Outdoor Report December 8th, 2008

December 08, 2008
Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman

By the calendar, we are still nearly two weeks away from the “official” first day of winter. Judging from current north woods weather, however, winter has already arrived – official or not. Five inches or more of fresh snow now covers the ground in many places, recent nighttime temperatures are pushing -20 degrees, and the ice is building quickly on area lakes.
And deer hunting seasons continue.
Shooting Star Archery’s Dennis Meyer says muzzleloader season registrations are low, hunters aren’t seeing many deer, and “second rut” is in progress – bucks shot recently were chasing does.
Rose at Hillman’s Store reports in the past week they registered five bucks and two antlerless deer for muzzleloader season, and one buck for archery season.
A statewide antlerless-only deer hunt, open to bow and gun hunters, will take place Dec. 11-14. Hunters will want to consult the current deer hunting regulations for unit-specific regulations. All hunters, except waterfowl hunters, are required to wear blaze orange during any gun deer hunt. Late archery season continues through January 4.
Licenses can be purchased at any time during the season from license vendors, DNR service centers, the online licensing center, or calling toll-free 1-877-945-4236.
*2009 bear, spring turkey application deadline Dec. 10*
December 10 is the application deadline for 2009 spring turkey and bear hunting season permits. Apply at license vendors, DNR service centers, through the online licensing center, or toll-free 1-877-945-4236.
The 2009 spring turkey season, April 15 through May 24, consists of six, five-day periods (Wednesday through Sunday.) The preliminary estimate is 221,034 permits will be available, an increase of more than 9,600 for 2008. Be aware there are now seven large turkey management zones (consolidated from the previous 46 zones.)
The 2009 bear hunting season will run Sept. 9 through Oct. 13, and hunters who hunt with the aid of dogs will open the season. Results from a recently completed two-year survey indicate the bear population is nearly double that of previous estimates. The DNR bear committee recommends issuing 6,950 permits, a 50-percent increase from the 4,660 available in 2008. Bear hunting interest remains high, and (depending on the zone) it can take up to ten preference points for a hunter to draw a harvest permit.
Ice fishing interest and activity is increasing as the ice thickens and hunting seasons begin to close.
According to the most recently available DNR survey results, each winter nearly a half-million Wisconsin adults spend more than 11 million hours catching 14 million fish. Panfish is the number one target, but walleye, northern pike, and bass also get attention.
Bob and Tim at Hayward Bait report walleye action is good on walleye suckers under tip-ups, with best action in early morning and late afternoon/evening. Northern pike are hitting northern suckers under tip-ups over shallow weeds. Crappie anglers are catching fish on crappie minnows, rosy reds, waxies, and plastics. Bluegills are taking waxies, mousies, spikes, and plastics. Perch anglers are making nice catches on plastics and grubs.
Pat at Happy Hooker says it appears things are setting up for a great ice fishing season, though so far anglers report mixed results. He says most lakes in his area have five to seven inches of ice, but warns anglers to be careful – especially on lakes with current or springs. Walleye success is evenly split between those using walleye suckers and those using shiners, and evening fishing is better than daytime. Fishing over green weeds with shiners and suckers (under tip-ups) is working well for northern pike. For panfish, hit the deep weed edges with minnows for perch, and waxies for bluegill. Light line and small jigs work best.
Al at Pastika’s says ice conditions vary from four to ten inches, and the big lakes are starting to freeze. Walleye action is very good on walleye suckers and fatheads fished under tip-ups, and northern action is excellent on northern suckers and shiners. Panfish fishing is just starting and anglers are picking up a few fish.
DNR fisheries biologist Frank Pratt says Sand Lake’s walleye bite is fair, but nearly all fish caught are less than the now-legal 18-inch minimum length. The managed trout lakes in Washburn and Sawyer counties are highly variable, Pratt says – red-hot one day and nothing biting the next. He adds that Lac Courte Oreilles and Grindstone lakes iced over this past weekend, and both are traditional and popular early-ice hot spots.

Upcoming Events
Dec. 10: Application Deadline: Spring turkey; Bear.
Dec. 10: Seasons Close: Muzzleloader deer; Bobwhite quail.
Dec. 11-14: Statewide antlerless deer hunt (see regulations.)
Dec. 15: Tuscobia State Trail in Sawyer County opens for ATV use.
Dec. 31: Seasons Close: Pheasant; Partridge; Bobcat; Fisher; Frog.
Through Dec. 31: Illegal to shine for wild animals between 10 p.m.-7 a.m.
Jan. 4: Late archery deer season closes.
Jan. 18: Winter crow season opens, through March 20.
Jan. 31: Seasons Close: Squirrel; Raccoon; Ruffed grouse (northern zone).

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.