Outdoor Report on July 28, 2013

FISHING REPORT
Muskie:
Muskie action is fair but improving, and early mornings and evenings offer the best odds for success. Work shallow to deep weedlines, drop-offs, rock bars, breaks, and points to 22 feet with bucktails, Bull Dawgs, crankbaits, gliders, spoons, stickbaits, and topwaters.

Walleye:
The walleye bite is inconsistent, with low light periods best, though some anglers report mid-day success. Fish are scattered from 6-25 feet and in/on weeds/weed edges, brush, bogs, humps, rock, and gravel. Leeches and crawlers on jigs, slip bobbers, and live bait rigs work best, but Beetle Spins and trolled crank and stick baits are also catching fish.

Northern:
Northern action is improving following a slow period during the hot weather. Look for them near weeds, from shallow to deep, bay openings, and anywhere you find panfish. Spinners, spinnerbaits, spoons, crankbaits, and northern suckers all work well. For trophy pike, work bigger baits in deeper water.

Largemouth Bass:
Largemouth fishing is good to excellent. Concentrate on shallow, heavy cover such as weeds, weedlines, wood, stumps, brush, bogs, points, docks, and drop-offs. However, do not overlook that same structure in depths to 20 feet. Try plastics (worms, tubes, Twister Tails), topwaters (frogs, poppers), spinner, crank, and jerk baits, as well as crawlers, leeches, and minnows on live bait rigs and slip bobbers.

Smallmouth Bass:
Smallmouth action is good on most waters where they reside. Look for them on deep weeds, wood, stumps, humps, breaks, and rock bars in 10-25 feet of water. Use soft plastics such as worms (in various configurations and riggings), tubes, crayfish, and Twister Tails, spinnerbaits, and topwaters, or live bait such as leeches, crawlers, and sucker minnows on live bait rigs or under slip bobbers.

Crappie:
Crappie fishing is good once you find them. Fish are scattered and suspending over deeper water weedlines, brush, bogs, cribs, and other structure (or no structure!) in depths ranging from 10 to more than 22 feet. Top baits include crappie minnows, waxies, worms, plastics, Tattle-Tails, panfish leeches, and Gulp! baits fished on small jigs or plain hooks under slip bobbers, and small Beetle Spins and spinners.

Bluegill:
Bluegill fishing is great for shallow small fish and fair to good for larger ‘gills in deeper water. Fish are scattered from shallow to deep, near weeds, brush, bogs, cribs, and other structure. Best baits include waxies, worms, leaf worms, crawlers, panfish leeches, plastics, and Gulp! baits on small jigs or plain hooks, with or without bobbers. Small minnows can work well to elude the bait robbers and entice bigger fish.

Upcoming Events
Through July 31: Illegal to allow dogs to run on DNR lands and Federal WPA (see regs for exceptions).
Aug. 1: Application deadline: Wolf; Fall turkey; Sharptail grouse (suspended); Bobcat, Fisher, Otter.
Aug. 3-4: Project Appleseed at Hayward Rod & Gun Club (715-466-5145).
Aug. 4: Hayward Lakes Chapter Muskies, Inc. Kid’s Fishing Day (715-634-2921).
Aug. 5-8: DNR public hearings on proposed 2013 migratory game bird seasons.
Aug. 15-18: Sawyer County Fair (715-934-2721).
Aug. 18: Hayward Bass Club Free Youth Bass Tournament (715-699-1015).
Through Aug.31: Training dogs by pursuing bear (see regs for exceptions).

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.