Hayward Lakes Sherry
05-25-2010, 12:01 PM
May 24, 2010
Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman
Temperatures are hot in the northwoods, but so is the fishing, so let’s get right to it!
“What a difference a week makes!” says Pat at Happy Hooker. “All reports are very good, except for walleyes. Perch are larger than normal, crappies are ‘jumping in the boat,’ and panfish and walleye anglers who avoid ‘bite-offs’ are landing quite a few muskies, including 48, 45, and 42 inches, and a few northerns to 32 inches.”
Randy at Jenk’s says Chippewa Flowage northern fishing is good with large minnows on the weed edges, especially on the west side. At Minnow Jim’s, Cathy recommends fishing shallow, sandy areas with dressed jigs tipped with waxies or worms for Nelson Lake’s spawning bluegills and crappies.
John at Stone Lake Bait says anglers are catching good numbers of small bluegills, though he occasionally sees some to 12 inches. Brian at Outdoor Creations says bass are preparing to spawn, fish are on beds, and spinnerbaits are working well.
Bob at Hayward Bait reminds anglers that bass fishing in the Northern Zone is catch and release until June 19.
“Anglers are catching fish with jigs, plastics, tubes, spinner and crank baits near shallow weeds and wood, and fishing is outstanding around docks.”
Steve Genson at Pastika’s reminds anglers that Northern Zone musky season opens May 29, this coming weekend.
“It looks to be a good opener,” Genson says. “Muskies will be concentrated in areas where panfish are spawning, and action should be good on small bucktails, twitch and glide baits.”
DNR fisheries biologist Skip Sommerfeldt says prospects are excellent for the Northern Zone musky opener.
“Anglers looking for action in Sawyer County should try Ghost, Lower Clam, and Black lakes. Look for fish holding on the deep edges of new weed beds. Large forage is generally scarce on these smaller lakes, and small bucktails and jerkbaits should provide good action.”
Well-known local guide Bill Shumway, with more than 27 years of guiding experience in the Hayward area, will be the featured speaker at the Hayward Lakes Chapter - Muskies, Inc. meeting Tuesday June 1. Shumway’s “Back to the Basics for Muskies” presentation begins at 7 p.m. at Dick-Sy Roadhouse, ten miles east of Hayward on Highway 77. The public is invited, and there is no charge. For more information, contact Mike Persson 634-4543.
The DNR increased daily walleye bag limits on 369 lakes in the Wisconsin Ceded Territory, effective May 21 through March 6, 2011. Revisions are posted on the DNR website and in the revised walleye bag limits pamphlet.
Hayward area registration stations (Shooting Star, Hillman’s Store, Hayward Bait) recorded 13 turkeys for Period F (May 19-23), the final period of spring turkey season. In total, the stations registered 66 birds for the spring season.
Fishing Reports
Walleye:
Walleye action is good overall, with early morning and evening the best times for success. Concentrate new weeds, shallow cribs, rocky points and bars, drop-offs, and deeper weeds and structure. Fish fatheads, walleye suckers, leeches, and crawlers on jigs, Lindy Rigs, bait harnesses, and under slip bobbers. At dusk, cast Rapalas, stick, and crank baits along shallow shorelines – Skip Sommerfeldt says this will usually produce larger fish than live bait rigs.
Northern:
Northern action is fair to excellent, depending on the day and water. Fish shallow weeds – edges and tops – in water to ten feet or so, and in any bay areas where you find spawning panfish. For live bait, it’s hard to beat large northern suckers under bobbers. Effective artificials include crank, stick, and spinner baits, spoons, Husky Jerks, and X-Raps.
Crappie:
Crappies are shallow, spawning, and providing good action. You will find them in weeds, wood, cribs, brush, and on sandy bottom areas, as well as holding under bogs. Crappie minnows, waxies, plastics, and tubes are all catching fish. Fish small jigs bare, or tip them (or plain hooks) with live bait, plastics, or Gulp! bait, and fish with or without a bobber. A slip bobber can really add to your success and enjoyment – and it’s not rocket surgery.
Bluegill:
Bluegills are moving in for spawning. Target shallow water sand and bay areas, weeds, brush, and wood. Fish a bit deeper for larger fish. When ‘gills are on the beds just about anything will work, but here are some suggestions: Waxies, crawlers, leaf worms, leeches, minnows, tubes/plastics, spinners, topwaters/poppers, and Gulp! bait. Fish them on plain hooks or small plain or dressed jigs, with or without bobbers. If you aren’t catching fish, you’re in the wrong area.
Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman
Temperatures are hot in the northwoods, but so is the fishing, so let’s get right to it!
“What a difference a week makes!” says Pat at Happy Hooker. “All reports are very good, except for walleyes. Perch are larger than normal, crappies are ‘jumping in the boat,’ and panfish and walleye anglers who avoid ‘bite-offs’ are landing quite a few muskies, including 48, 45, and 42 inches, and a few northerns to 32 inches.”
Randy at Jenk’s says Chippewa Flowage northern fishing is good with large minnows on the weed edges, especially on the west side. At Minnow Jim’s, Cathy recommends fishing shallow, sandy areas with dressed jigs tipped with waxies or worms for Nelson Lake’s spawning bluegills and crappies.
John at Stone Lake Bait says anglers are catching good numbers of small bluegills, though he occasionally sees some to 12 inches. Brian at Outdoor Creations says bass are preparing to spawn, fish are on beds, and spinnerbaits are working well.
Bob at Hayward Bait reminds anglers that bass fishing in the Northern Zone is catch and release until June 19.
“Anglers are catching fish with jigs, plastics, tubes, spinner and crank baits near shallow weeds and wood, and fishing is outstanding around docks.”
Steve Genson at Pastika’s reminds anglers that Northern Zone musky season opens May 29, this coming weekend.
“It looks to be a good opener,” Genson says. “Muskies will be concentrated in areas where panfish are spawning, and action should be good on small bucktails, twitch and glide baits.”
DNR fisheries biologist Skip Sommerfeldt says prospects are excellent for the Northern Zone musky opener.
“Anglers looking for action in Sawyer County should try Ghost, Lower Clam, and Black lakes. Look for fish holding on the deep edges of new weed beds. Large forage is generally scarce on these smaller lakes, and small bucktails and jerkbaits should provide good action.”
Well-known local guide Bill Shumway, with more than 27 years of guiding experience in the Hayward area, will be the featured speaker at the Hayward Lakes Chapter - Muskies, Inc. meeting Tuesday June 1. Shumway’s “Back to the Basics for Muskies” presentation begins at 7 p.m. at Dick-Sy Roadhouse, ten miles east of Hayward on Highway 77. The public is invited, and there is no charge. For more information, contact Mike Persson 634-4543.
The DNR increased daily walleye bag limits on 369 lakes in the Wisconsin Ceded Territory, effective May 21 through March 6, 2011. Revisions are posted on the DNR website and in the revised walleye bag limits pamphlet.
Hayward area registration stations (Shooting Star, Hillman’s Store, Hayward Bait) recorded 13 turkeys for Period F (May 19-23), the final period of spring turkey season. In total, the stations registered 66 birds for the spring season.
Fishing Reports
Walleye:
Walleye action is good overall, with early morning and evening the best times for success. Concentrate new weeds, shallow cribs, rocky points and bars, drop-offs, and deeper weeds and structure. Fish fatheads, walleye suckers, leeches, and crawlers on jigs, Lindy Rigs, bait harnesses, and under slip bobbers. At dusk, cast Rapalas, stick, and crank baits along shallow shorelines – Skip Sommerfeldt says this will usually produce larger fish than live bait rigs.
Northern:
Northern action is fair to excellent, depending on the day and water. Fish shallow weeds – edges and tops – in water to ten feet or so, and in any bay areas where you find spawning panfish. For live bait, it’s hard to beat large northern suckers under bobbers. Effective artificials include crank, stick, and spinner baits, spoons, Husky Jerks, and X-Raps.
Crappie:
Crappies are shallow, spawning, and providing good action. You will find them in weeds, wood, cribs, brush, and on sandy bottom areas, as well as holding under bogs. Crappie minnows, waxies, plastics, and tubes are all catching fish. Fish small jigs bare, or tip them (or plain hooks) with live bait, plastics, or Gulp! bait, and fish with or without a bobber. A slip bobber can really add to your success and enjoyment – and it’s not rocket surgery.
Bluegill:
Bluegills are moving in for spawning. Target shallow water sand and bay areas, weeds, brush, and wood. Fish a bit deeper for larger fish. When ‘gills are on the beds just about anything will work, but here are some suggestions: Waxies, crawlers, leaf worms, leeches, minnows, tubes/plastics, spinners, topwaters/poppers, and Gulp! bait. Fish them on plain hooks or small plain or dressed jigs, with or without bobbers. If you aren’t catching fish, you’re in the wrong area.