Hayward Lakes Sherry
03-10-2011, 02:28 PM
March 07, 2011
Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman
Forecasts and most conditions continue to be conducive to winter recreation. Ice is thick, temperatures are mild, and the prognosticators say nearly every day this week holds a good possibility for snow. On the down side, you’re going to lose an hour when Daylight Saving Time begins March 13 – this weekend!
Pat at Happy Hooker says this is the ‘start of the end’ of ice fishing season.
“The season for walleye and all inland game fish closed Sunday, and this marks a distinct turning point in the fishing season. The days are longer, warmer, and it is all about panfish from now until ice out.
“Late season ice fishing for panfish is one of the best fun activities of the entire year, and sunny afternoons can bring shirtsleeve warmth. Last year, we had temperatures in the 70s and 80s in March and the ice went out on March 30.
“Anglers should note their licenses expire March 31. New licenses, as well as spring turkey licenses for those with permits, go on sale March 9.”
At Hayward Bait, Bob says ice conditions remain good (up to two feet in some areas), as do travel conditions. He adds that Lake Superior is still open for anglers interested in catching game fish.
Mike at Pastika’s reminds anglers that even though there is still plenty of snow and ice, early catch and release trout season opened this past Saturday.
Variable weather conditions made for another erratic week of fishing, says DNR fisheries biologist Skip Sommerfeldt, and game fish season closed Sunday March 6.
“Ice conditions remain very good, with most lakes having 16-20 inches of good solid ice,” Sommerfeldt says. “Some periodic light flurries added a little snow cover on the ice and reduced the surface slickness by quite a bit. However, many areas are still very slippery and anglers should be careful when walking across the snow-covered spots. Best advice is to wear ice creepers.”
Virgin Timber Resort’s report for March 7 says lake trails are in fair to good condition, snow cover is eight inches, and more snow and average temperatures are predicted this week.
The Hayward Lakes Visitors and Convention Bureau trail report for March 6 reminds riders of the closure (for the season) of Trail 29 by LCO Casino to Little Round Lake, and the Sawyer County-Washburn County segment of the Tuscobia Trail is open to ATV use.
The March 2 Cable Area Snowmobile Trail Report says area trails have a solid ice base and are smooth for late season riding, but with little snow cover. Lakes are smooth, but stay to the stick trail. Untraveled spots have little snow and are slippery.
Hayward Power Sports trail report of March 2 says southern Sawyer County trails are in good condition, while the northern part trails are fair. Riding should be awesome with mild temperatures and more fresh snow.
The Lakewoods Resort trail report of March 1 says although trails are fair to poor around the Namakagon area they are very rideable, particularly those in wooded areas. Snowfall covering the bare ice patches helped considerably with the lake trails. Remember the after dark 55 mph speed limit!
The Namakagon Trails Report of March 1 says trail conditions are mixed and any snow will help with the slippery lake trail.
Schultz’s 8th Annual Turkey Bowl is this coming Saturday, March 12, from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. The event, a fundraiser for the Northwoods Humane Society, includes bowling on the ice with frozen turkeys, raffles, silent auctions, music, and free food. For more information, visit www.schultzsrestaurant.com, or call (715) 945-2223.
ICE FISHING REPORT
Crappie:
Crappie fishing is fair to good and getting better. Fish are suspending over mid to deep water depending on the lake you are fishing. Use your flasher or locator to pinpoint exactly where fish are in the water column – and check the entire water column, from just under the ice to the bottom. Crappie minnows, rosy reds, waxies, spikes, and plastics are all producing catches. Tip them on plain hooks or jigs and use jigging rods or tip-downs. Fishing will only get better with warming temperatures.
Bluegill:
Bluegills are starting to show more signs of life, but they are scattered. Concentrate on weeds, weed lines, cribs, and structure in 5-20 feet of water. Waxies, spikes, mousies, plastics, Gulp! baits are the top choices, tipped on plain hooks and small/ice fishing jigs. Small minnows can be good for the larger ‘gills.
Perch:
While bluegill and crappie fishing is improving, perch action remains the most consistent of all species. Look for them on or near bottom in water to 25 feet or deeper or near weed lines in water as shallow as six feet. Best baits include fatheads, rosy reds, waxies, spikes, and plastics tipped on plain hooks, jigs, and jigging spoons, and fished on jigging rods and under tip-ups. Bigger minnows can produce bigger perch.
Upcoming Events
March 5: Early catch-and-release only trout season opened statewide. (Check regs for exceptions.)
March 6: Game fish season closed on inland waters.
March 9: New (2011-12) hunting and fishing licenses on sale.
March 12: Schultz’s 8th Annual Turkey Bowl Northwoods Humane Society fundraiser (715-945-2223.)
March 13: Deadline to remove ice fishing shelters from inland lakes north of Highway 64.
March 13: Daylight Saving time begins.
March 20: Winter crow season closes.
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
Forecasts and most conditions continue to be conducive to winter recreation. Ice is thick, temperatures are mild, and the prognosticators say nearly every day this week holds a good possibility for snow. On the down side, you’re going to lose an hour when Daylight Saving Time begins March 13 – this weekend!
Pat at Happy Hooker says this is the ‘start of the end’ of ice fishing season.
“The season for walleye and all inland game fish closed Sunday, and this marks a distinct turning point in the fishing season. The days are longer, warmer, and it is all about panfish from now until ice out.
“Late season ice fishing for panfish is one of the best fun activities of the entire year, and sunny afternoons can bring shirtsleeve warmth. Last year, we had temperatures in the 70s and 80s in March and the ice went out on March 30.
“Anglers should note their licenses expire March 31. New licenses, as well as spring turkey licenses for those with permits, go on sale March 9.”
At Hayward Bait, Bob says ice conditions remain good (up to two feet in some areas), as do travel conditions. He adds that Lake Superior is still open for anglers interested in catching game fish.
Mike at Pastika’s reminds anglers that even though there is still plenty of snow and ice, early catch and release trout season opened this past Saturday.
Variable weather conditions made for another erratic week of fishing, says DNR fisheries biologist Skip Sommerfeldt, and game fish season closed Sunday March 6.
“Ice conditions remain very good, with most lakes having 16-20 inches of good solid ice,” Sommerfeldt says. “Some periodic light flurries added a little snow cover on the ice and reduced the surface slickness by quite a bit. However, many areas are still very slippery and anglers should be careful when walking across the snow-covered spots. Best advice is to wear ice creepers.”
Virgin Timber Resort’s report for March 7 says lake trails are in fair to good condition, snow cover is eight inches, and more snow and average temperatures are predicted this week.
The Hayward Lakes Visitors and Convention Bureau trail report for March 6 reminds riders of the closure (for the season) of Trail 29 by LCO Casino to Little Round Lake, and the Sawyer County-Washburn County segment of the Tuscobia Trail is open to ATV use.
The March 2 Cable Area Snowmobile Trail Report says area trails have a solid ice base and are smooth for late season riding, but with little snow cover. Lakes are smooth, but stay to the stick trail. Untraveled spots have little snow and are slippery.
Hayward Power Sports trail report of March 2 says southern Sawyer County trails are in good condition, while the northern part trails are fair. Riding should be awesome with mild temperatures and more fresh snow.
The Lakewoods Resort trail report of March 1 says although trails are fair to poor around the Namakagon area they are very rideable, particularly those in wooded areas. Snowfall covering the bare ice patches helped considerably with the lake trails. Remember the after dark 55 mph speed limit!
The Namakagon Trails Report of March 1 says trail conditions are mixed and any snow will help with the slippery lake trail.
Schultz’s 8th Annual Turkey Bowl is this coming Saturday, March 12, from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. The event, a fundraiser for the Northwoods Humane Society, includes bowling on the ice with frozen turkeys, raffles, silent auctions, music, and free food. For more information, visit www.schultzsrestaurant.com, or call (715) 945-2223.
ICE FISHING REPORT
Crappie:
Crappie fishing is fair to good and getting better. Fish are suspending over mid to deep water depending on the lake you are fishing. Use your flasher or locator to pinpoint exactly where fish are in the water column – and check the entire water column, from just under the ice to the bottom. Crappie minnows, rosy reds, waxies, spikes, and plastics are all producing catches. Tip them on plain hooks or jigs and use jigging rods or tip-downs. Fishing will only get better with warming temperatures.
Bluegill:
Bluegills are starting to show more signs of life, but they are scattered. Concentrate on weeds, weed lines, cribs, and structure in 5-20 feet of water. Waxies, spikes, mousies, plastics, Gulp! baits are the top choices, tipped on plain hooks and small/ice fishing jigs. Small minnows can be good for the larger ‘gills.
Perch:
While bluegill and crappie fishing is improving, perch action remains the most consistent of all species. Look for them on or near bottom in water to 25 feet or deeper or near weed lines in water as shallow as six feet. Best baits include fatheads, rosy reds, waxies, spikes, and plastics tipped on plain hooks, jigs, and jigging spoons, and fished on jigging rods and under tip-ups. Bigger minnows can produce bigger perch.
Upcoming Events
March 5: Early catch-and-release only trout season opened statewide. (Check regs for exceptions.)
March 6: Game fish season closed on inland waters.
March 9: New (2011-12) hunting and fishing licenses on sale.
March 12: Schultz’s 8th Annual Turkey Bowl Northwoods Humane Society fundraiser (715-945-2223.)
March 13: Deadline to remove ice fishing shelters from inland lakes north of Highway 64.
March 13: Daylight Saving time begins.
March 20: Winter crow season closes.
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.