January 12, 2009
Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman

Weather forecasts across the middle and upper Midwest are surprisingly similar – cold, very cold, and snow. If you have to deal with these conditions, why not visit the north woods and take advantage of its tremendous variety of available winter recreational opportunities?
Pat at Happy Hooker says the smaller lakes are producing decent catches, but fish sizes are getting smaller. He thinks shallow weeds are dying due to the snow cover and fish are scattering and moving deeper, typical in mid winter.
At Pastika’s, Mike warns anglers the ice is questionable on some areas of the larger lakes, and even with these frigid temps anglers report slush and varying ice thickness. Leon Pastika says crappie and bluegill fishing is good on both Nelson and Long lakes, with crappie minnows and waxies working especially well for crappie on Nelson.
Bob and Tim at Hayward Bait say ice and travel conditions are improving. They advise anglers to check ice thickness as they venture out, as it continues to be spotty in some areas, particularly on the bigger lakes.
DNR fisheries biologist Skip Sommerfeldt warns anglers that scattered areas of slush four to eight inches deep in undisturbed areas can quickly mire a vehicle or ATV.
Cable Rod and Gun Club is hosting its 20th annual ice fishing contest on Lake Namakagon Saturday, February 7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., though anglers can start fishing at 8 a.m. Entry fee is $5. The Loon Saloon on Hwy D serves as contest headquarters. Cash prizes are awarded for the biggest walleye, northern, crappie, bluegill, and perch. Raffle and door prizes will be distributed, with the grand raffle prize a one-week (six nights/seven days) vacation for two in La Quinta, California (near Palm Springs.)
Snowmobile trail reports indicate snow cover is 10-12 inches, trails are in excellent condition, and forecasts predict cold temps and continued snow this week. For current trail conditions, visit Sawyer County and Sno-Trails Snowmobile Club reports, or Namakagon Trail Groomers reports for the Cable area. For Hayward area snowmobile trail information, visit Snowmobile and ATV Trail Maps.
A vintage sled run is January 17 at Big Musky Resort & Motel. Registration starts at 10 a.m.; ride begins at 11 am. There is a $10 donation for each sled.

Walleye:
Walleye fishing is fair on some waters and very good on the larger lakes. You have lots of water to cover – depths range all the way from four to 30 feet, and locations include weed edges, mud flats, break lines, points, and bars. The bite is best at night and before sunrise, but some fish are being caught during daylight on overcast days. Anglers are catching fish on walleye suckers and shiners under tip-ups, as well as fathead and rosy reds on jigging spoons. If one approach is not working, try another method.

Northern:
Northern pike action continues to be very good on most lakes, and you will find them around weeds and panfish in 8-15 feet of water. For trophy pike, fish deeper water with larger baits, and those baits are northern suckers and shiners.

Crappie:
Crappie anglers are finding very good action on some lakes and slow going on others. The trick is to discover where on the lake fish are locating, and then find where they are in the water column. Piece of cake. Water depths can vary from 8 30 feet. The crappies can be suspended over deeper water, holding near weeds, a few feet off bottom, or a combination of the three. The standard baits of crappie minnows, waxies, spikes, and plastics are all catching fish.

Bluegill:
Bluegill fishing is fair to good, depending on the lake fished. Depths range from 6 to 25 feet, and fish are holding near weeds, cribs, and in some areas holding a few feet off bottom. Best baits include waxies, mousies, spikes, plastics, and smaller minnows.

Perch:
Although not a lot of anglers are fishing for perch, a good number of them are being caught – often as incidental catches by those fishing for crappie and walleye. The perch are on or near bottom in 10-20 feet of water, and fatheads, rosy reds, waxies, and plastics are all catching fish.

Upcoming Events
Jan. 18: Vintage snowmobile run at Big Musky Resort & Motel.
Jan. 18: Famous Dave’s Annual Ski-Plane Fly-In, Grand Pines Resort.
Jan. 18: Crow season opens, through March 20.
Jan. 31: Seasons Close: Squirrel; Ruffed grouse.
Feb. 7: Cable Rod and Gun Club ice fishing contest.
Feb. 14: WFNW ice fishing event.
Feb. 15: Seasons Close: Raccoon; Fox; Coyote trapping.
Feb. 19-21: American Birkebeiner
Feb. 28: Seasons Close: Cottontail rabbit; Muskrat; Mink.
March 1: Hayward Lakes Chapter of Muskies, Inc. awards banquet.
March 6-7: World’s Longest Weenie Roast at Lakewoods Resort.
March 6-8: Hayward 300 ISOC Snocross Nationals.
March 17: Hot Air Balloon Extravaganza at Lakewoods Resort.
April 30: Northern zone trapping seasons close: Beaver; Otter.

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.