Hayward Lakes Sherry
12-15-2009, 12:03 PM
December 14, 2009
Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman
Winter made its arrival in the north woods. Although it does not start “officially” until December – it’s here. The lakes are making ice, snow depths are building, and snowmobile and ski trail grooming is underway.
Ice thickness is up to six inches in some areas, on some lakes. However, we are still fairly early in the season, the snow cover is slowing ice formation, and there is plenty of ice fishing remaining for this winter.
It’s a good idea to check with your favorite bait shop for the latest update on ice conditions. DNR fisheries biologist Skip Sommerfeldt says a few anglers are creeping onto shallow bay areas, but success is slow. The recent heavy snows may cause some slush, which will further weaken the thin, early-season ice.
If you “must” go, use common sense and follow the rules of ice fishing safety: wear creepers and proper clothing, tell others where you will be fishing, carry rope and spikes, and check the ice with a spud bar when moving to new areas.
According to the DNR:
• Wisconsin has 1.4 million licensed anglers, and about one-third ice fish.
• Ice anglers catch 14 million fish during ice fishing season.
• Panfish (11.7 million), northern pike (866,000) and walleye (750,000) are the top species caught through the ice.
• Nearly half of all fish caught during ice fishing season are kept; during open, water season anglers keep one-third.
• Ice fishing trails only sledding, snowmobiling and (outdoor) ice-skating as the most popular winter activity.
Deer seasons in the north woods are winding down, and late archery season is the only season now open. In the past week, registrations at the Hayward area stations (Shooting Star, Hillman’s Store, Hayward Bait) for late archery (Nov. 30-Jan. 3), muzzleloader (Nov. 30-Dec. 9), and antlerless-only (Dec. 10-13) seasons include: four antlerless deer and two bucks for archery season; 21 antlerless and 15 bucks for muzzleloader season; and 57 antlerless deer for the special antlerless-only season.
The Hayward Lakes Visitors and Convention Bureau’s trail conditions report indicates snow cover of 8-16 inches, but trails are not considered ride-able at this time. The lakes and swamps are not frozen and trails are not staked. Although Sawyer County snowmobile trails never close, grooming is not yet underway because gates are still closed on many trails. The bottom line is that if you want to ride you better know the trails!
The Cable area trails report says local trails opened Monday and groomers hope to cover most of the trails by Wednesday. They will not groom Trail 70 west of Lake Namakagon and Trail 8 into Clam Lake until there is more snow and the swamps are frozen. It adds that although the lakes are frozen they are not safe for travel.
The Lake Chippewa Flowage Resort Association (LCFRA) will celebrate its 10th Anniversary Snow Tour December 26 through February 28. Pick up a Snow Tour card at any participating LCFRA business, get it stamped at 10 of them, and you receive a free pin. (Also available for purchase for $5.)
In addition, you can turn in the Snow Tour card for one of four chances to win a $50 gift certificate, redeemable at any LCFRA business for an evening of fine dining, lodging, clothing purchases, etc.
Snowmobile enthusiasts looking (way) ahead should mark their calendars for the Hayward 300 Snocross National March 6-7 at LCO Casino Lodge and Convention Center. The 2010 Hayward 300 will bring a full weekend of fun, with close racing, track jumps, live music, food, product displays, demo rides and more. Top professional drivers will take on the mile-long snocross track behind LCO Casino, and the track offers a perfect sight line for spectators.
The Hayward 300 will feature Pro-Stock, Semi-Pro, Sport Open, Junior 14-15, Junior 16-17, Sport Super Stock, Sport Women Super Stock, and more throughout the weekend.
Hayward Chamber of Commerce is still adding a 15-percent “bonus” to gift certificates issued through its office. The bonus is available on up to $300 worth of gift certificates (issued in $50 increments.) The certificates are good at more than 250 Hayward Chamber member businesses and valid for one year. There is no minimum purchase, and sales will continue through Jan. 15 or until $30,000 worth of certificates are sold. Last year, the Chamber sold the $30,000 worth of certificates in just 10 business days.
You can purchase the gift certificates in person at the Hayward Chamber office (Hwy 63 and Main Street) using cash, check, money order, Master Card, Visa, or Discover cards, or call the Chamber (715) 634-8662 or 1-800-724-2992.
Upcoming Events
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.
Jan. 3: Late archery deer season closes.
Jan. 25: Crow season opens.
Jan. 31: Seasons Close: Squirrel; Ruffed grouse (northern zone.)
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
Winter made its arrival in the north woods. Although it does not start “officially” until December – it’s here. The lakes are making ice, snow depths are building, and snowmobile and ski trail grooming is underway.
Ice thickness is up to six inches in some areas, on some lakes. However, we are still fairly early in the season, the snow cover is slowing ice formation, and there is plenty of ice fishing remaining for this winter.
It’s a good idea to check with your favorite bait shop for the latest update on ice conditions. DNR fisheries biologist Skip Sommerfeldt says a few anglers are creeping onto shallow bay areas, but success is slow. The recent heavy snows may cause some slush, which will further weaken the thin, early-season ice.
If you “must” go, use common sense and follow the rules of ice fishing safety: wear creepers and proper clothing, tell others where you will be fishing, carry rope and spikes, and check the ice with a spud bar when moving to new areas.
According to the DNR:
• Wisconsin has 1.4 million licensed anglers, and about one-third ice fish.
• Ice anglers catch 14 million fish during ice fishing season.
• Panfish (11.7 million), northern pike (866,000) and walleye (750,000) are the top species caught through the ice.
• Nearly half of all fish caught during ice fishing season are kept; during open, water season anglers keep one-third.
• Ice fishing trails only sledding, snowmobiling and (outdoor) ice-skating as the most popular winter activity.
Deer seasons in the north woods are winding down, and late archery season is the only season now open. In the past week, registrations at the Hayward area stations (Shooting Star, Hillman’s Store, Hayward Bait) for late archery (Nov. 30-Jan. 3), muzzleloader (Nov. 30-Dec. 9), and antlerless-only (Dec. 10-13) seasons include: four antlerless deer and two bucks for archery season; 21 antlerless and 15 bucks for muzzleloader season; and 57 antlerless deer for the special antlerless-only season.
The Hayward Lakes Visitors and Convention Bureau’s trail conditions report indicates snow cover of 8-16 inches, but trails are not considered ride-able at this time. The lakes and swamps are not frozen and trails are not staked. Although Sawyer County snowmobile trails never close, grooming is not yet underway because gates are still closed on many trails. The bottom line is that if you want to ride you better know the trails!
The Cable area trails report says local trails opened Monday and groomers hope to cover most of the trails by Wednesday. They will not groom Trail 70 west of Lake Namakagon and Trail 8 into Clam Lake until there is more snow and the swamps are frozen. It adds that although the lakes are frozen they are not safe for travel.
The Lake Chippewa Flowage Resort Association (LCFRA) will celebrate its 10th Anniversary Snow Tour December 26 through February 28. Pick up a Snow Tour card at any participating LCFRA business, get it stamped at 10 of them, and you receive a free pin. (Also available for purchase for $5.)
In addition, you can turn in the Snow Tour card for one of four chances to win a $50 gift certificate, redeemable at any LCFRA business for an evening of fine dining, lodging, clothing purchases, etc.
Snowmobile enthusiasts looking (way) ahead should mark their calendars for the Hayward 300 Snocross National March 6-7 at LCO Casino Lodge and Convention Center. The 2010 Hayward 300 will bring a full weekend of fun, with close racing, track jumps, live music, food, product displays, demo rides and more. Top professional drivers will take on the mile-long snocross track behind LCO Casino, and the track offers a perfect sight line for spectators.
The Hayward 300 will feature Pro-Stock, Semi-Pro, Sport Open, Junior 14-15, Junior 16-17, Sport Super Stock, Sport Women Super Stock, and more throughout the weekend.
Hayward Chamber of Commerce is still adding a 15-percent “bonus” to gift certificates issued through its office. The bonus is available on up to $300 worth of gift certificates (issued in $50 increments.) The certificates are good at more than 250 Hayward Chamber member businesses and valid for one year. There is no minimum purchase, and sales will continue through Jan. 15 or until $30,000 worth of certificates are sold. Last year, the Chamber sold the $30,000 worth of certificates in just 10 business days.
You can purchase the gift certificates in person at the Hayward Chamber office (Hwy 63 and Main Street) using cash, check, money order, Master Card, Visa, or Discover cards, or call the Chamber (715) 634-8662 or 1-800-724-2992.
Upcoming Events
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.
Jan. 3: Late archery deer season closes.
Jan. 25: Crow season opens.
Jan. 31: Seasons Close: Squirrel; Ruffed grouse (northern zone.)
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.