December 8, 2014
Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman

More snow is in the short-term forecast, but it also predicts high temperatures in the 40s from Wednesday through Sunday!

“Early ice is a good time for walleye anglers,” says Pat at Happy Hooker.
“Several anglers report limits of good size fish from deep weed edges on walleye suckers and fatheads under tip-ups.
“Crappies are deep, suspending anywhere from on the bottom to just under the ice. Use crappie minnows and tip-downs or small jigs tipped with waxies. Catch bluegills fishing waxies around weeds and perch with waxies and small minnows on the bottom in deep water.”
Guide Dave Dorazio at Outdoor Creations says Chippewa Flowage anglers are searching for panfish.
“Check deep, wooded flats in 12-22 feet with your electronics until you locate fish. Suspending crappies are easy to spot, but tight to the bottom fish can be more difficult. Once you find them, try different baits to learn what the crappies will take. Crappie minnows always seem to produce fish, but many anglers have success with small jigs tipped with plastics or Gulp! baits. Target larger fish with #2 or #3 Jigging Rapalas.”
Jim at Hayward Bait says walleye action is very good.
“Fish in 8-25 feet with walleye suckers and fatheads on tip-ups, Jigging Raps, and spoons. For northerns, fish weedlines in 5-15 feet with northern suckers and shiners under tip-ups.
“Catch crappies suspending in 15-30 feet with crappie minnows, plastics, and spoons. For bluegills, fish weeds in 5-15 feet with waxies, leaf worms, and plastics. Tempt perch on soft bottoms in 8-25 feet with crappie minnows, rosie reds, waxies, and spoons.”
Mike at Jenk’s says walleye fishing closed on the Chippewa Flowage, but anglers are starting to fish for panfish.
“Check out the Flowage and Little Round for some good crappie fishing. Ice depth is about 12 inches.”

Carolyn at Anglers All in Ashland says so far only a handful of ice anglers are fishing Chequamegon Bay.
“Ice on the Ashland side is 5-9 inches, but inconsistent, so anglers must check their way with ice bars. There is ice at the “S” curve, but with reports of cracks, and still open water by the Washburn coal dock.
“Anglers report good perch numbers and some walleye action off the first and second landings, while those fishing the ore dock and across from Shopko are catching walleyes and brown trout.”

This week, DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter addresses the Lost Land/Teal ‘crappie explosion.’
“In the past couple years, Lost Land and Teal lake anglers have noticed a big increase in crappie abundance. An age analysis showed more than half the adult crappies were born in 2010. Crappies are prone to sporadic reproduction, creating huge year classes every few years and producing almost nothing in between.
“Without an abundant predator such as walleye, there is little predation, crappies compete fiercely for food, and this leads to slower growth. The 2010 crappie class in Lost Land/Teal is a full inch behind the state average for crappies that age and shows no signs of improvement.
“Extended growth walleye stocking began in 2011 in Teal and will be ongoing in both lakes. This may help reduce crappie density in the future, but for now, anglers can expect to see high numbers of 8- to 9-inch fish in coming years.”
DNR fisheries biologist Skip Sommerfeldt says ice fishing season has begun for many hard-water anglers.
“Most lakes have four to five inches of ice, though some larger lakes have only an inch or two. Early season ice is quite variable and all ice anglers should use caution. Take ice picks and spuds, and we recommend no motorized vehicles.
“Most early ice anglers target walleyes. They report good success on medium suckers and extra large fatheads fished on gravel/rock drop-offs and mud flats in 4-7 feet of water, with the best action in the hour or so before dark.”

The 2014 Wisconsin wolf season officially ended at noon Friday, December 5, with the closure of Zone 3. The DNR had closed Zone 6 earlier in the day.

Wednesday December 10 is the application deadline for 2015 black bear and spring turkey permits.

In the past week, Hayward area registration stations (Shooting Star, Hillman’s Store, Hayward Bait) registered one buck for archery season and one youth-harvested antlerless deer and 10 bucks for muzzleloader season.

The final 2014 Sawyer County Deer Advisory Council (CDAC) meeting is Wednesday December 10, from 6-8 p.m., at the Hayward DNR Service Center on Hwy 27 South. This is your opportunity to offer input on deer population objectives before the council submits its recommendations to the DNR.

The Cable Area snowmobile trails report for December 8 says a couple inches of heavy snow fell Sunday night into Monday morning. Groomers rolled the trails, but since a few rocks remain exposed, they will hold off for more snow accumulation. Stick trails on Lake Namakagon should be up later this week, with Lake Owen shortly after. Trail conditions are “early season,” but rideable.
The Hayward Lakes Visitors & Convention Bureau snowmobile trail report of December 5 says Sawyer County trails are open, but swamps and lakes need more time to freeze over for safe crossing. Clean up of some downed trees is still necessary and groomers are not yet running. If you choose to ride early this year, please use caution and be careful.
The Runamuk Rides snowmobile trail report for December 3 says trails have a good base of up to 30 inches in the woods and 12-18 inches of hard base on the trails. Groomers and trail crews are finishing their initial trail work, clearing trees, grooming, and other maintenance. Lake ice is beginning to set up nicely and crews are starting to stake stick trails, but some swampy areas need time to freeze. As a result, some trail sections crossing lakes or wetlands and swamps are unsafe and not open.

FISHING REPORT
Walleye:
Walleye action is good to very good, with the best action just before and into dark. Look for fish in 4-30 feet of water along weed edges, on gravel and rock drop-offs, and on mud flats. Favored baits and presentations include walleye suckers and large fatheads on tip-ups, as well as Jigging Rapalas and jigging spoons.

Northern Pike:
Northern pike are on weedlines and around panfish in 5-15 feet of water, and pike will bite throughout the day. Top baits are northern suckers and large shiners on tip-ups.

Crappie:
Crappie action is good, with fish suspending in depths from 10-30 feet – anywhere from hugging the bottom to just underneath the ice. Best bait choices include crappie minnows, waxies, Gulp! baits, and plastics on jigs or plain hooks, on tip-ups and tip-downs. For larger crappies, try Jigging Rapalas or jigging spoons.

Bluegill:
Bluegill fishing is fair to good with waxies, leaf worms, and plastics on small jigs, teardrops, and plain hooks fished around weeds in 4-18 feet of water.

Perch:
Perch fishing is fair to good on the deep, clear lakes, as well as on some smaller lakes. Work your baits – crappie minnows, rosie reds, waxies, Jigging Raps, and jigging spoons – on the bottom, in depths to more than 25 feet.

Upcoming Events
Dec. 10: Permit application deadline: Spring turkey; Bear.
Dec. 10: Seasons close: Muzzleloader deer; Bobwhite quail.
Dec. 1-31: Extended fall turkey season in zones 1-5.
Dec. 11-14: Antlerless-only firearm hunt in Central Forest and Central Farmland Zones.
Dec. 16: Canada goose seasons close in North Exterior Zone.
Dec. 25: Bobcat hunting/trapping Period 1 season closes.
Dec. 26-Jan. 31: Bobcat hunting/trapping season Period 2 north of Hwy. 64.
Dec. 31: Seasons close: Pheasant; Turkey; Hungarian partridge; Fisher trapping; Frog.
Jan. 4: Late archery deer season closes.
Jan. 25-March 20: Winter crow season.
Jan. 31: Seasons close: Squirrel; Ruffed grouse in northern zone; Bobcat hunting/trapping Period 2.

Hayward Lakes Visitor and Convention Bureau and Sawyer County Record co-sponsor this report. For more information on area events and activities, visit the HLVCB’s Calendar of Events or call 800-724-2992.