Hayward Lakes Sherry
03-02-2010, 10:36 AM
March 01, 2010
Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman
Those of us fortunate enough to be in the north woods today are enjoying an absolutely gorgeous Monday afternoon. Sunshine, blue skies, slight breeze, and mild temperatures make a near-perfect day for any outside activities.
Pat at Happy Hooker says longer, warmer days make being on the ice far more pleasant, and serious panfish anglers are getting anxious because the next four to six weeks usually offer the best panfish action of the entire winter season.
Bob at Hayward Bait says lake ice is up to two feet thick and travel conditions are good. He recommends anyone venturing on the ice know where they are going and to travel only in areas where they know the lake.
DNR fisheries biologist Frank Pratt says game fish season extends through March 7, as late as it can possibly go, and notes the last week is always good for big northerns.
Wisconsin’s early catch-and-release trout season opens at 5 a.m. March 6. Only artificial lures may be used while fishing for any species of fish on trout streams, and rules no longer require anglers to use barbless hooks. Most trout streams are open to early fishing, but check the 2010-11 trout regulations for specific waters.
Virgin Timber Resort reports 10 inches of snow cover and fair tail conditions. Wooded trails are in good shape, but the crossings, forest roads, and exposed areas are dirty. Lakewoods reports trails remain snow covered and in fair to good condition, though getting dirty. There are some ice spots and bare areas on corners and hills. A majority of trails remain enjoyable for riders thanks to cool nights and conscientious grooming.
The Hayward 300 Snocross National is March 5-7 at LCO Casino Lodge and Convention Center. Racing fans get up-close and full track views of Pro-Stock, Semi-Pro, Sport Open, Junior 14-15, Junior 16-17, Sport Super Stock, and Sport Women Super Stock. For ticket information, visit Hayward 300 ISOC Snocross Nationals or call (715) 634-8662.
On March 6, Lakewoods Resort will host the World’s Longest Weenie Roast, a charity event to support Namakagon Area emergency services. Events include radar runs, ice bowling, golf challenges, and many others. For more information, call (800) 930-6657.
On March 13, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Schultz’s Restaurant will hold its 7th Annual Turkey Bowl, a fundraiser for the Northwoods Humane Society. Participants bowl with frozen turkeys on lanes plowed on Chippewa Flowage ice. For more information, call 715-945-2223.
Reminders: Game fish season on inland waters closes March 7. Hunting/fishing/trapping licenses expire March 31.
Walleye:
Walleye action can be fairly good IF you are there at the right time – which means hitting the very short bite window. Very early morning and late afternoon into evening (any low light periods) offer higher odds for success. Concentrate on weeds, structure, and break lines in 8-30 of water. Best presentations include jigs with fatheads, jigging spoons with fatheads or crappie minnows, and tip-ups with walleye suckers or shiners.
Northern:
Northern pike action is good for small fish, though anglers are also icing some nice pike. Fish in/on/near shallow weeds in 4-15 feet of water with tip-ups and northern or walleye suckers or shiners. Afternoon hours are producing the best success. If fishing shallow lakes with depleting oxygen levels, move your bait a bit higher in the water column.
Crappie:
Crappie action continues to be somewhat slow and inconsistent. Look for that to quickly improve, however. Fish are suspending (but moving) at various depths over deeper water. Crappie minnows, rosy reds, fatheads, waxies, and plastics will work – once you locate the fish, which will require some movement on your part.
Bluegill:
Bluegill fishing is good, but there are a lot of small fish so plan on considerable sorting. You will find them around weeds, cribs, and structure in 4-18 feet of water. Waxies, spikes, mousies, silver wigglers, and plastics on small jigs or teardrops are all effective presentations.
Perch:
Perch action is good and actually fairly steady. They are hitting fatheads, rosy reads, crappie minnows, waxies, spikes, and silver wigglers on plain hooks, jigs, and jigging spoons. Work your bait on the bottom of mud flats and near structure in 12-25 feet of water, depending on the lake.
Upcoming Events
March 5-7: Hayward 300 Snocross National.
March 6: Early catch-and-release only trout season opens statewide.
March 6: Hayward Lakes Chapter Muskies, Inc. awards banquet (715-634-4543.)
March 6: World’s Longest Weenie Roast at Lakewoods (800 930-6657.)
March 7: Game fish season closes on inland waters. (Check regs for exceptions.)
March 10: New hunting/fishing licenses on sale.
March 10: Hayward Bass Club membership meeting (715-699-1015.)
March 13: Schultz’s Restaurant 7th Annual Turkey Bowl Northwoods Humane Society fundraiser (715-945-2223.)
March 14: Ice fishing shelters must be removed from lakes north of Hwy 64.
March 20: Crow season closes.
March 22-26: OTC sale of remaining spring turkey permits begins.
March 27: Trout season opens on designated sections of some Lake Superior tributaries. See regs.
March 31: Hunting/fishing licenses expire.
April 12: Fish & Wildlife Spring Hearings and Conservation Congress county meetings.
April 10-11: Youth spring turkey hunt.
April 14-May 23: Spring turkey season.
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
Those of us fortunate enough to be in the north woods today are enjoying an absolutely gorgeous Monday afternoon. Sunshine, blue skies, slight breeze, and mild temperatures make a near-perfect day for any outside activities.
Pat at Happy Hooker says longer, warmer days make being on the ice far more pleasant, and serious panfish anglers are getting anxious because the next four to six weeks usually offer the best panfish action of the entire winter season.
Bob at Hayward Bait says lake ice is up to two feet thick and travel conditions are good. He recommends anyone venturing on the ice know where they are going and to travel only in areas where they know the lake.
DNR fisheries biologist Frank Pratt says game fish season extends through March 7, as late as it can possibly go, and notes the last week is always good for big northerns.
Wisconsin’s early catch-and-release trout season opens at 5 a.m. March 6. Only artificial lures may be used while fishing for any species of fish on trout streams, and rules no longer require anglers to use barbless hooks. Most trout streams are open to early fishing, but check the 2010-11 trout regulations for specific waters.
Virgin Timber Resort reports 10 inches of snow cover and fair tail conditions. Wooded trails are in good shape, but the crossings, forest roads, and exposed areas are dirty. Lakewoods reports trails remain snow covered and in fair to good condition, though getting dirty. There are some ice spots and bare areas on corners and hills. A majority of trails remain enjoyable for riders thanks to cool nights and conscientious grooming.
The Hayward 300 Snocross National is March 5-7 at LCO Casino Lodge and Convention Center. Racing fans get up-close and full track views of Pro-Stock, Semi-Pro, Sport Open, Junior 14-15, Junior 16-17, Sport Super Stock, and Sport Women Super Stock. For ticket information, visit Hayward 300 ISOC Snocross Nationals or call (715) 634-8662.
On March 6, Lakewoods Resort will host the World’s Longest Weenie Roast, a charity event to support Namakagon Area emergency services. Events include radar runs, ice bowling, golf challenges, and many others. For more information, call (800) 930-6657.
On March 13, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Schultz’s Restaurant will hold its 7th Annual Turkey Bowl, a fundraiser for the Northwoods Humane Society. Participants bowl with frozen turkeys on lanes plowed on Chippewa Flowage ice. For more information, call 715-945-2223.
Reminders: Game fish season on inland waters closes March 7. Hunting/fishing/trapping licenses expire March 31.
Walleye:
Walleye action can be fairly good IF you are there at the right time – which means hitting the very short bite window. Very early morning and late afternoon into evening (any low light periods) offer higher odds for success. Concentrate on weeds, structure, and break lines in 8-30 of water. Best presentations include jigs with fatheads, jigging spoons with fatheads or crappie minnows, and tip-ups with walleye suckers or shiners.
Northern:
Northern pike action is good for small fish, though anglers are also icing some nice pike. Fish in/on/near shallow weeds in 4-15 feet of water with tip-ups and northern or walleye suckers or shiners. Afternoon hours are producing the best success. If fishing shallow lakes with depleting oxygen levels, move your bait a bit higher in the water column.
Crappie:
Crappie action continues to be somewhat slow and inconsistent. Look for that to quickly improve, however. Fish are suspending (but moving) at various depths over deeper water. Crappie minnows, rosy reds, fatheads, waxies, and plastics will work – once you locate the fish, which will require some movement on your part.
Bluegill:
Bluegill fishing is good, but there are a lot of small fish so plan on considerable sorting. You will find them around weeds, cribs, and structure in 4-18 feet of water. Waxies, spikes, mousies, silver wigglers, and plastics on small jigs or teardrops are all effective presentations.
Perch:
Perch action is good and actually fairly steady. They are hitting fatheads, rosy reads, crappie minnows, waxies, spikes, and silver wigglers on plain hooks, jigs, and jigging spoons. Work your bait on the bottom of mud flats and near structure in 12-25 feet of water, depending on the lake.
Upcoming Events
March 5-7: Hayward 300 Snocross National.
March 6: Early catch-and-release only trout season opens statewide.
March 6: Hayward Lakes Chapter Muskies, Inc. awards banquet (715-634-4543.)
March 6: World’s Longest Weenie Roast at Lakewoods (800 930-6657.)
March 7: Game fish season closes on inland waters. (Check regs for exceptions.)
March 10: New hunting/fishing licenses on sale.
March 10: Hayward Bass Club membership meeting (715-699-1015.)
March 13: Schultz’s Restaurant 7th Annual Turkey Bowl Northwoods Humane Society fundraiser (715-945-2223.)
March 14: Ice fishing shelters must be removed from lakes north of Hwy 64.
March 20: Crow season closes.
March 22-26: OTC sale of remaining spring turkey permits begins.
March 27: Trout season opens on designated sections of some Lake Superior tributaries. See regs.
March 31: Hunting/fishing licenses expire.
April 12: Fish & Wildlife Spring Hearings and Conservation Congress county meetings.
April 10-11: Youth spring turkey hunt.
April 14-May 23: Spring turkey season.
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.