Hayward Lakes Sherry
10-13-2009, 09:11 AM
October 12, 2009
Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman
Upon reflection, the wet and windy weather a week ago does not look quite so bad today. Funny how the falling temperatures – and falling snow – provides new perspective.
According to DNR fisheries biologist Skip Sommerfeldt, wet, cold weather (water temperatures dropped into the mid to low 50s) combined with fall turnover has disrupted fish activity on northern waters. DNR fisheries biologist Frank Pratt says local lakes on the fall crappie netting schedule include Smith, Sissabagama, Lost Land, Teal, and the Chippewa Flowage.
In the past week, local registration stations (Shooting Star Archery, Hillman’s Store, Hayward Bait) registered 14 bucks (including three nice eight-pointers) and 17 antlerless deer for the special Youth Deer Hunt; seven bucks and 25 antlerless deer for archery season; three bears; one turkey.
Hayward Rod and Gun Club will host sight-in days Oct. 31, Nov. 1, 7, 8, and every day during November 14-20, the week prior to gun deer season opener. As a fundraiser this year, the club is raffling a Marlin XL 7 rifle. The drawing is Nov. 20 and the winner need not be present to win.
Tickets ($1/each or six/$5) are available at Shooting Star Archery or at the rifle range during sight-in days.
Muskies:
Musky fishing during the day is as good and consistent as for any species. Look for any green weeds at whatever depths, and fish right on the edge. Interest in live suckers is increasing with the cooler water temperatures, though Bull Dawgs, bucktails, jerk, glide, crank, and sucker-type baits are also catching fish. (As a side note, according to Pat at Happy Hooker, the Quiet Lakes produced 15 percent of the muskies caught during last week’s Muskies, Inc. fall tournament.)
Walleye:
Walleye action is challenging, though improving, and the best fishing is just before dark. In general, concentrate on deeper water structure and any weed edges with walleye suckers or fatheads on jigs or under slip bobbers. Pat at Happy Hooker has reason to think walleye fishing could be quite good for the next several weeks.
“The Quiet Lakes offer two very productive patterns each fall,” Pat says. “The most popular pattern is when much of the walleye population moves into holes on the lakes, remaining there through all October and much of November. The holes are easy to find and fish with 1/4- or 1/8-ounce jig heads and large fatheads or walleye suckers. It’s a very consistent and predictable pattern.
“The second pattern involves large, deep gravel flats in 12-20 feet of water. Fishing is good during the daytime and it is a great pattern for large walleye.
“Some lakes also have good action on areas with sharp drops into 12-20 feet of water. Anglers using walleye suckers you will find both good numbers of fish and some of very nice size.”
Northern:
Northern pike action continues to be good on spoons, spinners, spinnerbaits, and northern suckers fished around any green weeds you can find and/or near any areas holding panfish.
Largemouth Bass:
This is not prime time for largemouth bass, primarily because they leave the shallows and become so difficult to locate. Your best bet is to work deeper weed lines with crank and spinnerbaits, soft plastics, tubes, jig and pig combinations, and live bait.
Smallmouth Bass:
Smallmouth action can be very good to very difficult. Look for the smallmouth in deeper water (12-28 feet) in and on rocks, hard bottoms, and transition areas, and around any green weeds and cover. Slow presentations with walleye suckers, tubes, and soft plastics will offer the best odds for success.
Crappie:
Crappie action continues to be good and getting better, and even produced a few Quiet Lakes Crappie-A-Thon winners in the past week. The fish are moving into somewhat deeper water and late fall patterns, but you will find them anywhere from 6-25 feet in/on weeds, weed edges, cribs, and other cover. Crappie minnows, plastics/tube jigs, and waxies are all effective baits at this time.
Bluegill:
Fishing for bluegills is fair to good for those who choose to chase them (but few are making that choice.) Look for the ‘gills around weeds and weed edges in 5-15 feet of water. Waxies and plastics/tube jigs are the baits of choice, but small minnows can be just the ticket of larger bluegills.
Upcoming Events
Oct. 13: Black bear season closes.
Oct. 17: Seasons open: Pheasant; Sharp-tailed grouse; Bobwhite quail; Hungarian partridge; Raccoon gun/trapping; Fisher trapping. Northern Zone: Muskrat, Mink; Red and gray fox hunting/trapping; Coyote trapping; Bobcat hunting/trapping north of Hwy. 64.
Oct. 31: Non-resident raccoon season opens.
Nov. 2: Woodcock season closes.
Nov. 7: Seasons Open: Beaver trapping; Otter trapping.
Nov. 8: Sharp-tailed grouse season closes.
Nov. 9: Mourning dove season closes.
Nov. 19: Seasons Close: Archery deer; Turkey; Crow.
Nov. 21: Regular gun deer season opens.
Nov. 24: Northern Zone duck season closes.
Through Dec. 31: Illegal to shine for wild animals between 10 p.m.-7 a.m.
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.
Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman
Upon reflection, the wet and windy weather a week ago does not look quite so bad today. Funny how the falling temperatures – and falling snow – provides new perspective.
According to DNR fisheries biologist Skip Sommerfeldt, wet, cold weather (water temperatures dropped into the mid to low 50s) combined with fall turnover has disrupted fish activity on northern waters. DNR fisheries biologist Frank Pratt says local lakes on the fall crappie netting schedule include Smith, Sissabagama, Lost Land, Teal, and the Chippewa Flowage.
In the past week, local registration stations (Shooting Star Archery, Hillman’s Store, Hayward Bait) registered 14 bucks (including three nice eight-pointers) and 17 antlerless deer for the special Youth Deer Hunt; seven bucks and 25 antlerless deer for archery season; three bears; one turkey.
Hayward Rod and Gun Club will host sight-in days Oct. 31, Nov. 1, 7, 8, and every day during November 14-20, the week prior to gun deer season opener. As a fundraiser this year, the club is raffling a Marlin XL 7 rifle. The drawing is Nov. 20 and the winner need not be present to win.
Tickets ($1/each or six/$5) are available at Shooting Star Archery or at the rifle range during sight-in days.
Muskies:
Musky fishing during the day is as good and consistent as for any species. Look for any green weeds at whatever depths, and fish right on the edge. Interest in live suckers is increasing with the cooler water temperatures, though Bull Dawgs, bucktails, jerk, glide, crank, and sucker-type baits are also catching fish. (As a side note, according to Pat at Happy Hooker, the Quiet Lakes produced 15 percent of the muskies caught during last week’s Muskies, Inc. fall tournament.)
Walleye:
Walleye action is challenging, though improving, and the best fishing is just before dark. In general, concentrate on deeper water structure and any weed edges with walleye suckers or fatheads on jigs or under slip bobbers. Pat at Happy Hooker has reason to think walleye fishing could be quite good for the next several weeks.
“The Quiet Lakes offer two very productive patterns each fall,” Pat says. “The most popular pattern is when much of the walleye population moves into holes on the lakes, remaining there through all October and much of November. The holes are easy to find and fish with 1/4- or 1/8-ounce jig heads and large fatheads or walleye suckers. It’s a very consistent and predictable pattern.
“The second pattern involves large, deep gravel flats in 12-20 feet of water. Fishing is good during the daytime and it is a great pattern for large walleye.
“Some lakes also have good action on areas with sharp drops into 12-20 feet of water. Anglers using walleye suckers you will find both good numbers of fish and some of very nice size.”
Northern:
Northern pike action continues to be good on spoons, spinners, spinnerbaits, and northern suckers fished around any green weeds you can find and/or near any areas holding panfish.
Largemouth Bass:
This is not prime time for largemouth bass, primarily because they leave the shallows and become so difficult to locate. Your best bet is to work deeper weed lines with crank and spinnerbaits, soft plastics, tubes, jig and pig combinations, and live bait.
Smallmouth Bass:
Smallmouth action can be very good to very difficult. Look for the smallmouth in deeper water (12-28 feet) in and on rocks, hard bottoms, and transition areas, and around any green weeds and cover. Slow presentations with walleye suckers, tubes, and soft plastics will offer the best odds for success.
Crappie:
Crappie action continues to be good and getting better, and even produced a few Quiet Lakes Crappie-A-Thon winners in the past week. The fish are moving into somewhat deeper water and late fall patterns, but you will find them anywhere from 6-25 feet in/on weeds, weed edges, cribs, and other cover. Crappie minnows, plastics/tube jigs, and waxies are all effective baits at this time.
Bluegill:
Fishing for bluegills is fair to good for those who choose to chase them (but few are making that choice.) Look for the ‘gills around weeds and weed edges in 5-15 feet of water. Waxies and plastics/tube jigs are the baits of choice, but small minnows can be just the ticket of larger bluegills.
Upcoming Events
Oct. 13: Black bear season closes.
Oct. 17: Seasons open: Pheasant; Sharp-tailed grouse; Bobwhite quail; Hungarian partridge; Raccoon gun/trapping; Fisher trapping. Northern Zone: Muskrat, Mink; Red and gray fox hunting/trapping; Coyote trapping; Bobcat hunting/trapping north of Hwy. 64.
Oct. 31: Non-resident raccoon season opens.
Nov. 2: Woodcock season closes.
Nov. 7: Seasons Open: Beaver trapping; Otter trapping.
Nov. 8: Sharp-tailed grouse season closes.
Nov. 9: Mourning dove season closes.
Nov. 19: Seasons Close: Archery deer; Turkey; Crow.
Nov. 21: Regular gun deer season opens.
Nov. 24: Northern Zone duck season closes.
Through Dec. 31: Illegal to shine for wild animals between 10 p.m.-7 a.m.
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.