walleyemaxx
09-28-2010, 09:11 AM
Hi everyone,
Here is this weeks HLVCB's fishing report.
September 27, 2010
Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman
Hayward’s Fall Festival this past weekend enjoyed sunny, mild weather, though preceded by a few showers. Sunday morning’s low hit the upper 20-degree range. The forecast (subject to change at any time) shows mild days ahead with (currently) no mention of showers.
The Department of Tourism Fall Color Report says Iron County colors are already at 75 to 100 percent, and a half a dozen other northern counties report 50 to 75 percent color.
It’s a great time to be in the north woods!
“Anglers are now in full fall mode,” says Pat at Happy Hooker, “with water temps on many lakes in the 50’s throughout the area.
“Lake conditions are the best in several years. With the good rains the lakes have recovered nicely and most boat landings are in much better shape than this past spring.”
DNR fisheries biologist Skip Sommerfeldt says that with nearly all major hunting seasons open, fishing pressure dropped on most north woods waters. He reminds anglers the general trout season closes September 30 when most streams, rivers, and spring ponds close to trout fishing.
“Many stocked trout lakes remain open, however, and can be found in the Wisconsin Trout Fishing Regulations and Guide pamphlet.
DNR fisheries biologist Frank Pratt reports they completed lake surveys on Lake Winter and Osprey Lake, and Tiger Cat Chain next on the list. He says GLIFWC’s fall 2010 Chippewa Flowage report showed five natural walleye fingerlings per mile, once again a very weak year class, yet much better than the near zero count last year.
In the past week, Hayward area registration stations (Shooting Star, Hillman’s Store, Hayward Bait) registered one turkey, seven bear, 11 antlerless deer, and 11 bucks, including one nice 12-point, and a seven-point with three broken tines and an 19 1/2-inch inside spread.
There is still time to enter the Hayward Lakes Chapter Muskies, Inc., Fall Muskie Tournament Oct. 1-3. Hayward Bait will accept entries ($80 for adults and $25 for youth ages 16 and younger) until 11 p.m. Sept. 30. All entrants are eligible for the Grand Door Prize, a 2010 Lund 1725 Pro Guide tiller boat, ShoreLand’r trailer, and 50 hp Mercury motor. You do not have to fish, but you do have to be present at the Sunday awards ceremony drawing to win. For information, call Hayward Bait (715) 634-2921.
Fishing Reports
Muskies:
Muskie action is good very good, depending on the lake ... and the angler. Look for green weeds/weed edges and structure at various depths, and give those lures a workout. Bucktails, Bull Dawgs, Cowgirls, jerkbaits, topwaters, crankbaits, glide and stick baits are all catching fish, and the sucker bite is starting to come on, too.
Walleye:
Walleye action is improving. Fish are in depths ranging from shallow to 20 feet or deeper. Concentrate your efforts on weeds, structure, holes, humps, flats, brush, and drop offs. While leeches and crawlers continue to work, the switch to a minnow bit is starting. Stick and crank baits trolled in the shallows near dark are also producing nice catches.
Northern:
This is a great time to target trophy northern pike. Fish weeds at all depths with spinners, spoons, and northern suckers. Go deeper for those big pike.
Largemouth Bass:
Largemouth fishing slowed and late afternoon hours, after the sun warms the water, is the best time. Work green weeds, docks, and rocks from shallow out to about 12 feet or deeper, with jigs/pigs, spinnerbaits, crankbaits, and plastics.
Smallmouth Bass:
Smallmouth activity also slowed and best action is near cover along deep water on the rivers and flowages. On the lakes, fish hard-bottom areas, rocks, humps, structure, and weeds in 12-25 of water. Look for minnow concentrations. Tubes, plastics, and crankbaits are all working, but walleye suckers and minnows are the top choice.
Crappie:
Crappie fishing is good – when you can find them, says Randy at Jenk’s. Fish are suspended and some are just starting to school. Work the cribs (some fish are tight to the bottom), weeds in 12-18 feet, weed edges, and mid-depth cover. Minnows, waxies, plastics, and Berkley Gulp! baits continue to work well.
Bluegill:
Interest in bluegills starts to wane this time of year as the fish move deeper and anglers target other species. However, the fish are still there and this is a good time to catch larger ‘gills. Fish deeper cribs, weeds/weed edges, and mid-depth cover with waxies, worms, tubes, and Gulp! baits, and smaller minnows can be very effective for those larger fish.
Perch:
Panfish anglers are making some nice catches of perch fishing small minnows along weed edges, deep weed edges, and mid-depth cover. Best action is in late afternoon hours.
Upcoming Events
Sept. 30: Seasons Close: Trout on inland waters (see regs.); Lake trout (Lake Superior); Sturgeon.
Oct. 1-3: Hayward Lakes Chapter Muskies, Inc. Fall Muskie Tournament. (715-634-2921; 634-4543.)
Oct. 2: Stone Lake Cranberry Festival.
Oct. 2-10: Special deer hunt for hunters with disabilities (see regs.)
Oct. 9-10: Youth deer hunt.
Oct. 12: Bear season closes.
Oct. 16: Seasons Open: Pheasant; Sharp-tailed grouse; Raccoon gun and trapping; Fisher trapping. In north zone: Red and gray fox hunting and trapping; Coyote trapping; Bobcat hunting and trapping; Muskrat; Mink.
Oct. 30: Raccoon (non-resident.)
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.
Good luck fishing everyone.
Walleyemaxx
Here is this weeks HLVCB's fishing report.
September 27, 2010
Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman
Hayward’s Fall Festival this past weekend enjoyed sunny, mild weather, though preceded by a few showers. Sunday morning’s low hit the upper 20-degree range. The forecast (subject to change at any time) shows mild days ahead with (currently) no mention of showers.
The Department of Tourism Fall Color Report says Iron County colors are already at 75 to 100 percent, and a half a dozen other northern counties report 50 to 75 percent color.
It’s a great time to be in the north woods!
“Anglers are now in full fall mode,” says Pat at Happy Hooker, “with water temps on many lakes in the 50’s throughout the area.
“Lake conditions are the best in several years. With the good rains the lakes have recovered nicely and most boat landings are in much better shape than this past spring.”
DNR fisheries biologist Skip Sommerfeldt says that with nearly all major hunting seasons open, fishing pressure dropped on most north woods waters. He reminds anglers the general trout season closes September 30 when most streams, rivers, and spring ponds close to trout fishing.
“Many stocked trout lakes remain open, however, and can be found in the Wisconsin Trout Fishing Regulations and Guide pamphlet.
DNR fisheries biologist Frank Pratt reports they completed lake surveys on Lake Winter and Osprey Lake, and Tiger Cat Chain next on the list. He says GLIFWC’s fall 2010 Chippewa Flowage report showed five natural walleye fingerlings per mile, once again a very weak year class, yet much better than the near zero count last year.
In the past week, Hayward area registration stations (Shooting Star, Hillman’s Store, Hayward Bait) registered one turkey, seven bear, 11 antlerless deer, and 11 bucks, including one nice 12-point, and a seven-point with three broken tines and an 19 1/2-inch inside spread.
There is still time to enter the Hayward Lakes Chapter Muskies, Inc., Fall Muskie Tournament Oct. 1-3. Hayward Bait will accept entries ($80 for adults and $25 for youth ages 16 and younger) until 11 p.m. Sept. 30. All entrants are eligible for the Grand Door Prize, a 2010 Lund 1725 Pro Guide tiller boat, ShoreLand’r trailer, and 50 hp Mercury motor. You do not have to fish, but you do have to be present at the Sunday awards ceremony drawing to win. For information, call Hayward Bait (715) 634-2921.
Fishing Reports
Muskies:
Muskie action is good very good, depending on the lake ... and the angler. Look for green weeds/weed edges and structure at various depths, and give those lures a workout. Bucktails, Bull Dawgs, Cowgirls, jerkbaits, topwaters, crankbaits, glide and stick baits are all catching fish, and the sucker bite is starting to come on, too.
Walleye:
Walleye action is improving. Fish are in depths ranging from shallow to 20 feet or deeper. Concentrate your efforts on weeds, structure, holes, humps, flats, brush, and drop offs. While leeches and crawlers continue to work, the switch to a minnow bit is starting. Stick and crank baits trolled in the shallows near dark are also producing nice catches.
Northern:
This is a great time to target trophy northern pike. Fish weeds at all depths with spinners, spoons, and northern suckers. Go deeper for those big pike.
Largemouth Bass:
Largemouth fishing slowed and late afternoon hours, after the sun warms the water, is the best time. Work green weeds, docks, and rocks from shallow out to about 12 feet or deeper, with jigs/pigs, spinnerbaits, crankbaits, and plastics.
Smallmouth Bass:
Smallmouth activity also slowed and best action is near cover along deep water on the rivers and flowages. On the lakes, fish hard-bottom areas, rocks, humps, structure, and weeds in 12-25 of water. Look for minnow concentrations. Tubes, plastics, and crankbaits are all working, but walleye suckers and minnows are the top choice.
Crappie:
Crappie fishing is good – when you can find them, says Randy at Jenk’s. Fish are suspended and some are just starting to school. Work the cribs (some fish are tight to the bottom), weeds in 12-18 feet, weed edges, and mid-depth cover. Minnows, waxies, plastics, and Berkley Gulp! baits continue to work well.
Bluegill:
Interest in bluegills starts to wane this time of year as the fish move deeper and anglers target other species. However, the fish are still there and this is a good time to catch larger ‘gills. Fish deeper cribs, weeds/weed edges, and mid-depth cover with waxies, worms, tubes, and Gulp! baits, and smaller minnows can be very effective for those larger fish.
Perch:
Panfish anglers are making some nice catches of perch fishing small minnows along weed edges, deep weed edges, and mid-depth cover. Best action is in late afternoon hours.
Upcoming Events
Sept. 30: Seasons Close: Trout on inland waters (see regs.); Lake trout (Lake Superior); Sturgeon.
Oct. 1-3: Hayward Lakes Chapter Muskies, Inc. Fall Muskie Tournament. (715-634-2921; 634-4543.)
Oct. 2: Stone Lake Cranberry Festival.
Oct. 2-10: Special deer hunt for hunters with disabilities (see regs.)
Oct. 9-10: Youth deer hunt.
Oct. 12: Bear season closes.
Oct. 16: Seasons Open: Pheasant; Sharp-tailed grouse; Raccoon gun and trapping; Fisher trapping. In north zone: Red and gray fox hunting and trapping; Coyote trapping; Bobcat hunting and trapping; Muskrat; Mink.
Oct. 30: Raccoon (non-resident.)
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.
Good luck fishing everyone.
Walleyemaxx