Hayward Lakes Sherry
12-15-2011, 04:15 PM
December 12, 2011
Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman
Outdoor enthusiasts whose winter recreational interests revolve around snow are probably not too pleased with the weather outlook. It is a mild, foggy Monday, temperatures are in the upper 30s, and rain is effectively removing a considerable amount of the half-foot of snow received two weeks ago. The forecast indicates more of the same for much of the week.
While this does not necessarily bode well for snowmobilers and cross-country skiers, it could go a long way to improve ice thickness for ice fishing – IF we get a period of cold weather before the next substantial snowfall.
“We have had some customers buy bait for ice fishing this week,” says Pat at Happy Hooker, “but none have returned to report their fishing success – I hope they made it back to shore! There is word of a slush layer and ice up to three inches thick on Lost Land, relatively close to shore. Next week may be a bit more productive, providing we do not get a bunch of snow between now and then.”
At Pastika’s, Al says some anglers are fishing, but everyone going out should remember they are dealing with first ice and safety is the top priority. There is considerable variance in ice depths, with people reporting from one to six inches, but it is probably changing daily. Check the ice as you go. Walleye anglers are catching fish in 6-15 feet of water on walleye suckers under tip-ups.
Bob at Hayward Bait says anglers are primarily fishing the bays and finding ice depths up to five inches. Action is somewhat slow, but walleye anglers are catching fish on walleye suckers, shiners, and fatheads, while crappie anglers are using crappie minnows and plastics.
Carolyn at Anglers All in Ashland says ice is building on Chequamegon Bay, but it would build more quickly without the wind. She strongly and emphatically recommends that anglers who do venture out should use an ice bar and check their way.
“Most lakes across the upper Chippewa basin are now ice covered,” says DNR fisheries biologist Skip Sommerfeldt, “but ice thickness is real variable and only in the range of one to three inches. Much of this area received four to six inches of snow just after the ice formed. This has insulated the ice and kept it from gaining much thickness. As such, ice conditions are extremely variable and generally unsafe for any kind of ice travel. Most ice anglers wait for a solid four inches of ice before venturing out, but with this snow cover, it may take awhile to reach that thickness.
“There are some rumors of early season ice fishing, however. It sounds like the anglers are staying in shallow water and very close to shore where ice thickness is in the ranger of two to three inches.”
Interest in the antlerless only deer hunt last week (Dec. 8-11) appeared to be minimal in Zone 13. In the past week, Hayward area registration stations (Shooting Star, Hillman’s Store, and Hayward Bait) registered 51 antlerless deer for the antlerless only season. Bowhunters registered three antlerless deer and two bucks for archery season. Archery deer season continues through January 8, 2012.
According to the DNR outdoor report, grouse hunters should concentrate on the edges of cedar swamps, some bears are still active, and both wild turkeys and bears are visiting deer baits for food. The “invasion” of snowy owls continues to produce reports from across the state, and biologists say it is possible hundreds of the owls are in Wisconsin. These owls often move south when lemming populations crash in the Arctic. Give them some room and do not disturb them – they have enough stress from their movement south.
You can now access DNR information through YouTube videos on channel WIDNRTV, the Facebook page by visiting www.facebook.com/WIDNR, and on Twitter at twitter.com/WDNR.
The Hayward Lakes Visitor and Convention Bureau snowmobile trail report says the Sawyer County Snowmobile Alliance, the world's largest owner of snowmobile trail grooming equipment, is anxious to start another great season of snowmobiling. However, there is a lack of snow and the trails are not rideable at the current time. Visit the Alliance’s website to view a video of the equipment and volunteers who groom the trails.
Upcoming Events
Dec. 17: Northwest Relic Riders “Kickoff” Casey Loop vintage snowmobile ride.
Dec. 22, 27, 29: Northwest Relic Riders snowmobile safety course in Hayward (715-638-9701).
Dec. 26: Season Opens: Period 2 bobcat hunting/trapping north of Hwy. 64.
Dec. 31: Seasons Close: Pheasant; Fall turkey; Hungarian partridge; Bobcat; Fisher; Frog.
Jan. 7: Stone Lake Pub Ice Fishing Contest (715-865-2141).
Jan. 8: Archery deer season closes.
Jan. 14: Namakagon Sno-Fest at Lakewoods Resort (800-255-5937).
Jan. 14: Track Training class at Crex Meadows. Free, registration required (715-463-2739).
Feb 4: Cable Rod & Gun Club Ice Fishing Tourney on Lake Namakagon (Loon Saloon 715-798-4459).
Feb. 18: Walleyes for Northwest Wisconsin Family ice fishing contest (715-634-2921).
Feb. 23-26: American Birkebeiner (715-634-5025).
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
Outdoor enthusiasts whose winter recreational interests revolve around snow are probably not too pleased with the weather outlook. It is a mild, foggy Monday, temperatures are in the upper 30s, and rain is effectively removing a considerable amount of the half-foot of snow received two weeks ago. The forecast indicates more of the same for much of the week.
While this does not necessarily bode well for snowmobilers and cross-country skiers, it could go a long way to improve ice thickness for ice fishing – IF we get a period of cold weather before the next substantial snowfall.
“We have had some customers buy bait for ice fishing this week,” says Pat at Happy Hooker, “but none have returned to report their fishing success – I hope they made it back to shore! There is word of a slush layer and ice up to three inches thick on Lost Land, relatively close to shore. Next week may be a bit more productive, providing we do not get a bunch of snow between now and then.”
At Pastika’s, Al says some anglers are fishing, but everyone going out should remember they are dealing with first ice and safety is the top priority. There is considerable variance in ice depths, with people reporting from one to six inches, but it is probably changing daily. Check the ice as you go. Walleye anglers are catching fish in 6-15 feet of water on walleye suckers under tip-ups.
Bob at Hayward Bait says anglers are primarily fishing the bays and finding ice depths up to five inches. Action is somewhat slow, but walleye anglers are catching fish on walleye suckers, shiners, and fatheads, while crappie anglers are using crappie minnows and plastics.
Carolyn at Anglers All in Ashland says ice is building on Chequamegon Bay, but it would build more quickly without the wind. She strongly and emphatically recommends that anglers who do venture out should use an ice bar and check their way.
“Most lakes across the upper Chippewa basin are now ice covered,” says DNR fisheries biologist Skip Sommerfeldt, “but ice thickness is real variable and only in the range of one to three inches. Much of this area received four to six inches of snow just after the ice formed. This has insulated the ice and kept it from gaining much thickness. As such, ice conditions are extremely variable and generally unsafe for any kind of ice travel. Most ice anglers wait for a solid four inches of ice before venturing out, but with this snow cover, it may take awhile to reach that thickness.
“There are some rumors of early season ice fishing, however. It sounds like the anglers are staying in shallow water and very close to shore where ice thickness is in the ranger of two to three inches.”
Interest in the antlerless only deer hunt last week (Dec. 8-11) appeared to be minimal in Zone 13. In the past week, Hayward area registration stations (Shooting Star, Hillman’s Store, and Hayward Bait) registered 51 antlerless deer for the antlerless only season. Bowhunters registered three antlerless deer and two bucks for archery season. Archery deer season continues through January 8, 2012.
According to the DNR outdoor report, grouse hunters should concentrate on the edges of cedar swamps, some bears are still active, and both wild turkeys and bears are visiting deer baits for food. The “invasion” of snowy owls continues to produce reports from across the state, and biologists say it is possible hundreds of the owls are in Wisconsin. These owls often move south when lemming populations crash in the Arctic. Give them some room and do not disturb them – they have enough stress from their movement south.
You can now access DNR information through YouTube videos on channel WIDNRTV, the Facebook page by visiting www.facebook.com/WIDNR, and on Twitter at twitter.com/WDNR.
The Hayward Lakes Visitor and Convention Bureau snowmobile trail report says the Sawyer County Snowmobile Alliance, the world's largest owner of snowmobile trail grooming equipment, is anxious to start another great season of snowmobiling. However, there is a lack of snow and the trails are not rideable at the current time. Visit the Alliance’s website to view a video of the equipment and volunteers who groom the trails.
Upcoming Events
Dec. 17: Northwest Relic Riders “Kickoff” Casey Loop vintage snowmobile ride.
Dec. 22, 27, 29: Northwest Relic Riders snowmobile safety course in Hayward (715-638-9701).
Dec. 26: Season Opens: Period 2 bobcat hunting/trapping north of Hwy. 64.
Dec. 31: Seasons Close: Pheasant; Fall turkey; Hungarian partridge; Bobcat; Fisher; Frog.
Jan. 7: Stone Lake Pub Ice Fishing Contest (715-865-2141).
Jan. 8: Archery deer season closes.
Jan. 14: Namakagon Sno-Fest at Lakewoods Resort (800-255-5937).
Jan. 14: Track Training class at Crex Meadows. Free, registration required (715-463-2739).
Feb 4: Cable Rod & Gun Club Ice Fishing Tourney on Lake Namakagon (Loon Saloon 715-798-4459).
Feb. 18: Walleyes for Northwest Wisconsin Family ice fishing contest (715-634-2921).
Feb. 23-26: American Birkebeiner (715-634-5025).
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.