May 11, 2009
Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman

Panfish spawning is producing some fast action in shallower water, but arriving cold fronts continue to temporarily move the fish to deeper water. Still, most anglers are reporting good success.
According to Leon Pastika, crappie and bluegill fishing on the Chippewa Flowage is very good in just about any shallow bay. Leon recommends anglers fish small minnows under slip-bobbers to hold your bait just above the shallow weeds.
Local DNR fisheries biologist Frank Pratt reports water temperatures are still in the mid-50s, but bluegills and crappies are moving into shallow bays on Nelson, Smith, Lake Hayward, Chippewa Flowage, and other waters.
“I use a pink marabou micro-jig tipped with a waxie, and fish it 3-4 feet below a small slip bobber,” Pratt says. “If I’m not using a float, I prefer to use two- to four-pound hi-visibility line because it makes strike detection so much easier. This time of year, a strike is a subtle suck, not a slam.”
Turkey hunting remains fairly consistent across the north woods and hunters are still filling their tags. In the past week, Shooting Star Archery registered eight adult birds (and not one jake so far this year) for Period D. Dennis says it’s getting more difficult to find the birds, but he advises hunter to not give up too soon.
At Hillman’s Store, Lonnie registered three adult toms for Period D. He reports a husband and wife team killed two identical birds – 22 pounds and nine-inch beards – on the same day, one at 9 a.m. and the second at 4 p.m.
Fishing Has No Boundaries (FHNB), a fishing event on the Chippewa Flowage for persons with disabilities, is this coming weekend May 15-17. Additional volunteers are always needed (and greatly appreciated!) to work the docks, clean fish, operate pontoons, and assist participants on and off the boats. Call the Hayward FHNB office 634-3185.
Also this coming weekend, Musky Tale Resort is hosting its Northern Encounter partners pike fishing tournament on the Chippewa Flowage. Prizes will be awarded for a minimum of five places and the largest fish. The more participants they have, the more places – and money per place – will be paid. First Place (total weight) will win a minimum of $1,000 based on a minimum of 30 team entries. Door prizes will be awarded Saturday night. For more information, visit the Musky Tale Resort website or call (715) 462-3838; toll free 1-877-533-8902.

Fishing Report
Reminders for Hayward area anglers: In the Northern Bass Zone, bass fishing is catch and release only until June 20. In the Northern Musky Zone, it is illegal to actively fish for muskies prior to the May 23 musky season opener. Bass and muskie zone boundaries are not the same. Know where you are fishing.

Walleye:
Walleyes are scattered, but action is fairly decent and improving. Look for newer weed growth, weeds, structure, and rocks, but some fish will also be found on the flats. Depths range from very shallow to about 30 feet. Fish deeper water on the deep, clear lakes, and shallow shoreline bars and points on the shallower, darker water lakes. Use live bait (walleye suckers, fatheads, leeches, and crawlers) on jigs, Lindy Rigs, harnesses, and under slip bobbers; and crankbaits, stickbaits, and Rapalas in mixed sizes and colors. With the cooler water, a slow presentation/retrieve is most productive.

Northern:
Northerns are active, aggressive, and this is a great time to target them. Look for the pike near weeds in less than 15 feet of water, in shallow bays, and wherever panfish are spawning. Reports indicate the fish are hitting about anything you care to throw at them, but best bets include live bait (northern suckers, large minnows) and spoons, spinners, spinnerbaits, X-Raps and Husky Jerks.

Crappie:
Crappie action is currently very good, and warming water will only make it better. Crappies are in pre-spawn/spawn and in or moving toward the shallows. Depending on the lake and time you fish, however, you could find them from very shallow to nearly 20 feet. (But starting shallow is advised.) A large variety of baits will work, including live bait (crappie minnows, fatheads, waxies, worms,) plastics (tube jigs, Mini-Mites,) and Berkley Power Bait and Gulp! panfish bait.

Bluegill:
Bluegills are moving toward the shallows for spawning and anglers report good success. Look for shallow, warmer water with weeds, and on cool days fish your bait a bit deeper. Waxies, worms, minnows, plastics, and tube jigs – with and without bobbers – are all producing fish at this time.

Upcoming Events
May 15: Whitetails Unlimited banquet at Lumberjack Steakhouse. Ticket ordering deadline May 8 (715-558-1395.)
May 15-17: Musky Tale Resort Northern Encounter pike fishing tournament (715-462-3838.)
May 15-17: Fishing Has No Boundaries (715-634-3185.)
May 23: Musky season opens north of Hwy 10.
June 6-7: Free Fishing Weekend.
Through May 24: Spring turkey season (six, five-day periods.)
Through July 31: Illegal to run dogs on WPA lands. (See regs.)

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.