July 20, 2009
Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman

A somewhat cool (for July) and damp weekend broke into a beautiful, breezy Monday in the north woods. Those who relish 95 degrees and 98 percent humidity are (so far) not pleased with this summer; the others find it quite comfortable.
Hayward Lakes Chapter of Muskies, Inc. will host its annual Kid’s Fishing Day August 3, from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at Dick-Sy Roadhouse, 10 miles east of Hayward on Hwy 77. Anglers 10-16 years of age spend a morning on Upper Twin or other nearby lakes fishing with knowledgeable musky anglers, followed by a noon shore lunch prepared by club members and volunteers. Pre-registration is required – a parent or guardian must be present to sign the form. For more information, call Hayward Bait (715) 634-2921.
Yes, it’s only July, but the permit application deadline for fall turkey, Collins and Horicon Zone Canada goose, sharp-tailed grouse, bobcat, otter, and fisher seasons, and 2010 Upriver Lakes sturgeon spearing season is Aug. 1. Applications can be completed online, at license sales location, or by calling toll-free 1-877-945-4236. Visit the DNR website for more information.
The 50th Annual Lumberjack World Championships are this weekend, July 24-26, when the world’s best lumberjacks compete to determine the best in the world. Preliminaries are Friday and Saturday, and the finals Sunday. The Dockdogs Competition performs each day – just prior to Friday’s opening ceremonies and the start of competition Saturday and Sunday, and during intermissions.

Muskies:
Musky action is improving quickly. In the previous week or so, a favorite term had been “lockjaw.” The fish have to eat, and you have to be there when they do. Early morning and evening hours are most productive, but some anglers are catching fish during the day. Target the edges of weed lines, points, and bars, and other types of structure. Bucktails, glide, jerk, crank, and surface baits are all good choices, as well as plastics and suckers.

Walleye:
Some walleye anglers are doing well; others say the fish are “finicky.” Walleyes are scattered at various areas and depths, and bite windows are short. Early morning and later evening remain best. Concentrate on deep and shallow weed lines/edges, rock humps, bars, hard/soft bottom transition areas, and deeper brush. Best baits are leeches and crawlers under slip bobbers or on harnesses. Other options include walleye suckers, trolled stick and crank baits, and Beetle Spins.

Northern:
Northern action is very good, with the pike nearly always around weeds and panfish. Fish weeds and bar edges in 4-14 feet of water with spoons, spinnerbaits, spinners, and northern suckers. On warm, sunny days, live bait can be difficult to handle, and a spoon tipped with a Twister Tail will often be just as productive.

Largemouth Bass:
Largemouth fishing is excellent. Bass are holding in shallower water cover such as weeds, lily pads, slop, and brush, with some a bit deeper. They are aggressive, and picking what lure to cast is less critical than at other times. Spinners, spinner, buzz, and crank baits, plastics, weedless worms, plastic frogs, large poppers, and minnows, crawlers, and leeches under a bobber are all productive.

Smallmouth Bass:
Smallmouth action is also very good. You will find smallmouth on deeper points and bars (look for rocks) as well as on cribs and other structure. Some are in surprisingly shallow water. Spinner and crank baits, tubes, plastics, and surface baits are all producing smallmouth catches, as are jigs tipped with leeches and crawlers.

Crappie:
Crappie fishing is good overall, and very good when you find pockets of fish. Look for them in the weeds and around cribs, brush, and bogs, in 6-12 feet of water. Crappie minnows, plastics, and tubes are working well on plain hooks and jigs, and some anglers are catching crappies on worms and topwater baits. Slip bobbers are simple, easy to use, and a great method for controlling bait depth. If you’ve never used one, you’re tackle box is missing an important angling tool.

Bluegill:
Bluegill action remains good and consistent. You will find them scattered in a variety of depths, primarily 6-12 feet, and nearly always around weeds, brush, bogs, cribs, stumps, and other structure. For live bait, waxies, worms, leaf worms, leeches, and crawler pieces are the ticket, and for artificials use plastics, tube and hair jigs. Any and all can be used “as is” or under a slip bobber. Minnows fished a bit deeper will produce larger fish.

Upcoming Events
July 24-26: 50th Annual Lumberjack World Championships (715-634-2484.)
Through July 31: Illegal to run dogs on WPA lands. (See regs.)
Aug. 1: Application Deadlines: Fall turkey; Sharp-tailed grouse; Bobcat; Otter; Fisher; Horicon and Collins goose zones.
Aug. 2: Hayward Lakes Chapter of Muskies, Inc. Kid’s Fishing Day (634-2921.)
Aug. 22-24: Bonus antlerless deer tags for regular DMUs go on sale.
Aug. 29 – Remaining fall turkey permits go on sale.
Through Aug. 31: Training dogs by pursuing bear allowed. (See regs.)

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.