Hayward Lakes Sherry
10-04-2011, 11:20 AM
October 03, 2011
Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman
The Hayward Lakes Chapter Muskies, Inc. Fall Muskie Tournament and Stone Lake Cranberry Festival participants enjoyed excellent weather during this past weekend. Though difficult to believe, this week’s forecast is for even better conditions for the entire week. If you have any interest in outside activities, make plans and follow through on them. Warm, dry days such as these are on short dating this time of year.
“Fishing success can vary dramatically this time of year,” says Pat at Happy Hooker. “Some days will be slow, but other days can deliver the best fishing of the year. The best advice I can offer is to get on the water and try it. No matter the season, good fishing can come at any time.”
Al at Pastika’s says this is a great time to be on the water.
“Right now, walleye anglers should concentrate on deeper water. Muskies will not be far from deeper water and anglers should consider deeper and slower presentations.
Randy at Jenk’s says Chippewa Flowage muskie action is best on jerkbaits and bucktails, with some suckers action.
“Walleye fishing remains tough. The walleyes have not yet decided on crawlers or minnows, but whichever one you use, fish brushy humps and drops in 15-20 feet of water.”
Carolyn at Anglers All in Ashland say trout and salmon anglers continue to do well in waters off the mouths of the Sioux, Onion, and Pikes on flies with dodgers, spoons, and Spin-N-Glos. Cast spoons, spinners, and flies from shore, and when fishing the streams, use spawn, flies, yarn, and crawlers.
Nearly all fish species transition to new areas and change their habits this time of year. It is prudent to check with your favorite bait shop on the way to the water so you can take the most productive bait and know the most productive presentations.
In the past week, Hayward area registration stations (Shooting Star, Hillman’s Store, Hayward Bait) registered 17 bears, including one pushing 400 pounds, 19 antlerless deer, and three bucks.
The DNR is encouraging hunters who use tree stands to learn and/or refresh their tree stand use knowledge. Approximately one-third of all hunters who use tree stands fall from a stand during their hunting careers. According to DNR Enforcement and Science Division administrator Tim Lawhern, hunters should know their physical limitations and know how to use equipment such as body harnesses – knowledge that could save their lives. For more information and a link to a free online safety course, visit the DNR website.
The 2011 Hayward Lakes Chapter Muskies, Inc. Fall Muskie Tournament is in the books as another success. Anglers enjoyed great weather, though Friday was cloudy and a ‘bit’ windy. This year, 509 anglers entered the contest and 60 of them caught 79 muskies larger than 34 inches (the entry minimum), and a dozen anglers caught multiple fish. For a complete listing of registered fish, visit www.haywardbait.com/2011Results.pdf.
Fishing Has No Boundaries fall fundraiser is October 8 at the 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:
Muskies are scattered and action is fair to good. Work shallower water weeds, bars, and their edges, as well as look for fish suspending in deeper water. Best baits include bigger bucktails, plastics, big tubes, jerkbaits, gliders, and suckers on quick-strike rigs. Trolling big stick and crank baits can also be quite productive.
Walleye:
Walleye fishing is fair to good, though it presents a challenge. Fish are in deeper water, either suspending or holding deep, near weeds, brushy humps, and other structure. The most productive baits include walleye suckers, fatheads, Gulp! minnows, and crawlers on occasion. When some fish move shallower in the evening hours, try casting or trolling crank and stick baits.
Northern:
Northern pike action is improving with the cooling water. Fish near weeds, weed edges, cribs, and wherever panfish are concentrating, with spinnerbaits, spoons, and northern suckers.
Largemouth Bass:
Largemouth action slowed, but fishing is still fair and even good on some days. The bass are moving to deeper weed lines and hitting spinner and crank baits, plastics, tubes, crawlers, and other live bait.
Smallmouth Bass:
Smallmouth action is very good on spinnerbaits, crankbaits, plastics, tubes, crawlers, and other live bait. Work hard bottom areas and deep structure in 12-25 feet, though some are holding in shallower areas.
Crappie:
Crappies are still scattered, though in the beginning stages of schooling. Look for crappies on deeper weed lines, cribs, wood, and other structure and cover at a variety of depths – as well as different location in the water column. Once you find them, you should have good success. Baits of choice include crappie minnows, waxies, plastics, and Gulp! baits.
Bluegill:
Fall is a good time to catch large bluegills, but it can be difficult to find them. Fish near deeper weed lines, cribs, wood, and other cover, with waxies, worms, Gulp! baits, and small minnows.
Upcoming Events
Sept. 30: Seasons Closed: Trout on inland waters (see regs.), Lake trout on Lake Superior; Hook and line sturgeon.
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
The Hayward Lakes Chapter Muskies, Inc. Fall Muskie Tournament and Stone Lake Cranberry Festival participants enjoyed excellent weather during this past weekend. Though difficult to believe, this week’s forecast is for even better conditions for the entire week. If you have any interest in outside activities, make plans and follow through on them. Warm, dry days such as these are on short dating this time of year.
“Fishing success can vary dramatically this time of year,” says Pat at Happy Hooker. “Some days will be slow, but other days can deliver the best fishing of the year. The best advice I can offer is to get on the water and try it. No matter the season, good fishing can come at any time.”
Al at Pastika’s says this is a great time to be on the water.
“Right now, walleye anglers should concentrate on deeper water. Muskies will not be far from deeper water and anglers should consider deeper and slower presentations.
Randy at Jenk’s says Chippewa Flowage muskie action is best on jerkbaits and bucktails, with some suckers action.
“Walleye fishing remains tough. The walleyes have not yet decided on crawlers or minnows, but whichever one you use, fish brushy humps and drops in 15-20 feet of water.”
Carolyn at Anglers All in Ashland say trout and salmon anglers continue to do well in waters off the mouths of the Sioux, Onion, and Pikes on flies with dodgers, spoons, and Spin-N-Glos. Cast spoons, spinners, and flies from shore, and when fishing the streams, use spawn, flies, yarn, and crawlers.
Nearly all fish species transition to new areas and change their habits this time of year. It is prudent to check with your favorite bait shop on the way to the water so you can take the most productive bait and know the most productive presentations.
In the past week, Hayward area registration stations (Shooting Star, Hillman’s Store, Hayward Bait) registered 17 bears, including one pushing 400 pounds, 19 antlerless deer, and three bucks.
The DNR is encouraging hunters who use tree stands to learn and/or refresh their tree stand use knowledge. Approximately one-third of all hunters who use tree stands fall from a stand during their hunting careers. According to DNR Enforcement and Science Division administrator Tim Lawhern, hunters should know their physical limitations and know how to use equipment such as body harnesses – knowledge that could save their lives. For more information and a link to a free online safety course, visit the DNR website.
The 2011 Hayward Lakes Chapter Muskies, Inc. Fall Muskie Tournament is in the books as another success. Anglers enjoyed great weather, though Friday was cloudy and a ‘bit’ windy. This year, 509 anglers entered the contest and 60 of them caught 79 muskies larger than 34 inches (the entry minimum), and a dozen anglers caught multiple fish. For a complete listing of registered fish, visit www.haywardbait.com/2011Results.pdf.
Fishing Has No Boundaries fall fundraiser is October 8 at the 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:
Muskies are scattered and action is fair to good. Work shallower water weeds, bars, and their edges, as well as look for fish suspending in deeper water. Best baits include bigger bucktails, plastics, big tubes, jerkbaits, gliders, and suckers on quick-strike rigs. Trolling big stick and crank baits can also be quite productive.
Walleye:
Walleye fishing is fair to good, though it presents a challenge. Fish are in deeper water, either suspending or holding deep, near weeds, brushy humps, and other structure. The most productive baits include walleye suckers, fatheads, Gulp! minnows, and crawlers on occasion. When some fish move shallower in the evening hours, try casting or trolling crank and stick baits.
Northern:
Northern pike action is improving with the cooling water. Fish near weeds, weed edges, cribs, and wherever panfish are concentrating, with spinnerbaits, spoons, and northern suckers.
Largemouth Bass:
Largemouth action slowed, but fishing is still fair and even good on some days. The bass are moving to deeper weed lines and hitting spinner and crank baits, plastics, tubes, crawlers, and other live bait.
Smallmouth Bass:
Smallmouth action is very good on spinnerbaits, crankbaits, plastics, tubes, crawlers, and other live bait. Work hard bottom areas and deep structure in 12-25 feet, though some are holding in shallower areas.
Crappie:
Crappies are still scattered, though in the beginning stages of schooling. Look for crappies on deeper weed lines, cribs, wood, and other structure and cover at a variety of depths – as well as different location in the water column. Once you find them, you should have good success. Baits of choice include crappie minnows, waxies, plastics, and Gulp! baits.
Bluegill:
Fall is a good time to catch large bluegills, but it can be difficult to find them. Fish near deeper weed lines, cribs, wood, and other cover, with waxies, worms, Gulp! baits, and small minnows.
Upcoming Events
Sept. 30: Seasons Closed: Trout on inland waters (see regs.), Lake trout on Lake Superior; Hook and line sturgeon.
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.