Hayward Lakes Sherry
02-08-2011, 11:44 AM
February 07, 2011
Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman
Ice anglers have good access and travel conditions on most lakes, and trails are excellent for snowmobilers and cross-country skiers. Forecasts call for cold temperatures and snowfall early in the week, followed by a late week warm-up.
At Happy Hooker, Pat says ice conditions are good on the Quiet Lakes, and reminds anglers that fish respond to weather in the winter just as in the summer.
“Approaching fronts usually signal increased action, while clear, high pressure days can be tough. Under those conditions, slow jigging presentations and downsize tip-up baits.”
Al at Pastika’s says driving conditions are very good, with up to 20 inches or more ice on some lakes, but travel requires a 4x4 due to snow and/or slush.
Brian at Outdoor Creations suggests walleye anglers fish walleye suckers or shiners under tip-ups on weed edges in 12-20 feet of water or jig fatheads around humps and weeds.
DNR fisheries biologist Skip Sommerfeldt says nearly all lakes have 14-18 inches of solid ice, but 7-9 inches of heavy, grainy snow on top makes a 4x4 vehicle necessary. There are also a few small slush spots areas where recent strong winds piled up snow. Packed and plowed trails on a few waters allow additional access.
Bob at Hayward Bait offers a final reminder and invitation to the 15th Annual Walleyes for Northwest Wisconsin (WFNW) Family Ice Fishing Event February 12 on Lac Courte Oreilles. Official fishing hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
“There are a few significant changes from last year’s event,” he explains. “We will award fish prizes by drawings rather than size, and anglers will have the option to practice catch-and-release. One other important change is all drawing winners must be present to claim their prizes.
“For the event’s first time ever, people purchasing Grand Prize raffle tickets have a chance at a chance to win a 2011 Toyota 4x4 pickup.”
Registrations and button sales begin at 8 a.m. at event headquarters at the public boat landing off Hwy K.
Raffle tickets and event buttons are available at Hayward Bait, Pastika’s, Outdoor Creations, Hayward Power Sports, Stone Lake Bait, AAA Sports in Spooner, and Sportsman’s Headquarters in Minong.
Event buttons cost $5 for adults and $1 for youth 13-17 years of age. Thanks to Slumberland, youth up to age 12 fish free and the first 200 receive a jigging rod and reel.
For more information, visit www.wfnw.org or call Hayward Bait at (715-634-2921.)
The February 3 Namakagon Trails Report says both groomers are running and trails are in excellent shape, with only high traffic spots a little rough.
The February 2 trail reports from Hayward Lakes Visitors and Convention Bureau and Hayward Power Sports say trail conditions are fantastic, and with snow falling nearly every day, groomers are running around the clock. However, even with this snow groomers cannot fill the ruts on Trail 25 south from Ashland County to Tuscobia Trail. After breaking three groomer axles, we have re-routed this section to Fire Road 162 for the remainder of the winter. Trail 29 by LCO Casino to Little Round Lake is closed for the season. The Sawyer County-Washburn County segment of Tuscobia Trail is open to ATV use.
Virgin Timber Resort’s February 1 trail report says there is about 20 inches of snow cover and trail conditions are very good, though with some icy corners.
ICE FISHING REPORT
Walleye:
Walleyes are somewhat uncooperative, though anglers are catching fish. The best bite window opens about 4:30 p.m. in late afternoon and continues until about an hour or more after dark. Look for weeds, humps, sand and mud flats, gravel, and the edges of deep breaks, in 12-30 feet of water. Walleye suckers, shiners, and fatheads are the baits of choice on tip-ups, jigs, and jigging spoons. Some anglers report increased success using smaller baits.
Northern:
Northern action is fair to good and they feed all day, though with heavy snow cover and sunless days ... not so much. Use tip-ups and fish weeds – in, on, along, and over – in 5-20 feet of water. Use shiners for fast action and pickling size fish, but large northern suckers are best if you target trophies.
Crappie:
Crappie fishing continues to be a challenge, though reports indicate improving success for larger fish. Look for crappies suspending over deeper water (out to 30 feet) and just about anywhere in the water column, from hugging the bottom to not far below the ice. Crappie minnows, rosy reds, waxies, and plastics are all catching fish, but plastics can be especially effective on the challenging days.
Bluegill:
Bluegill action is fair to good. Concentrate on cribs, weeds, and brush in 4-15 feet of water. As usual, waxies, spikes, mousies, plastics, and grub size Gulp baits on plain hooks, teardrops, and small jigs are the top choices. Small crappie minnows can be very good for larger ‘gills.
Perch:
Perch action is very good and as consistent as for any species. Reports on depths vary widely – from 4-30 feet – but all agree fish are on the bottom. Best baits are fatheads, rosy reads, waxies, and spikes, with presentations including tip-ups, jigs, jigging spoons, teardrops, and plain hooks.
Upcoming Events
Feb. 12: Walleyes for Northwest Wisconsin Family Ice Fishing Event (715-634-2921.)
Feb. 15: Seasons Close: Coyote trapping; Raccoon; Red and gray fox.
Feb. 24-26: American Birkebeiner (715-634-5025.)
Feb. 28: Seasons Close: Cottontail rabbit; Mink trapping.
March 4-6: World’s Longest Weenie Roast Lakewoods Resort.
March 5-6: Hayward National Snocross, LCO Casino Lodge and Convention Center (1-800-526-2274.)
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
Ice anglers have good access and travel conditions on most lakes, and trails are excellent for snowmobilers and cross-country skiers. Forecasts call for cold temperatures and snowfall early in the week, followed by a late week warm-up.
At Happy Hooker, Pat says ice conditions are good on the Quiet Lakes, and reminds anglers that fish respond to weather in the winter just as in the summer.
“Approaching fronts usually signal increased action, while clear, high pressure days can be tough. Under those conditions, slow jigging presentations and downsize tip-up baits.”
Al at Pastika’s says driving conditions are very good, with up to 20 inches or more ice on some lakes, but travel requires a 4x4 due to snow and/or slush.
Brian at Outdoor Creations suggests walleye anglers fish walleye suckers or shiners under tip-ups on weed edges in 12-20 feet of water or jig fatheads around humps and weeds.
DNR fisheries biologist Skip Sommerfeldt says nearly all lakes have 14-18 inches of solid ice, but 7-9 inches of heavy, grainy snow on top makes a 4x4 vehicle necessary. There are also a few small slush spots areas where recent strong winds piled up snow. Packed and plowed trails on a few waters allow additional access.
Bob at Hayward Bait offers a final reminder and invitation to the 15th Annual Walleyes for Northwest Wisconsin (WFNW) Family Ice Fishing Event February 12 on Lac Courte Oreilles. Official fishing hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
“There are a few significant changes from last year’s event,” he explains. “We will award fish prizes by drawings rather than size, and anglers will have the option to practice catch-and-release. One other important change is all drawing winners must be present to claim their prizes.
“For the event’s first time ever, people purchasing Grand Prize raffle tickets have a chance at a chance to win a 2011 Toyota 4x4 pickup.”
Registrations and button sales begin at 8 a.m. at event headquarters at the public boat landing off Hwy K.
Raffle tickets and event buttons are available at Hayward Bait, Pastika’s, Outdoor Creations, Hayward Power Sports, Stone Lake Bait, AAA Sports in Spooner, and Sportsman’s Headquarters in Minong.
Event buttons cost $5 for adults and $1 for youth 13-17 years of age. Thanks to Slumberland, youth up to age 12 fish free and the first 200 receive a jigging rod and reel.
For more information, visit www.wfnw.org or call Hayward Bait at (715-634-2921.)
The February 3 Namakagon Trails Report says both groomers are running and trails are in excellent shape, with only high traffic spots a little rough.
The February 2 trail reports from Hayward Lakes Visitors and Convention Bureau and Hayward Power Sports say trail conditions are fantastic, and with snow falling nearly every day, groomers are running around the clock. However, even with this snow groomers cannot fill the ruts on Trail 25 south from Ashland County to Tuscobia Trail. After breaking three groomer axles, we have re-routed this section to Fire Road 162 for the remainder of the winter. Trail 29 by LCO Casino to Little Round Lake is closed for the season. The Sawyer County-Washburn County segment of Tuscobia Trail is open to ATV use.
Virgin Timber Resort’s February 1 trail report says there is about 20 inches of snow cover and trail conditions are very good, though with some icy corners.
ICE FISHING REPORT
Walleye:
Walleyes are somewhat uncooperative, though anglers are catching fish. The best bite window opens about 4:30 p.m. in late afternoon and continues until about an hour or more after dark. Look for weeds, humps, sand and mud flats, gravel, and the edges of deep breaks, in 12-30 feet of water. Walleye suckers, shiners, and fatheads are the baits of choice on tip-ups, jigs, and jigging spoons. Some anglers report increased success using smaller baits.
Northern:
Northern action is fair to good and they feed all day, though with heavy snow cover and sunless days ... not so much. Use tip-ups and fish weeds – in, on, along, and over – in 5-20 feet of water. Use shiners for fast action and pickling size fish, but large northern suckers are best if you target trophies.
Crappie:
Crappie fishing continues to be a challenge, though reports indicate improving success for larger fish. Look for crappies suspending over deeper water (out to 30 feet) and just about anywhere in the water column, from hugging the bottom to not far below the ice. Crappie minnows, rosy reds, waxies, and plastics are all catching fish, but plastics can be especially effective on the challenging days.
Bluegill:
Bluegill action is fair to good. Concentrate on cribs, weeds, and brush in 4-15 feet of water. As usual, waxies, spikes, mousies, plastics, and grub size Gulp baits on plain hooks, teardrops, and small jigs are the top choices. Small crappie minnows can be very good for larger ‘gills.
Perch:
Perch action is very good and as consistent as for any species. Reports on depths vary widely – from 4-30 feet – but all agree fish are on the bottom. Best baits are fatheads, rosy reads, waxies, and spikes, with presentations including tip-ups, jigs, jigging spoons, teardrops, and plain hooks.
Upcoming Events
Feb. 12: Walleyes for Northwest Wisconsin Family Ice Fishing Event (715-634-2921.)
Feb. 15: Seasons Close: Coyote trapping; Raccoon; Red and gray fox.
Feb. 24-26: American Birkebeiner (715-634-5025.)
Feb. 28: Seasons Close: Cottontail rabbit; Mink trapping.
March 4-6: World’s Longest Weenie Roast Lakewoods Resort.
March 5-6: Hayward National Snocross, LCO Casino Lodge and Convention Center (1-800-526-2274.)
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.