Outdoor Report February 9, 2015

February 9, 2015
Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman

Mild temperatures to start this week give way to a brief “cooling” spell through from mid-week through the weekend, with (at this time) light snow with no major accumulation. Get out and enjoy winter – it is winding down already!

“Walleye anglers continue to do well,” says Pat at Happy Hooker.
“Fish near structure and baitfish in 18-30 feet of water with tip-ups and suckers or shiners, or jig spoons tipped with minnow heads. Fish northern in 5-15 feet with walleye suckers and shiners on tip-ups near weeds and baitfish.
“For crappies suspending along drop-offs or over deep water, jig crappie minnows, plastics, and small jigging spoons. For bluegills, fish weeds and structure in 8-30 feet with waxies, spikes, and plastics on ice jigs. Spring bobbers help detect light bites!
“Fish perch near bottom in deep water with jigs and waxies, jigging spoons with waxies or minnows, or crappie minnows and rosy reds on tip-downs and tip-ups.”
Guide Dave Dorazio at Outdoor Creations says pike action is good on the Chippewa Flowage.
“The natural lakes, Chief and Scott on the west side, seem to be best. Set tip-ups with sucker minnows and shiners along weedlines, placing bait halfway down the water column.
“Crappie anglers should use their electronics to find fish – there is no use in fishing areas that do not hold fish – and you might try several areas before finding the crappies. Crappie minnows usually produce, but jigs tipped with plastics or Gulp! baits work better. Try jigs tipped with waxies for fussy fish.
“For bluegills mixed in with the crappies, try smaller offerings, such as jigs tipped with mini plastics or single spikes.”
Jim and Bob at Hayward Bait say ice is 16-22 inches, with excellent vehicle travel.
“Walleyes are in 5-30 feet on bars, points, weedlines, and cribs. Use walleye suckers and shiners under tip-ups or jig spoons tipped with fatheads. Northern action is good with suckers and shiners under tip-ups on cabbage beds and weedlines in 8-20 feet.
“For crappies suspending in deeper water, jig spoons tipped with waxies and spikes, or tip-downs with crappie minnows and rosy reds. Fish bluegills near weeds in 5-15 feet with waxies, spikes, and plastics on jigs. Catch perch in 5-15 feet with fatheads, rosy reds, spikes, and plastics on jigging spoons or under tip-downs.”

Carolyn at Anglers All in Ashland says Chequamegon Bay fishing is improving for all species.
“Second landing is hot for perch and some walleye. Look for weeds in 10-12 feet, but might take 100 perch to keep 10 and moving around to find the larger fish.
“Fishing off the lighthouse is productive and the Ashland side of the pressure crack in 25-30 feet is producing nice catches of brown trout, coho, splake, whitefish, and smelt. Jigging, tip-ups, and dead-sticking shiners or waxies are all effective. Whitefish action is very good in 70-80 feet from Van Tassels to the Islands.”

DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter reminds anglers the third annual DNR Sawyer County Fisheries Forum at Hayward High School is Wednesday, February 18, starting at 6:30 p.m. Discussion topics include walleye recovery; 2014 stocking and plans for 2015; improving panfish fishing; what anglers can do to improve fishing; and regulation proposals appearing on the April 13 Spring Hearing ballot.
DNR fisheries biologist Skip Sommerfeldt says ice is 12-16 inches on most lakes, but with some drifting snow and a few slush areas anglers should stick to established, packed-down trails.
“Walleye fishing is slow, with no one tactic or area better than another. Concentrate on rock bars, gravel drops, weed edges, muck/sand flats. Northerns offer the best action during mid-day hours on sunny days for anglers fishing large shiners over/along weeds.
“Panfish action is slow, with anglers moving quite a bit searching for active fish.”

The 19th annual Walleyes for Northwest Wisconsin Family Ice Fishing Event is Saturday February 14, from 8 a.m. through 2 p.m., on Lac Courte Oreilles. Register at the public boat landing off Highway K. Event buttons and raffle tickets are available at Hayward Bait, Outdoor Creations, Hayward Home Center, and Stone Lake Bait. Buttons cost $5 for adults; $1 for youth 13-17 years of age; and youth 12 years and younger receive free entry thanks to Retreat Home Furniture sponsorship. Youth 17 and younger receive Duck Commander camouflage backpacks. For more information, call (715) 462-3559; 634-2921.

Snowmobile Trail Reports
The February 7 Runamuk Rides report says trails are open in Sawyer, southern Ashland, southern Bayfield, Iron, and Price counties. Washburn County trails are closed. Trails are in great shape from central Sawyer County north to Cable and lakes Owen and Namakagon. Trail 63 from Hayward to trails 13 and 15 towards Telemark to Lake Owen are fantastic. Trails 3, 5, 8, 9, 31, and 77 north and east of Hayward are good.
The February 6 Hayward Lakes Visitors & Convention Bureau report says Sawyer County trails are open and northern Sawyer County's trails are fair to good. Trails along highways are fair, with scattered bare spots. Seeley Hills and Moose Lake trails are good. Tuscobia Trail and trails in southern Sawyer County are poor to fair. Chippewa Flowage and other lake trails are good. Stay on marked trails and watch for ice heaves.
The February 6 Cable Area report says trails are in fair to good condition. Please stay on the trails – many cross private property – so be respectful of their land risk losing the trails. The annual Drummond Sno Jacks Bar Stool Races are February 14!
The February 6 Lakewoods report says trails are fair to good, dirty but snow covered, with bare spots on some corners. Avoid roadside trails exposed to the sun. Lake trails are marked and in great shape. Stick to marked areas and be prepared for emergencies no matter the ice thickness.

FISHING REPORT
Walleye:
Walleye action is inconsistent as we near the March 1 close of game fish season. Anglers are catching fish in 5-35 feet on points, rock bars, drop-offs, weed edges, weedlines, muck/sand flats, cribs, and other structure. The lake and time of day dictate the depths and locations. Look for fish near the bottom and use walleye suckers, shiners, fatheads on tip-ups, jigs, and jigging spoons.

Northern Pike:
Northern pike fishing is good during the day on/along weedlines, cabbage beds, and near baitfish in 5-20 feet. Northern suckers, walleye suckers, and large shiners fished just above the weeds on tip-ups will produce action.

Crappie:
Crappie action is slow to good, with best fishing in early morning or late afternoon just before dark. Use electronics to locate fish suspending on drop-offs and in deep water. Top bait choices include crappie minnows, rosy reds, waxies, spikes, plastics, and Gulp! baits fished on jigs and jigging spoons, as well as on tip-ups and tip-downs.

Bluegill:
Bluegill anglers report fair to good action in/on/near weeds, weed beds, cribs, and structure in 5-30 feet. Use jigs tipped with waxies, spikes, plastics, and Gulp! baits – and downsize to improve success.

Perch:
Perch fishing is also fair to good. Look for fish near the bottom in depths from 6 feet out to deep water. Effective baits include crappie minnows, rosy reds, fatheads, waxies, spikes, and plastics fished on jigs, teardrops, and jigging spoons; minnow heads on jigging spoons; and various combinations on tip-ups and tip-downs.

Upcoming Events
Feb. 12: Relic Riders “Ride to Lunch”; Snowshoe Saloon, 10:30 a.m. (715-634-4608; 520-8220).
Feb. 14: Relic Riders Big Boyz Toyz vintage snowmobile ride, Winter Huskies Groomer Shed 9 a.m. (715-661-1294).
Feb. 14: Walleyes for Northwest Wisconsin ice fishing event on Lac Courte Oreilles (715-462-3559; 634-2921).
Feb. 14: Drummond Sno-Jacks Bar Stool Races (888-847-7869).
Feb. 15: Seasons close: Coyote trapping; Raccoon trapping/hunting; Red and gray fox trapping/hunting.
Feb. 19-22: American Birkebeiner (715-634-5025).
Feb. 19: Relic Riders “Ride to Lunch”; LCO Snowmobile Coral, 10:30 a.m. (715-634-4608; 520-8220).
Feb. 28: Seasons close: Cottontail rabbit; Mink trapping.
March 7: Early catch-and-release only trout season opens statewide (see regs).

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.