October 3, 2016
Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman

Chances for rain continue to dominate the forecasts, though current predictions show mild temperatures and sunshine sandwiching-in showers through the mid-week. In general, nice weather compared to what it “could” be this time of year!

“The Quiet Lakes are very high because of the heavy rains,” says Pat at Happy Hooker, “and fall colors are well behind and nowhere near peak… Musky action is better, but not great, as the water temperatures are so slow in dropping. Fish are scattered throughout the lakes and all bait types are working, from surface baits to big plastics. Walleye fishing is fair, with fish on the edges of weed beds, holes, and drop-offs in 12-14 feet. Jigs and minnows are the best bet, with reports of some fish on crawler halves. The best fishing is still in/near shallow weeds at night… Northern pike are aggressive in green weeds and large sucker minnows and chubs work best. Largemouth are moving deeper as shallow weeds die off and spinnerbaits with slow retrieves work well. Smallmouth are deeper, searching for minnow concentrations, and jigs with larger minnows can be quite effective… The best crappie action is around weeds in 6-8 feet with minnows, jigs, tube jigs, and small plastics.”

Guide Steve Genson at Hayward Bait says fall colors are changing and fishing is good!... “Muskies are active with the cooling temperatures. Try shallow flats in 3-10 feet with surface baits, large bucktails, and jerkbaits. The walleye bite is improving, with most action on large minnows on jigs and rigs at the base of breaklines and bars in 10-25 feet… Bass fishing is solid, with most action on jigs, jerkbaits, and large sucker minnows in slightly deeper water. There is a good crappie bite in 15-30 feet for anglers fishing small jigs tipped with minnows and plastics… Get out and enjoy the great fall fishing!”

FISHING REPORT

Musky: Musky fishing is decent and improving for big fish with the cooler temperatures. Fish are somewhat scattered, but concentrate your efforts on flats, weeds, drop-offs, and bars from very shallow out to about 12 feet. Take your choice of baits, with large bucktails, plastics, gliders, jerkbaits, topwaters, and suckers all catching fish.

Walleye: Walleye action is fair, though improving, but not quite what anglers normally expect at this time of year. Look for fish in 8-30 feet on weed beds/edges, bars, breaklines, holes, and drop-offs, with best fishing still in shallower water during low light hours. The bite is primarily on minnows, with crawlers also getting a few fish.

Northern Pike: Northern pike are on the feed around green weeds and weed beds, drop-offs, holes, and wherever you find concentrations of baitfish and panfish. Top baits include spinners, spinnerbaits, and spoons, and live bait such as northern suckers and large minnows.

Largemouth Bass: Largemouth action is slowing as the temperatures drop and the fish move to deeper weeds. Bass anglers continue to catch fish on jigs, spinnerbaits, jerkbaits, plastics, and live bait such as large minnows.

Smallmouth Bass: Smallmouth fishing is good to very good, with fish moving to deeper rocks, weeds/weed edges, cribs, and other structure, as well as near schools of baitfish. Baits of choice include jigs with large minnows, plastics, crankbaits, and in some instances topwaters.

Crappie: Crappies remain scattered, but fishing is fair to good once you locate them in their various locations. Look in depths from 5-30 feet, around weeds/weed beds, cribs, humps, brush, and on mud flats. The most productive baits include crappie minnows, Mini-Mites, Tattle-Tails, tube jigs, and small plastics.

Upcoming Events
Oct. 1-9: Special deer hunt open to people with disabilities (see regs).
Oct. 6-8: 1st Annual Musky Fly Fishing World Championship (715-462-3874).
Oct. 8: Northwest Relic Riders Vintage Snowmobile Show and Swap Meet; Flat Creek Inn (715-638-2563; 462-4566).
Oct. 8: Fish Harvest Fest and Adopt a Musky at Spooner Hatchery (715-635-6002).
Oct. 8-9: Youth deer hunt (see regs).
Oct. 11: Bear season closes.
Oct. 15: Seasons open: Pheasant; Ruffed grouse Zone B; Bobwhite quail; Hungarian partridge; Raccoon gun/trapping (residents only); Red and gray fox hunting/trapping; Coyote and fisher, trapping; Bobcat hunting/trapping Period 1.
Oct. 15: Inland trout season closes (see regs).
Oct. 22: Seasons open: Muskrat; Mink.
Oct. 29: Raccoon hunting and trapping season opens for non-residents.
Nov. 5: Trapping seasons open in North Zone: Beaver; Otter.
Nov. 19-27: Gun deer hunt (see regs).
Nov. 28-Dec. 7: Muzzleloader deer season (see regs).
Dec. 8-11: Statewide Antlerless Hunt (see regs).

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