Hayward Lakes Sherry
09-29-2009, 12:09 PM
September 28, 2009
Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman
Following weeks of wonderful weather, the Hayward areas is, as of Monday, experiencing the “other” side of fall, with strong winds, considerably cooler temperatures, and much-needed rain.
Dropping water temperatures will affect fish activity and movement, so before you hit the water, check with your favorite bait and tackle shop for the most currently effective baits and presentations.
The Hayward Lakes Chapter Muskies, Inc. fall tournament is Oct. 2-4 and there is still time to enter. Everyone who enters is eligible for the Grand Door Prize – a 2009 Lund 1725 Pro Guide boat and 50 hp Mercury motor – but must be present at the Sunday awards ceremony drawing to claim the prize. For information, call Hayward Bait and Tackle (715) 634-2921.
In the past week, local registration stations (Shooting Star Archery, Hillman’s Store, Hayward Bait) registered five bucks (including two nice eight-and 10-pointers), 10 antlerless deer, 14 bears (largest 400 pounds), and six turkeys.
Gun deer hunters who hunt in northern deer management units (DMUs) should check their zone’s status – it’s likely they will not be able to use the free herd control antlerless permits included with their licenses. A limited number of unit-specific antlerless tags will be issued ($12 resident, $20 non-resident.) Availability can be checked on the DNR website.
DNR fisheries biologist Frank Pratt says Nelson Lake was stocked this fall with 23,000 large walleye fingerlings, some marked with fin clips to allow long term evaluation. Last week, fisheries crews spent three nights shocking to determine dispersal of young walleye, largemouth bass predation, and the role of stocking site characteristics.
“We have documented bass do eat the walleye, even the larger fingerlings,” Pratt says. “It appears large fingerlings disperse into deep water rather than along the shoreline. This explains why we are unsuccessful in picking them up with electrofishing, which is only a good down to about four feet.”
He adds that counts remain at about 30 adults per mile (still higher than they prefer), but that natural fall draw-downs and the size exemption is working, as there is a reduction in the huge number of bass less than the 14-inch minimum – and there are more big bass.
Muskies:
Musky action continues to improve and anglers are seeing a lot of fish. The fish are scattered and holding at a variety of depths, from deep weeds, weed edges, and rocky points, to suspending in open water. Bucktails, jerkbaits, and suckers are the top favorites, with crankbaits, topwaters, soft plastics, and glide baits rounding out the list.
Walleye:
Walleye fishing is best in the evening and after dark, but anglers are taking fish from deep water weeds and cover during daylight hours. In the evening, when the fish move shallower to feed, work weeds, structure and flats with leeches (when you can find them), crawlers, minnows, stickbaits, crankbaits, and small plastics.
Northern:
Northern pike action is fair to good and should get better with the cooling water. Fish weeds, weed edges, and deep water humps containing weeds with spoons, spinners, spinnerbaits, and northern suckers. Northerns are fun to catch and excellent on the table. The Sawyer County Record’s free 2009 Fall Fun Guide (available at various locations around Hayward) contains an excellent graphic on how to remove the y-bones.
Largemouth Bass:
Largemouth action varies from day to day as the fish gradually move to deeper water weeds, rocks, wood, bogs, and other structure. A wide variety of baits are catching these bass, including plastics, jig tipped with plastics, spinners and spinnerbaits, crankbaits, and crawlers, and in some areas – on some days – surface baits over thick weeds.
Smallmouth Bass:
Smallmouth fishing is now more consistent than largemouth. Concentrate on deep rock piles, bars and humps, cribs, weeds, and weed/rock transition areas. Best artificials include plastics, tubes, crank and spinner baits. Best live bait includes leeches, crawlers, and walleye suckers.
Crappie:
Crappie action is fair to good, but remains somewhat inconsistent. The fish are scattering and suspending in deeper water and holding near weeds, cribs and bogs in 5-15 feet of water. Crappie minnows, waxies, crawler pieces, tubes, and plastics are all catching fish.
Bluegill:
Bluegills are in and around deeper (6-16 feet) weeds, weed edges, and cribs, with larger fish in the deeper water. Waxies, worms, small leeches and minnows, and plastics are the favorite baits, and using a slip bobber will enable a more precise presentation.
Upcoming Events
Sept: 30: Trout season closes on most inland streams. (See regs for exceptions.)
Oct. 2-4: Hayward Lakes Chapter Muskies, Inc. Fall Muskie Tournament (715-634 2921.)
Oct. 3: Annual Stone Lake Cranberry Fest (715-865-3378.)
Oct. 3-4: Musky Tale Resort Crappie Quest on Chippewa Flowage (715-462-3838.)
Oct. 11-12: Youth deer hunt.
Oct. 13: Black bear season closes.
Oct. 17: Seasons open: Pheasant; Sharp-tailed grouse; Bobwhite quail; Hungarian partridge; Raccoon gun/trapping; Fisher trapping. In northern zone: Muskrat; Mink; Coyote trapping; Red and gray fox hunting/trapping; Bobcat hunting/trapping north of Hwy. 64.
For more information on area events and activities, see the Calendar of Events, visit Hayward Lakes Visitor and Convention Bureau, or call 1-800-724-2992.
Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman
Following weeks of wonderful weather, the Hayward areas is, as of Monday, experiencing the “other” side of fall, with strong winds, considerably cooler temperatures, and much-needed rain.
Dropping water temperatures will affect fish activity and movement, so before you hit the water, check with your favorite bait and tackle shop for the most currently effective baits and presentations.
The Hayward Lakes Chapter Muskies, Inc. fall tournament is Oct. 2-4 and there is still time to enter. Everyone who enters is eligible for the Grand Door Prize – a 2009 Lund 1725 Pro Guide boat and 50 hp Mercury motor – but must be present at the Sunday awards ceremony drawing to claim the prize. For information, call Hayward Bait and Tackle (715) 634-2921.
In the past week, local registration stations (Shooting Star Archery, Hillman’s Store, Hayward Bait) registered five bucks (including two nice eight-and 10-pointers), 10 antlerless deer, 14 bears (largest 400 pounds), and six turkeys.
Gun deer hunters who hunt in northern deer management units (DMUs) should check their zone’s status – it’s likely they will not be able to use the free herd control antlerless permits included with their licenses. A limited number of unit-specific antlerless tags will be issued ($12 resident, $20 non-resident.) Availability can be checked on the DNR website.
DNR fisheries biologist Frank Pratt says Nelson Lake was stocked this fall with 23,000 large walleye fingerlings, some marked with fin clips to allow long term evaluation. Last week, fisheries crews spent three nights shocking to determine dispersal of young walleye, largemouth bass predation, and the role of stocking site characteristics.
“We have documented bass do eat the walleye, even the larger fingerlings,” Pratt says. “It appears large fingerlings disperse into deep water rather than along the shoreline. This explains why we are unsuccessful in picking them up with electrofishing, which is only a good down to about four feet.”
He adds that counts remain at about 30 adults per mile (still higher than they prefer), but that natural fall draw-downs and the size exemption is working, as there is a reduction in the huge number of bass less than the 14-inch minimum – and there are more big bass.
Muskies:
Musky action continues to improve and anglers are seeing a lot of fish. The fish are scattered and holding at a variety of depths, from deep weeds, weed edges, and rocky points, to suspending in open water. Bucktails, jerkbaits, and suckers are the top favorites, with crankbaits, topwaters, soft plastics, and glide baits rounding out the list.
Walleye:
Walleye fishing is best in the evening and after dark, but anglers are taking fish from deep water weeds and cover during daylight hours. In the evening, when the fish move shallower to feed, work weeds, structure and flats with leeches (when you can find them), crawlers, minnows, stickbaits, crankbaits, and small plastics.
Northern:
Northern pike action is fair to good and should get better with the cooling water. Fish weeds, weed edges, and deep water humps containing weeds with spoons, spinners, spinnerbaits, and northern suckers. Northerns are fun to catch and excellent on the table. The Sawyer County Record’s free 2009 Fall Fun Guide (available at various locations around Hayward) contains an excellent graphic on how to remove the y-bones.
Largemouth Bass:
Largemouth action varies from day to day as the fish gradually move to deeper water weeds, rocks, wood, bogs, and other structure. A wide variety of baits are catching these bass, including plastics, jig tipped with plastics, spinners and spinnerbaits, crankbaits, and crawlers, and in some areas – on some days – surface baits over thick weeds.
Smallmouth Bass:
Smallmouth fishing is now more consistent than largemouth. Concentrate on deep rock piles, bars and humps, cribs, weeds, and weed/rock transition areas. Best artificials include plastics, tubes, crank and spinner baits. Best live bait includes leeches, crawlers, and walleye suckers.
Crappie:
Crappie action is fair to good, but remains somewhat inconsistent. The fish are scattering and suspending in deeper water and holding near weeds, cribs and bogs in 5-15 feet of water. Crappie minnows, waxies, crawler pieces, tubes, and plastics are all catching fish.
Bluegill:
Bluegills are in and around deeper (6-16 feet) weeds, weed edges, and cribs, with larger fish in the deeper water. Waxies, worms, small leeches and minnows, and plastics are the favorite baits, and using a slip bobber will enable a more precise presentation.
Upcoming Events
Sept: 30: Trout season closes on most inland streams. (See regs for exceptions.)
Oct. 2-4: Hayward Lakes Chapter Muskies, Inc. Fall Muskie Tournament (715-634 2921.)
Oct. 3: Annual Stone Lake Cranberry Fest (715-865-3378.)
Oct. 3-4: Musky Tale Resort Crappie Quest on Chippewa Flowage (715-462-3838.)
Oct. 11-12: Youth deer hunt.
Oct. 13: Black bear season closes.
Oct. 17: Seasons open: Pheasant; Sharp-tailed grouse; Bobwhite quail; Hungarian partridge; Raccoon gun/trapping; Fisher trapping. In northern zone: Muskrat; Mink; Coyote trapping; Red and gray fox hunting/trapping; Bobcat hunting/trapping north of Hwy. 64.
For more information on area events and activities, see the Calendar of Events, visit Hayward Lakes Visitor and Convention Bureau, or call 1-800-724-2992.