Hayward Lakes Sherry
03-01-2011, 02:36 PM
February 28, 2011
Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman
This week’s forecast includes moderate daytime temperatures and cold nights, with possibilities for snow late in the week – very good conditions for outdoor winter activities.
“Though still a ways off, March is the ‘unofficial’ kick-off to the season-ending ice out,” says Pat at Happy Hooker. “Game fish season closes March 6, so you better not delay if you have any inclination to fish for those species.
“For now, crappies are the best bet to put fish in the bucket. We have some reports of fair bluegill action, somewhat of a rarity this winter, but so far there is no real pattern.”
At Pastika’s, Al says, “Ice conditions are good, though thickness is less than usual for this time of year, and anglers should be careful as the temperatures warm. Also, early catch and release trout season opens March 5 and game fish season closes March 6.”
Bob at Hayward Bait reminds anglers this is the last week of game fish season, early season catch and release trout season opens this coming Saturday, and anglers must remove ice shacks from waters north of Highway 64 by March 13.
“This is a great time to prepare your summer fishing gear,” Bob says, “such as organizing tackle, servicing reels, and installing new line.”
Ice conditions are very good, says DNR fisheries biologist Skip Sommerfeldt, with nearly all area lakes holding 16-19 inches of solid ice.
“On most lakes, mild weather melted most of the snow cover and it re-froze to a slick ice surface, and recent snowfall added up to three inches of snow. There are areas of glare ice hidden underneath, and anglers should wear ice creepers. Vehicle travel remains excellent and many 2WD vehicles are on the lakes.”
Schultz’s 8th Annual Turkey Bowl, a Northwoods Humane Society fundraiser, is March 12, from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. The event includes bowling on the ice with frozen turkeys, raffles, silent auctions, music, and free food. For more information, call (715) 945-2223 or visit www.schultzsrestaurant.com.
This year’s Hayward National Snocross, on a true SnoCross format race track, is March 4-6 at LCO Casino Lodge and Convention Center. For tickets or more information, call (715) 634-8662 or visit www.lcocasino.com.
ICE FISHING REPORT
NOTES: Game fish season closes at midnight Sunday March 6. Panfish seasons remain open year-round, as does the season for certain game fish on select lakes and rivers (listed in the fishing regulations and on the DNR website.)
The deadline to remove ice fishing shelters on waters north of Hwy. 64 is Sunday March 13. Anglers may continue to use portable shelters after these dates, but must remove them daily.
Walleye:
This is the final week of walleye season and it is unlikely to close with rave reviews. That said, anglers ARE catching fishing and you have until Sunday night to take a shot. Most success is during low-light conditions, bite windows are short, and fish are particular. Hit it at the right time and place, however, and you will enjoy good action. Fish are near structure in deeper water on bright days and shallower water during low light periods. Use walleye suckers and shiners under tip-ups or fatheads on jigs and jigging spoons.
Northern:
Northern action is fair to good, though success varies from day to day. Success will increase with decreasing snow cover and increasing sunshine. Weeds are the key to finding and catching these fish. As is always the case, use shiners for the most action and fish large northern suckers in deeper water for trophy pike.
Crappie:
Crappie fishing is only getting better, with fish showing more activity and consistency, but finding them is still a challenge. Look for crappies in 12-25 feet of water or more, suspending over deeper water and/or around weeds, wood, and structure. A flasher can make a huge difference because fish are locating at various levels in the water column. Crappie minnows, rosy reds, waxies, spikes, plastics, and Gulp! baits on jigs or plain hooks, under tip-downs or with jigging poles, will all catch crappies. Take a variety – some work better than others on any given day.
Bluegill:
Bluegill fishing is generally fair at best, but the ‘gills will get more active as ice-out approaches. Fish near weeds, cribs, and structure in 5-20 feet of water, and look for fish suspending over deeper water. Once you locate them, the standards baits of waxies, spikes, small minnows, and plastics are all attractive offerings.
Perch:
Perch action is inconsistent, though it can be very good if you are there on the right day. Fishing should continue to improve as we move toward the end of ice fishing season. The perch are feeding on the bottom in 12-30 feet of water (shallower on some lakes) on mud flats and near weeds. Best baits and presentations are fatheads, rosy reds, waxies, and spikes fished on small jigs/ice jigs and jigging spoons or under tip-ups.
Upcoming Events
Feb. 28: Seasons Closed: Cottontail rabbit; Mink trapping.
March 4-6: World’s Longest Weenie Roast Lakewoods Resort
March 4-6: Hayward National Snocross, LCO Casino Lodge and Convention Center.
March 5: Hayward Lakes Chapter Muskies, Inc. awards banquet (715-634-4543.)
March 5: Early catch-and-release only trout season opens statewide. (Check regs for exceptions.)
March 6: Game fish season closes on inland waters.
March 12: Schultz’s 8th Annual Turkey Bowl Northwoods Humane Society fundraiser (715-945-2223.)
March 21: OTC sale of remaining spring turkey permits begins.
March 26: Trout season opens on designated sections of some Lake Superior tributaries. See regs.
March 31:Hunting/fishing licenses expire.
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
This week’s forecast includes moderate daytime temperatures and cold nights, with possibilities for snow late in the week – very good conditions for outdoor winter activities.
“Though still a ways off, March is the ‘unofficial’ kick-off to the season-ending ice out,” says Pat at Happy Hooker. “Game fish season closes March 6, so you better not delay if you have any inclination to fish for those species.
“For now, crappies are the best bet to put fish in the bucket. We have some reports of fair bluegill action, somewhat of a rarity this winter, but so far there is no real pattern.”
At Pastika’s, Al says, “Ice conditions are good, though thickness is less than usual for this time of year, and anglers should be careful as the temperatures warm. Also, early catch and release trout season opens March 5 and game fish season closes March 6.”
Bob at Hayward Bait reminds anglers this is the last week of game fish season, early season catch and release trout season opens this coming Saturday, and anglers must remove ice shacks from waters north of Highway 64 by March 13.
“This is a great time to prepare your summer fishing gear,” Bob says, “such as organizing tackle, servicing reels, and installing new line.”
Ice conditions are very good, says DNR fisheries biologist Skip Sommerfeldt, with nearly all area lakes holding 16-19 inches of solid ice.
“On most lakes, mild weather melted most of the snow cover and it re-froze to a slick ice surface, and recent snowfall added up to three inches of snow. There are areas of glare ice hidden underneath, and anglers should wear ice creepers. Vehicle travel remains excellent and many 2WD vehicles are on the lakes.”
Schultz’s 8th Annual Turkey Bowl, a Northwoods Humane Society fundraiser, is March 12, from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. The event includes bowling on the ice with frozen turkeys, raffles, silent auctions, music, and free food. For more information, call (715) 945-2223 or visit www.schultzsrestaurant.com.
This year’s Hayward National Snocross, on a true SnoCross format race track, is March 4-6 at LCO Casino Lodge and Convention Center. For tickets or more information, call (715) 634-8662 or visit www.lcocasino.com.
ICE FISHING REPORT
NOTES: Game fish season closes at midnight Sunday March 6. Panfish seasons remain open year-round, as does the season for certain game fish on select lakes and rivers (listed in the fishing regulations and on the DNR website.)
The deadline to remove ice fishing shelters on waters north of Hwy. 64 is Sunday March 13. Anglers may continue to use portable shelters after these dates, but must remove them daily.
Walleye:
This is the final week of walleye season and it is unlikely to close with rave reviews. That said, anglers ARE catching fishing and you have until Sunday night to take a shot. Most success is during low-light conditions, bite windows are short, and fish are particular. Hit it at the right time and place, however, and you will enjoy good action. Fish are near structure in deeper water on bright days and shallower water during low light periods. Use walleye suckers and shiners under tip-ups or fatheads on jigs and jigging spoons.
Northern:
Northern action is fair to good, though success varies from day to day. Success will increase with decreasing snow cover and increasing sunshine. Weeds are the key to finding and catching these fish. As is always the case, use shiners for the most action and fish large northern suckers in deeper water for trophy pike.
Crappie:
Crappie fishing is only getting better, with fish showing more activity and consistency, but finding them is still a challenge. Look for crappies in 12-25 feet of water or more, suspending over deeper water and/or around weeds, wood, and structure. A flasher can make a huge difference because fish are locating at various levels in the water column. Crappie minnows, rosy reds, waxies, spikes, plastics, and Gulp! baits on jigs or plain hooks, under tip-downs or with jigging poles, will all catch crappies. Take a variety – some work better than others on any given day.
Bluegill:
Bluegill fishing is generally fair at best, but the ‘gills will get more active as ice-out approaches. Fish near weeds, cribs, and structure in 5-20 feet of water, and look for fish suspending over deeper water. Once you locate them, the standards baits of waxies, spikes, small minnows, and plastics are all attractive offerings.
Perch:
Perch action is inconsistent, though it can be very good if you are there on the right day. Fishing should continue to improve as we move toward the end of ice fishing season. The perch are feeding on the bottom in 12-30 feet of water (shallower on some lakes) on mud flats and near weeds. Best baits and presentations are fatheads, rosy reds, waxies, and spikes fished on small jigs/ice jigs and jigging spoons or under tip-ups.
Upcoming Events
Feb. 28: Seasons Closed: Cottontail rabbit; Mink trapping.
March 4-6: World’s Longest Weenie Roast Lakewoods Resort
March 4-6: Hayward National Snocross, LCO Casino Lodge and Convention Center.
March 5: Hayward Lakes Chapter Muskies, Inc. awards banquet (715-634-4543.)
March 5: Early catch-and-release only trout season opens statewide. (Check regs for exceptions.)
March 6: Game fish season closes on inland waters.
March 12: Schultz’s 8th Annual Turkey Bowl Northwoods Humane Society fundraiser (715-945-2223.)
March 21: OTC sale of remaining spring turkey permits begins.
March 26: Trout season opens on designated sections of some Lake Superior tributaries. See regs.
March 31:Hunting/fishing licenses expire.
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.