Hayward Lakes Sherry
08-04-2015, 10:55 AM
August 3, 2015
Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman
While few weeks, if any, bring perfect weather, forecasts indicate this one might come close to it! Mild summer days, cool nights, and only “slight” chances for showers throughout the week. This could be the week – get outside and make good use of it!
“During the warm, humid temperatures,” says Pat at Happy Hooker, “some musky anglers took a break.
“Still, action is good and anglers report many sightings and follows on bucktails, Bull Dawgs, and topwaters. Fish walleyes along weed edges and mid-depth breaklines in 8-10 feet with leeches or crawlers on weedless jigs. Catch northern in 12-20 feet with walleye suckers on slip bobbers and jigs, or cast/troll crankbaits and spinnerbaits.
“Largemouth are near logs, reeds, weeds, and docks, hitting jigs and soft plastics. Fish smallmouth on mid-depth rock and gravel with small plastics and spinnerbaits.
“Crappies and bluegills are suspending near mid-depth cover.”
Guide Dave Dorazio at Outdoor Creations says Chippewa Flowage musky action remains better than average.
“Bucktails in various tail/blade combos are hot; surface baits work well during overcast skies and evenings. For walleyes, fish along/through weed beds with jigs tipped with leeches or crawlers. In the evening, cast Rapalas over weeds.
“Fish largemouth in the slop on the west side with weedless plastics. For smallmouth, fish jigs and leeches on shorelines with rocks and snags on the east side.
“Crappies are in 15-22 feet around brush, sunken bogs, and cribs. Use crappie minnows and jigs tipped with plastics or Gulp! baits.”
Jim at Hayward Bait says the musky bite is slow, though anglers are catching a few fish.
“Bucktails, spinnerbaits, gliders, and plastics can all produce. Fish walleyes with leeches and crawlers, or troll deep weed edges. For northern, use northern suckers under floats and trolled/cast crankbaits, spoons, and spinnerbaits.
“Largemouth are hitting topwater plastics and frogs in 2-10 feet and over deep water on calm nights. Catch smallmouth on mid-lake rock humps and bars in 10-20 feet with plastics/rigged worms and topwaters.
“Crappies are suspending over deeper water. Catch bigger ‘gills on waxies, leaf worms, and plastics out to 20 feet.”
Mike at Jenk’s says musky action is decent on the Chippewa Flowage.
“Work deeper drop-offs with bucktails, Bull Dawgs, and Vexers during day and surface baits in early morning and later evening. For walleyes, fish deeper brush with leeches, crawlers, crankbaits, and 4-inch Berkley Rib Worms.
“Largemouth action is good on weed beds and lily pads. Smallmouth fishing is good on stumps and rocky shorelines with plastics, topwater frogs, and poppers.
“Crappies moved deeper with the rising water temperatures. Fish deep bogs, brush, and cribs with crappie minnows, 1-inch Gulp! baits, Crappie Nibbles, and Mini-Mites.”
Carolyn at Anglers All in Ashland says smallmouth can be in their summer haunts as well as along the shoreline.
“Try the breakwall, rock pile, and Long Island, targeting any structure with plastics, spinnerbaits, or live bait. Walleye was tough the last couple of weeks. Try working deeper drops into the channel and over weeds.
“Trout and an occasional salmon are active from the south channel out to the Islands. Water temperatures vary from 42-65 degrees, so look for a thermocline around 50 degrees, and do not overlook shallow rock areas by the islands.”
This week, DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter discusses the impact of beaver dams on area streams.
“Beaver populations, if not kept in check, can have devastating impacts on our local streams.
“In 2014, the DNR partnered with USDA-Wildlife Services to manage the negative impacts of beavers on trout streams in the Exeland area. Beaver control specialists removed 126 beaver dams impounding water on Maple, Beaver, Badger, Buckhorn, and Swan creeks.
“Removing these dams keeps water cold and flowing, which is ideal for trout. Recent surveys show the program is working, with trout numbers and range expanding, and trout anglers should put these streams on their list of places to try for big brookies in the near future.
“Beaver control has been in place for many years on other area streams, including Eddy and Benson creeks, and most Namekagon River tributaries.
“When in place, this program is very successful at protecting trout habitat and providing good fishing opportunities.”
DNR fisheries biologist Skip Sommerfeldt says that with the dog days of summer, angling success has hit the mid-summer low point.
“Musky action is slow, with variable success and no consistent patterns. Bigger fish are suspending in deep water, with stickbaits, bucktails, and Bull-Dawg-type baits the favorites. Walleye success is erratic, with fair catches around mid-depth weeds with leeches or crawler halves on weedless jigs.
“Largemouth provide the most consistent action. Fish topwaters and soft plastics slowly on wood, thick reeds, lily pad beds, and under mats of vegetation. For smallmouth, fish plastic finesse baits slowly near cover in 6-12 feet. Panfish action is fair, with some decent catches of crappie and rock bass.”
The DNR’s Operation Deer Watch is now in effect and runs through September 30. Participants record all bucks, does, and fawns they see and track observations using an online tally sheet. The numbers are indicators of annual deer herd production and the DNR uses the information to help monitor the herd. Visit the website for more information.
Visit Flambeau River State Forest on August 8 to celebrate Smokey Bear’s birthday – and you might see Smokey Bear in person! The event includes games, party favors, and cake. For more information, call (715) 332-5271.
FISHING REPORT
Musky:
Musky fishing is fair to good, though with no definite pattern, but anglers report seeing numerous fish. Concentrate your efforts on deeper water areas for bigger fish. Bucktails, Bull Dawgs, spinnerbaits, stickbaits, gliders, and plastics are all getting attention from muskies. Fish topwaters in early morning and late evening into dark.
Walleye:
Walleye fishing is inconsistent, with fish scattered in various locations and from mid-depths to deep. You will find them near wood, weed beds and edges, breaklines, and brush. Use leeches and crawlers/crawler halves on weedless jigs; crankbaits, and plastic worms; or troll crankbaits. In the evenings, work stickbaits over shallower weeds.
Northern Pike:
Northern fishing is fair to good, though a bit slow, as often expected at this time. Work depths to 22 feet around weeds and panfish with spinners, spinnerbaits, spoons, crankbaits, buzz baits, chatterbaits, and suckers on jigs or plain hooks under bobbers. Both casting and trolling will tempt northern. Fish deeper water with bigger baits for trophy pike.
Largemouth Bass:
Largemouth action is good to very good on most waters. You will find them in 2-12 feet around good, thick, heavy cover such as weeds, reeds, docks, lily pads, logs, and slop. The most productive baits include soft and/or weedless plastics (worms in various riggings, frogs, topwaters, tubes), jigs, and spinnerbaits.
Smallmouth Bass:
Smallmouth fishing is fair to very good in waters they inhabit. Search for fish in 5-22 feet around rocky shorelines, mid-lake rock bars and humps, stumps, snags, gravel, and other cover. The most productive baits include soft plastics (tubes, rigged worms, topwater frogs), spinnerbaits, and jigs with leeches.
Crappie:
Crappie fishing is poor to good, with fish suspending over deep water and near bogs, brush, and cribs in 12-23 feet. Best baits include crappie minnows, plastics on jigs or plain hooks, Mini-Mites, Tattle-Tails, Crappie Nibbles, and Gulp! baits. Fish are scattered – use your electronics!
Bluegill:
Bluegill fishing is fair to good, with small fish active in shallow water and larger ‘gills suspending (hiding?) in deeper water out to 20 feet. The standard baits – waxies, leaf worms, plastics, and poppers – are working well.
Upcoming Events
Aug. 8: Smokey Bear’s birthday party Flambeau River State Forest (715-332-5271).
Aug. 17-20: Bonus unit-specific antlerless deer tags go on sale at noon.
Aug. 22: Remaining fall turkey permits on sale at 10 a.m.
Aug. 25: Deadline to transfer Class A bear licenses to youth hunters.
Aug. 31: Bear dog training by pursuing bear closes.
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
While few weeks, if any, bring perfect weather, forecasts indicate this one might come close to it! Mild summer days, cool nights, and only “slight” chances for showers throughout the week. This could be the week – get outside and make good use of it!
“During the warm, humid temperatures,” says Pat at Happy Hooker, “some musky anglers took a break.
“Still, action is good and anglers report many sightings and follows on bucktails, Bull Dawgs, and topwaters. Fish walleyes along weed edges and mid-depth breaklines in 8-10 feet with leeches or crawlers on weedless jigs. Catch northern in 12-20 feet with walleye suckers on slip bobbers and jigs, or cast/troll crankbaits and spinnerbaits.
“Largemouth are near logs, reeds, weeds, and docks, hitting jigs and soft plastics. Fish smallmouth on mid-depth rock and gravel with small plastics and spinnerbaits.
“Crappies and bluegills are suspending near mid-depth cover.”
Guide Dave Dorazio at Outdoor Creations says Chippewa Flowage musky action remains better than average.
“Bucktails in various tail/blade combos are hot; surface baits work well during overcast skies and evenings. For walleyes, fish along/through weed beds with jigs tipped with leeches or crawlers. In the evening, cast Rapalas over weeds.
“Fish largemouth in the slop on the west side with weedless plastics. For smallmouth, fish jigs and leeches on shorelines with rocks and snags on the east side.
“Crappies are in 15-22 feet around brush, sunken bogs, and cribs. Use crappie minnows and jigs tipped with plastics or Gulp! baits.”
Jim at Hayward Bait says the musky bite is slow, though anglers are catching a few fish.
“Bucktails, spinnerbaits, gliders, and plastics can all produce. Fish walleyes with leeches and crawlers, or troll deep weed edges. For northern, use northern suckers under floats and trolled/cast crankbaits, spoons, and spinnerbaits.
“Largemouth are hitting topwater plastics and frogs in 2-10 feet and over deep water on calm nights. Catch smallmouth on mid-lake rock humps and bars in 10-20 feet with plastics/rigged worms and topwaters.
“Crappies are suspending over deeper water. Catch bigger ‘gills on waxies, leaf worms, and plastics out to 20 feet.”
Mike at Jenk’s says musky action is decent on the Chippewa Flowage.
“Work deeper drop-offs with bucktails, Bull Dawgs, and Vexers during day and surface baits in early morning and later evening. For walleyes, fish deeper brush with leeches, crawlers, crankbaits, and 4-inch Berkley Rib Worms.
“Largemouth action is good on weed beds and lily pads. Smallmouth fishing is good on stumps and rocky shorelines with plastics, topwater frogs, and poppers.
“Crappies moved deeper with the rising water temperatures. Fish deep bogs, brush, and cribs with crappie minnows, 1-inch Gulp! baits, Crappie Nibbles, and Mini-Mites.”
Carolyn at Anglers All in Ashland says smallmouth can be in their summer haunts as well as along the shoreline.
“Try the breakwall, rock pile, and Long Island, targeting any structure with plastics, spinnerbaits, or live bait. Walleye was tough the last couple of weeks. Try working deeper drops into the channel and over weeds.
“Trout and an occasional salmon are active from the south channel out to the Islands. Water temperatures vary from 42-65 degrees, so look for a thermocline around 50 degrees, and do not overlook shallow rock areas by the islands.”
This week, DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter discusses the impact of beaver dams on area streams.
“Beaver populations, if not kept in check, can have devastating impacts on our local streams.
“In 2014, the DNR partnered with USDA-Wildlife Services to manage the negative impacts of beavers on trout streams in the Exeland area. Beaver control specialists removed 126 beaver dams impounding water on Maple, Beaver, Badger, Buckhorn, and Swan creeks.
“Removing these dams keeps water cold and flowing, which is ideal for trout. Recent surveys show the program is working, with trout numbers and range expanding, and trout anglers should put these streams on their list of places to try for big brookies in the near future.
“Beaver control has been in place for many years on other area streams, including Eddy and Benson creeks, and most Namekagon River tributaries.
“When in place, this program is very successful at protecting trout habitat and providing good fishing opportunities.”
DNR fisheries biologist Skip Sommerfeldt says that with the dog days of summer, angling success has hit the mid-summer low point.
“Musky action is slow, with variable success and no consistent patterns. Bigger fish are suspending in deep water, with stickbaits, bucktails, and Bull-Dawg-type baits the favorites. Walleye success is erratic, with fair catches around mid-depth weeds with leeches or crawler halves on weedless jigs.
“Largemouth provide the most consistent action. Fish topwaters and soft plastics slowly on wood, thick reeds, lily pad beds, and under mats of vegetation. For smallmouth, fish plastic finesse baits slowly near cover in 6-12 feet. Panfish action is fair, with some decent catches of crappie and rock bass.”
The DNR’s Operation Deer Watch is now in effect and runs through September 30. Participants record all bucks, does, and fawns they see and track observations using an online tally sheet. The numbers are indicators of annual deer herd production and the DNR uses the information to help monitor the herd. Visit the website for more information.
Visit Flambeau River State Forest on August 8 to celebrate Smokey Bear’s birthday – and you might see Smokey Bear in person! The event includes games, party favors, and cake. For more information, call (715) 332-5271.
FISHING REPORT
Musky:
Musky fishing is fair to good, though with no definite pattern, but anglers report seeing numerous fish. Concentrate your efforts on deeper water areas for bigger fish. Bucktails, Bull Dawgs, spinnerbaits, stickbaits, gliders, and plastics are all getting attention from muskies. Fish topwaters in early morning and late evening into dark.
Walleye:
Walleye fishing is inconsistent, with fish scattered in various locations and from mid-depths to deep. You will find them near wood, weed beds and edges, breaklines, and brush. Use leeches and crawlers/crawler halves on weedless jigs; crankbaits, and plastic worms; or troll crankbaits. In the evenings, work stickbaits over shallower weeds.
Northern Pike:
Northern fishing is fair to good, though a bit slow, as often expected at this time. Work depths to 22 feet around weeds and panfish with spinners, spinnerbaits, spoons, crankbaits, buzz baits, chatterbaits, and suckers on jigs or plain hooks under bobbers. Both casting and trolling will tempt northern. Fish deeper water with bigger baits for trophy pike.
Largemouth Bass:
Largemouth action is good to very good on most waters. You will find them in 2-12 feet around good, thick, heavy cover such as weeds, reeds, docks, lily pads, logs, and slop. The most productive baits include soft and/or weedless plastics (worms in various riggings, frogs, topwaters, tubes), jigs, and spinnerbaits.
Smallmouth Bass:
Smallmouth fishing is fair to very good in waters they inhabit. Search for fish in 5-22 feet around rocky shorelines, mid-lake rock bars and humps, stumps, snags, gravel, and other cover. The most productive baits include soft plastics (tubes, rigged worms, topwater frogs), spinnerbaits, and jigs with leeches.
Crappie:
Crappie fishing is poor to good, with fish suspending over deep water and near bogs, brush, and cribs in 12-23 feet. Best baits include crappie minnows, plastics on jigs or plain hooks, Mini-Mites, Tattle-Tails, Crappie Nibbles, and Gulp! baits. Fish are scattered – use your electronics!
Bluegill:
Bluegill fishing is fair to good, with small fish active in shallow water and larger ‘gills suspending (hiding?) in deeper water out to 20 feet. The standard baits – waxies, leaf worms, plastics, and poppers – are working well.
Upcoming Events
Aug. 8: Smokey Bear’s birthday party Flambeau River State Forest (715-332-5271).
Aug. 17-20: Bonus unit-specific antlerless deer tags go on sale at noon.
Aug. 22: Remaining fall turkey permits on sale at 10 a.m.
Aug. 25: Deadline to transfer Class A bear licenses to youth hunters.
Aug. 31: Bear dog training by pursuing bear closes.
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.