October 19, 2009
Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman

Open water fishing season activity in the north woods is winding down for many species, while hunters and trappers are just getting a good start on their seasons.
In the past week, local registration stations (Shooting Star, Hillman’s Store, Hayward Bait) registered nine bucks, 32 antlerless deer, and one bear – and no, it was not the bear that wandered into Market Place grocery store’s beer cooler Thursday evening. (Celebrating the end of bear season Tuesday Oct. 13?)
According to the Boone and Crockett Club, for the past ten years (since 2000) Wisconsin is the top producer of B&C trophy black bears and second on the list for trophy white-tailed deer. The top three locations (number of entries in parentheses, typical and non-typical combined) are as follows:
Black Bear: Wisconsin (238), Pennsylvania (118), Alaska (97)
White-tailed Deer: Illinois (523), Wisconsin (442), Iowa (339)
DNR fisheries biologist Frank Pratt says it appears the bass size limits proposal will make it to the 2010 spring hearings, though a decision has not been made on the species split and zones.
“The public tells me support for the northern zone is based on concern for spawning smallmouth, which is all the more reason to split the species,” says Pratt. “One-third of Sawyer County is Southern Zone, two-thirds is Northern Zone, and we detect no difference in populations for either species on either side of the zone lines. Our biggest management problem, in both zones, is the abundance of 10- to 14-inch largemouth.”

Muskies:
Late fall is the time for big muskies, they are in their late fall pattern – and you have until Nov. 30 to catch a trophy. Muskies are on deeper breaks, near green weeds, structure, and any areas with crappies and walleyes. Without question, Bull Dawgs and suckers (big ones if you can find them) are the favorites, but anglers are also getting action on bucktails, jerk, twitch, crank, glide, and swim baits. On lakes where it is legal, trolling large minnow baits, such as Grandmas and Jakes, is also producing big fish.

Walleye:
Walleye fishing can be good, although “erratic” and ‘inconsistent” are frequently being used to describe the action. You can increase your odds for success by fishing on overcast days or just before dark. During daytime hours, fish deep (40 feet or deeper) on green weeds, rocks, transition areas, break lines, deep holes, and deep water drop-offs. Minnows (walleye suckers, fatheads) are currently the top bait, fished on jigs, split shot rigs, and under slip bobbers, but fish are also being caught on crawlers, crank and stick baits. Slow presentation is the key.

Northern:
You will find northerns around any green weeds you can locate, structure, and they won’t be far from any area holding panfish. Northern suckers are the first choice, but spoons and spinnerbaits are also catching pike.

Bass:
Largemouth bass action is fair, but few anglers are fishing for them. Best advice is to work any remaining green weeds you can find in deeper water with plastics or jigs and pigs. Smallmouth action is actually pretty respectable at this time. Work deep rock and hard-bottom areas with walleye suckers and tubes. This is a great time of year to catch big fish – and to take a photo and release the fish so they can do their thing next spring. It takes big fish to make little fish that grow into big fish. It doesn’t take a rocket surgeon to understand the concept.

Crappie:
Crappies are starting to school and action is good to great, though you will have to do a bit of sorting for a limit of decent sized fish. Look for crappies suspending over deeper water and on the cribs in depths from 12-25 feet. As always, crappie minnows and plastics/tubes are the most productive baits, and don’t hesitate to use lighter line and tackle if action is not to your liking.

Bluegill:
This time of year muskies, walleyes, and crappies tend to get the most attention. As mentioned last week, even though bluegill fishing is fairly good, few anglers are fishing for them. Your best odds for success is to fish the cribs with small jigs or ice jigs tipped with waxies, worms, or plastics, and Gulp! Alive grubs could work well, too.

Upcoming Events
Oct. 17: Seasons opened: Pheasant; Sharp-tailed grouse; Bobwhite quail; Hungarian partridge; Raccoon gun/trapping; Fisher trapping. Northern Zone: Muskrat, Mink; Red and gray fox hunting/trapping; Coyote trapping; Bobcat hunting/trapping north of Hwy. 64.
Oct. 31: Non-resident raccoon season opens.
Nov. 2: Woodcock season closes.
Nov. 7: Seasons Open: Beaver trapping; Otter trapping.
Nov. 8: Sharp-tailed grouse season closes.
Nov. 9: Mourning dove season closes.
Nov. 19: Seasons Close: Archery deer; Turkey; Crow.
Nov. 21: Regular gun deer season opens.
Nov. 24: Northern Zone duck season closes.
Nov. 24: Musky season closes in Northern Zone.
Through Dec. 31: Illegal to shine for wild animals between 10 p.m.-7 a.m.

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.