April 14, 2014
Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman

If the forecast for this week holds true, not only will we not see 50-degree temperatures again until the weekend, every day offers an “opportunity” for snowfall. Be patient and spring will arrive. It always has before ... eventually.

Just in time for the fishing opener, anglers visiting http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/Fishing/nort...ys.html#sawyer can view reports for all Sawyer County lake fish surveys since 2009, according to DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter. He says they are always looking for public feedback – what you like, do not like, and what you would like to see in future reports. You can email Wolter at max.wolter@wisconsin.gov.

“We have an entire open water season ahead of us,” says Pat at Happy Hooker, “and whether you are a seasoned pro or a first-timer angler, a little preparation is essential. The fish already have enough advantages!
“Get your new license. Inventory tackle boxes. Check fishing rods and confirm guides are straight, smooth, and undamaged, and reel seats work properly. Inspect your reels to make sure they wind smoothly, and spool new line with the weight matching your rod and the species you are targeting.”
Guide Dave Dorazio at Outdoor Creations says due to last week’s warmer weather Chippewa Flowage trail conditions are deteriorating, trails will soon be unusable, and they have pulled the trail markers.
“Ice fishing is ending and it is time to get ready for open water fishing. Examine your rods and reels, install new line, and it is a good idea to check your net now – before you need it. Go through your tackle box and make sure you have plenty of lures. Anglers always need a few more lures!
“This is also a great time to inspect your boat and trailer. If you find a problem you cannot handle, take your rig to one of the area marinas.”
Mike at Jenk’s says lakes are beginning to thaw around shorelines, and rivers and creeks are really starting to run.
“The water level on the Chippewa Flowage has not really started rising yet, but the Chief River is running fast into Musky Bay and quickly thawing the river channel.
“There are several large pools in the middle of the ice down by The Landing, and water is starting to pool on top of the ice in many other areas as well.”

Carolyn at Anglers All in Ashland says there is still have about three feet of ice in most places on Chequamegon Bay, but with snow and slush spots, snowmobile travel is still the recommendation.
“Anglers are catching perch and a few walleyes off Second Landing, a few trout and salmon off the river mouths, and a mixed bag off the hot pond and marina.
“Streams are starting to go over their banks with the snow melt, so stream fishing is on hold for a few days.”

This week, DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter discusses tournament concentration of fish.
“One concern with bass tournaments is that central release sites concentrate fish after weigh-ins. Researchers at Texas Tech looked at how quickly bass disperse after tournaments and how many fish return to the place anglers caught them.
“The study concluded that about half of tournament-caught largemouth bass stay within one mile of their release site and the average dispersal distance is slightly more than two miles.
“Smallmouth bass were less likely to stay near release sites (26 percent stayed within a mile) and dispersed farther (4.5 miles on average). Of the fish tracked with radio tags, only 14 percent of largemouth and 26 percent of smallmouth returned to the location where the anglers caught them.”
DNR fisheries biologist Skip Sommerfeldt says ice conditions are slowly deteriorating on lakes due to last week’s spring-like weather.
“Most lakes still have 20-24 inches of ice, but the upper half is mostly frozen slush and snow that can quickly get soft on warm, sunny days and anglers should be very cautious. There is little motorized traffic on the lakes and most anglers are walking to their favorite spots.
“Angling pressure picked up last week and anglers did well on crappie and bluegill suspending 5-10 feet off bottom near deeper water. Best baits are small fatheads for crappies and waxies on small ice jigs for bluegills.”

Hayward Bass Club is holding a meeting at Hayward Rod and Gun Club April 23, starting at 7 p.m., and welcomes anyone interested in becoming a member. More than 25 teams are ready to fish this season, but there is room for more. Club members include co-ed and family teams, and ages ranging from high school students through retirees. Two-person teams fish eight different lakes throughout spring and summer, fishing every other Wednesday evening. A liberal substitution policy is in place for folks who cannot make all eight events. For information, call Wayne at (715) 699-1015 or stop at Hayward Bait.

Fishing Has No Boundaries National Convention is April 25-27 at LCO Casino and Convention Center in Hayward. Anyone interested in volunteering to assist with FHNB events is welcome. Call Kathy at the FHNB office (800-243-3462) for registration information. This is an excellent time to learn about the organization and the people who share a passion for helping the disabled.

The April 8 Hayward Lakes Visitor and Convention Bureau ATV trail report says Chequamegon Forest trails remain closed until May 1, depending on the weather. Sawyer County Forest trails closed April 14 and should open May 15, depending on the weather. Open trails include Tuscobia Trail, Trail 30 to Trail 777 from the LCO Casino south to the Tuscobia Trail, and any town roads signed as ATV routes. The 74-mile Tuscobia State Trail is one of the longest trails in Wisconsin converted from a rail corridor.
Hayward Power Sports trail report for April 8 says Sawyer County ATV trails closed April 14 and will remain closed until further notice to allow the trails a chance to dry and settle.

FISHING REPORT
Panfish anglers showed a slight increase in fishing interest during the mild weather days last week, but travel conditions continue to present a significant challenge and the late-ice fishing days are numbered. Ice depths remain in the 20- to 30-inch range, but with shoreline ice pulling away, getting on the ice (and OFF!) can be a problem. The limited number of anglers report decent catches of crappie, bluegill, and perch in a wide range of depths, from shallow to deep, and at various points in the water column – be sure to check it all, from bottom to top!

Upcoming Events
March 31: Last year’s hunting, fishing, sports, and conservation patron licenses expired.
April 15 through July 31: Illegal to allow dogs to run on DNR lands and Federal WPA (see regs for exceptions).
April 25-27: Fishing Has No Boundaries National Convention at LCO Casino (800-243-3462).
April 27: Early catch-and-release only trout season closes at midnight. Season is artificial bait and flies only.
April 30: Otter trapping season closes in the North zone.
May 3: General inland fishing season opener (see regs for 2014 bass zone changes).
May 6: Hayward Lakes Chapter Muskies, Inc. meeting at Beer Bellies (715-634-4543.)
May 9-11: Treeland Walleye Challenge (715-462-3874).
May 16-17: Fishing Has No Boundaries (715-634-3185).
May 24: Muskie season opens in Northern Zone.

Spring turkey hunting periods
A: April 16-22; B: April 23-29; C: April 30-May 6; D: May 7-13; E: May 14-20; F: May 21-27.

For more information on area events and activities, visit the Hayward Lakes Visitor and Convention Bureau website, view its Calendar of Events, or call 1-800-724-2992.