Hayward Lakes Sherry
05-04-2010, 09:44 AM
May 03, 2010
Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman
Hayward area anglers fishing the game fish opener had to deal with winds strong enough to force many off the lakes and preventing some from even getting on the water. Early risers enjoyed mixed success, and anglers on smaller, more protected waters, were somewhat less affected. At least it didn’t snow.
“The opener always coincides with some sort of ‘natural disaster,’” says DNR fisheries biologist Frank Pratt. “Winds gusting to more than 30 mph? Of course! However, anglers who got out and could control their drift had some good fishing.
“The crappies entered in the Fishing Hall of Fame crappie contest all looked to be in late pre-spawn, so when we get any amount of warm weather, hold onto your hats!”
Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame executive director Emmett Brown says the Hall’s inaugural 2010 Hayward Crappie Contest was a ‘great success,’ and extended his thanks to Holiday Stationstores for their participation.
“Despite the high winds, anglers entered numerous large crappies and we had a tremendous turnout for the final weigh-in.”
In the Adult category, Gary Dubois, Woodbury, Minnesota, won first place and a $3500 U.S. Savings Bond with a 1.71-pound Windigo Lake fish. In the Youth category, Jon Aderman, Hayward, won first place and a $2000 U.S. Savings Bond with a 1.11-pound crappie from Lake Chetek. Minocqua’s Dean Acheson captured Media division honors with a .77-pound Mud Lake fish.
Pat at Happy Hooker says early anglers, before the wind started blowing, reported some good catches of walleye and panfish, though ‘Boy, is it windy out there – I think we’ll fish off the dock until the wind lets up,’ was a common refrain.
Al at Pastika’s says the weekend’s strong winds made for tough fishing conditions.
“The wind kept some anglers off the water,” Al says, “and for those who did get out, it made boat control an issue, affecting catches.”
Dennis at Hayward Bait says fishing was good, considering the wind.
“Anglers who were able to control their boats and stay on the fish did well, and some anglers caught their limits.”
DNR fisheries biologist Skip Sommerfeldt says the northern pike, walleye and musky completed their reproductive rituals very quickly this spring, though for the next week or so a few paired-up muskies may be seen in the shallows.
He warns boaters and anglers to be extremely careful, particularly on large flowages.
“Very low water levels have created some hazardous conditions, some two to three feet below normal, and we already have reports of bent props and ruined lower units.”
Hayward area registration stations (Shooting Star, Hillman’s Store, Hayward Bait) recorded 15 turkeys (11 adults, one with a 10-inch beard, and four juveniles) for spring turkey season Period C, April 28-May 2. Sale of leftover spring turkey tags continue until sold out or the season ends. As of Wednesday April 28, tags are available as follows:
Zone 1 (southwest Wisconsin): Period E - 2548; Period F - 8892.
Zone 3 (central Wisconsin): Period E - 3063; Period F - 7901.
Reminders:
The Hayward Lakes Chapter Muskies, Inc. meeting is Tuesday May 4 at Dick-Sy Roadhouse. Beginning at 7 p.m., Green Bay angler Kevin Pischke will discuss catching big fish on Green Bay and the river system.
Hayward’s Fishing Has No Boundaries (FHNB) fishing event for people with disabilities is May 21-23 on the Chippewa Flowage, and they always need additional volunteers, fishing and pontoon boats, and trustworthy operators. For more information, call Pat Lindgren (800) 243-3462; (715) 634-3185.
The Whitetails Unlimited Hayward Chapter fundraising banquet is Thursday May 13 at Lumberjack Steakhouse. Single tickets $45; add a spouse or junior (to age 15) for $25. Deadline is May 6. Visit www.whitetailsunlimited.com, or call Sabrina Morgan (715) 766-3246.
Fishing Reports
Walleye:
Fishing for post-spawn walleyes should improve once the winds drop to small gale force. Calm conditions often prevail in early morning and in the evening, which are also prime fishing times for crank and stickbait fishing along shorelines. During the day, target new weeds, brush, breaklines, muck bottoms, and rocky drop-offs in 5-20 feet of water, depending on the lake. Opening weekend, fatheads and walleye suckers were the top choices, but anglers also caught fish on crawlers and leeches.
Northern:
Northern action is fair to good around shallow weeds, shorelines, and bays, and anywhere you find panfish. Live bait includes northern and walleyes, suckers, and fatheads. Top artificials include minnow/twitch baits, crankbaits, spoons, spinners, and spinnerbaits.
Crappie:
Crappies are in pre-spawn (as soon as water temps reach the upper 50s ... ) and offering fair to good action. Depending on the lake and weather conditions, concentrate on shallow water (3-12 feet) bays, weeds, and brush. The old standbys are working well: crappie minnows, fatheads, leeches, small jigs, tubes, and plastics, with or without a bobber.
Bluegill:
Though it’s a bit early for hot and heavy bluegill action – they spawn when water temperatures reach into the 60s –anglers report some success in shallow, dark-bottom, weedy bays on sunny, warmer days. Use small jigs or plain hooks tipped with waxies, worms, small leeches, and plastics. Fish 3-5 feet of warm water, and move deeper on cool, cloudy days. (It’s all about water temps.) For larger ‘gills fish deeper water with minnows, small crankbaits, and spinners.
Upcoming Events
May 1: Seasons Opened: Inland game fish (see regs for specifics); Northern Zone bass (catch and release only); Frog. May 4: Hayward Lakes Chapter Muskies, Inc. meeting at Dick-Sy Roadhouse. 7 p.m. (715-634-4543.)
May 13: Hayward chapter of Whitetails Unlimited fundraising banquet ((715-766-3246.)
May 21-23: Fishing Has No Boundaries fishing event for persons with disabilities (800-243-3462; 715-634-3185.)
May 29: Muskellunge season opens north of Hwy 10.
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
Hayward area anglers fishing the game fish opener had to deal with winds strong enough to force many off the lakes and preventing some from even getting on the water. Early risers enjoyed mixed success, and anglers on smaller, more protected waters, were somewhat less affected. At least it didn’t snow.
“The opener always coincides with some sort of ‘natural disaster,’” says DNR fisheries biologist Frank Pratt. “Winds gusting to more than 30 mph? Of course! However, anglers who got out and could control their drift had some good fishing.
“The crappies entered in the Fishing Hall of Fame crappie contest all looked to be in late pre-spawn, so when we get any amount of warm weather, hold onto your hats!”
Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame executive director Emmett Brown says the Hall’s inaugural 2010 Hayward Crappie Contest was a ‘great success,’ and extended his thanks to Holiday Stationstores for their participation.
“Despite the high winds, anglers entered numerous large crappies and we had a tremendous turnout for the final weigh-in.”
In the Adult category, Gary Dubois, Woodbury, Minnesota, won first place and a $3500 U.S. Savings Bond with a 1.71-pound Windigo Lake fish. In the Youth category, Jon Aderman, Hayward, won first place and a $2000 U.S. Savings Bond with a 1.11-pound crappie from Lake Chetek. Minocqua’s Dean Acheson captured Media division honors with a .77-pound Mud Lake fish.
Pat at Happy Hooker says early anglers, before the wind started blowing, reported some good catches of walleye and panfish, though ‘Boy, is it windy out there – I think we’ll fish off the dock until the wind lets up,’ was a common refrain.
Al at Pastika’s says the weekend’s strong winds made for tough fishing conditions.
“The wind kept some anglers off the water,” Al says, “and for those who did get out, it made boat control an issue, affecting catches.”
Dennis at Hayward Bait says fishing was good, considering the wind.
“Anglers who were able to control their boats and stay on the fish did well, and some anglers caught their limits.”
DNR fisheries biologist Skip Sommerfeldt says the northern pike, walleye and musky completed their reproductive rituals very quickly this spring, though for the next week or so a few paired-up muskies may be seen in the shallows.
He warns boaters and anglers to be extremely careful, particularly on large flowages.
“Very low water levels have created some hazardous conditions, some two to three feet below normal, and we already have reports of bent props and ruined lower units.”
Hayward area registration stations (Shooting Star, Hillman’s Store, Hayward Bait) recorded 15 turkeys (11 adults, one with a 10-inch beard, and four juveniles) for spring turkey season Period C, April 28-May 2. Sale of leftover spring turkey tags continue until sold out or the season ends. As of Wednesday April 28, tags are available as follows:
Zone 1 (southwest Wisconsin): Period E - 2548; Period F - 8892.
Zone 3 (central Wisconsin): Period E - 3063; Period F - 7901.
Reminders:
The Hayward Lakes Chapter Muskies, Inc. meeting is Tuesday May 4 at Dick-Sy Roadhouse. Beginning at 7 p.m., Green Bay angler Kevin Pischke will discuss catching big fish on Green Bay and the river system.
Hayward’s Fishing Has No Boundaries (FHNB) fishing event for people with disabilities is May 21-23 on the Chippewa Flowage, and they always need additional volunteers, fishing and pontoon boats, and trustworthy operators. For more information, call Pat Lindgren (800) 243-3462; (715) 634-3185.
The Whitetails Unlimited Hayward Chapter fundraising banquet is Thursday May 13 at Lumberjack Steakhouse. Single tickets $45; add a spouse or junior (to age 15) for $25. Deadline is May 6. Visit www.whitetailsunlimited.com, or call Sabrina Morgan (715) 766-3246.
Fishing Reports
Walleye:
Fishing for post-spawn walleyes should improve once the winds drop to small gale force. Calm conditions often prevail in early morning and in the evening, which are also prime fishing times for crank and stickbait fishing along shorelines. During the day, target new weeds, brush, breaklines, muck bottoms, and rocky drop-offs in 5-20 feet of water, depending on the lake. Opening weekend, fatheads and walleye suckers were the top choices, but anglers also caught fish on crawlers and leeches.
Northern:
Northern action is fair to good around shallow weeds, shorelines, and bays, and anywhere you find panfish. Live bait includes northern and walleyes, suckers, and fatheads. Top artificials include minnow/twitch baits, crankbaits, spoons, spinners, and spinnerbaits.
Crappie:
Crappies are in pre-spawn (as soon as water temps reach the upper 50s ... ) and offering fair to good action. Depending on the lake and weather conditions, concentrate on shallow water (3-12 feet) bays, weeds, and brush. The old standbys are working well: crappie minnows, fatheads, leeches, small jigs, tubes, and plastics, with or without a bobber.
Bluegill:
Though it’s a bit early for hot and heavy bluegill action – they spawn when water temperatures reach into the 60s –anglers report some success in shallow, dark-bottom, weedy bays on sunny, warmer days. Use small jigs or plain hooks tipped with waxies, worms, small leeches, and plastics. Fish 3-5 feet of warm water, and move deeper on cool, cloudy days. (It’s all about water temps.) For larger ‘gills fish deeper water with minnows, small crankbaits, and spinners.
Upcoming Events
May 1: Seasons Opened: Inland game fish (see regs for specifics); Northern Zone bass (catch and release only); Frog. May 4: Hayward Lakes Chapter Muskies, Inc. meeting at Dick-Sy Roadhouse. 7 p.m. (715-634-4543.)
May 13: Hayward chapter of Whitetails Unlimited fundraising banquet ((715-766-3246.)
May 21-23: Fishing Has No Boundaries fishing event for persons with disabilities (800-243-3462; 715-634-3185.)
May 29: Muskellunge season opens north of Hwy 10.
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.