March 16, 2009
Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman

It was a beautiful mild and sunny weekend in the north woods – you know a seasonal change is in the making when you see motorcycles and snowmobiles in operation on the same day!
Bob at Hayward Bait says that as of Sunday, ice conditions were very good, though a little rough and slippery, and ice cleats are highly recommended. He stresses anglers should know the lake and steer clear of spring inlets and outlets.
At Happy Hooker, Pat says anglers should expect fishing to continue to improve as the weeks pass, and several warm, sunny days should really spur fishing activity.
With the warmer temps of last weekend and forecast for at least the first part of this week, Al at Pastika’s says boat landings will quickly become areas of concern for ice anglers, and access could be restricted to ATVs or walking.
Next Monday, March 23, starting at 10 a.m., the DNR will begin sales of leftover spring turkey hunting permits, one zone per day, starting with Zone 1. (No permits remain for Zone 7, or for time periods A, B, or C.) Any permits remaining after March 27 will go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday March 28, and continue until all permits are sold or the season ends.
All hunters are required to posses a spring turkey license and stamp. Leftover permits cost an additional $10 for residents and $15 for nonresidents. You can purchase permits at DNR service centers and license vendors, the Online Licensing Center, or by calling 1-877-945-4236.
Wisconsin’s 2009 spring turkey season runs April 15 through May 24, and consists of six, five-day periods. For more information, visit the Wild Turkey page of the DNR Web site.
Deer hunters are encouraged to participate in a new online survey concerning Wisconsin deer management. The survey, on the Wisconsin Deer Management Unit stakeholder Web site, is accepting input from now through April 1. Results from this survey, as well as those from a mail survey, will be used when making decisions on the 2009 deer seasons. Also, herd status meetings will soon be held around the state, and information is available on the DNR Web site.
The 2009 DNR Spring Fish and Wildlife Hearings and Conservation Congress county meetings will be held April 13, starting at 7 p.m. The Sawyer County meeting will be held at Hayward Middle School in Hayward. More information on the hearings is available on the DNR Web site.
As might be expected, snowmobile trail reports indicate trail conditions are poor. Conditions can change quickly this time of year, at least for the short term, but at some point one has to accept snowmobile season is coming to an end. On the up side, it was a good run, longer than some seasons in recent years. For those who refuse to let go, call 1-800-724-2992 for current trail conditions.

Crappie:
Crappie anglers are catching some fish, but action should only continue to improve. The best bite is still occurring after dark, though fish are being caught throughout the day. You will find crappies scattered around the lake, in various depths, and holding at a variety of locations in the water column. A flasher and/or camera are great tools at this time (but then, when aren’t they?) The standard baits – crappie minnows, waxies, plastics, and small jigs – are all effective. Downsizing tackle and bait will nearly always increase your catch rate.

Bluegill:
Bluegill action is good and getting better, as this mild weather will have water running down into the holes and the fish rising and holding at higher levels. Fish waxies, spikes, plastics, and teardrops/small jigs near weeds in 6-15 feet of water. If you are fishing for a meal, some sorting is still necessary.

Perch:
Perch fishing continues to be a bit slow, but it should pick up quickly as fish are beginning to move to pre-spawn staging areas. Look for fish on the bottom in depths to 30 feet. Fatheads, rosy reds, crappie minnows, waxies, plastics, and jigging spoons can all produce fish on any given day ... and on that day, it always helps to give ‘em what they want.

Upcoming Events
March 23-27: Remaining spring turkey permits on sale (one zone per day.)
March 27: Sawyer County Outdoor Projects and Education (SCOPE) banquet. (Sold out.)
March 28: Trout season opens on some Lake Superior tributaries. (See regs.)
March 31: 2008-09 hunting and fishing licenses expire.
April 11-12: Youth turkey hunt.
April 13: Spring Fish and Wildlife Hearings and Conservation Congress meetings
April 15-July 31: Illegal to run dogs on WPA lands. See regs.
April 26: Early catch-and-release trout season closes.
April 30: Northern zone trapping seasons close: Beaver, Otter.
May 2: Seasons Open: General game fish opener (check regs for exceptions); Northern zone catch and release only bass season; Musky south of Hwy 10; Frog.
May 24: Muskellunge season opens north of Hwy 10.

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.