December 21, 2009
Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman

The conditions necessary for winter recreation are starting to show great promise. Anglers are hitting early ice in surprising numbers, and snowmobile trails are being staked and groomed. The anglers could use more ice, and snowmobilers and cross-country skiers would like to see more snow, but overall things are starting to take shape for a great winter season.
Bob at Hayward Bait says ice thickness varies from 3-12 inches and he advises anglers (or anyone) going on the ice to use caution, know where they are going, and to go with a friend.
At Happy Hooker, Pat says most shallow lakes and protected bays have 2-6 inches of ice, but the main bodies of some deep lakes still have open water. His advice is to check the ice every three to four steps as you venture out and play it smart for safety’s sake (and also because he hates making change for wet bills.)
Al at Pastika’s says most area lakes are fishable, with ice depths generally ranging from 4-10 inches, and there is some ATV travel in some areas. However, he urges all anglers to be cautious, use common sense, and to check as they go. He adds that anglers should be particularly careful on larger lakes because the main lake body can be ‘iffy.’
DNR fisheries biologist Skip Sommerfeldt says that despite the cold weather last week, ice cover on area lakes remains real variable and ice thickness ranges from one to seven inches across the north.
“This is due to the five to ten inches of snow that has insulated the lake surface and kept us from gaining a more significant amount of ice,” he explains. “Early season anglers are urged to show extreme caution when venturing out, as lakes with undisturbed snow cover may have only one to two inches of ice.”
Sommerfeldt says this is especially true on smaller lakes and in protected areas where the wind did not blow snow off the surface. Lakes where the snow did blow off have four to seven inches of ice.
Late archery season, the only deer season now open, remains open through January 3. In the past week, Hayward area registration stations (Shooting Star, Hillman’s Store, Hayward Bait) registered four bucks and 11 antlerless deer for archery season. The stations also recorded four antlerless deer for antlerless-only season after reports were obtained last week.
According to the Hayward Lakes Visitor and Convention Bureau’s trail conditions report, snow conditions are great, with 8-13 inches of snow throughout the Sawyer County area. Groomers are grooming the trails, and many of the lake trails were staked this past weekend. Trails on the deep, clear lakes such as Round, Grindstone, Lac Court Oreilles, are always last, but there is hope most trails will be staked by Christmas. Sawyer County snowmobile trails never close, so there will be snowmobiling during the holidays – though you may have to avoid a few lakes.
Virgin Timber Resort (Moose Lake) reports 10 inches of snow but poor trail conditions. However, there is seven inches of good ice underneath the slush and the lakes are freezing.
The Northwest Relic Riders Vintage Snowmobile Club will hold a stud/poker run January 16, starting at Big Musky Resort and ending as Schultz’s Restaurant. On January 30, the club will hold a radar run at Golden Rule Resort.

Walleye:
Walleye fishing is good, but best during low light hours, especially in the hour or so just before dark, and in shallower water. Otherwise, concentrate on 5-20 feet of water near weeds and breaklines. Walleye suckers and shiners are the baits of choice, on jigs or under tip-ups. Jigging spoons tipped with minnow heads can also be effective.

Northern:
Anglers are having good success on northern pike. Look for them from shallow water weeds to about 18 feet. Northern suckers and shiners under tip-ups are your best bet for action.

Panfish:
Panfish action is good, with crappie activity best in the early morning hours and in the evening. Fish are in shallow weeds out to about 15 feet of water. Waxies, spikes, and plastics/tubes on ice jigs are working for bluegills, and use crappie minnows and plastics for the crappies.

Upcoming Events
Dec. 31: Seasons Close: Pheasant; Hungarian partridge Bobcat hunting and trapping; Fisher trapping; Frog.
Through Dec. 31: Illegal to shine for wild animals between 10 p.m.-7 a.m.
Jan. 3: Late archery deer season closes.
Jan. 9: Stone Lake Pub Ice Fishing Contest (715-865-2141)
Jan. 16: Snowmobile Speed Runs - Nelson Lake Landing (715-634-4175)
Jan. 16: Vintage Stud Run - Northwest Relic Riders Vintage Snowmobile Club
Jan. 23: Ice Fishing Jamboree - Lakewoods Resort (715-794-2561)
Jan. 25: Crow season opens.
Jan. 30: Radar Run - Northwest Relic Riders Vintage Snowmobile Club
Jan. 31: Seasons Close: Squirrel; Ruffed grouse (northern zone.)
March 5-7: Hayward 300 Snocross National.
April 10-11: Youth spring turkey hunt.
April 14-May 25: Spring turkey season.

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.