewood regulations page on DNR website for more information.

FISHING REPORT
Muskies:
Muskie action is excellent for those apparently few anglers who are up the challenges of fishing this time of year, though the weather is relatively mild for mid-November. Look for fish near weeds, structure, and breaks in 4-25 feet of water. The bite is almost (though not quite) exclusively on suckers on quick-strike rigs, but artificials such as jerkbaits, spinnerbaits, twitch baits, and Bull Dawgs are also producing catches.

Walleye:
Walleye action reports range from poor to fair to good, depending on the waters fished ... and the anglers reporting. Most are fishing deep water holes and structure with jigs tipped with walleye suckers or fatheads. This is also an excellent time to hit the rivers, fishing below dams and targeting deep holes.

Northern:
Northern fishing is good around weeds at various depths. For best action use northern suckers, though spinnerbaits and spoons are still hooking pike, too.

Smallmouth Bass:
Bass fishing is primarily about smallmouth bass and the few anglers fishing for them are catching some big fish. Work live bait on deeper water humps, hard-bottom areas, and along deep breaks.

Crappie:
Crappies are suspending over deeper water and action is relatively good when you locate the fish. As expected, crappie minnows, fatheads, plastics, and Gulp! baits are the top producers, tipped on small jigs or plain hooks, with or without a bobber. (Are you still not using a slip bobber? Seriously?)

Bluegill:
Those anglers who continue to chase bluegills are finding fish near weed in 4-12 feet or suspending over deeper water at various levels in the water column. Use small jigs, teardrops, or plain hooks tipped with waxies, leaf worms, plastics, and Gulp! baits with or without bobbers. Small minnows can tempt the larger ‘gills.

Upcoming Events
Nov. 15: Trout and salmon fishing closed on downstream section of Lake Superior tributaries (see regs).
Nov. 17: Seasons Close: Early archery deer; Turkey; Crow.
Nov. 18: Illegal to hunt with a firearm or bow the day before gun deer season. (See regs for exceptions.)
Nov. 19: Seasons open: Regular gun deer; Late archery deer.
Nov. 22: Northern zone duck season closes.
Nov. 27: Regular gun deer season closes.
Nov. 28: Seasons Open: Muzzleloader deer; Fall turkey (zones 1-5).
Nov. 30: Seasons Close: Muskellunge; Turtle.
Dec. 1: Lake Superior lake trout season opens.
Dec. 7: Muzzleloader deer season closes.
Dec. 8-11: Antlerless-only firearms hunt in herd control and CWD units.
Dec. 9: Canada goose season closes in north exterior zones.
Dec. 10: Application deadline: Spring turkey; bear.
Dec. 26: Season Opens: Period 2 bobcat hunting/trapping north of Hwy. 64.
Dec. 31: Seasons Close: Pheasant; Fall turkey; Hungarian partridge; Bobcat; Fisher; Frog.

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.