Hayward Lakes Sherry
07-01-2014, 10:37 AM
June 30, 2014
Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman
This week looks to be relatively dry and generally mild, though with a warm start and finish during the July Fourth holiday weekend. This is the time of year to enjoy all outdoor activities. Do not let biting bugs deter you from your summertime fun in the North Woods!
“Fish are still feeding,” says Pat at Happy Hooker, “with most species on the shallow edges of emerging weeds.
“Muskie anglers report seeing many fish, with occasional hookups. Work weedy areas with bucktails, crankbaits, and topwaters. Fish walleyes with jigs and crawlers or leeches on deep weed edges in early morning and evening into dark.
“For largemouth, work weeds, lily pads, and docks with frog imitations and plastic worms in the evening or at daybreak. Fish smallmouth on deeper rock bars and gravel beds with crankbaits and crayfish imitations. For bigger crappies and bluegills, concentrate on deeper water.”
Jim at Hayward Bait says muskie fishing is good on most muskie lakes.
“Work shorelines, bays, humps, and weeds in 5-15 feet with bucktails, gliders, Bull Dawgs, and plastics. The walleye bite is strong with crawlers and leeches on jigs, live bait rigs, and slip bobbers, or cast and trolled stick and crank baits over weeds in 8-12 feet.
“Largemouth are shallow and aggressive, hitting topwaters and plastics. Fish crappies on timber and weed edges in 8-15 feet with crappie minnows, waxies, Tattle-Tails, and Gulp! baits. Bluegill action is excellent in shallow water with waxies, worms, crawlers, and plastics.”
Guide Dave Dorazio at Outdoor Creations says muskie fishing is good on the Chippewa Flowage.
“Anglers are finding fish in and along green weeds with Pacemakers, Ghost Tails, and Flowage Boa bucktails. Being muskies, sometimes they hit – and sometimes they just follow!
“Walleye fishing is excellent on humps, sunken bogs, and wood. Leeches work best, though minnows and crawlers produce fish. Anglers report many catch- and-release walleyes 20 inches and larger. Fish northern and largemouth in the weeds with spinners, spinnerbaits, and plastics.
“Fish crappies on brush and cribs in 12-20 feet with jig/tube combinations and crappie minnows.”
Mike at Jenk’s says Chippewa Flowage fishing is good for most species.
“For muskie anglers, the baits of choice are black bucktails with Flowage green blades and surface baits. Fish suckers deeper than 15 feet so they stay alive longer.
“Walleye anglers report success fishing leeches on bars. Pike action is good on spinners and weedless spoons, with larger fish on the west end and better numbers on the east end. Largemouth fishing is good on weeds, stumps, and structure with spinnerbaits, plastics, and artificial frogs.
“For crappies, work bogs, brush, and cribs with crappie minnows and plastics.”
This week, DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter discusses gill lice.
“Gill lice are small crustaceans that attach directly to the gills, making it difficult for a fish to breathe. It appears gill lice affect only brook trout.
“DNR fisheries researcher Matt Mitro is leading work on gill lice prevalence and impacts. He says gill lice are not invasive and have likely coexisted with trout for centuries, but there is little research on them.
“The DNR asks anglers to help understand where gill lice are present. If you catch a trout with gill lice, report it through the DNR website by searching ‘gill lice’ on the DNR homepage.”
DNR fisheries biologist Skip Sommerfeldt says erratic weather last week made for variable fishing success.
“Muskie anglers report seeing many fish – and catching a few – on bucktails and topwaters. Mayfly hatches changed the walleye bite. Most action is on leeches or crawlers under slip bobbers, fished on mid-depth rock and gravel bars, weed edges, and breaklines.
“Bass action is good on soft plastics and Senko-type baits for both largemouth and smallmouth. Pike action is good in and around shallow weeds. Crappies are along shallow weedlines; many bluegills are still on spawning beds.”
The Natural Resources Board (NRB) has approved the 2014 wolf season quota of 156, a decrease from the 2013 quota of 275. The application deadline is August 1. The NRB also approved an early teal-only duck hunting season (September 1-7) and extended dove hunting season by 20 days (Sept. 1-Nov. 29).
Tuscobia State Trail is under construction from Forest Road 162 in Sawyer County east to the trail end in Park Falls. Crews are grading the trail to establish a firm, level surface, reclaim gravel, and re-establish ditches. ATV riders should be aware of rapidly changing trail conditions and large equipment on the trail.
FISHING REPORT
Muskie:
Muskie fishing is very good and anglers are seeing many fish, though the majority seems less than cooperative. Target weeds (in/on the edges), bays, bumps, humps, and shorelines, with early morning and evenings the best bite windows. The most productive baits include bucktails, Bull Dawgs, gliders, crankbaits, topwaters, spinnerbaits, and muskie suckers.
Walleye:
Despite the mayfly hatches, walleye fishing remains good, particularly in early morning and late afternoon into after dark. Fish 8-18 feet on weeds, weed edges, humps, bogs, bars, breaklines, rock, gravel, and wood. Use crawlers and leeches on jigs and live bait rigs or under slip bobbers. Minnows, plastics, and crankbaits also work well.
Northern Pike:
Northern pike are providing very good fishing action in/near weeds, weedlines, and panfish holding areas. Shallow water holds numbers, but fish deeper with bigger baits for trophy pike. Use northern suckers, spinners, spinnerbaits, spoons (plain, dressed, weedless), crankbaits, plastics, and bucktails.
Largemouth Bass:
Largemouth fishing is very good to excellent in and around lily pads, weeds/weedlines, stumps, brush, bogs, and docks out to about 10 feet. Artificials work as well or better than live bait, without the hassles. Topwaters, soft plastics, spinners, spinnerbaits, and crankbaits are all effective bucket-mouth baits.
Smallmouth Bass:
Smallmouth fishing is good on rock and gravel bars and bottoms in 8-17 feet of water. Best artificials include soft plastics (crayfish imitations, Senko worms, tubes), crankbaits, Shad Raps, and Rebel Pop Rs. Crawlers and leeches work well, too, but artificials are easier on the smallies.
Crappie:
Crappie action remains very good from shallow to 20 feet of water. Work weeds, weedlines, brush, bogs, and cribs with crappie minnows, waxies, plastics, Tattle-Tails, Mini-Mites, tube jigs, and Gulp! Crappie Nibbles, fished on small jigs or plain hooks, with or without bobbers. Try deeper water for larger crappies.
Bluegill:
Bluegill fishing is very good to excellent. Bluegills are still on the spawning beds in some waters, but will move deeper in the near future. Look for them in shallow water, near weeds, weedlines, brush, bogs, and timber. Top baits include waxies, worms, crawlers, plastics, and Gulp! baits. Fish small minnows in deeper water for larger ‘gills.
Upcoming Events
July 1-Aug. 31: Training dogs by pursuing bear (see regs. for exceptions).
July 5: Flambeau River State Forest Family Fun Day (715-332-5271).
July 12: Flambeau River State Forest annual wolf howl-trek presentation (715-332-5271).
July 15: Turtle season open statewide (see regs. for exceptions).
July 15-20: LCO Honor the Earth Pow Wow (715) 634-8934).
July 18-20: Birchwood Bluegill Festival (800-236-2252).
July 24-26: 55th Annual Lumberjack World Championships (715-634-2484).
Through July 31: Illegal to allow dogs to run on DNR lands and Federal WPA (see regs for exceptions).
Aug. 1: Application deadline: Fall turkey; Horicon goose; Wolf; Bobcat; Fisher; Otter; Sharp-tailed grouse; Upriver Winnebago system sturgeon spearing.
Aug. 2: Flambeau River State Forest Outdoor Camp Cooking (715-332-5271).
Hayward Lakes Visitor and Convention Bureau and Sawyer County Record co-sponsor this report. For more information on area events and activities, visit the HLVCB’s Calendar of Events or call 800-724-2992.
Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman
This week looks to be relatively dry and generally mild, though with a warm start and finish during the July Fourth holiday weekend. This is the time of year to enjoy all outdoor activities. Do not let biting bugs deter you from your summertime fun in the North Woods!
“Fish are still feeding,” says Pat at Happy Hooker, “with most species on the shallow edges of emerging weeds.
“Muskie anglers report seeing many fish, with occasional hookups. Work weedy areas with bucktails, crankbaits, and topwaters. Fish walleyes with jigs and crawlers or leeches on deep weed edges in early morning and evening into dark.
“For largemouth, work weeds, lily pads, and docks with frog imitations and plastic worms in the evening or at daybreak. Fish smallmouth on deeper rock bars and gravel beds with crankbaits and crayfish imitations. For bigger crappies and bluegills, concentrate on deeper water.”
Jim at Hayward Bait says muskie fishing is good on most muskie lakes.
“Work shorelines, bays, humps, and weeds in 5-15 feet with bucktails, gliders, Bull Dawgs, and plastics. The walleye bite is strong with crawlers and leeches on jigs, live bait rigs, and slip bobbers, or cast and trolled stick and crank baits over weeds in 8-12 feet.
“Largemouth are shallow and aggressive, hitting topwaters and plastics. Fish crappies on timber and weed edges in 8-15 feet with crappie minnows, waxies, Tattle-Tails, and Gulp! baits. Bluegill action is excellent in shallow water with waxies, worms, crawlers, and plastics.”
Guide Dave Dorazio at Outdoor Creations says muskie fishing is good on the Chippewa Flowage.
“Anglers are finding fish in and along green weeds with Pacemakers, Ghost Tails, and Flowage Boa bucktails. Being muskies, sometimes they hit – and sometimes they just follow!
“Walleye fishing is excellent on humps, sunken bogs, and wood. Leeches work best, though minnows and crawlers produce fish. Anglers report many catch- and-release walleyes 20 inches and larger. Fish northern and largemouth in the weeds with spinners, spinnerbaits, and plastics.
“Fish crappies on brush and cribs in 12-20 feet with jig/tube combinations and crappie minnows.”
Mike at Jenk’s says Chippewa Flowage fishing is good for most species.
“For muskie anglers, the baits of choice are black bucktails with Flowage green blades and surface baits. Fish suckers deeper than 15 feet so they stay alive longer.
“Walleye anglers report success fishing leeches on bars. Pike action is good on spinners and weedless spoons, with larger fish on the west end and better numbers on the east end. Largemouth fishing is good on weeds, stumps, and structure with spinnerbaits, plastics, and artificial frogs.
“For crappies, work bogs, brush, and cribs with crappie minnows and plastics.”
This week, DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter discusses gill lice.
“Gill lice are small crustaceans that attach directly to the gills, making it difficult for a fish to breathe. It appears gill lice affect only brook trout.
“DNR fisheries researcher Matt Mitro is leading work on gill lice prevalence and impacts. He says gill lice are not invasive and have likely coexisted with trout for centuries, but there is little research on them.
“The DNR asks anglers to help understand where gill lice are present. If you catch a trout with gill lice, report it through the DNR website by searching ‘gill lice’ on the DNR homepage.”
DNR fisheries biologist Skip Sommerfeldt says erratic weather last week made for variable fishing success.
“Muskie anglers report seeing many fish – and catching a few – on bucktails and topwaters. Mayfly hatches changed the walleye bite. Most action is on leeches or crawlers under slip bobbers, fished on mid-depth rock and gravel bars, weed edges, and breaklines.
“Bass action is good on soft plastics and Senko-type baits for both largemouth and smallmouth. Pike action is good in and around shallow weeds. Crappies are along shallow weedlines; many bluegills are still on spawning beds.”
The Natural Resources Board (NRB) has approved the 2014 wolf season quota of 156, a decrease from the 2013 quota of 275. The application deadline is August 1. The NRB also approved an early teal-only duck hunting season (September 1-7) and extended dove hunting season by 20 days (Sept. 1-Nov. 29).
Tuscobia State Trail is under construction from Forest Road 162 in Sawyer County east to the trail end in Park Falls. Crews are grading the trail to establish a firm, level surface, reclaim gravel, and re-establish ditches. ATV riders should be aware of rapidly changing trail conditions and large equipment on the trail.
FISHING REPORT
Muskie:
Muskie fishing is very good and anglers are seeing many fish, though the majority seems less than cooperative. Target weeds (in/on the edges), bays, bumps, humps, and shorelines, with early morning and evenings the best bite windows. The most productive baits include bucktails, Bull Dawgs, gliders, crankbaits, topwaters, spinnerbaits, and muskie suckers.
Walleye:
Despite the mayfly hatches, walleye fishing remains good, particularly in early morning and late afternoon into after dark. Fish 8-18 feet on weeds, weed edges, humps, bogs, bars, breaklines, rock, gravel, and wood. Use crawlers and leeches on jigs and live bait rigs or under slip bobbers. Minnows, plastics, and crankbaits also work well.
Northern Pike:
Northern pike are providing very good fishing action in/near weeds, weedlines, and panfish holding areas. Shallow water holds numbers, but fish deeper with bigger baits for trophy pike. Use northern suckers, spinners, spinnerbaits, spoons (plain, dressed, weedless), crankbaits, plastics, and bucktails.
Largemouth Bass:
Largemouth fishing is very good to excellent in and around lily pads, weeds/weedlines, stumps, brush, bogs, and docks out to about 10 feet. Artificials work as well or better than live bait, without the hassles. Topwaters, soft plastics, spinners, spinnerbaits, and crankbaits are all effective bucket-mouth baits.
Smallmouth Bass:
Smallmouth fishing is good on rock and gravel bars and bottoms in 8-17 feet of water. Best artificials include soft plastics (crayfish imitations, Senko worms, tubes), crankbaits, Shad Raps, and Rebel Pop Rs. Crawlers and leeches work well, too, but artificials are easier on the smallies.
Crappie:
Crappie action remains very good from shallow to 20 feet of water. Work weeds, weedlines, brush, bogs, and cribs with crappie minnows, waxies, plastics, Tattle-Tails, Mini-Mites, tube jigs, and Gulp! Crappie Nibbles, fished on small jigs or plain hooks, with or without bobbers. Try deeper water for larger crappies.
Bluegill:
Bluegill fishing is very good to excellent. Bluegills are still on the spawning beds in some waters, but will move deeper in the near future. Look for them in shallow water, near weeds, weedlines, brush, bogs, and timber. Top baits include waxies, worms, crawlers, plastics, and Gulp! baits. Fish small minnows in deeper water for larger ‘gills.
Upcoming Events
July 1-Aug. 31: Training dogs by pursuing bear (see regs. for exceptions).
July 5: Flambeau River State Forest Family Fun Day (715-332-5271).
July 12: Flambeau River State Forest annual wolf howl-trek presentation (715-332-5271).
July 15: Turtle season open statewide (see regs. for exceptions).
July 15-20: LCO Honor the Earth Pow Wow (715) 634-8934).
July 18-20: Birchwood Bluegill Festival (800-236-2252).
July 24-26: 55th Annual Lumberjack World Championships (715-634-2484).
Through July 31: Illegal to allow dogs to run on DNR lands and Federal WPA (see regs for exceptions).
Aug. 1: Application deadline: Fall turkey; Horicon goose; Wolf; Bobcat; Fisher; Otter; Sharp-tailed grouse; Upriver Winnebago system sturgeon spearing.
Aug. 2: Flambeau River State Forest Outdoor Camp Cooking (715-332-5271).
Hayward Lakes Visitor and Convention Bureau and Sawyer County Record co-sponsor this report. For more information on area events and activities, visit the HLVCB’s Calendar of Events or call 800-724-2992.