Hayward Lakes Sherry
09-27-2011, 02:24 PM
September 26, 2011
Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman
Once we get past the first couple “iffy’ days, this week looks to be a real keeper, with warm highs, mild lows, and mostly clear skies. Get out and enjoy these outstanding fall days!
“Cooling temperatures, shorter days, and longer nights are putting fish in an increased feeding pattern,” says Pat at Happy Hooker, “and if conditions are right, there is no better time to get on the water.”
Bob at Hayward Bait reminds anglers the shop will stay open until 11 p.m. Thursday night to register entrants for the Muskies, Inc. tournament.
At Pastika’s, Al says anglers should look for lake turnover to begin at any time.
Randy at Jenk’s says that with the colder temperatures Chippewa Flowage walleye action is switching to minnows in 14-18 feet of water.
At Anglers All in Ashland, Carolyn says the waters off the Sioux and Onion rivers and Pikes Creek are hot for trollers running spoons, dodgers and flies, and Spin-N-Glos in 20-50 feet of water.
DNR fisheries biologist Skip Sommerfeldt reminds anglers trout season closes September 30 for most streams, rivers, and spring ponds, but many stocked trout lakes remain open (see listing in trout regs pamphlet).
In the past week, Hayward area registration stations (Shooting Star, Hillman’s Store, Hayward Bait) registered 11 bears, 14 antlerless deer, and eight bucks, including one eight-point and one nine-point.
Reminder: Turkey hunters must register their birds through the Harvest Registration Hotline (1-888-486-8947) or the Harvest Registration System on the DNR website.
The 33rd annual Stone Lake Cranberry Festival is Saturday Oct. 1. The event hosts more than 30,000 visitors, and more than 300 vendors, artisans, crafters, and food purveyors will be on hand. During the past three years, the event has donated more than $100,000 to Sawyer and Washburn county area youth and non-profit organizations.
You still have time to enter the Hayward Lakes Chapter Muskies, Inc. Fall Muskie Tournament Sept. 30 - Oct. 2. Jenk’s Bait and Tackle and Hayward Bait will accept entries ($80 for adults and $25 for youth 16 and younger) until 11 p.m. September 29. For more information, call Hayward Bait (715 634-2921) or Jenk’s (715-462-3055).
(Note: The Clear Lake boat ramp on the Spider Lake chain is closing for repairs Sept. 28 and will not be open for the tournament).
Musky Tale Resort is hosting its annual Crappie Quest on the Chippewa Flowage Oct. 1-2 and will accept entries through Friday evening. Visit the website or call (715) 462-3838 for more information.
Fishing Has No Boundaries is holding a fundraiser Oct. 8 at Moose Lodge. The event includes a spaghetti dinner, raffles, and auctions, plus door and grand prizes. For more information, visit the website or call Pat at (715) 634-3185.
FISHING REPORT
Muskies:
Almost overnight, muskie activity has turned on in many area muskie lakes. Target shallower weeds and weed edges, along deep weed edges, and sand bars. Top producing baits at this time include suckers on quick-strike rigs, Bull Dawgs, bucktails, plastics, tubes, and jerkbaits. Use bigger baits, vary your retrieve speed ... and hang on!
Walleye:
Walleye fishing is improving, but it can still test your patience. Concentrate on deeper water, from 12-30 feet (and deeper), near structure, and along weed beds. Be sure to check for suspending fish, as well as for some fish in shallow water. The bite is now primarily on minnows (walleye suckers and fatheads), but anglers trolling stickbaits, crankbaits, and crawlers on harnesses in the evening are also having success.
Northern:
Northern pike fishing is fair to very good, though it can be a bit erratic. Fish weeds, weed edges, and cribs with spinnerbaits, spoons, and northern suckers.
Largemouth Bass:
Largemouth action is air to good and best in late afternoon hours. Fish are moving to deeper weed lines out to the second break, though some fish remain in shallower water. Use spinners, spinnerbaits, crankbaits, plastics, and live bait.
Smallmouth Bass:
Smallmouth action is very good on hard bottom areas in 12-25 feet of water, deep structure, and near cover close to deeper water with spinnerbaits, crankbaits, plastics, and live bait.
Crappie:
Crappie fishing is good (once you find them). Though fish are still scattered, they are just starting to school. In late afternoon, fish cribs, weeds, weed lines, weed edges, wood, and other cover from shallow to mid-depths. Most productive baits include crappie minnows, waxies, worms, Gulp! baits, plastics, and small spinners.
Bluegill:
Panfish anglers continue to catch bluegills, but it is a light bite and downsizing tackle will increase your odds of success. In late afternoon, work the same areas as for crappies – cribs, weeds, weed lines and edges, wood, and other cover from shallow to mid-depths with waxies, worms, crawler pieces, plastics, Gulp! baits, and small minnows.
Upcoming Events
Sept. 30: Seasons Close: Trout on inland waters (see regs.), Lake trout on Lake Superior; Hook and line sturgeon.
Sept. 30-Oct. 2: Hayward Lakes Chapter of Muskies, Inc. 34th Annual Fall Tournament (715-634-2921; 462-3055).
Oct. 1: 33rd Annual Stone Lake Cranberry Festival.
Oct. 1-2: Musky Tale Resort Crappie Quest (715-462-3838).
Oct. 2: Special deer hunt for people with disabilities (see regulations).
Oct. 8: Fishing Has No Boundaries Fundraiser (715-634-3185).
Oct. 8-9: Youth deer hunt. See regs.
Oct. 11: Bear season closes.
Oct. 15: Seasons Open: Pheasant; Sharptail grouse; Raccoon gun/trapping (resident); Red and gray fox hunting/ trapping; Coyote trapping; Fisher; Muskrat and mink in Northern Zone; Bobcat (Period 1 hunting/trapping north of Hwy. 64).
Oct. 29: Raccoon season opens for non-residents. See regs.
For more information on area events and activities, visit the Hayward Lakes Visitor and Convention Bureau website, view its Calendar of Events, or call 1-800-724-2992.
Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman
Once we get past the first couple “iffy’ days, this week looks to be a real keeper, with warm highs, mild lows, and mostly clear skies. Get out and enjoy these outstanding fall days!
“Cooling temperatures, shorter days, and longer nights are putting fish in an increased feeding pattern,” says Pat at Happy Hooker, “and if conditions are right, there is no better time to get on the water.”
Bob at Hayward Bait reminds anglers the shop will stay open until 11 p.m. Thursday night to register entrants for the Muskies, Inc. tournament.
At Pastika’s, Al says anglers should look for lake turnover to begin at any time.
Randy at Jenk’s says that with the colder temperatures Chippewa Flowage walleye action is switching to minnows in 14-18 feet of water.
At Anglers All in Ashland, Carolyn says the waters off the Sioux and Onion rivers and Pikes Creek are hot for trollers running spoons, dodgers and flies, and Spin-N-Glos in 20-50 feet of water.
DNR fisheries biologist Skip Sommerfeldt reminds anglers trout season closes September 30 for most streams, rivers, and spring ponds, but many stocked trout lakes remain open (see listing in trout regs pamphlet).
In the past week, Hayward area registration stations (Shooting Star, Hillman’s Store, Hayward Bait) registered 11 bears, 14 antlerless deer, and eight bucks, including one eight-point and one nine-point.
Reminder: Turkey hunters must register their birds through the Harvest Registration Hotline (1-888-486-8947) or the Harvest Registration System on the DNR website.
The 33rd annual Stone Lake Cranberry Festival is Saturday Oct. 1. The event hosts more than 30,000 visitors, and more than 300 vendors, artisans, crafters, and food purveyors will be on hand. During the past three years, the event has donated more than $100,000 to Sawyer and Washburn county area youth and non-profit organizations.
You still have time to enter the Hayward Lakes Chapter Muskies, Inc. Fall Muskie Tournament Sept. 30 - Oct. 2. Jenk’s Bait and Tackle and Hayward Bait will accept entries ($80 for adults and $25 for youth 16 and younger) until 11 p.m. September 29. For more information, call Hayward Bait (715 634-2921) or Jenk’s (715-462-3055).
(Note: The Clear Lake boat ramp on the Spider Lake chain is closing for repairs Sept. 28 and will not be open for the tournament).
Musky Tale Resort is hosting its annual Crappie Quest on the Chippewa Flowage Oct. 1-2 and will accept entries through Friday evening. Visit the website or call (715) 462-3838 for more information.
Fishing Has No Boundaries is holding a fundraiser Oct. 8 at Moose Lodge. The event includes a spaghetti dinner, raffles, and auctions, plus door and grand prizes. For more information, visit the website or call Pat at (715) 634-3185.
FISHING REPORT
Muskies:
Almost overnight, muskie activity has turned on in many area muskie lakes. Target shallower weeds and weed edges, along deep weed edges, and sand bars. Top producing baits at this time include suckers on quick-strike rigs, Bull Dawgs, bucktails, plastics, tubes, and jerkbaits. Use bigger baits, vary your retrieve speed ... and hang on!
Walleye:
Walleye fishing is improving, but it can still test your patience. Concentrate on deeper water, from 12-30 feet (and deeper), near structure, and along weed beds. Be sure to check for suspending fish, as well as for some fish in shallow water. The bite is now primarily on minnows (walleye suckers and fatheads), but anglers trolling stickbaits, crankbaits, and crawlers on harnesses in the evening are also having success.
Northern:
Northern pike fishing is fair to very good, though it can be a bit erratic. Fish weeds, weed edges, and cribs with spinnerbaits, spoons, and northern suckers.
Largemouth Bass:
Largemouth action is air to good and best in late afternoon hours. Fish are moving to deeper weed lines out to the second break, though some fish remain in shallower water. Use spinners, spinnerbaits, crankbaits, plastics, and live bait.
Smallmouth Bass:
Smallmouth action is very good on hard bottom areas in 12-25 feet of water, deep structure, and near cover close to deeper water with spinnerbaits, crankbaits, plastics, and live bait.
Crappie:
Crappie fishing is good (once you find them). Though fish are still scattered, they are just starting to school. In late afternoon, fish cribs, weeds, weed lines, weed edges, wood, and other cover from shallow to mid-depths. Most productive baits include crappie minnows, waxies, worms, Gulp! baits, plastics, and small spinners.
Bluegill:
Panfish anglers continue to catch bluegills, but it is a light bite and downsizing tackle will increase your odds of success. In late afternoon, work the same areas as for crappies – cribs, weeds, weed lines and edges, wood, and other cover from shallow to mid-depths with waxies, worms, crawler pieces, plastics, Gulp! baits, and small minnows.
Upcoming Events
Sept. 30: Seasons Close: Trout on inland waters (see regs.), Lake trout on Lake Superior; Hook and line sturgeon.
Sept. 30-Oct. 2: Hayward Lakes Chapter of Muskies, Inc. 34th Annual Fall Tournament (715-634-2921; 462-3055).
Oct. 1: 33rd Annual Stone Lake Cranberry Festival.
Oct. 1-2: Musky Tale Resort Crappie Quest (715-462-3838).
Oct. 2: Special deer hunt for people with disabilities (see regulations).
Oct. 8: Fishing Has No Boundaries Fundraiser (715-634-3185).
Oct. 8-9: Youth deer hunt. See regs.
Oct. 11: Bear season closes.
Oct. 15: Seasons Open: Pheasant; Sharptail grouse; Raccoon gun/trapping (resident); Red and gray fox hunting/ trapping; Coyote trapping; Fisher; Muskrat and mink in Northern Zone; Bobcat (Period 1 hunting/trapping north of Hwy. 64).
Oct. 29: Raccoon season opens for non-residents. See regs.
For more information on area events and activities, visit the Hayward Lakes Visitor and Convention Bureau website, view its Calendar of Events, or call 1-800-724-2992.