November 17, 2008
Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman

A few dedicated anglers continue to chase muskies, fewer still are pursuing walleye, and fewer yet are trying for panfish, but for all practical purposes the open water season will soon reach its end.
Musky action is very good with suckers on quick-strike rigs, and a few are being caught on Bull Dawgs, jerkbaits, and trolled stickbaits and bucktails. Fish are scattered at various depths, deep to shallow, around weeds and structure.
According to Pat at Happy Hooker, musky fishing during this time of year is basic and straightforward, but it is also the most uncomfortable. When ice fishing, you can at least build a fire and get out of the wind. If you’re fishing now, wear sufficient clothing, keep your hands warm, and be sure to clear any ice from your line guides. Pat says there are no guarantees, but toughing it out and putting in your time could result in the catch of a lifetime.
Walleye anglers are fishing in deeper water and catching fish on walleye suckers and jigs and minnows.
While not many anglers are fishing for crappies, the ones willing to brave the cold are having good success with crappie minnows. Fish are suspending in deeper water, and at various depths in the water column.
Al at Pastika’s says ciscoes are now staging to spawn. He notes that with ice fishing season not far away, this is a good time to organize equipment, charge/replace flasher and camera batteries, and grease tip-ups.
According to DNR fisheries biologist Skip Sommerfeldt, some small lakes developed thin ice during recent single-digit temperatures, and a few larger lakes have shoreline ice in shallow bays, but full ice is a couple weeks away.
Ice fishing reports will begin once generally accepted “safe” ice conditions are present.
As expected, the main conversation topic at this time revolves around the upcoming gun deer season, opening Saturday, November 22. For more information, visit the DNR’s Web site Deer Hunting in Wisconsin.
In the past week, Hayward’s two big game registration stations (Shooting Star Archery, Hillman’s Store) registered 26 antlerless deer and 39 bucks, including a couple that will make Pope & Young. Rut appears to be on the downward side.
Dennis Meyer at Shooting Star says his registrations in the past week are comparable to registrations at this time last year, but total registrations for the year are running considerably behind his figures for the past few years. Mild fall weather and an extremely plentiful acorn crop could be the reason. The decrease in archery season harvest could mean more deer in the woods for rifle season.
For hunters planning to hunt deer this coming weekend, here are a few last-minute reminders and news updates.
Wisconsin’s nine-day gun deer season opens Saturday Nov. 22 and runs through Sunday Nov. 30. The statewide deer population is estimated between 1.5 and 1.7 million animals, down slightly from last year, but still above goal in most deer management units (DMUs.)
Deer licenses can be purchased at any time during the season from license vendors, DNR service centers, the online licensing center, or by calling toll-free 1-877-945-4236. Fees are $24 for residents and $160 for non-resident.
A new rule this year requires all ground blinds on DNR-controlled lands to display a minimum of 144 square inches of blaze orange material, visible from 360 degrees around the blind, during any gun or muzzleloader deer season. If the blind is not occupied during the day, it must be identified with the owner’s customer ID number or name and address. DNR-controlled lands include all DNR fishery and wildlife lands, and state park lands where hunting is allowed.
Hunters can find participating Venison Donation Program processors on the DNR Web site. Donating a deer is easy: Contact the processor for business hours; harvest, tag, field dress, and register your deer; deliver it to the processor. There is no cost to the hunter other than transporting the deer. Since the 2000 season, hunters have donated more than 63,200 deer –more than 2.8 million pounds of venison – to needy people across the state.
DNR wildlife officials encourage hunters to report feral pig sightings or shoot feral pigs while pursuing other game. If you shoot a feral pig, contact a DNR service center or wildlife biologist so blood and tissue samples can be collected for testing. Information on feral pig hunting is available on the Feral Pig Hunting Web page on the DNR Web site.

Upcoming Events
Through Dec. 31: Illegal to shine for wild animals between 10 p.m.-7 a.m.
Nov. 20: Seasons Close: Archery deer; Crow; Turkey.
Nov. 22: Gun deer season opens.
Nov. 30: Seasons Close: Gun deer; Muskie; Turtle.
Dec. 1: Seasons Open: Muzzleloader deer; Archery deer.
Dec. 10: Application Deadline: Spring turkey; Bear.
Dec. 10: Seasons Close: Muzzleloader deer; Bobwhite quail.
Dec. 11-14: Statewide antlerless deer hunt (see regulations.)
Dec. 31: Seasons Close: Pheasant; Partridge; Bobcat; Fisher; Frog.

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.