Hayward Lakes Sherry
02-06-2013, 02:58 PM
FISHING REPORT
Walleye:
Walleye action is improving, but with short bite windows. Improve your chances for success by fishing the early morning and late afternoon hours until after dark. Look for weeds in depths from 4-30 feet or more, depending on the lake, time, and conditions. Best baits include walleye suckers, shiners, and fatheads on jigs or under tip-ups, and jigging spoons.
Northern:
Northern pike action is decent around weeds in 4-18 feet of water. Live bait such as large northern suckers and golden shiners fished under tip-ups are the most productive presentations. Use a leader and suspend your bait just above the weeds. Most lakes in the Hayward area contain northern pike and they are excellent eating fish, particularly in winter when taken from the ice-cold water!
Crappie:
Crappie action is improving, with early morning and evening hours just before dark the most productive times. Move until you find them in depths to 28 feet and electronics are invaluable for locating suspending fish. Check the entire water column, from the lake bottom to just below the ice. Use crappie minnows, rosy reds, fatheads, waxies, plastics, and Gulp! baits on small jigs, small jigging spoons, and plain hooks.
Bluegill:
Bluegill action is good on most lakes, but again, move with your electronics until you find them in depths ranging from 5-30 feet. Fish are near weeds and/or suspending just off bottom. Waxies, wigglers, spikes, plastics, and Gulp! baits on small teardrops, jigs, or plain hooks all catch fish, and lighter is better. For bigger ‘gills, try small minnows.
Perch:
Perch anglers are catching fish, but as with the other panfish, you first have to move to find them. Look for perch on or near the bottom in depths from 10 feet out to deeper water, near weeds and on mud bottom flats. Top baits include waxies, fatheads, and jigging spoons tipped with minnow heads or minnow pieces. Use light tackle for best success.
Upcoming Events
Jan. 31: Seasons Closed: Squirrel; Ruffed grouse in Zone A; Bobcat Period 2.
Feb. 9: Walleyes for Northwest Wisconsin 17th Annual Family Ice Fishing Event (715-634-2921).
Feb. 9: Cable Rod and Gun Club annual Ice Fishing Contest (715-798-4459).
Feb. 15: Seasons Close: Raccoon and fox hunting/trapping; Coyote trapping.
Feb. 15: Great Backyard Bird Count.
Feb. 16: Namekagon River Valley Chapter RMEF banquet (715-634-1742).
Feb. 16: Sno Jack Bar Stool Races in Drummond. Black Bear Inn (715-739-6645).
Feb. 20: DNR fisheries informational meeting at Hayward High School, 6:30 p.m.
Feb. 23: American Birkebeiner (715-634-5025).
Feb. 28: Seasons Close: Cottontail rabbit; Mink trapping.
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.
Walleye:
Walleye action is improving, but with short bite windows. Improve your chances for success by fishing the early morning and late afternoon hours until after dark. Look for weeds in depths from 4-30 feet or more, depending on the lake, time, and conditions. Best baits include walleye suckers, shiners, and fatheads on jigs or under tip-ups, and jigging spoons.
Northern:
Northern pike action is decent around weeds in 4-18 feet of water. Live bait such as large northern suckers and golden shiners fished under tip-ups are the most productive presentations. Use a leader and suspend your bait just above the weeds. Most lakes in the Hayward area contain northern pike and they are excellent eating fish, particularly in winter when taken from the ice-cold water!
Crappie:
Crappie action is improving, with early morning and evening hours just before dark the most productive times. Move until you find them in depths to 28 feet and electronics are invaluable for locating suspending fish. Check the entire water column, from the lake bottom to just below the ice. Use crappie minnows, rosy reds, fatheads, waxies, plastics, and Gulp! baits on small jigs, small jigging spoons, and plain hooks.
Bluegill:
Bluegill action is good on most lakes, but again, move with your electronics until you find them in depths ranging from 5-30 feet. Fish are near weeds and/or suspending just off bottom. Waxies, wigglers, spikes, plastics, and Gulp! baits on small teardrops, jigs, or plain hooks all catch fish, and lighter is better. For bigger ‘gills, try small minnows.
Perch:
Perch anglers are catching fish, but as with the other panfish, you first have to move to find them. Look for perch on or near the bottom in depths from 10 feet out to deeper water, near weeds and on mud bottom flats. Top baits include waxies, fatheads, and jigging spoons tipped with minnow heads or minnow pieces. Use light tackle for best success.
Upcoming Events
Jan. 31: Seasons Closed: Squirrel; Ruffed grouse in Zone A; Bobcat Period 2.
Feb. 9: Walleyes for Northwest Wisconsin 17th Annual Family Ice Fishing Event (715-634-2921).
Feb. 9: Cable Rod and Gun Club annual Ice Fishing Contest (715-798-4459).
Feb. 15: Seasons Close: Raccoon and fox hunting/trapping; Coyote trapping.
Feb. 15: Great Backyard Bird Count.
Feb. 16: Namekagon River Valley Chapter RMEF banquet (715-634-1742).
Feb. 16: Sno Jack Bar Stool Races in Drummond. Black Bear Inn (715-739-6645).
Feb. 20: DNR fisheries informational meeting at Hayward High School, 6:30 p.m.
Feb. 23: American Birkebeiner (715-634-5025).
Feb. 28: Seasons Close: Cottontail rabbit; Mink trapping.
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.