Outdoor Report September 15, 2014

September 15, 2014
Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman

This week starts out with cold mornings, but with warming temperatures as the week progresses ... though accompanied by chances for rain showers.

“Last week’s weather limited fishing,” says Pat at Happy Hooker, “but the best is yet to come with fall season.
“Fish muskies on breaklines and weed in 15 feet with bucktails, topwaters, and jerkbaits. Fish walleyes in 15-20 feet with jigs and minnows or crawlers. Catch northerns in 10 feet with northern suckers, spinnerbaits, and bucktails.
“Fish largemouth with jigs/pigs, topwaters, and plastic worms in shallow, heavy weeds, and smallmouth on hard bottom humps, ridges, and breaks with jigs/minnows or plastics. Catch panfish on weeds in 15-18 feet with crappie minnows, crawlers, and plastics.”
Jim at Hayward Bait says muskies are hitting bucktails, gliders, and topwaters on weeds and humps in 8-15 feet.
“Fish walleyes on gravel bars and mid-lake structure in 15-30 feet with crawlers, walleye suckers, and fatheads. Catch northern pike with northern suckers, spinners, and spoons on points and weedlines in 12-20 feet. For largemouth, fish weeds, wood, and cribs with topwaters, spinnerbaits, and plastics. Work rock shorelines, cribs, and mid-lake humps for smallmouth.
“Fish crappies over deep water with crappie minnows and tubes, and bluegills on deep weedlines with waxies, leaf worms, and plastics.”
Guide Dave Dorazio at Outdoor Creations says Chippewa Flowage muskie fishing is exceptional.
“Look for muskies in weeds in 2-5 feet with bucktails and topwaters. Fish walleyes on sunken brush and bogs in 15-22 feet with crawlers and fatheads. Muskie anglers report some nice pike on bucktails. Bass anglers are catching largemouth on topwaters in the west side slop. Crappies schooling near brush and cribs in 14-24 feet are taking crappie minnows and jig/tube combos. In the evening, fish along bogs.”
Mike at Jenk’s says muskie fishing remains good on the Flowage.
“Muskies are hitting surface baits, but trending to subsurface and suckers. Walleye action slowed, but anglers are catching fish on deeper brush and sand bottoms with crawlers and minnows. Northern pike are taking spinnerbaits and spoons on weedlines and drop-offs. The big pike tend to be in the far west bays.
“Crappie fishing is good on deep brush and cribs with Mini-Mites, Gulp! Minnows, Crappie Candy, and tube jigs.”

This week, DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter discusses downed trees.
“In the aftermath of the serious storms that rolled through our area September 3, my first thoughts are of course on everyone’s safety. However, as cleanup efforts continue, here is a something to consider when it comes to trees that toppled into the water. Mother Nature has used these kinds of events since the Ice Age to create fish habitat in our lakes. Wood in the water is an important part of the ecosystem, with wide ranging benefits to many fish species, insects, reptiles, amphibians, and birds.
“Instead of removing trees that wind up in the lake or river, consider leaving them as fish habitat. Mother Nature is trying to help improve your fishing, if you let her.”
DNR fisheries biologist Skip Sommerfeldt says last week’s rain has water levels very high on all area lakes, rivers, and streams.
“There was very little effort for walleye, bass, or panfish in the past week, but muskie anglers who braved the weather reported success. Mid-day to late afternoon produced the best action on bucktails, Bull Dawgs, and topwaters fished over weed beds and deep weed edges.
“Inland sturgeon season opened September 6, with below average pressure. Anglers caught and released a fair number of sub-legal sturgeon and landed a couple legal-size, 60-inch fish.”

DNR foresters say Wisconsin’s trees, having grown beautiful, healthy foliage with the adequate rainfall this summer, are about to turn the state into one big, free, scenic color tour. You can track the changes and plan your travels by checking the Travel Wisconsin fall color report.

Hayward area registration stations (Shooting Star, Hillman’s Store, Hayward Bait) have registered 34 bears since the opening of bear season September 3, the largest weighing approximately 350 pounds.

The Hayward Lakes Chapter-Muskies, Inc. Fall Muskie Tournament is October 3-5. Every entrant is eligible for the Grand Door Prize drawing for a 2014 Lund 1725 Pro Guide tiller boat, ShoreLand’r trailer, and 60 hp Mercury motor. Entry fees are $80 for adults ($90 after September 22) and $25 for youth 16 and younger. For more information, call Hayward Bait (715-634-2921) or Jenk’s (715-462-3055).

FISHING REPORT
Muskie:
Muskie action is fair to excellent. Target weeds, weedlines, deep weed edges, breaks, and mid-lake humps in depths from two to 18 feet. Bucktails, gliders, topwaters, Bull Dawgs, crankbaits, jerkbaits, and suckers (if you can find them) are all enticing muskies at this time.

Walleye:
Walleye fishing is fair to good, and as always, best in low light. Work brush, bogs, breaks, gravel bars, sand bottoms, mid-lake structure, and weed edges from shallow to 30 feet, depending on the lake. Bait choices include walleye suckers, fatheads, and crawlers fished on jigs, slip bobbers, and live bait rigs.

Northern Pike:
Northern pike action is good to very good in depths to 22 feet around weeds, weedlines, drop-offs, and areas holding panfish. Bucktails, spinners, spinnerbaits, spoons, and northern suckers are all working. Fish shallower water for numbers action and deeper water with larger baits for trophy pike.

Largemouth Bass:
Largemouth action is generally good and still in relatively shallow water (inside 10 feet). Work weeds, wood, brush, bogs, docks, cribs, slop, and shoreline structure with topwaters, pre-rigged/weedless plastics (frogs, tubes, worms, grubs, etc.), as well as crank and spinner baits.

Smallmouth Bass:
Smallmouth anglers are finding fish on wood, cribs, rock, humps, and breaklines in 25 feet and deeper water. Use jigs/minnows, drop-shot rigs, leeches, plastics, tubes – and topwaters!

Crappie:
Crappie fishing is good in 12-25 feet of water on weedlines, breaklines, bogs, brush, cribs, and for fish suspending over deeper water. Check the entire water column. Top baits include crappie minnows, crawlers, plastics, tube jigs, Gulp! Minnows, Mini-Mites, and Crappie Candy.

Bluegill:
Panfish anglers are finding bluegills in deeper water, out to 20 feet or more, suspending on breaklines and weedlines. As with crappies, check the entire water column. Waxies, leaf worms, plastics, and small minnows fished on small jigs or plain hooks, with/without slip bobbers, are producing good action.

Upcoming Events
Sept. 13: Seasons opened: Fall turkey; archery and crossbow deer; Ruffed grouse in Zone A; Cottontail rabbit in North Zone; Gray and fox squirrel; Fall crow.
Sept. 15: Early Canada goose season closed.
Sept. 16: Canada goose season opened.
Sept. 20-21: Youth waterfowl hunt.
Sept. 20: 30th Annual Hayward Fall Festival (715-634-8662).
Sept. 23: CDAC meeting at Hayward Veterans Community Center; 7 p.m. (715-945-2771).
Sept. 27: Duck season opens in Northern Zone.
Sept. 30: Woodcock season opens.
Sept. 30: Seasons close: Inland trout; Lake Superior lake trout; Sturgeon on inland waters.
Oct. 3-5: Hayward Lakes Chapter-Muskies, Inc. Fall Muskie Tournament (715-634-2921; 462-3055).
Oct. 4-12: Special deer hunt for people with disabilities.
Oct. 7: Bear season closes.
Oct. 11-12: Youth deer hunt.
Oct. 11: Fishing Has No Boundaries (FHNB) fall fundraiser at Flat Creek Inn & Suites (715-634-3185).
Oct. 18: Seasons open: Raccoon hunting/trapping (resident); Red and gray fox hunting/trapping; Coyote trapping; Fisher trapping; Bobcat hunting/trapping Period 1.
Oct. 21: CDAC meeting at Hayward Veterans Community Center; 7 p.m. (715-945-2771).
Oct. 25: Seasons open: Muskrat; Mink.

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.