Hayward Lakes Sherry
05-11-2010, 10:59 AM
May 10, 2010
Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman
Four inches of snow Friday through Saturday morning, temperatures in the low 20s Sunday, and all accompanied by strong winds, brings me to two conclusions. One is that a great number of people were correct when they said, “we will pay” for the warm spring-like weather in April. The second is Mother Nature misread the calendar and her snow storm missed the game fish opener by a week.
It is only fitting to lead off the fishing news by noting DNR fisheries biologist Frank Pratt suffered very serious injuries in an auto accident in Illinois this past weekend. At last report, he is in stable condition but facing significant reconstructive hip and leg surgeries. All of us who know Frank are offering our prayers and best wishes for his quick and complete recovery. Cards and notes of encouragement can be sent to Frank in care of: St. Francis Hospital, 530 Northeast Glen Oak Ave., Peoria, IL 61637-0002.
“Fishing action for northern pike is good throughout the area,” reports Pat at Happy Hooker. “The fish are in the weeds and walleye anglers using jigs and minnows are catching a good numbers of mid-size fish. To target these pike, fish larger northern suckers in the weeds. This is a great way to introduce a kid to fishing or break in a new angler.”
At Hayward Bait, Nelson says fishing action is relatively slow due to the cold, windy conditions.
“But anglers who do make the effort to get on the water and deal with those conditions are catching fish and having decent success. And when the water warms just a bit the crappies will start spawning.”
The cold front’s arrival this past weekend will change things for awhile, according to Al at Pastika’s.
“We really need some warm, sunny weather to bring in the crappies and bluegills. Currently they are moving in and out with the weather changes.”
DNR fisheries biologist Skip Sommerfeldt says most managed trout lakes did not receive their spring quotas of brook or rainbow trout due to VHS concerns and budget cutbacks. He says the most successful anglers are fishing Class I streams for native brook trout.
North woods turkey hunters with tags for Period D (May 5-9) apparently had a challenging hunt. The Hayward area registration stations (Shooting Star, Hillman’s Store, Hayward Bait) registered only three turkeys, one jake and two adults, one with a 10-inch beard.
A new rule prohibits Wisconsin boaters from operating their boats at speeds greater than ‘slow-no-wake’ within 100 feet of lake shorelines, and it applies to all lakes, including flowage lakes. This is in addition to current law prohibiting boaters from operating at speeds greater than slow-no-wake within 100 feet of docks, rafts, piers, and buoyed restricted areas. Slow-no-wake is the minimum speed required for maintaining steerage.
The DNR website now contains the 2010 deer hunting seasons structure map. The DNR designated 66 DMUs as regular units, and 46 DMUs as herd control units. At the suggestion of hunters and hunter groups, the DNR is proposing to eliminate antlerless deer harvest by bow hunters in any gun quota units offering no antlerless deer permits. You can view the proposal online and offer your comments. Public hearings on the proposal are being held May 17 in Rhinelander, May 18 in Fitchburg, and May 24 in Green Bay.
Weather conditions are currently very inconsistent and change daily, if not throughout the day. Regardless of the fish species you pursue, a quick check with your favorite tackle shop just before you hit the water can save considerable time and prevent frustration.
Fishing Reports
Walleye:
Walleye action is fair to good, but most reports indicate fishing in the hour just before dark offers the best odds for success. Depending on the lake and water clarity, you will find them in depths ranging from 6-30 feet. Concentrate on weeds and weed edges, wood, cribs, rock, and bogs. Bait preference is somewhat open – use walleye suckers, fatheads, leeches, and crawlers on your choice of on jigs, plain hooks, harnesses, and under slip bobbers. In the prime evening hour just before dark, cast crank and stick baits along shallow water shorelines.
Northern:
Northern pike action is good with northern suckers, jig/minnow, spinnerbaits, spoons, crank and twitch baits. Fish shallow weeds and bays, and in the same areas as walleyes.
Crappie:
Crappies are ready to spawn, but move in and out of the shallows with the cold fronts. You will find them shallow when it’s warm and sunny, but fish deeper water on cold, overcast days. Look for weeds, stumps, and structure. Crappie minnows, worms, waxies, and plastics on small jigs or plain hooks, with or without a bobber, are all catching fish.
Bluegill:
Bluegills are scattered, but action is good in shallow water when the weather is warm. On those cooler days, fish a bit deeper. They are hitting a selection of baits, including waxies, worms, crawlers, minnows, and plastics fished on jigs or plain hooks, with or without a bobber, and spinners and Beetle Spins.
Upcoming Events
May 14-16: Musky Tale Resort 2010 Northern Encounter (877-533-8902; 715-462-3838.)
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.
June 5-6: Free Fishing Weekend. No license or stamps required. All other regulations apply.
June 19: Northern Zone bass season changes from catch-and-release to daily bag limits. (See regs.)
June 24-27: 61st annual Musky Festival (715-634-8662.)
June 25-27: Hayward Lions Musky Fest fishing contest.
For more information on area events and activities, see the Calendar of Events, visit Hayward Lakes Visitor and Convention Bureau, or call 1-800-724-29
Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman
Four inches of snow Friday through Saturday morning, temperatures in the low 20s Sunday, and all accompanied by strong winds, brings me to two conclusions. One is that a great number of people were correct when they said, “we will pay” for the warm spring-like weather in April. The second is Mother Nature misread the calendar and her snow storm missed the game fish opener by a week.
It is only fitting to lead off the fishing news by noting DNR fisheries biologist Frank Pratt suffered very serious injuries in an auto accident in Illinois this past weekend. At last report, he is in stable condition but facing significant reconstructive hip and leg surgeries. All of us who know Frank are offering our prayers and best wishes for his quick and complete recovery. Cards and notes of encouragement can be sent to Frank in care of: St. Francis Hospital, 530 Northeast Glen Oak Ave., Peoria, IL 61637-0002.
“Fishing action for northern pike is good throughout the area,” reports Pat at Happy Hooker. “The fish are in the weeds and walleye anglers using jigs and minnows are catching a good numbers of mid-size fish. To target these pike, fish larger northern suckers in the weeds. This is a great way to introduce a kid to fishing or break in a new angler.”
At Hayward Bait, Nelson says fishing action is relatively slow due to the cold, windy conditions.
“But anglers who do make the effort to get on the water and deal with those conditions are catching fish and having decent success. And when the water warms just a bit the crappies will start spawning.”
The cold front’s arrival this past weekend will change things for awhile, according to Al at Pastika’s.
“We really need some warm, sunny weather to bring in the crappies and bluegills. Currently they are moving in and out with the weather changes.”
DNR fisheries biologist Skip Sommerfeldt says most managed trout lakes did not receive their spring quotas of brook or rainbow trout due to VHS concerns and budget cutbacks. He says the most successful anglers are fishing Class I streams for native brook trout.
North woods turkey hunters with tags for Period D (May 5-9) apparently had a challenging hunt. The Hayward area registration stations (Shooting Star, Hillman’s Store, Hayward Bait) registered only three turkeys, one jake and two adults, one with a 10-inch beard.
A new rule prohibits Wisconsin boaters from operating their boats at speeds greater than ‘slow-no-wake’ within 100 feet of lake shorelines, and it applies to all lakes, including flowage lakes. This is in addition to current law prohibiting boaters from operating at speeds greater than slow-no-wake within 100 feet of docks, rafts, piers, and buoyed restricted areas. Slow-no-wake is the minimum speed required for maintaining steerage.
The DNR website now contains the 2010 deer hunting seasons structure map. The DNR designated 66 DMUs as regular units, and 46 DMUs as herd control units. At the suggestion of hunters and hunter groups, the DNR is proposing to eliminate antlerless deer harvest by bow hunters in any gun quota units offering no antlerless deer permits. You can view the proposal online and offer your comments. Public hearings on the proposal are being held May 17 in Rhinelander, May 18 in Fitchburg, and May 24 in Green Bay.
Weather conditions are currently very inconsistent and change daily, if not throughout the day. Regardless of the fish species you pursue, a quick check with your favorite tackle shop just before you hit the water can save considerable time and prevent frustration.
Fishing Reports
Walleye:
Walleye action is fair to good, but most reports indicate fishing in the hour just before dark offers the best odds for success. Depending on the lake and water clarity, you will find them in depths ranging from 6-30 feet. Concentrate on weeds and weed edges, wood, cribs, rock, and bogs. Bait preference is somewhat open – use walleye suckers, fatheads, leeches, and crawlers on your choice of on jigs, plain hooks, harnesses, and under slip bobbers. In the prime evening hour just before dark, cast crank and stick baits along shallow water shorelines.
Northern:
Northern pike action is good with northern suckers, jig/minnow, spinnerbaits, spoons, crank and twitch baits. Fish shallow weeds and bays, and in the same areas as walleyes.
Crappie:
Crappies are ready to spawn, but move in and out of the shallows with the cold fronts. You will find them shallow when it’s warm and sunny, but fish deeper water on cold, overcast days. Look for weeds, stumps, and structure. Crappie minnows, worms, waxies, and plastics on small jigs or plain hooks, with or without a bobber, are all catching fish.
Bluegill:
Bluegills are scattered, but action is good in shallow water when the weather is warm. On those cooler days, fish a bit deeper. They are hitting a selection of baits, including waxies, worms, crawlers, minnows, and plastics fished on jigs or plain hooks, with or without a bobber, and spinners and Beetle Spins.
Upcoming Events
May 14-16: Musky Tale Resort 2010 Northern Encounter (877-533-8902; 715-462-3838.)
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.
June 5-6: Free Fishing Weekend. No license or stamps required. All other regulations apply.
June 19: Northern Zone bass season changes from catch-and-release to daily bag limits. (See regs.)
June 24-27: 61st annual Musky Festival (715-634-8662.)
June 25-27: Hayward Lions Musky Fest fishing contest.
For more information on area events and activities, see the Calendar of Events, visit Hayward Lakes Visitor and Convention Bureau, or call 1-800-724-29