February 15, 2010
Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman

Though plenty of winter remains, changes are in the air (though often mixed with snow flurries.) Daylight starts a bit earlier in the morning and lasts a bit longer in the afternoon, and one can now feel actual warmth from the sun’s rays (when we get them.)
Pat at Happy Hooker says with the compacted and frozen snow anglers can get around either by car or foot on most lakes. Still, he says to use caution if you are driving on lakes where no one has gone.
At Pastika’s, Al says anglers should watch for signs of low oxygen levels on some smaller lakes, and move on to fish other waters if they see those signs.
Brian at Outdoor Creations says ice depths range from 12-24 inches and people are driving out to fish, but he advises anyone choosing to drive vehicles on the ice to always take extreme caution.
According to DNR fisheries biologist Skip Sommerfeldt, oxygen level monitoring indicates most lakes are holding up well. With ice depths and snow cover about average, just a few winterkill-prone lakes show major oxygen level declines.
“Stream trout season is only three weeks away,” says DNR biologist Frank Pratt, “but we have a long way to go – right now you might be able to walk on parts of the Namekagon.”
Registration deadlines are drawing near for the Namekagon River Valley Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation banquet Saturday February 20 at Lumberjack Steakhouse, and the Hayward Lakes Chapter - Muskies, Inc. award banquet Saturday March 6 at Mariachi’s. Contact information is listed in the Events Calendar.
America’s largest cross-country ski race, the American Birkebeiner, is February 25-28, an event attracting thousands of cross-country skiers from around the world. For information, visit American Birkebeiner or call (715) 634-5025.
Snowmobile enthusiasts should plan now to attend the Hayward 300 Snocross National March 5-7 at LCO Casino Lodge and Convention Center. For ticket information call (715) 634-8662.
Hayward Lakes Visitors and Convention Bureau trail report says snow cover is 16-24 inches and conditions are excellent. The Cable Area Snowmobile Trail Report says trails are in excellent condition and groomed on a daily basis. Virgin Timber Resort reports snow cover of 20 inches and trails in good shape, though some icy in spots in corners. Lakewoods reports the trails are great due to the groomers TLC. Namakagon Trails Report says the Lake Namakagon stick trail is good and trails are groomed and in great shape.

Walleye:
Walleye action is decent, and fishing the big, deep lakes from late afternoon into and after dark continues to produce the best success. Fish weed beds, drop-offs, rocks, and bars, in 6-30 feet of water (shallower with darkness) with tip-ups and walleye suckers or shiners, or jig with jigs, Swedish Pimples, Rapalas, and Buck-Shot spoons tipped with rosy reds, fatheads, crappie minnows, or minnow pieces.

Northern:
Northern pike action, often a trip saver, is currently somewhat slow and inconsistent, though anglers are still catching fish. Work shallow weeds, weed beds, and any location holding panfish with northern suckers, shiners, and jigging spoons and Rapalas tipped with shiners. Depths can vary from 6-25 feet, depending on the lake.

Crappie:
Crappie fishing is improving and there is still a good late afternoon until dark bite, but locating them is still the first order of business. Some crappies are suspending over deeper water, while others are holding near shallower weeds and weed beds. Scan the entire water column – they could be near the bottom or just below the ice. At this time, crappie minnows, rosy reds, waxies, plastics, and Buck-Shot spoons are all catching crappies.

Bluegill:
Bluegill fishing is fair to good, but plan on moving to find active fish – and considerable sorting to take home a meal. Fish shallower water weeds (5-15 feet) with waxies, spikes, mousies, and plastics, and don’t overlook small minnows for larger ‘gills.

Perch:
Perch are primarily near bottom in deeper water and mid-depth mud flats, but some are starting to move into shallower areas. Fatheads, crappie minnows, rosy reds, waxies, and spikes on jigs, plain hooks, plastics, and jigging spoons are all producing decent action.

Upcoming Events
Feb. 20: RMEF fundraising banquet. (715-634-1742.)
Feb. 25-28: American Birkebeiner (715-634-5025.)
Feb. 28: Seasons Close: Cottontail rabbit; Mink trapping.
March 5-7: Hayward 300 Snocross National.
March 6: Early catch-and-release only trout season opens statewide.
March 6: Hayward Lakes Chapter Muskies, Inc. awards banquet (715-634-4543.)
March 6: Game fish season closes on inland waters. (Check regs for exceptions.)
March 10: New hunting/fishing licenses on sale.
March 14: Ice fishing shelters must be removed from lakes north of Hwy 64.
March 20: Crow season closes.
March 22-26: OTC sale of remaining spring turkey permits begins.
March 27: Trout season opens on designated sections of some Lake Superior tributaries. See regs.
March 31: Hunting/fishing licenses expire.
April 10-11: Youth spring turkey hunt.
April 14-May 23: 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.