Hayward Lakes Sherry
11-10-2010, 03:49 PM
November 8, 2010
Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman
A beautiful November north woods weekend set the tone for this week – or at least for much of it, when more “seasonal” (though not necessarily desired!) late fall weather arrives in the Hayward area. Whether you go fishing, hunting, hiking, or biking, go now. This time of year, these nice days are freebies. If you do not take advantage of them at this time, you will have a long wait until their return.
Pat Happy Hooker says November fishing is not necessarily for the weak at heart or those easily chilled.
“From now until ice-up it can be tough out there. There are no warm breezes, the water is cold and getting colder, and any shade brings a chill. There are no shortcuts. It is a matter of bundling in layers of clothing, trying to find a way to keep your fingers warm, and sticking it out as long as you can.
“But big fish are on the move, and that is reason enough for hardy anglers to put in time on the water.”
According to DNR fisheries biologist Frank Pratt, nothing unusual or unexpected showed up in the fall surveys on Osprey, Winter, Tiger Cat, Smith, and Nelson lakes. The survey crew did not do a Chippewa Flowage crappie netting due to cold water temperatures.
Hunting has pretty much replaced fishing as the main form of outdoor recreation in the north woods, says DNR fisheries biologist Skip Sommerfeldt.
“Grouse are being found in fairly good numbers, and the beginning of the rut has bow hunters spending a lot of time in their deer stands. With water temperatures getting colder by the week, and with the erratic weather, fewer anglers are venturing out on the water.”
In the past week, Hayward area registration stations (Shooting Star, Hillman’s Store, Hayward Bait) registered two turkeys, 12 antlerless deer, and 62 bucks, including one big, heavy-beamed nine-point, a number of 10-pointers, and numerous eight pointers. Hunters are seeing an increasing number of bucks with swelled necks that are on the move chasing does.
Deer season is coming – make sure your rifle is sighted in and ready for the hunt. Hayward Rod and Gun Club sight-in days are 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.
The DNR reminds hunters they must have a valid deer license and backtag in their possession to legally take a deer. Any hunter who loses a license or backtag must quit hunting or obtain a duplicate backtag or license. Duplicates are available at any Automated License Issuance System (ALIS) vendors. Hunters must validate their deer carcass tag immediately upon killing and before field dressing or moving the deer.
This year, 18 regular deer management units are not allowing most hunters to shoot antlerless deer. There are a few exceptions, says DNR regional wildlife biologist Michael Zeckmeister, and these include certain disabled hunting permit holders, Armed Forces members, and first year hunter education graduates.
Fishing Reports
Muskie:
Muskies have put on the feed bag and action continues to be very good. Suckers are still the most productive bait, though there is still some success for anglers casting and trolling big crankbaits, stickbaits, and Bull Dawgs. Fish are in varied depths, from shallow to deep, around weeds, bars, and often around no discernible features. Predictions are for good weather and fishing conditions during the next few days and this is THE time of year to catch a trophy muskie. However, you won’t catch them if you are sitting on the couch munching chips. Go now – it is going to be a long winter.
Walleye:
Walleye anglers are catching fish, but the hit and miss action is lacking consistency. Best success is during periods of low light. Because fish are scattered at different depths on different lakes, it can be difficult to locate them. They can be in exceptionally shallow water (two or three feet) or very deep (to 60 feet), on rocks, flats, bars, or near weeds. Baits and presentations are almost as varied, from walleye suckers and fatheads to trolling crank and stick baits. Live bait presentations include slip bobbers, plain hooks, jigs, Lindy Rigs, and bottom bouncers.
Northern:
Northern pike action remains good in and around green weeds, with anglers catching some nice fish on spinners, spoons, bucktails, and northern suckers.
Crappie:
Crappies are still scattered in deeper water but so far showing little to no interest to school. Look for them also along deep weed edges, mid-depth breaks, and around cover, such as cribs. Crappie minnows, waxies, small spinners, and plastics are the top baits, and some anglers report plastics are the most productive offering at this time.
Upcoming Events
Nov. 8: Woodcock season closed.
Nov. 12: Hayward Chapter Whitetails Unlimited Fundraising banquet (715-766-3246.)
Nov. 13-19: Hayward Rod and Gun Club sight-in days. ($5/gun; 9 a.m.-4 p.m.)
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.
Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman
A beautiful November north woods weekend set the tone for this week – or at least for much of it, when more “seasonal” (though not necessarily desired!) late fall weather arrives in the Hayward area. Whether you go fishing, hunting, hiking, or biking, go now. This time of year, these nice days are freebies. If you do not take advantage of them at this time, you will have a long wait until their return.
Pat Happy Hooker says November fishing is not necessarily for the weak at heart or those easily chilled.
“From now until ice-up it can be tough out there. There are no warm breezes, the water is cold and getting colder, and any shade brings a chill. There are no shortcuts. It is a matter of bundling in layers of clothing, trying to find a way to keep your fingers warm, and sticking it out as long as you can.
“But big fish are on the move, and that is reason enough for hardy anglers to put in time on the water.”
According to DNR fisheries biologist Frank Pratt, nothing unusual or unexpected showed up in the fall surveys on Osprey, Winter, Tiger Cat, Smith, and Nelson lakes. The survey crew did not do a Chippewa Flowage crappie netting due to cold water temperatures.
Hunting has pretty much replaced fishing as the main form of outdoor recreation in the north woods, says DNR fisheries biologist Skip Sommerfeldt.
“Grouse are being found in fairly good numbers, and the beginning of the rut has bow hunters spending a lot of time in their deer stands. With water temperatures getting colder by the week, and with the erratic weather, fewer anglers are venturing out on the water.”
In the past week, Hayward area registration stations (Shooting Star, Hillman’s Store, Hayward Bait) registered two turkeys, 12 antlerless deer, and 62 bucks, including one big, heavy-beamed nine-point, a number of 10-pointers, and numerous eight pointers. Hunters are seeing an increasing number of bucks with swelled necks that are on the move chasing does.
Deer season is coming – make sure your rifle is sighted in and ready for the hunt. Hayward Rod and Gun Club sight-in days are 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.
The DNR reminds hunters they must have a valid deer license and backtag in their possession to legally take a deer. Any hunter who loses a license or backtag must quit hunting or obtain a duplicate backtag or license. Duplicates are available at any Automated License Issuance System (ALIS) vendors. Hunters must validate their deer carcass tag immediately upon killing and before field dressing or moving the deer.
This year, 18 regular deer management units are not allowing most hunters to shoot antlerless deer. There are a few exceptions, says DNR regional wildlife biologist Michael Zeckmeister, and these include certain disabled hunting permit holders, Armed Forces members, and first year hunter education graduates.
Fishing Reports
Muskie:
Muskies have put on the feed bag and action continues to be very good. Suckers are still the most productive bait, though there is still some success for anglers casting and trolling big crankbaits, stickbaits, and Bull Dawgs. Fish are in varied depths, from shallow to deep, around weeds, bars, and often around no discernible features. Predictions are for good weather and fishing conditions during the next few days and this is THE time of year to catch a trophy muskie. However, you won’t catch them if you are sitting on the couch munching chips. Go now – it is going to be a long winter.
Walleye:
Walleye anglers are catching fish, but the hit and miss action is lacking consistency. Best success is during periods of low light. Because fish are scattered at different depths on different lakes, it can be difficult to locate them. They can be in exceptionally shallow water (two or three feet) or very deep (to 60 feet), on rocks, flats, bars, or near weeds. Baits and presentations are almost as varied, from walleye suckers and fatheads to trolling crank and stick baits. Live bait presentations include slip bobbers, plain hooks, jigs, Lindy Rigs, and bottom bouncers.
Northern:
Northern pike action remains good in and around green weeds, with anglers catching some nice fish on spinners, spoons, bucktails, and northern suckers.
Crappie:
Crappies are still scattered in deeper water but so far showing little to no interest to school. Look for them also along deep weed edges, mid-depth breaks, and around cover, such as cribs. Crappie minnows, waxies, small spinners, and plastics are the top baits, and some anglers report plastics are the most productive offering at this time.
Upcoming Events
Nov. 8: Woodcock season closed.
Nov. 12: Hayward Chapter Whitetails Unlimited Fundraising banquet (715-766-3246.)
Nov. 13-19: Hayward Rod and Gun Club sight-in days. ($5/gun; 9 a.m.-4 p.m.)
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.