Hayward Lakes Sherry
12-30-2009, 10:43 AM
December 28, 2009
Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman
The big storm of last week (arriving prior to and continuing through Christmas Day ... and then some) is history, but the effects could be felt for some time. Mild temps and a mix of rain and snow created slush conditions challenging to snowmobilers, cross-country skiers, and anglers alike. Colder temperatures in the coming week should reduce the problems.
“Anyone getting on the ice will have to deal with a fair amount of slush,” says Pat at Happy Hooker. “Some anglers are taking snowmobiles onto the ice – with some breakthroughs reported.”
Al at Pastika’s says most lakes have 5-6 inches of slush and water over 6-8 inches of ice, and ATVs and snowmobiles are of little use.
From Stone Lake Bait, John says ice is as thick as eight inches in some places, but anglers should use extreme caution.
Late archery deer season continues through January 3. In the past week, Hayward area registration stations (Shooting Star, Hillman’s Store, Hayward Bait) registered four bucks and eight antlerless deer.
Starting Jan. 4, the DNR is reducing service hours at its 30 statewide service centers. The Hayward office will be open Wednesdays only, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Three separate, fatal snowmobile incidents December 18-19 prompted a DNR safety reminder.
Snowmobile administrator Gary Eddy says riders should stay on the right side of the trail, be extra cautious at night and when crossing roads, and avoid consuming alcohol. They should travel at speeds commensurate with their skill, trail knowledge, and visibility conditions – particularly at night.
Snowmobile headlights shine out only to 200 feet, Eddy says, and snowmobilers should travel at speeds slow enough to allow reaction time if headlights illuminate a hazard. The state law speed limit is 55-mph from a half-hour after sunset to a half-hour before sunrise. The DNR recommends that nighttime speeds under normal conditions not exceed 45 mph.
Snowmobile rules correction: The 2009 snowmobile rules pamphlet states safety certification is required for people at least age 12 and those born after December 31, 1985. The correct date is December 31, 1984.
Virgin Timber Resort on Moose Lake reports trail conditions are fair, with 15-20 inches of snow cover. Although the area received 10 inches of snow, rain did a good job shrinking the depths, but trail groomers are on the job.
Namakagon Trail Groomers says there is about 15 inches of snow to provide a good base, but trails are bumpy. Lake Namakagon is slushy, there is no stick trail yet, and use caution – in some places there is not a lot of ice.
The Hayward Power Sports report says northeastern Sawyer County received up to 16 inches of snow, though rain took down some of it, and the lakes have major slush problems. All lakes north of Hwy B are staked, including Round and the Chippewa Flowage. They are waiting for Grindstone, Whitefish, Lac Court Oreilles, and all Birchwood area lakes.
January 16, snowmobile speed runs will be held at Nelson Lake Landing (715-634-4175), and the Northwest Relic Riders Vintage Snowmobile Club will hold a stud/poker run starting at Big Musky Resort.
Walleye:
Walleye fishing continues to be good, with the best action during low light conditions early and late in the day, and in fairly shallow water, from 4-15 feet. Concentrate on points, sand bottoms, rock bars, and deep weed edges. Walleye suckers, fatheads, and shiners fished on jigs, tip-ups, plain hooks, and jigging spoons are all producing catches.
Northern:
Northern pike action is good around weeds – the same areas where you will find bluegills – in depths from 4-18 feet. Northern suckers, walleye suckers, and shiners are the baits of choice, fished on plain hooks, jigs, or tip-ups.
Crappie:
Crappies are around weeds and cribs in 6-25 feet of water (depending on the lake.) You have a variety of effective baits available, including crappie minnows, rosy reds, waxies, spikes, and plastics.
Bluegill:
Bluegills are in and around shallow weeds in 4-15 feet of water and action is just starting to get good. Waxies, mousies, spikes, and plastics are all working, and anglers are catching some nice ‘gills.
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. 9: Stone Lake Pub Ice Fishing Contest (715-865-2141.)
Jan. 16: Snowmobile Speed Runs - Nelson Lake Landing (715-634-4175.)
Jan. 16: Vintage Stud Run - Northwest Relic Riders Vintage Snowmobile Club.
Jan. 23: Ice Fishing Jamboree - Lakewoods Resort (715-794-2561.)
Jan. 25: Crow season opens.
Jan. 30: Radar Run - Northwest Relic Riders Vintage Snowmobile Club.
Jan. 31: Seasons Close: Squirrel; Ruffed grouse (northern zone.)
Feb. 13: WFNW ice fishing event on Lac Courte Oreilles.
March 5-7: Hayward 300 Snocross National.
April 10-11: Youth spring turkey hunt.
April 14-May 25: Spring turkey season.
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
The big storm of last week (arriving prior to and continuing through Christmas Day ... and then some) is history, but the effects could be felt for some time. Mild temps and a mix of rain and snow created slush conditions challenging to snowmobilers, cross-country skiers, and anglers alike. Colder temperatures in the coming week should reduce the problems.
“Anyone getting on the ice will have to deal with a fair amount of slush,” says Pat at Happy Hooker. “Some anglers are taking snowmobiles onto the ice – with some breakthroughs reported.”
Al at Pastika’s says most lakes have 5-6 inches of slush and water over 6-8 inches of ice, and ATVs and snowmobiles are of little use.
From Stone Lake Bait, John says ice is as thick as eight inches in some places, but anglers should use extreme caution.
Late archery deer season continues through January 3. In the past week, Hayward area registration stations (Shooting Star, Hillman’s Store, Hayward Bait) registered four bucks and eight antlerless deer.
Starting Jan. 4, the DNR is reducing service hours at its 30 statewide service centers. The Hayward office will be open Wednesdays only, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Three separate, fatal snowmobile incidents December 18-19 prompted a DNR safety reminder.
Snowmobile administrator Gary Eddy says riders should stay on the right side of the trail, be extra cautious at night and when crossing roads, and avoid consuming alcohol. They should travel at speeds commensurate with their skill, trail knowledge, and visibility conditions – particularly at night.
Snowmobile headlights shine out only to 200 feet, Eddy says, and snowmobilers should travel at speeds slow enough to allow reaction time if headlights illuminate a hazard. The state law speed limit is 55-mph from a half-hour after sunset to a half-hour before sunrise. The DNR recommends that nighttime speeds under normal conditions not exceed 45 mph.
Snowmobile rules correction: The 2009 snowmobile rules pamphlet states safety certification is required for people at least age 12 and those born after December 31, 1985. The correct date is December 31, 1984.
Virgin Timber Resort on Moose Lake reports trail conditions are fair, with 15-20 inches of snow cover. Although the area received 10 inches of snow, rain did a good job shrinking the depths, but trail groomers are on the job.
Namakagon Trail Groomers says there is about 15 inches of snow to provide a good base, but trails are bumpy. Lake Namakagon is slushy, there is no stick trail yet, and use caution – in some places there is not a lot of ice.
The Hayward Power Sports report says northeastern Sawyer County received up to 16 inches of snow, though rain took down some of it, and the lakes have major slush problems. All lakes north of Hwy B are staked, including Round and the Chippewa Flowage. They are waiting for Grindstone, Whitefish, Lac Court Oreilles, and all Birchwood area lakes.
January 16, snowmobile speed runs will be held at Nelson Lake Landing (715-634-4175), and the Northwest Relic Riders Vintage Snowmobile Club will hold a stud/poker run starting at Big Musky Resort.
Walleye:
Walleye fishing continues to be good, with the best action during low light conditions early and late in the day, and in fairly shallow water, from 4-15 feet. Concentrate on points, sand bottoms, rock bars, and deep weed edges. Walleye suckers, fatheads, and shiners fished on jigs, tip-ups, plain hooks, and jigging spoons are all producing catches.
Northern:
Northern pike action is good around weeds – the same areas where you will find bluegills – in depths from 4-18 feet. Northern suckers, walleye suckers, and shiners are the baits of choice, fished on plain hooks, jigs, or tip-ups.
Crappie:
Crappies are around weeds and cribs in 6-25 feet of water (depending on the lake.) You have a variety of effective baits available, including crappie minnows, rosy reds, waxies, spikes, and plastics.
Bluegill:
Bluegills are in and around shallow weeds in 4-15 feet of water and action is just starting to get good. Waxies, mousies, spikes, and plastics are all working, and anglers are catching some nice ‘gills.
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. 9: Stone Lake Pub Ice Fishing Contest (715-865-2141.)
Jan. 16: Snowmobile Speed Runs - Nelson Lake Landing (715-634-4175.)
Jan. 16: Vintage Stud Run - Northwest Relic Riders Vintage Snowmobile Club.
Jan. 23: Ice Fishing Jamboree - Lakewoods Resort (715-794-2561.)
Jan. 25: Crow season opens.
Jan. 30: Radar Run - Northwest Relic Riders Vintage Snowmobile Club.
Jan. 31: Seasons Close: Squirrel; Ruffed grouse (northern zone.)
Feb. 13: WFNW ice fishing event on Lac Courte Oreilles.
March 5-7: Hayward 300 Snocross National.
April 10-11: Youth spring turkey hunt.
April 14-May 25: Spring turkey season.
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.