Outdoor Report for August 22, 2011

August 22, 2011
Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman

Look for a near-replay of last week, so says the forecast. With moderate temperatures during the day, cooler temperatures at night, and a few chances of showers, it looks to be an outstanding week in the north woods.

“Anglers are watching the weather,” says Pat at Happy Hooker. “The cooler weather slowed fishing success a bit, but that will soon improve. Most people welcome the change from the hot, humid weather.”
At Hayward Bait, Dennis says fishing is good for crappies suspending near structure and for bass with plastics.
Al at Pastika’s says muskie action is picking up on topwater baits.
Randy at Jenk’s says warm water on the Chippewa Flowage still calls for crawlers in deeper water for walleye, and musky action has picked up for anglers fishing bucktails on bars edges.
At Minnow Jim’s, Cathy says Nelson Lake anglers are catching nice crappies and bluegills near cribs and the river channel on waxies, leeches, worms, crawlers, and scented artificials on jigs or under bobbers.
Carolyn at Anglers All in Ashland says trout and salmon fishing is excellent in shallower water during low light hours and deeper with the rising sun. Some brown trout are moving to the shallows off the Sioux and Onion rivers.
“Muskies showed a little surge,” says DNR fisheries biologist Skip Sommerfeldt. “Most anglers report good action along weed edges and deep break lines with jerkbaits, swim baits, and Bull Dawgs.”

The Sawyer County Outdoor Projects and Education (SCOPE) Family Fun Day event is this Sunday, August 28, at Summit Lake Game Farm. Join the fun and enjoy for hands-on participation in numerous outdoor activities. Extreme Sport shooter Patrick Flanigan will perform his shooting exhibition at 2 p.m. Events run 9 a.m. through 3 p.m., rain or shine. For more information, visit www.sawyercountyoutdoors.com.

Hayward Bass Club is holding an open “mini-tournament” on Nelson Lake Wednesday evening August 31, from 5-8 p.m. Entry fee is $20 per boat/team, and you decide the number of anglers in your boat. This is a five-bass bag per boat event. For more information, contact Wayne Balsavich (715) 699-1015; haywardbassclub@charter.net.

FISHING REPORT
Muskies:
Muskie fishing is improving, though low light hours still offer the best action. Topwaters are working well, as are bucktails, plastics, jerkbaits, and Bull Dawgs. Muskies are holding at various depths, from shallow water to deep weeds and weed edges, points, bars, and mid-lake humps. Work baits both along weed edges and over the top of weed beds.

Walleye:
Walleye action is not what it could be, but if you can find them, you can catch them. Work weeds, weed lines, sand and gravel bottoms, mid-lake rock humps, and other deeper structure. Sometimes in deep water – though not always – and fish tight to the cover edges. Leeches and crawlers are the best bet, fished under slip bobbers or on harnesses, jigs, or Lindy rigs. Gulp! minnows also work, and trolling stickbaits or live bait on harnesses can be effective, too.

Northern:
Fish northern pike on weeds and weed lines, bar edges, and other structure. You will find smaller pike shallow for good action, but fish similar cover in deeper water for trophy pike. Productive baits include spoons, spinners, spinnerbaits, stickbaits, and northern suckers on Lindy rigs or under bobbers.

Largemouth Bass:
Largemouth action is very good, especially on topwater baits. You will find the bass from shallow slop out to deeper water at second break, setting up shop near weeds, weed edges lily pads, wood, bogs, and marsh edges. Use your surface baits – i.e., frogs, poppers, Hula Poppers, Jitterbugs, Zara Spooks, etc. – as well as soft plastics (worms, creature baits), spinners, spinnerbaits, spoons, stickbaits. Crawlers and leeches on harnesses or Lindy rigs are also good for bass.

Smallmouth Bass:
Smallmouth fishing is relatively good and you will find the smallies in deeper water on rock bars, hard bottom weeds, weed edges, gravel, and wood. Soft plastics, tubes, wacky worms, Gulp! baits, topwaters, spinners, spinnerbaits, crayfish and minnow imitations, and crawlers will all catch smallmouth. Work your baits slowly and get them in where the fish are holding.

Crappie:
Crappie action is good once you find them. Look for fish suspending in mid-depths to deeper water near cribs, bogs, and other structure. Crappie minnows, plastics, Mini-Mites, Gulp! baits, panfish leeches, and waxies are all good crappie baits. Fish them on jigs or plain hooks, with or without a bobber. If you do not know how, learn to use a slip bobber – it is simple and very effective.

Bluegill:
Bluegill fishing is very good, but it will take some sorting to get a meal. Fish shallower weeds and docks for action, but for larger bluegills work deeper weeds, weed line edges, and cribs. Baits of choice continue to be (surprise!) waxies, worms, leaf worms, panfish leeches, crawler chunks, small minnows, Gulp!, and other scented baits. As with crappie, fish them on jigs or plain hooks, with or without a bobber.

Upcoming Events
Through Aug. 31: Training dogs by pursuing bear allowed (see regs for exceptions).
Aug. 20: Bonus antlerless deer tags now on sale.
Aug. 26-28: Musky Tale Resort’s Mega Bass Shootout (715-462-3838).
Aug. 27: Remaining fall turkey permits on sale at noon.
Aug. 28: SCOPE Family Fun Days (715-354-7241).
Aug. 31: Hayward Bass Club mini tournament Nelson Lake (715-699-1015).
Sept. 1: Seasons open: Early Canada goose; Mourning dove.
Sept. 3: Hook-and-line lake sturgeon season opens on designated waters. (See regs.)
Sept. 2-4: Exeland Trout Festival (715-266-4181).
Sept. 4: Cable Rod & Gun Club Pig Roast & Turkey Shoot (715-798-4459).
Sept. 7: Bear season opens.
Sept. 7-10: Chippewa Flowage Musky Hunt (715-462-3276).
Sept. 11: Kids Fish O Rama at Fishing Hall of Fame (715-634-4440).
Sept. 15: Early Canada goose hunting season closes.
Sept. 17: Seasons open: Archery deer; Turkey; Ruffed grouse (Zone A); Cottontail rabbit; Gray and fox squirrel; Crow.
Sept. 24: Woodcock season opens.
Sept. 24: Hayward Fall Festival (715-634-8662).
Sept. 30: Seasons close: Trout on inland waters (see regs.), Lake trout on Lake Superior; Hook and line sturgeon.
Sept. 30-Oct. 2: Hayward Lakes Chapter of Muskies, Inc. 34th Annual Fall Fishing Tournament (715-634-4543).

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.