Hayward Lakes Sherry
11-11-2009, 11:40 AM
November 9, 2009
Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman
This week’s weather forecast predicts daily high temps in the mid-50s nearly every day, and many anglers who chose to winterize and store their boats early are surely regretting the decision. What a terrific time to be on the water! Of course, many people are hunting, and it’s a pretty good time to be in the woods, too.
Speaking of hunting, specifically deer hunting, rut is going strong in the north woods. Registrations at the Hayward stations (Shooting Star, Hillman’s Store, Hayward Bait) in the past week include four turkeys, 31 antlerless deer, and 55 bucks. Each station recorded a few exceptional ten-point bucks and a good number of eight-pointers.
During opening weekend (Saturday/Sunday) of gun deer season, the DNR will be aging deer only at Shooting Star Archery in Hayward. To simply the process, make the best use of resources, and in the interest of collecting the most samples, Hayward Bait will not register deer during opening weekend.
The DNR is now accepting nominations for the 13th annual Ethical Hunter Award. The award signifies the qualities of ‘hunters helping others rather than pursuing personal gain,’ and ‘hunters engaged in behavior that positively reflects on the tradition of hunting.’ To be eligible for the award, a nominee must be a licensed Wisconsin hunter and the ethical hunting act must have taken place in Wisconsin during the 2009 calendar year.
Mail nominations, including the name, address and telephone number of the witness/witnesses to the ethical hunting act, to warden supervisor Steve Dewald, DNR, 3550 Mormon Coulee Road, La Crosse, WI 54601, by Jan. 15, 2010.
Deer season reminders:
Read the 2009 rules and tagging procedures prior to the season opener. In the northern region this year, most DMUs are regular units. To harvest antlerless deer, hunters must purchase unit-specific antlerless deer tags, if available ($12 resident, $20 non-resident.) The antlerless deer carcass tag included with the gun license is valid only in herd control and CWD/EAB units.
Archery hunters receive two antlerless tags. The ‘archery antlerless carcass tag’ is good in any unit during an open archery season. The ‘antlerless deer carcass tag’ is good only in herd control and CWD/EAB units. The difference is subtle, but it’s important to know the difference. Hunters with tagging procedure questions can check the DNR website, contact a DNR service center, or phone the DNR Call Center toll-free 1-888-936-7463.
To legally take a deer, hunters are required to have – in their possession –a back tag and deer hunting license. A hunter is required to validate the carcass tag before field dressing or moving the deer.
Lose your license? You can obtain duplicate licenses/back tags at ALIS vendors. Duplicate deer licenses/back tags cost $15; Hunter Safety certificates cost $2.75.
Muskies:
Musky fishing continues to be the major fishing attraction and anglers are finding good action. Large, live suckers lead the way, with big artificials such as Bull Dawgs (and similar soft baits), jerk and glide baits, and trolled crankbaits also producing catches. Deeper water can be good, but fish are being caught at a variety of depths, and with the cooler water temps it’s to your advantage to offer slow presentations. If you can find green weeds – fish them!
Walleye:
Most walleye anglers are having a rough go of it right now. While this should be a great time for good action and big ‘eyes, you first have to locate those fish. Therein lies the rub. Apparently, few know where the walleyes are holding, and those who do know aren’t talking. Try deep holes, weeds and weed edges, structure, hard bottoms, transition areas, and deeper break lines, and experiment with depth. Walleye suckers, jigs/fatheads, and trolled stick and minnow baits should be the top producers. A crawler on a harness might still be worth a try, too.
Crappie:
Even with the fine fall weather, few crappie anglers are on the water. Those who are fishing are being rewarded for their efforts, particularly those fishing the Chippewa Flowage. As per usual, crappie minnows and plastics are the favorite baits. Look for fish suspending over deeper water and near deeper weeds and cribs.
Upcoming Events
Nov. 19: Seasons Close: Archery deer; Turkey; Crow.
Nov. 20: Illegal to hunt with a firearm the day before gun deer season opens. (See regs for exceptions.)
Nov. 21-29: Regular gun deer season.
Nov. 24: Northern Zone duck season closes.
Nov. 30: Seasons Close: Musky; Turtle.
Nov. 30 - Dec. 9: Muzzleloader deer season.
Nov. 30 - Jan. 3: Late archery deer season.
Dec. 1: Lake trout season on Lake Superior opens.
Dec. 10: Application Deadline: Spring turkey; Bear kill permit.
Dec. 10-13: Antlerless-only firearm hunt in specific units. (See regs.)
Dec. 12: Canada goose season in the north exterior zones closes.
Dec. 31: Seasons Close: Pheasant; Hungarian partridge Bobcat hunting and trapping; Fisher trapping; Frog.
Through Dec. 31: Illegal to shine for wild animals between 10 p.m.-7 a.m.
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
This week’s weather forecast predicts daily high temps in the mid-50s nearly every day, and many anglers who chose to winterize and store their boats early are surely regretting the decision. What a terrific time to be on the water! Of course, many people are hunting, and it’s a pretty good time to be in the woods, too.
Speaking of hunting, specifically deer hunting, rut is going strong in the north woods. Registrations at the Hayward stations (Shooting Star, Hillman’s Store, Hayward Bait) in the past week include four turkeys, 31 antlerless deer, and 55 bucks. Each station recorded a few exceptional ten-point bucks and a good number of eight-pointers.
During opening weekend (Saturday/Sunday) of gun deer season, the DNR will be aging deer only at Shooting Star Archery in Hayward. To simply the process, make the best use of resources, and in the interest of collecting the most samples, Hayward Bait will not register deer during opening weekend.
The DNR is now accepting nominations for the 13th annual Ethical Hunter Award. The award signifies the qualities of ‘hunters helping others rather than pursuing personal gain,’ and ‘hunters engaged in behavior that positively reflects on the tradition of hunting.’ To be eligible for the award, a nominee must be a licensed Wisconsin hunter and the ethical hunting act must have taken place in Wisconsin during the 2009 calendar year.
Mail nominations, including the name, address and telephone number of the witness/witnesses to the ethical hunting act, to warden supervisor Steve Dewald, DNR, 3550 Mormon Coulee Road, La Crosse, WI 54601, by Jan. 15, 2010.
Deer season reminders:
Read the 2009 rules and tagging procedures prior to the season opener. In the northern region this year, most DMUs are regular units. To harvest antlerless deer, hunters must purchase unit-specific antlerless deer tags, if available ($12 resident, $20 non-resident.) The antlerless deer carcass tag included with the gun license is valid only in herd control and CWD/EAB units.
Archery hunters receive two antlerless tags. The ‘archery antlerless carcass tag’ is good in any unit during an open archery season. The ‘antlerless deer carcass tag’ is good only in herd control and CWD/EAB units. The difference is subtle, but it’s important to know the difference. Hunters with tagging procedure questions can check the DNR website, contact a DNR service center, or phone the DNR Call Center toll-free 1-888-936-7463.
To legally take a deer, hunters are required to have – in their possession –a back tag and deer hunting license. A hunter is required to validate the carcass tag before field dressing or moving the deer.
Lose your license? You can obtain duplicate licenses/back tags at ALIS vendors. Duplicate deer licenses/back tags cost $15; Hunter Safety certificates cost $2.75.
Muskies:
Musky fishing continues to be the major fishing attraction and anglers are finding good action. Large, live suckers lead the way, with big artificials such as Bull Dawgs (and similar soft baits), jerk and glide baits, and trolled crankbaits also producing catches. Deeper water can be good, but fish are being caught at a variety of depths, and with the cooler water temps it’s to your advantage to offer slow presentations. If you can find green weeds – fish them!
Walleye:
Most walleye anglers are having a rough go of it right now. While this should be a great time for good action and big ‘eyes, you first have to locate those fish. Therein lies the rub. Apparently, few know where the walleyes are holding, and those who do know aren’t talking. Try deep holes, weeds and weed edges, structure, hard bottoms, transition areas, and deeper break lines, and experiment with depth. Walleye suckers, jigs/fatheads, and trolled stick and minnow baits should be the top producers. A crawler on a harness might still be worth a try, too.
Crappie:
Even with the fine fall weather, few crappie anglers are on the water. Those who are fishing are being rewarded for their efforts, particularly those fishing the Chippewa Flowage. As per usual, crappie minnows and plastics are the favorite baits. Look for fish suspending over deeper water and near deeper weeds and cribs.
Upcoming Events
Nov. 19: Seasons Close: Archery deer; Turkey; Crow.
Nov. 20: Illegal to hunt with a firearm the day before gun deer season opens. (See regs for exceptions.)
Nov. 21-29: Regular gun deer season.
Nov. 24: Northern Zone duck season closes.
Nov. 30: Seasons Close: Musky; Turtle.
Nov. 30 - Dec. 9: Muzzleloader deer season.
Nov. 30 - Jan. 3: Late archery deer season.
Dec. 1: Lake trout season on Lake Superior opens.
Dec. 10: Application Deadline: Spring turkey; Bear kill permit.
Dec. 10-13: Antlerless-only firearm hunt in specific units. (See regs.)
Dec. 12: Canada goose season in the north exterior zones closes.
Dec. 31: Seasons Close: Pheasant; Hungarian partridge Bobcat hunting and trapping; Fisher trapping; Frog.
Through Dec. 31: Illegal to shine for wild animals between 10 p.m.-7 a.m.
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.