Outdoor Report September 1, 2014

September 1, 2014
Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman

Looks like very pleasant weather to start September, with warm days and cool nights (one in the 40s!), though chances for showers increase toward the end of the week.

Pat at Happy Hooker says muskie anglers should work bucktails, spinnerbaits, topwaters, and gliders along breaks and weed edges.
“Fish walleyes in weeds and structure in 18-25 feet with fatheads and leeches on jigs, slip bobbers, and live bait rigs. Catch northern around weeds in 5-10 feet with walleyes suckers, spinners, spoons, and crankbaits. Fish largemouth on weeds in 4-8 feet with spinnerbaits, plastic worms, and topwaters. For smallmouth, work breaks near rock or sand with tubes, topwaters, and fatheads.
“For crappies, try crappie minnows and plastics along weedlines in 12-20 feet. Use waxies, leaf worms, and crawlers along deeper weedlines for bluegills.”
Guide Dave Dorazio at Outdoor Creations says Chippewa Flowage muskie anglers report excellent action.
“Fish through thick weeds – not just the edges – in 2-20 feet with bucktails and topwaters. Anglers are catching walleyes on crawlers and leeches in 12-24 feet near brush and sunken bogs. Northern action is good on small, gaudy color bucktails.
“For largemouth, fish heavy slop on the west side with weedless frogs. Panfish are on brush and cribs in 15-22 feet. Use minnows or jig/tube combinations for crappies. Downsize jigs and tip with waxies or worm pieces for bluegills.”
Jim at Hayward Bait suggests smaller bucktails and gliders over weeds in 8-15 feet for muskies.
“Walleye fishing is best with crawlers, walleye suckers, and fatheads on gravel bars and structure in 15-30 feet. Northern action is good with northern suckers, crankbaits, and spinners on points and weedlines in 5-15 feet.
“Largemouth are hitting topwaters and pre-rigged plastics. Smallmouth action is decent on topwaters and minnow baits. Crappie fishing is good for fish suspending over deeper water with crappie minnows, plastics, and small spinners. Fish bluegills on deep weedlines with waxies, leaf worms, and small plastics.”
Mike at Jenk’s says Chippewa Flowage muskie fishing is fantastic.
“Most action is on surface baits cast from deeper water and retrieved over and off the bars. Walleye action is fair on crawlers, Beetle Spins, and crankbaits. Northern are active, hitting spinnerbaits and spoons. For larger pike, fish Chicago and Squaw bays on the west end.
“Bass fishing is best on stumps, weeds, and rock bars with crawlers, spinnerbaits, and topwaters. Crappies are moving to brush and cribs, with best baits crappie minnows and Mini-Mites tipped with one-inch Gulp! Minnows or Crappie Nibbles.”
Jim at Minnow Jim’s says Nelson Lake walleye anglers report success on weed beds with fatheads on jigs or leeches on slip bobbers. Troll crankbaits along shorelines at night or in early morning hours.
“Fish northern on weed beds with crankbaits, spinnerbaits, buzz baits, bucktails, and northern suckers. Largemouth fishing is very good on weedlines, stumps, slop, and lily pads with surface baits, plastic frogs, and leeches.
“Catch crappies in 6-8 feet of water on cribs and weed beds with crappie minnows, fatheads, and Gulp! Minnows. For bluegills, use waxies, worms, and crawlers around docks, cribs, and weed beds. Fish rock bars for larger ‘gills.”

This week, DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter addresses bag limits on overnight camping trips.
“Camping on islands is a great way to spend a weekend, and there are plenty of opportunities in the Hayward area, but what do you do if you’re harvesting fish over a multi-day camping trip? Warden Rick Peters weighs in on the matter:
“You are still required to follow daily bag and possession limits when camping,” Peters says. “If you harvest fish one day and go back out to fish the next, you need to leave the fillets in camp or at another storage area.
“Keeping the fillets with you in the boat could put you in violation if you again harvest fish.”
DNR fisheries biologist Skip Sommerfeldt says muskies remain the focus for many anglers.
“Artificials still provide most of the action, including large bucktails, jerkbaits, and topwaters on shallow breaklines, mid-depth weed beds, and deep weed edges. Walleye fishing is fair on weed edges with crawlers and leeches.
“Largemouth bass are near cover in 3-6 feet of water, with jig/craw combos and soft plastics the most successful baits. Smallmouth action is good on flowages and rivers with spinnerbaits and small plastics. Some decent crappie, bluegill, and perch are suspending around deeper cover.”

Hayward Lakes Chapter-Muskies, Inc. invites the public to attend its meeting Tuesday, September 2, at Coop’s Pizza in Hayward. A general business meeting starts at 6 p.m., followed at 7 p.m. by featured speaker DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter, who will discuss muskie surveys, stocking, pit tags, and more. Admission is free and visitors can purchase a Muskies Inc. annual membership for half price. For more information, call Mike Persson (715) 634-4543.

FISHING REPORT
Muskie:
According to most reports, muskie action is outstanding, both during the day and at night. Concentrate on weedlines, weed edges, bars, and break lines in 2-16 feet with bucktails, gliders, jerkbaits, spinnerbaits, and surface baits.

Walleye:
Best walleye success is during low light hours. Fish weeds, gravel bars, brush, and bogs in 12-30 feet with leeches, crawlers, walleye suckers, and fatheads on jigs, slip bobbers, and live bait rigs. Productive artificials include Beetle Spins, and stick, minnow, and crank baits cast/trolled along shorelines in early morning and late evening.

Northern Pike:
Northern action is good for small to mid-size fish, but slow for big pike. Look for fish in 4-16 feet on points, weedlines, weed beds, and wherever you find panfish. Best bait choices include northern suckers, spinners, spinnerbaits, spoons, swim baits, bucktails, and buzz baits.

Largemouth Bass:
Largemouth action is very good in early morning and evening hours. Fish weeds, lily pads, rock bars, rice beds, slop, stumps, brush, and bogs in 3-6 feet. Various baits are very effective right now, including pre-rigged and weedless plastics (worms, creatures, frogs, mice, tubes, etc.), spinners, spinnerbaits, crankbaits, stick baits, leeches, and crawlers.

Smallmouth Bass:
Smallmouth fishing is improving, especially on rivers and flowages. Look for the fish on breaks, rocks, sand, and other deeper cover. Crankbaits, spinnerbaits, topwaters, drop shot rigs, and plastics work well, as does live bait (leeches, fatheads).

Crappie:
Crappie action is good in 6-25 feet on brush, bogs, cribs, and weedlines, with some fish suspending over deeper water. Best baits include crappie minnows, fatheads, plastics, waxies, Mini-Mites, Gulp! Minnows and Nibbles, and various combinations on jigs and plain hooks.

Bluegill:
Bluegill action is very good for smaller fish near shallower weeds and cover, such as brush and docks. For larger ‘gills, fish as deep as 20 feet or more on weedlines, cribs, and rock bars. Top baits include waxies, worms, leaf worms, crawler pieces, leeches, and plastics, fished with or without bobbers.

Upcoming Events
Sept. 1: Seasons opened: Early September Canada goose; Mourning dove; Wild ginseng.
Sept. 2: Hayward Lakes Chapter Muskies, Inc. meeting at Coop’s Pizza in Hayward (715-634-4543.)
Sept. 3: Black bear hunting season opens.
Sept. 6: Sturgeon season opens on designated waters (see regs).
Sept. 10: Sounds of the Elk – elk bugling tour; Cable Natural History Museum (715-798-3890).
Sept. 14: Seasons open: Fall turkey; archer and crossbow deer; Ruffed grouse in Zone A; Cottontail rabbit in North Zone; Gray and fox squirrel; Fall crow.
Sept. 20: 30th Annual Hayward Fall Festival (715-634-8662).

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.