Hayward Lakes Sherry
12-21-2010, 12:21 PM
December 20, 2010
Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman
The warmer temperatures and additional snow (possibly significant) forecast for the Hayward area this week are not conducive to increasing ice thickness on area lakes. Although more snow is a welcome addition to snowmobile and cross-country ski trails, it will affect lake travel for ice anglers already hindered by slush, drifts, and varied ice depths.
Bob at Hayward Bait says lake ice is up to nine inches thick, but he says anglers should be careful – pockets of slush and snow-covered areas have thinner ice.
“Walleyes are starting to hit walleye suckers and shiners on tip-ups and fatheads on jigs. Evening hours offer the best fishing. Northerns are hitting northern suckers under tip-ups, and panfish are active.”
He reminds anglers and others that the annual Walleyes for Northwest Wisconsin family Ice Fishing Event on Lac Courte Oreilles is February 12, with a few new interesting twists in prizes. For more information, call (715) 634-2921.
Pat at Happy Hooker says quite a few anglers are on the ice, but so far he is not hearing many reports about their success. He notes that ice thickness is 8-12 inches and they have staked the snowmobile lake trails. Pat recommends riders stay on the trails and advises against driving vehicles on the ice.
At Pastika’s, Al says ice depth is up to eight inches, some trails are staked, and anglers are driving four-wheelers.
“Be very cautious, however, as there are slush problems and drift areas can have thinner ice.
“Most anglers report good action. Walleyes are in 5-20 feet of water, hitting walleye suckers and shiners under tip-ups, and jigged fatheads. Northern pike fishing is decent, with walleye anglers making quite a few incidental pike catches. Crappie and bluegill fishing is good on crappie minnows and waxies.”
According to DNR fisheries biologist Skip Sommerfeldt, the big snowstorm last weekend added 6-12 inches of snow on the ice cover, creating some major slush problems on many waters.
“Most lakes had 5 to 7 inches of ice prior to the storm,” Sommerfeldt says, “and this heavy snow will provide quite a bit of insulation to keep the ice from adding much more thickness for the next week or so.
“Ice thickness and snow cover continue to be quite variable, and travel conditions are very difficult with the slush. Early season anglers should still be extremely cautious when venturing out, and always check ice thickness and slush conditions before heading across any body of water.”
Sommerfeldt says reports from anglers indicate fishing is generally fair.
“Walleye are the primary target for most of them, and the tip-up anglers report sporadic catches. Fish mud/muck flats and weed edges in late afternoon using small suckers or large fatheads at 5 to 8 feet.
“Perch are hitting small minnows at depths from four feet to more than 20 feet of water. Crappies are suspending just off the bottom in 18-24 feet of water.”
Late archery deer season ends January 9, but hunters have either lost interest or are having a tough go of it with cold temperatures and crunchy snow cover. In the past week, Hayward area registration stations (Shooting Star, Hillman’s Store, Hayward Bait) registered only two antlerless deer and five bucks. There are quite a few bucks already losing their antlers.
Hayward Power Sports reports there is about 10 inches of snow on the ground and they have staked all lake trails. Big beavers, downed trees, and groomers sunk in swamps delayed in some trail staking.
Lakewoods Resort reports good trail conditions and riders are enjoying the early season. Groomers are covering most areas, though still bypassing trail sections with large wetlands. We will stake trails this week, however, ice is never completely safe, no matter the thickness. Always check the ice conditions of any lake you wish to travel, and always go prepared for encounters with thin ice.
Virgin Timber Resort reports 12 inches of snow cover but poor trail conditions. Groomers are on the trails, but there are still some wet areas. At the time of the report, Moose Lake had nearly eight inches of ice, but it is very slushy.
The Cable area trail report says cold temperatures throughout the week significantly improved trail and riding conditions. There is a 10-inch base, trails are in good early season conditions, and groomers will go out when conditions allow. The report advises against snowmobilers riding on the ice until the completion of lake trail staking this week.
First grooming of the Tuscobia State Trail is now complete, with a four-inch base of snow The Sawyer County-Washburn County segment of the trail is now open to ATV use.
The DNR says local clubs and county snowmobile coordinators determine when to open trails, reminding riders that using trails before they are officially open is trespassing and can result in trail damage and loss of trail easements.
Upcoming Events
Dec. 31: Seasons Close: Pheasant; Hungarian partridge; Bobcat hunting/trapping; Fisher trapping; Frog.
Jan. 8: Northwest Relic Riders Vintage Snowmobile Club vintage stud run.
Jan. 8: Stone Lake Pub ice fishing contest (715-865-2141.)
Jan. 9: Late archery deer season closes.
Jan. 25: Winter crow season open through March 20.
Jan. 31: Seasons Close: Squirrel; Ruffed grouse in northern zone.
Feb. 5: Cable Rod and Gun Club Ice Fishing Contest on Lake Namakagon (715-798-4459.)
Feb. 12: Walleyes for Northwest Wisconsin Family Ice Fishing Event (715-634-2921.)
Feb. 24-26: American Birkebeiner (715-634-5025.)
March 4-6: World’s Longest Weenie Roast Lakewoods Resort.
March 4-6: Hayward National Snocross at LCO Casino Lodge and Convention Center.
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
The warmer temperatures and additional snow (possibly significant) forecast for the Hayward area this week are not conducive to increasing ice thickness on area lakes. Although more snow is a welcome addition to snowmobile and cross-country ski trails, it will affect lake travel for ice anglers already hindered by slush, drifts, and varied ice depths.
Bob at Hayward Bait says lake ice is up to nine inches thick, but he says anglers should be careful – pockets of slush and snow-covered areas have thinner ice.
“Walleyes are starting to hit walleye suckers and shiners on tip-ups and fatheads on jigs. Evening hours offer the best fishing. Northerns are hitting northern suckers under tip-ups, and panfish are active.”
He reminds anglers and others that the annual Walleyes for Northwest Wisconsin family Ice Fishing Event on Lac Courte Oreilles is February 12, with a few new interesting twists in prizes. For more information, call (715) 634-2921.
Pat at Happy Hooker says quite a few anglers are on the ice, but so far he is not hearing many reports about their success. He notes that ice thickness is 8-12 inches and they have staked the snowmobile lake trails. Pat recommends riders stay on the trails and advises against driving vehicles on the ice.
At Pastika’s, Al says ice depth is up to eight inches, some trails are staked, and anglers are driving four-wheelers.
“Be very cautious, however, as there are slush problems and drift areas can have thinner ice.
“Most anglers report good action. Walleyes are in 5-20 feet of water, hitting walleye suckers and shiners under tip-ups, and jigged fatheads. Northern pike fishing is decent, with walleye anglers making quite a few incidental pike catches. Crappie and bluegill fishing is good on crappie minnows and waxies.”
According to DNR fisheries biologist Skip Sommerfeldt, the big snowstorm last weekend added 6-12 inches of snow on the ice cover, creating some major slush problems on many waters.
“Most lakes had 5 to 7 inches of ice prior to the storm,” Sommerfeldt says, “and this heavy snow will provide quite a bit of insulation to keep the ice from adding much more thickness for the next week or so.
“Ice thickness and snow cover continue to be quite variable, and travel conditions are very difficult with the slush. Early season anglers should still be extremely cautious when venturing out, and always check ice thickness and slush conditions before heading across any body of water.”
Sommerfeldt says reports from anglers indicate fishing is generally fair.
“Walleye are the primary target for most of them, and the tip-up anglers report sporadic catches. Fish mud/muck flats and weed edges in late afternoon using small suckers or large fatheads at 5 to 8 feet.
“Perch are hitting small minnows at depths from four feet to more than 20 feet of water. Crappies are suspending just off the bottom in 18-24 feet of water.”
Late archery deer season ends January 9, but hunters have either lost interest or are having a tough go of it with cold temperatures and crunchy snow cover. In the past week, Hayward area registration stations (Shooting Star, Hillman’s Store, Hayward Bait) registered only two antlerless deer and five bucks. There are quite a few bucks already losing their antlers.
Hayward Power Sports reports there is about 10 inches of snow on the ground and they have staked all lake trails. Big beavers, downed trees, and groomers sunk in swamps delayed in some trail staking.
Lakewoods Resort reports good trail conditions and riders are enjoying the early season. Groomers are covering most areas, though still bypassing trail sections with large wetlands. We will stake trails this week, however, ice is never completely safe, no matter the thickness. Always check the ice conditions of any lake you wish to travel, and always go prepared for encounters with thin ice.
Virgin Timber Resort reports 12 inches of snow cover but poor trail conditions. Groomers are on the trails, but there are still some wet areas. At the time of the report, Moose Lake had nearly eight inches of ice, but it is very slushy.
The Cable area trail report says cold temperatures throughout the week significantly improved trail and riding conditions. There is a 10-inch base, trails are in good early season conditions, and groomers will go out when conditions allow. The report advises against snowmobilers riding on the ice until the completion of lake trail staking this week.
First grooming of the Tuscobia State Trail is now complete, with a four-inch base of snow The Sawyer County-Washburn County segment of the trail is now open to ATV use.
The DNR says local clubs and county snowmobile coordinators determine when to open trails, reminding riders that using trails before they are officially open is trespassing and can result in trail damage and loss of trail easements.
Upcoming Events
Dec. 31: Seasons Close: Pheasant; Hungarian partridge; Bobcat hunting/trapping; Fisher trapping; Frog.
Jan. 8: Northwest Relic Riders Vintage Snowmobile Club vintage stud run.
Jan. 8: Stone Lake Pub ice fishing contest (715-865-2141.)
Jan. 9: Late archery deer season closes.
Jan. 25: Winter crow season open through March 20.
Jan. 31: Seasons Close: Squirrel; Ruffed grouse in northern zone.
Feb. 5: Cable Rod and Gun Club Ice Fishing Contest on Lake Namakagon (715-798-4459.)
Feb. 12: Walleyes for Northwest Wisconsin Family Ice Fishing Event (715-634-2921.)
Feb. 24-26: American Birkebeiner (715-634-5025.)
March 4-6: World’s Longest Weenie Roast Lakewoods Resort.
March 4-6: Hayward National Snocross at LCO Casino Lodge and Convention Center.
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.