Hayward Lakes Sherry
11-08-2011, 12:34 PM
November 7, 2011
Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman
We have enjoyed a great run of good weather this fall and the bit of precipitation and cooler temperatures forecast for mid-week create only a minor bump in the road. For now ... Whitetail bucks are moving toward peak rut, grouse hunters can now actually see the birds when they rise, and muskie anglers are successfully pursuing trophy muskies. It is prime time for outdoor recreation in the north woods.
“Water temperatures are dropping, the muskie bite is going strong, and we have reports from anglers who not only saw muskies, but also caught fish!” says Pat at Happy Hooker. “I expect fishing to improve steadily. In late fall, the muskie feeding windows become shorter, more spread out – and can be quite intense.
“Suckers on quick strike rigs are getting good results, and lure choice does not seem to be an issue – just be there to throw something (with a slow retrieve) when they decide to bite. It appears to be another year with a limited sucker supply and I suggest anglers call ahead for availability.”
Bob at Hayward Bait says deer registrations are steadily increasing now that rut is in progress, and with leaf cover gone, grouse hunters are seeing more grouse. He encourages gun deer hunters to start preparing for the season and wishes everyone a safe and successful hunt. As in past years, Hayward Bait will not register deer during opening weekend.
Carolyn at Anglers All in Ashland says Chequamegon Bay trollers are still having success and one caught a 14 1/2-pound brown trout this past Friday. She says this can be a great time of year for fishing the bay, but few anglers are on the water. Washburn coal dock anglers are catching trout and salmon on spawn and frozen smelt, with an occasional walleye or northern in the mix.
“Variable weather conditions in the last week made for fewer and fewer anglers and erratic fishing,” says DNR fisheries biologist Skip Sommerfeldt. “Muskies, the main species of interest, are providing some consistent action, and nearly all anglers are dragging large suckers. Anglers using slow-moving lures such as Bull Dawgs and jerkbaits are getting a little action, too. Walleye fishing is also erratic, and you can consider bass fishing done for the open-water season.”
Gun deer season opens November 19 and here is a plug for the Venison Donation Program. There is no cost to the hunter and the rules are simple. Harvest, tag, field dress, register, and drop off the carcass at a participating processor after calling to check business hours and if the processor has available space.
In its 11 years, the program has distributed 3.5 million pounds of ground venison from more than 77,000 deer donated by hunters, processed by participating meat processors, and delivered to state food pantries by volunteers. Since 2002, hunters have chipped in an additional $127,000 on top of deer donations and harvest permit fees.
FISHING REPORT
Muskies:
This is trophy time for muskies and anglers are having success catching fish of all sizes. Go with suckers on quick-strike rigs, Bull Dawgs, plastics, gliders, tubes, and jerkbaits with slow retrieves, or troll stickbaits. Target areas with weeds or structure, and you will see fish at a variety of depths.
Walleye:
Walleye action continues to be inconsistent, but anglers are catching some fish. Work deep water and/or deep structure with big walleye suckers and fatheads on jigs or under slip bobbers, or troll stick and crank baits. Fish will hit all day when it is cloudy, but when the sun is shining concentrate on the hour just before dark.
Northern:
Northern pike are on the feed and you can catch them at various depths near weeds or any place you find suspending panfish. Northern suckers are the top choice, but spinnerbaits and spoons are also producing nice fish. Work deep water with large baits for trophy pike.
Bass:
Largemouth anglers have pretty much called it quits for the year, but smallmouth action continues to be good on the deep, clear lakes. Fish deep, hard bottom areas with live bait.
Crappie:
Crappie action is good once you find the fish. Search for them suspending in deeper water and at various depths near any green weeds. Baits of choice include crappie minnows, fatheads, plastics, Tattle-Tails, and Gulp! baits fished on small jigs or plan hooks with or without a bobber. (Use a slip bobber!)
Bluegill:
The few, but persistent, bluegill anglers continue to catch fish suspending in deeper water with waxies, worms, plastics, and Gulp! baits.
Upcoming Events
Nov. 9: Mourning dove season closes.
Nov. 15: Trout and salmon fishing closes on downstream section of Lake Superior tributaries (see regs).
Nov. 17: Seasons Close: Early archery deer; Turkey; Crow.
Nov. 18: Illegal to hunt with a firearm or bow the day before gun deer season. (See regs for exceptions.)
Nov. 19: Seasons Open: Regular gun deer; Late archery deer.
Nov. 22: Northern zone duck season closes.
Nov. 27: Regular gun deer season closes.
Nov. 28: Seasons Open: Muzzleloader deer; Fall turkey (extended season zones 1-5).
Nov. 30: Seasons Close: Muskellunge; Turtle.
Dec. 1: Lake Superior lake trout season opens.
Dec. 7: Muzzleloader deer season closes.
Dec. 8-11: Antlerless-only firearm hunt in herd control and CWD units.
Dec. 9: Canada goose season closes in north exterior zones.
Dec. 10: Application Deadline: Spring turkey; bear.
Dec. 26: Bobcat hunting/trapping season (Period 2) north of Hwy. 64.
Dec. 31: Seasons Close: Pheasant; Fall turkey (zones 1-5); Hungarian partridge; Bobcat; Fisher; Frog.
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
We have enjoyed a great run of good weather this fall and the bit of precipitation and cooler temperatures forecast for mid-week create only a minor bump in the road. For now ... Whitetail bucks are moving toward peak rut, grouse hunters can now actually see the birds when they rise, and muskie anglers are successfully pursuing trophy muskies. It is prime time for outdoor recreation in the north woods.
“Water temperatures are dropping, the muskie bite is going strong, and we have reports from anglers who not only saw muskies, but also caught fish!” says Pat at Happy Hooker. “I expect fishing to improve steadily. In late fall, the muskie feeding windows become shorter, more spread out – and can be quite intense.
“Suckers on quick strike rigs are getting good results, and lure choice does not seem to be an issue – just be there to throw something (with a slow retrieve) when they decide to bite. It appears to be another year with a limited sucker supply and I suggest anglers call ahead for availability.”
Bob at Hayward Bait says deer registrations are steadily increasing now that rut is in progress, and with leaf cover gone, grouse hunters are seeing more grouse. He encourages gun deer hunters to start preparing for the season and wishes everyone a safe and successful hunt. As in past years, Hayward Bait will not register deer during opening weekend.
Carolyn at Anglers All in Ashland says Chequamegon Bay trollers are still having success and one caught a 14 1/2-pound brown trout this past Friday. She says this can be a great time of year for fishing the bay, but few anglers are on the water. Washburn coal dock anglers are catching trout and salmon on spawn and frozen smelt, with an occasional walleye or northern in the mix.
“Variable weather conditions in the last week made for fewer and fewer anglers and erratic fishing,” says DNR fisheries biologist Skip Sommerfeldt. “Muskies, the main species of interest, are providing some consistent action, and nearly all anglers are dragging large suckers. Anglers using slow-moving lures such as Bull Dawgs and jerkbaits are getting a little action, too. Walleye fishing is also erratic, and you can consider bass fishing done for the open-water season.”
Gun deer season opens November 19 and here is a plug for the Venison Donation Program. There is no cost to the hunter and the rules are simple. Harvest, tag, field dress, register, and drop off the carcass at a participating processor after calling to check business hours and if the processor has available space.
In its 11 years, the program has distributed 3.5 million pounds of ground venison from more than 77,000 deer donated by hunters, processed by participating meat processors, and delivered to state food pantries by volunteers. Since 2002, hunters have chipped in an additional $127,000 on top of deer donations and harvest permit fees.
FISHING REPORT
Muskies:
This is trophy time for muskies and anglers are having success catching fish of all sizes. Go with suckers on quick-strike rigs, Bull Dawgs, plastics, gliders, tubes, and jerkbaits with slow retrieves, or troll stickbaits. Target areas with weeds or structure, and you will see fish at a variety of depths.
Walleye:
Walleye action continues to be inconsistent, but anglers are catching some fish. Work deep water and/or deep structure with big walleye suckers and fatheads on jigs or under slip bobbers, or troll stick and crank baits. Fish will hit all day when it is cloudy, but when the sun is shining concentrate on the hour just before dark.
Northern:
Northern pike are on the feed and you can catch them at various depths near weeds or any place you find suspending panfish. Northern suckers are the top choice, but spinnerbaits and spoons are also producing nice fish. Work deep water with large baits for trophy pike.
Bass:
Largemouth anglers have pretty much called it quits for the year, but smallmouth action continues to be good on the deep, clear lakes. Fish deep, hard bottom areas with live bait.
Crappie:
Crappie action is good once you find the fish. Search for them suspending in deeper water and at various depths near any green weeds. Baits of choice include crappie minnows, fatheads, plastics, Tattle-Tails, and Gulp! baits fished on small jigs or plan hooks with or without a bobber. (Use a slip bobber!)
Bluegill:
The few, but persistent, bluegill anglers continue to catch fish suspending in deeper water with waxies, worms, plastics, and Gulp! baits.
Upcoming Events
Nov. 9: Mourning dove season closes.
Nov. 15: Trout and salmon fishing closes on downstream section of Lake Superior tributaries (see regs).
Nov. 17: Seasons Close: Early archery deer; Turkey; Crow.
Nov. 18: Illegal to hunt with a firearm or bow the day before gun deer season. (See regs for exceptions.)
Nov. 19: Seasons Open: Regular gun deer; Late archery deer.
Nov. 22: Northern zone duck season closes.
Nov. 27: Regular gun deer season closes.
Nov. 28: Seasons Open: Muzzleloader deer; Fall turkey (extended season zones 1-5).
Nov. 30: Seasons Close: Muskellunge; Turtle.
Dec. 1: Lake Superior lake trout season opens.
Dec. 7: Muzzleloader deer season closes.
Dec. 8-11: Antlerless-only firearm hunt in herd control and CWD units.
Dec. 9: Canada goose season closes in north exterior zones.
Dec. 10: Application Deadline: Spring turkey; bear.
Dec. 26: Bobcat hunting/trapping season (Period 2) north of Hwy. 64.
Dec. 31: Seasons Close: Pheasant; Fall turkey (zones 1-5); Hungarian partridge; Bobcat; Fisher; Frog.
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.