Hayward Lakes Sherry
11-02-2010, 12:57 PM
We knew it would happen – nighttime lows in the teens and skim ice on various area waters – but it still comes as somewhat of a shock. The forecast looks reasonably good for this week, however, mostly dry and with daily highs near average for this time of year.
At Happy Hooker, Pat says last week’s weather kept anglers off the water and gave a wakeup call for what lies ahead.
“High winds, cold temperatures, or a combination of both, can sideline even the most hardy angler,” says Pat. “The storm also raised awareness of hypothermia.
“A fall from a boat in July is an inconvenience, but falling in November is life threatening. Use extra caution and do not take chances. The cost of a mistake is too high.”
Al at Pastika’s says water temperatures are now in the low 40s and crappie anglers should start checking deeper water for schooling fish.
“The change to wet, cooler weather resulted in erratic fishing success last week,” says DNR fisheries biologist Skip Sommerfeldt. “Water temperatures have dropped on most lakes, and fewer and fewer anglers are venturing out with the wet and windy weather. Muskie, walleye, and crappie are the main species of interest, and muskies are providing the most consistent action.”
Fish species are changing their patterns in direct response to the changing late fall weather patterns. To make time on the water more productive, check with your favorite bait shop for the most up-to-the-minute information.
In the past week, Hayward area registration stations (Shooting Star, Hillman’s Store, Hayward Bait) registered three turkeys, 15 antlerless deer, and 25 bucks, including two 130-class 10-pointers, one big nine-point with a 20-inch spread, and one big-bodied 14-pointer. Bow hunters report bucks are really starting to move and chase does.
Local gun club sight-in days: Hayward Rod and Gun Club sight-in days are Nov. 6-7, and Nov. 13-19. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and cost is $5/gun. Cable Rod and Gun Club sight-in days are Nov. 18-19. Hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and cost is a $5/gun donation.
“Deer Hunt 2010,” sponsored by the DNR and hosted by Dan Small, will air Nov. 11, from 8-9 p.m., on Wisconsin Public Television. The show will cover what hunters need to know and offer tips for both novice and experienced deer hunters. Wildlife biologists and wardens will discuss updates and important information hunters should review before heading to the woods. Veteran hunters will share stories of memorable hunts and moments in their hunting careers, and thoughts about why they hunt. Highlights include a statewide deer season forecast, new hunting rules, scouting for deer, effective food plot placement, and a review of tree stand safety.
Legal hunting hours dictate a large number of fall hunting activities and hunters are reminded to turn back their clocks Sunday November 7, the end of Daylight Saving Time (at least for this year!)
Fishing Reports
Muskie:
Muskie action is very good and at this time a sucker (on a quick-strike rig, of course) is the most productive bait. Trolling or casting large, slow moving baits such as Bull Dawgs, jerk, stick, and crank baits, are also hooking a few fish. Target weed and bar edges in water down to 18 feet, though muskies are both shallower and deeper. This is THE time of year for trophy muskies, but you have to be there to catch them. Even if it involves a bit of “discomfort.”
Walleye:
Walleyes are scattered and fishing is slow, though anglers are certainly catching fish, including some trophies. They are picking up some walleyes in shallower water, but concentrate on 25- to 45-foot depths – and as deep as 60 feet. Weed beds, rocks/gravel, flats, and drop offs can all hold fish. Walleye suckers and fatheads are the top producers. Crankbaits and stickbaits trolled along weed edges and rock bars are also effective.
Northern:
Northern action is good around green weeds out to 18 feet of water. Spinners, spinnerbaits, spoons, stickbaits, and northern suckers will all tempt the pike.
Smallmouth Bass:
A few anglers continue to pursue smallmouth bass and they are finding success fishing walleye suckers on hard bottom areas in deep water.
Crappie:
Crappie action is improving, though fish are still scattered, suspending, and difficult to locate. Look for them suspending over deeper water, near weeds close to deep holes, along weed lines, and around brush in water to 15 feet deep. Top baits include crappie minnows, plastics, waxies, Gulp! baits, and small spinners.
Bluegill:
Bluegills are in deeper (to 15 feet or more) in weeds, on outside weed edges, and near cribs, wood, and rock points. Waxies, worms, plastics, and Gulp! baits are all catching fish.
Upcoming Events
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. 15: Trout and salmon season closes on downstream sections of Lake Superior tributaries (see regs.)
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. 19: Illegal to hunt with a firearm the day before gun deer season opens. (See regs for exceptions.)
Nov. 20-28: Gun deer season.
Nov. 23: Northern zone duck season closes.
Nov. 29-Dec. 8: Muzzleloader deer season.
Nov. 29: Archery deer season re-opens.
Nov. 30: Seasons Close: Muskie in northern zone; Turtle.
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.
At Happy Hooker, Pat says last week’s weather kept anglers off the water and gave a wakeup call for what lies ahead.
“High winds, cold temperatures, or a combination of both, can sideline even the most hardy angler,” says Pat. “The storm also raised awareness of hypothermia.
“A fall from a boat in July is an inconvenience, but falling in November is life threatening. Use extra caution and do not take chances. The cost of a mistake is too high.”
Al at Pastika’s says water temperatures are now in the low 40s and crappie anglers should start checking deeper water for schooling fish.
“The change to wet, cooler weather resulted in erratic fishing success last week,” says DNR fisheries biologist Skip Sommerfeldt. “Water temperatures have dropped on most lakes, and fewer and fewer anglers are venturing out with the wet and windy weather. Muskie, walleye, and crappie are the main species of interest, and muskies are providing the most consistent action.”
Fish species are changing their patterns in direct response to the changing late fall weather patterns. To make time on the water more productive, check with your favorite bait shop for the most up-to-the-minute information.
In the past week, Hayward area registration stations (Shooting Star, Hillman’s Store, Hayward Bait) registered three turkeys, 15 antlerless deer, and 25 bucks, including two 130-class 10-pointers, one big nine-point with a 20-inch spread, and one big-bodied 14-pointer. Bow hunters report bucks are really starting to move and chase does.
Local gun club sight-in days: Hayward Rod and Gun Club sight-in days are Nov. 6-7, and Nov. 13-19. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and cost is $5/gun. Cable Rod and Gun Club sight-in days are Nov. 18-19. Hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and cost is a $5/gun donation.
“Deer Hunt 2010,” sponsored by the DNR and hosted by Dan Small, will air Nov. 11, from 8-9 p.m., on Wisconsin Public Television. The show will cover what hunters need to know and offer tips for both novice and experienced deer hunters. Wildlife biologists and wardens will discuss updates and important information hunters should review before heading to the woods. Veteran hunters will share stories of memorable hunts and moments in their hunting careers, and thoughts about why they hunt. Highlights include a statewide deer season forecast, new hunting rules, scouting for deer, effective food plot placement, and a review of tree stand safety.
Legal hunting hours dictate a large number of fall hunting activities and hunters are reminded to turn back their clocks Sunday November 7, the end of Daylight Saving Time (at least for this year!)
Fishing Reports
Muskie:
Muskie action is very good and at this time a sucker (on a quick-strike rig, of course) is the most productive bait. Trolling or casting large, slow moving baits such as Bull Dawgs, jerk, stick, and crank baits, are also hooking a few fish. Target weed and bar edges in water down to 18 feet, though muskies are both shallower and deeper. This is THE time of year for trophy muskies, but you have to be there to catch them. Even if it involves a bit of “discomfort.”
Walleye:
Walleyes are scattered and fishing is slow, though anglers are certainly catching fish, including some trophies. They are picking up some walleyes in shallower water, but concentrate on 25- to 45-foot depths – and as deep as 60 feet. Weed beds, rocks/gravel, flats, and drop offs can all hold fish. Walleye suckers and fatheads are the top producers. Crankbaits and stickbaits trolled along weed edges and rock bars are also effective.
Northern:
Northern action is good around green weeds out to 18 feet of water. Spinners, spinnerbaits, spoons, stickbaits, and northern suckers will all tempt the pike.
Smallmouth Bass:
A few anglers continue to pursue smallmouth bass and they are finding success fishing walleye suckers on hard bottom areas in deep water.
Crappie:
Crappie action is improving, though fish are still scattered, suspending, and difficult to locate. Look for them suspending over deeper water, near weeds close to deep holes, along weed lines, and around brush in water to 15 feet deep. Top baits include crappie minnows, plastics, waxies, Gulp! baits, and small spinners.
Bluegill:
Bluegills are in deeper (to 15 feet or more) in weeds, on outside weed edges, and near cribs, wood, and rock points. Waxies, worms, plastics, and Gulp! baits are all catching fish.
Upcoming Events
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. 15: Trout and salmon season closes on downstream sections of Lake Superior tributaries (see regs.)
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. 19: Illegal to hunt with a firearm the day before gun deer season opens. (See regs for exceptions.)
Nov. 20-28: Gun deer season.
Nov. 23: Northern zone duck season closes.
Nov. 29-Dec. 8: Muzzleloader deer season.
Nov. 29: Archery deer season re-opens.
Nov. 30: Seasons Close: Muskie in northern zone; Turtle.
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.