Hayward Lakes Sherry
10-26-2010, 10:26 AM
October 25, 2010
Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman
We enjoyed an outstanding October, but “the times they are a changin’.” Nothing major (yet), though there is mention of the “s” word in some forecasts.
“More seasonal weather is coming,” says Pat at Happy Hooker. “Daytime highs in the 50s and nighttime lows in the 30s or cooler means a move to late fall fishing, the best time for trophy muskies and walleyes. From now until first ice is a period short in length but heavy in potential. It can be brutally cold, with harsh winds and falling temperatures, but big fish are on the move, looking for large helpings.”
Pat adds now is not the time for a muskie angler to be timid or thin skinned.
“Fish seem to feed more heavily in the fall,” says Nelson at Hayward Bait, “and the later it gets, the better the fishing for all species. If you can brave the cold and wet, it can be one of the most productive times to be on the water.”
DNR fisheries biologist Skip Sommerfeldt says muskie remain the most sought after species, with many anglers switching to suckers.
“Smaller suckers (10-14 inches) are providing the best action, but the nicest fish are coming on large (18-inch or larger) suckers. This trend will continue, with the trophy potential getting better as the season winds down.”
In the past week, Hayward area registration stations (Shooting Star, Hillman’s Store, Hayward Bait) registered one turkey, five antlerless deer, and four bucks, including one nice eight-point. Dennis at Shooting Star says hunters report seeing some good scrape activity.
Hayward Rod and Gun Club on County Road B is holding sight-in days Oct. 30-31, Nov. 6-7, and Nov. 13-19, the week before gun deer season. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and cost is $5/gun.
Cable Rod and Gun Club on McNaught Road is holding sight-in days Nov. 18-19. Hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and cost is a $5/gun donation.
The DNR advises hunters new rules are in effect for deer season.
Some of the changes include:
• Scopes are legal for use on muzzleloaders during the 10-day muzzleloader season.
• To facilitate deer removal from the field, hunters can divide a deer into five or fewer parts before registration, leaving the head attached to one of the five parts. Hunters must remove all parts, except entrails, from the field.
• The DNR repealed the three-day archery license waiting period.
For more details, see the hunting and trapping regulations fact sheet on the DNR website.
Fishing Report
Muskie:
Muskie action is very good. Fish are scattered at varied depths, often around weeds and bars. Suckers – if/when you can find them – are getting the most action. Sucker supplies are limited and the bait shops are selling out as quickly as they receive delivery. However, artificials such as Bull Dawgs, bucktails, plastics, and jerkbaits, are still catching some fish. Trolling, where it is allowed, is also very effective with large crankbaits and stickbaits. Muskie season closes November 30 in the northern zone.
Walleye:
Walleye fishing is fair. Water temperatures continue to be warmer than normal and walleyes have yet to establish their fall pattern. On the deep, clear lakes, work deeper water gravel, weeds, and mid-lake humps down to 50 feet. On the shallower lakes, fish weeds and humps down to 25 feet. The fish often move into shallower water during low light conditions, such as early morning, in the evening, and on overcast days. Fatheads and walleye suckers, on jigs, under slip bobbers, and on Lindy Rigs, are the most productive baits. Trolled Rapalas, crankbaits, and crawlers are also catching fish. As the water cools, switch to larger baits.
Northern:
Northern pike can be caught around weeds – green or not if they are holding panfish – with spinners, spinnerbaits, spoons, crankbaits, stickbaits, and northern suckers.
Smallmouth Bass:
Anglers pursuing smallmouth bass are catching some nice fish on minnows and walleye suckers fished around deeper water weeds. Keep in mind river smallmouth move downstream in the fall to wintering areas in the lakes.
Crappie:
Crappie action is fair to good, but the fish continue to be scattered, suspending, and so far showing little interest in schooling. You will find them on mid-depth and deeper weed edges, along shallower weed lines, and suspending over deeper water. About the only consistency is their bait preference: crappie minnows, plastics, and Gulp! baits.
Bluegill and Perch:
Few anglers are targeting bluegills or perch at this time so there is a scarcity of reports. That said, if you can locate them, this is a good time to catch big, schooling ‘gills along deeper weed lines, and they offer great action. Perch are along deep weed edges and near mid-depth cover. Waxies, worms, and small minnows will work for both species.
Upcoming Events
Oct. 30: Raccoon season (non-resident) opens.
Oct. 30-31: Hayward Rod and Gun Club sight-in days. ($5/gun; 9 a.m.-4 p.m.)
Nov. 2: Hayward Lakes Chapter Muskies, Inc. meeting/lure swap at Dow’s Corner (715-634-4543.)
Nov. 2: Election Day – Vote!
Nov. 6: Trapping seasons open in northern zone: Otter; Beaver.
Nov. 7: Daylight Saving Time ends.
Nov. 6,7, 13-19: Hayward Rod and Gun Club sight-in days. ($5/gun; 9 a.m.-4 p.m.)
Nov. 8: Woodcock season closes.
Nov. 12: Hayward Chapter Whitetails Unlimited Fundraising banquet (715-766-3246.)
Nov. 18: Seasons close: Archery deer; Turkey; Crow.
Nov. 18-19: Cable Rod & Gun Club sight-in days. ($5/gun; 9 a.m.-3 p.m.)
Nov. 20-28: Gun deer season.
Nov. 29-Dec. 8: Muzzleloader deer season.
Nov. 29: Archery deer season re-opens.
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
We enjoyed an outstanding October, but “the times they are a changin’.” Nothing major (yet), though there is mention of the “s” word in some forecasts.
“More seasonal weather is coming,” says Pat at Happy Hooker. “Daytime highs in the 50s and nighttime lows in the 30s or cooler means a move to late fall fishing, the best time for trophy muskies and walleyes. From now until first ice is a period short in length but heavy in potential. It can be brutally cold, with harsh winds and falling temperatures, but big fish are on the move, looking for large helpings.”
Pat adds now is not the time for a muskie angler to be timid or thin skinned.
“Fish seem to feed more heavily in the fall,” says Nelson at Hayward Bait, “and the later it gets, the better the fishing for all species. If you can brave the cold and wet, it can be one of the most productive times to be on the water.”
DNR fisheries biologist Skip Sommerfeldt says muskie remain the most sought after species, with many anglers switching to suckers.
“Smaller suckers (10-14 inches) are providing the best action, but the nicest fish are coming on large (18-inch or larger) suckers. This trend will continue, with the trophy potential getting better as the season winds down.”
In the past week, Hayward area registration stations (Shooting Star, Hillman’s Store, Hayward Bait) registered one turkey, five antlerless deer, and four bucks, including one nice eight-point. Dennis at Shooting Star says hunters report seeing some good scrape activity.
Hayward Rod and Gun Club on County Road B is holding sight-in days Oct. 30-31, Nov. 6-7, and Nov. 13-19, the week before gun deer season. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and cost is $5/gun.
Cable Rod and Gun Club on McNaught Road is holding sight-in days Nov. 18-19. Hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and cost is a $5/gun donation.
The DNR advises hunters new rules are in effect for deer season.
Some of the changes include:
• Scopes are legal for use on muzzleloaders during the 10-day muzzleloader season.
• To facilitate deer removal from the field, hunters can divide a deer into five or fewer parts before registration, leaving the head attached to one of the five parts. Hunters must remove all parts, except entrails, from the field.
• The DNR repealed the three-day archery license waiting period.
For more details, see the hunting and trapping regulations fact sheet on the DNR website.
Fishing Report
Muskie:
Muskie action is very good. Fish are scattered at varied depths, often around weeds and bars. Suckers – if/when you can find them – are getting the most action. Sucker supplies are limited and the bait shops are selling out as quickly as they receive delivery. However, artificials such as Bull Dawgs, bucktails, plastics, and jerkbaits, are still catching some fish. Trolling, where it is allowed, is also very effective with large crankbaits and stickbaits. Muskie season closes November 30 in the northern zone.
Walleye:
Walleye fishing is fair. Water temperatures continue to be warmer than normal and walleyes have yet to establish their fall pattern. On the deep, clear lakes, work deeper water gravel, weeds, and mid-lake humps down to 50 feet. On the shallower lakes, fish weeds and humps down to 25 feet. The fish often move into shallower water during low light conditions, such as early morning, in the evening, and on overcast days. Fatheads and walleye suckers, on jigs, under slip bobbers, and on Lindy Rigs, are the most productive baits. Trolled Rapalas, crankbaits, and crawlers are also catching fish. As the water cools, switch to larger baits.
Northern:
Northern pike can be caught around weeds – green or not if they are holding panfish – with spinners, spinnerbaits, spoons, crankbaits, stickbaits, and northern suckers.
Smallmouth Bass:
Anglers pursuing smallmouth bass are catching some nice fish on minnows and walleye suckers fished around deeper water weeds. Keep in mind river smallmouth move downstream in the fall to wintering areas in the lakes.
Crappie:
Crappie action is fair to good, but the fish continue to be scattered, suspending, and so far showing little interest in schooling. You will find them on mid-depth and deeper weed edges, along shallower weed lines, and suspending over deeper water. About the only consistency is their bait preference: crappie minnows, plastics, and Gulp! baits.
Bluegill and Perch:
Few anglers are targeting bluegills or perch at this time so there is a scarcity of reports. That said, if you can locate them, this is a good time to catch big, schooling ‘gills along deeper weed lines, and they offer great action. Perch are along deep weed edges and near mid-depth cover. Waxies, worms, and small minnows will work for both species.
Upcoming Events
Oct. 30: Raccoon season (non-resident) opens.
Oct. 30-31: Hayward Rod and Gun Club sight-in days. ($5/gun; 9 a.m.-4 p.m.)
Nov. 2: Hayward Lakes Chapter Muskies, Inc. meeting/lure swap at Dow’s Corner (715-634-4543.)
Nov. 2: Election Day – Vote!
Nov. 6: Trapping seasons open in northern zone: Otter; Beaver.
Nov. 7: Daylight Saving Time ends.
Nov. 6,7, 13-19: Hayward Rod and Gun Club sight-in days. ($5/gun; 9 a.m.-4 p.m.)
Nov. 8: Woodcock season closes.
Nov. 12: Hayward Chapter Whitetails Unlimited Fundraising banquet (715-766-3246.)
Nov. 18: Seasons close: Archery deer; Turkey; Crow.
Nov. 18-19: Cable Rod & Gun Club sight-in days. ($5/gun; 9 a.m.-3 p.m.)
Nov. 20-28: Gun deer season.
Nov. 29-Dec. 8: Muzzleloader deer season.
Nov. 29: Archery deer season re-opens.
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.