Hayward Lakes Sherry
01-03-2011, 06:01 PM
January 03, 2011
Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman
Mild temperatures and rain just before the start of the new year removed a considerable amount of snow from the areas lakes and trails. The subzero temperatures and highs in the teens forecast for this week should improve lake conditions for ice anglers, and the expected snowfall will help to rejuvenate snowmobile and cross-country ski trails.
Al at Pastika’s says the cold temperatures should make for excellent ice conditions overall, and anglers ‘could’ be driving on the lakes by the end of this week – and notes it is a good idea for anglers to wear creepers!
“Walleye fishing is good on walleye suckers and shiners under tip-ups and jigged fatheads,” says Al.
At Hayward Bait, Bob says ice conditions are much improved with the snow and slush gone, but the surface is smooth so do not forget the ice cleats.
“Action is just starting to heat up on Round, Lac Courte Oreille, and Grindstone,” says Bob. “Anglers are catching walleyes in 12-20 feet of water on walleye suckers and shiners under tip-ups, and by jigging fatheads and large rosy reds. Panfish fishing is good on Spring, Nelson, and Namakagon, with anglers catching crappies up 14 inches and some nice bluegills.”
Pat at Happy Hooker says there was still a layer of slush under the snow at last report – and it is a good idea to wear cleats on your boots.
Mark your calendars for the February 12 Walleyes for Northwest Wisconsin’s family Ice Fishing Event on Lac Courte Oreilles. For more information, call (715) 634-2921.
In the past week, Hayward area registration stations (Shooting Star, Hillman’s Store, Hayward Bait) registered 11 antlerless deer and five bucks. Buck registrations included a very good 150-class 10-point and a nice eight-point (verified by trail cam) that lost its one remaining antler while running a short distance after being hit with the arrow. Late archery deer season closes January 9.
Hayward Power Sports reports the warm weather and rain last Thursday and Friday did major damage to the trails but greatly improved lake trails. The trails never close in Sawyer County, but it is not good riding. The lakes leveled out and ice conditions are smooth and hard with no more slush; the snow on most land trails is marginal but passable.
The December 30 Cable area trail report says snowmobile trails are in fair condition, but the solid base started early in the season will protect the trails.
Lakewoods Resort report as of December 30 says trails are fair and could be poor in some areas of plowed roads and logging. Early snows kept groomers off trail sections with large wetlands. While fine for snowmobile traffic, the swamps will not hold the heavy groomers. Rain and warm temperatures caused lakes to deteriorate. Though the ice is not affected, the wet and slushy surfaces will likely freeze in a rough condition. Ice is never completely safe, no matter the thickness, so stick to the trails and check conditions on any lakes before you travel them.
Trail 25 south –from Tuscobia to Big Bear Lodge on the way to Rusk County – is impossible for grooming equipment and probably closed for the season. Use trail 36 as an alternate. Trail 40 from the Tuscobia mouth to Trail 25 (Dead Horse) remains closed due to many downed trees. Use trail 25 as an alternate. A housing development is responsible for the closure of Trail 29 from Little Round Lake to Trail 30 this year. Use trails 9 and 3 as alternates.
There is some confusion on Trail 30 by the Casino, and until it is resolved, work your way through the Casino, motor home, and Subway parking lots. Tuscobia State Trail, groomed for the first time this season, has a four-inch base of snow.
The Sawyer County-Washburn County segment is now open to ATV use.
As of December 31, Virgin Timber Resort reports 12 inches of snow and poor trail conditions, adding ‘It’s as bad as it looks!’ Wooded trails look okay, but exposed trails are dirty and the slush is gone from the lakes.
Namakagon Trails Report says trails need snow. They are ride-able, though not groomed, and we will not groom some parts until the swamps freeze. On a positive note, the Namakagon stick trail is up and the rain helped smooth it.
Upcoming Events
Dec. 31: Seasons Closed: Pheasant; Hungarian partridge; Bobcat hunting/trapping; Fisher trapping; Frog.
Jan. 8: Northwest Relic Riders Vintage Snowmobile Club vintage stud run.
Jan. 8: Stone Lake Pub ice fishing contest (715-865-2141.)
Jan. 9: Late archery deer season closes.
Jan. 25: Winter crow season opens.
Jan. 31: Seasons Close: Squirrel; Ruffed grouse in northern zone.
Feb. 5: Cable Rod and Gun Club Ice Fishing Contest on Lake Namakagon (715-798-4459.)
Feb. 12: Walleyes for Northwest Wisconsin Family Ice Fishing Event (715-634-2921.)
Feb. 24-26: American Birkebeiner (715) 634-5025.)
March 4-6: World’s Longest Weenie Roast Lakewoods Resort
March 4-6: Hayward National Snocross at LCO Casino Lodge and Convention Center.
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
Mild temperatures and rain just before the start of the new year removed a considerable amount of snow from the areas lakes and trails. The subzero temperatures and highs in the teens forecast for this week should improve lake conditions for ice anglers, and the expected snowfall will help to rejuvenate snowmobile and cross-country ski trails.
Al at Pastika’s says the cold temperatures should make for excellent ice conditions overall, and anglers ‘could’ be driving on the lakes by the end of this week – and notes it is a good idea for anglers to wear creepers!
“Walleye fishing is good on walleye suckers and shiners under tip-ups and jigged fatheads,” says Al.
At Hayward Bait, Bob says ice conditions are much improved with the snow and slush gone, but the surface is smooth so do not forget the ice cleats.
“Action is just starting to heat up on Round, Lac Courte Oreille, and Grindstone,” says Bob. “Anglers are catching walleyes in 12-20 feet of water on walleye suckers and shiners under tip-ups, and by jigging fatheads and large rosy reds. Panfish fishing is good on Spring, Nelson, and Namakagon, with anglers catching crappies up 14 inches and some nice bluegills.”
Pat at Happy Hooker says there was still a layer of slush under the snow at last report – and it is a good idea to wear cleats on your boots.
Mark your calendars for the February 12 Walleyes for Northwest Wisconsin’s family Ice Fishing Event on Lac Courte Oreilles. For more information, call (715) 634-2921.
In the past week, Hayward area registration stations (Shooting Star, Hillman’s Store, Hayward Bait) registered 11 antlerless deer and five bucks. Buck registrations included a very good 150-class 10-point and a nice eight-point (verified by trail cam) that lost its one remaining antler while running a short distance after being hit with the arrow. Late archery deer season closes January 9.
Hayward Power Sports reports the warm weather and rain last Thursday and Friday did major damage to the trails but greatly improved lake trails. The trails never close in Sawyer County, but it is not good riding. The lakes leveled out and ice conditions are smooth and hard with no more slush; the snow on most land trails is marginal but passable.
The December 30 Cable area trail report says snowmobile trails are in fair condition, but the solid base started early in the season will protect the trails.
Lakewoods Resort report as of December 30 says trails are fair and could be poor in some areas of plowed roads and logging. Early snows kept groomers off trail sections with large wetlands. While fine for snowmobile traffic, the swamps will not hold the heavy groomers. Rain and warm temperatures caused lakes to deteriorate. Though the ice is not affected, the wet and slushy surfaces will likely freeze in a rough condition. Ice is never completely safe, no matter the thickness, so stick to the trails and check conditions on any lakes before you travel them.
Trail 25 south –from Tuscobia to Big Bear Lodge on the way to Rusk County – is impossible for grooming equipment and probably closed for the season. Use trail 36 as an alternate. Trail 40 from the Tuscobia mouth to Trail 25 (Dead Horse) remains closed due to many downed trees. Use trail 25 as an alternate. A housing development is responsible for the closure of Trail 29 from Little Round Lake to Trail 30 this year. Use trails 9 and 3 as alternates.
There is some confusion on Trail 30 by the Casino, and until it is resolved, work your way through the Casino, motor home, and Subway parking lots. Tuscobia State Trail, groomed for the first time this season, has a four-inch base of snow.
The Sawyer County-Washburn County segment is now open to ATV use.
As of December 31, Virgin Timber Resort reports 12 inches of snow and poor trail conditions, adding ‘It’s as bad as it looks!’ Wooded trails look okay, but exposed trails are dirty and the slush is gone from the lakes.
Namakagon Trails Report says trails need snow. They are ride-able, though not groomed, and we will not groom some parts until the swamps freeze. On a positive note, the Namakagon stick trail is up and the rain helped smooth it.
Upcoming Events
Dec. 31: Seasons Closed: Pheasant; Hungarian partridge; Bobcat hunting/trapping; Fisher trapping; Frog.
Jan. 8: Northwest Relic Riders Vintage Snowmobile Club vintage stud run.
Jan. 8: Stone Lake Pub ice fishing contest (715-865-2141.)
Jan. 9: Late archery deer season closes.
Jan. 25: Winter crow season opens.
Jan. 31: Seasons Close: Squirrel; Ruffed grouse in northern zone.
Feb. 5: Cable Rod and Gun Club Ice Fishing Contest on Lake Namakagon (715-798-4459.)
Feb. 12: Walleyes for Northwest Wisconsin Family Ice Fishing Event (715-634-2921.)
Feb. 24-26: American Birkebeiner (715) 634-5025.)
March 4-6: World’s Longest Weenie Roast Lakewoods Resort
March 4-6: Hayward National Snocross at LCO Casino Lodge and Convention Center.
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.