Hayward Lakes Sherry
08-02-2011, 02:38 PM
August 01, 2011
Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman
Lumberjack World Championship spectators and participants enjoyed nearly ideal conditions for events this past weekend. Except for one brief, fast-moving storm, we had outstanding weather and Hayward was one busy place.
“No particular fish species is very active,” says Pat at Happy Hooker, “but anglers who put in their time and work a bit harder are making catches. As water temperatures rise, fish often hold tight to small areas. Find those areas and you find the fish.”
Dan at Pastika’s says there is a good walleye bite on the deep, clear lakes. He recommends fishing just before sunset and a few hours into dark with crawlers and leeches under slip bobbers in about 25 feet of water.
Bob at Hayward Bait encourages young anglers to sign up now for Muskies Inc. Kids Fishing Day August 7 and Hayward Bass Club’s second annual Youth Tournament Sunday August 21.
“Muskie action is a little is a little sluggish,” says Randy at Jenk’s. “Best action is on surface baits and bucktails, though the other day a 53 1/2-inch fish took a jerkbait.”
DNR fisheries biologist Skip Sommerfeldt says nearly all streams and rivers are near their typical summer low levels.
“Most natural lakes are also at a low level, and many flowages are also experiencing drops in water levels. Emergent vegetation such as wild rice, bulrush, and water lily are at typical densities, while submergent weed growth is variable.”
DNR fish biologist Karl Scheidegger encourages anglers to submit their photos and tales for the new DNR Fishtory web page. Visit http://dnr.wi.gov/fish/fishtory to read anglers’ experiences – and learn how you could win a prize for participating.
Register now for Hayward Lakes Chapter Muskies, Inc. Kid’s Fishing Day this Sunday Aug. 7. Young anglers 10-16 years of age fish with knowledgeable musky anglers until noon and then enjoy a shore lunch. Pre-registration is required, and a parent or guardian must be present to sign the form. For more information, call Hayward Bait (715) 634-2921. To volunteer to guide or assist with shore lunch, call Mike Persson (715) 634-4543.
Hayward Bass Club’s second annual Youth Tournament is Sunday August 21 at Wilderness Haven Resort on Spring Lake. Young anglers 10-17 years of age fish with club members and local guides from noon until 3 p.m., followed by an outdoor feast. For more information, call Hayward Bait (715-634-2921) or Wayne Balsavich (715-699-1015.)
FISHING REPORT
Muskies:
Muskie action is still slow due to high water temperatures. Fishing in early morning, late evening, and after dark is easier on both the fish and the angler. Muskies are in deeper water near submerged weeds and deep weed edges. The most productive baits are large bucktails, gliders, jerkbaits, Bull Dawgs, surface and sub-surface baits, and swim baits.
Walleye:
Walleye action is fair and most success is just before and a few hours after dark. The fish are in/on mid-depth weeds, deep weed edges, rock, cribs, gravel, sand, and humps, in depths from 12 to more than 25 feet. Top baits continue to be leeches, crawlers, and Gulp! baits on slip bobbers or jigs, and worked tight to cover. Trolled stick and minnow baits are catching fish, and do not overlook crankbaits cast near weeds.
Northern:
High water temperatures slowed northern activity, but you will find them on deep edges of weed lines, bars, and near structure. Some smaller fish are in shallower weeds. Favored baits include spinners and spinnerbaits tipped with Twister Tails, spoons, and northern suckers on jigs and Lindy rigs. Fish deeper water for bigger pike.
Largemouth Bass:
Largemouth bass fishing is consistent and a trip saver when other species get lockjaw. Fish topwaters, spinners, spinnerbaits, weedless and soft plastics, crankbaits, and live bait in/on/around thick weeds and weed edges, lily pads, wood, bog, and docks, from shallow water to deep edges.
Smallmouth Bass:
Smallmouth action is somewhat inconsistent. Fish the deep edges of rock bars, points, rock/weed transition areas, gravel, wood, and weed lines in 6-25 feet of water. Best baits include jigs/plastics, tubes, wacky worms, spinnerbaits, crankbaits, swim baits, surface baits, minnow baits, Gulp! baits, crawlers, leeches, and minnows. Crawdad colors can be very effective.
Crappie:
Crappie fishing is good if you can find them. Fish along weed line edges, cribs, and bogs in deeper water with crappie minnows, plastics, Tattle-Tails, Mini-Mites, Gulp! baits, tube skirts, and small jigs. Some fish are suspending.
Bluegill:
Bluegill action is very good, but bigger ‘gills are in deeper water and difficult to locate. Work deep weed lines and edges, cribs, and brush out to about 20 feet with waxies, worms, leaf worms, panfish leeches, crawler chunks, Tattle-Tails, Mini-Mites, and Gulp! baits.
Upcoming Events
Through Aug. 31: Training dogs by pursuing bear allowed (see regs for exceptions).
Aug. 7: Hayward Lakes Chapter Muskies, Inc. Annual Kids Fishing Day (715-634-2921; 634-4543).
Aug. 18-21: Sawyer County Fair (715-934-2721).
Aug. 20: Bonus antlerless deer tags on sale at noon.
Aug. 21: Hayward Bass Club Youth Day (715-634-2921; 699-1015).
Aug. 23: Deadline to transfer Class A Bear license to youth hunter.
Aug. 26-28: Musky Tale Resort’s Mega Bass Shootout (715-462-3838).
Aug. 27: Remaining fall turkey permits on sale at noon.
Sept. 2-4: Exeland Trout Festival (715-266-4181).
Sept. 4: Cable Rod & Gun Club Pig Roast & Turkey Shoot (715-798-4459).
Sept. 7-10: Chippewa Flowage Musky Hunt (715-462-3276).
Sept. 11: Kids Fish O Rama at Fishing Hall of Fame (715-634-4440).
Sept. 24: Hayward Fall Festival (715) 634-8662).
Sept. 30-Oct. 2: 34th Annual Hayward Lakes Chapter of Muskies, Inc. Fall Fishing Tournament (715-634-2161).
For more information on area events and activities, visit the Hayward Lakes Visitor and Convention Bureau website, view its Calendar of Events, or call 1-800-724-2992.
Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman
Lumberjack World Championship spectators and participants enjoyed nearly ideal conditions for events this past weekend. Except for one brief, fast-moving storm, we had outstanding weather and Hayward was one busy place.
“No particular fish species is very active,” says Pat at Happy Hooker, “but anglers who put in their time and work a bit harder are making catches. As water temperatures rise, fish often hold tight to small areas. Find those areas and you find the fish.”
Dan at Pastika’s says there is a good walleye bite on the deep, clear lakes. He recommends fishing just before sunset and a few hours into dark with crawlers and leeches under slip bobbers in about 25 feet of water.
Bob at Hayward Bait encourages young anglers to sign up now for Muskies Inc. Kids Fishing Day August 7 and Hayward Bass Club’s second annual Youth Tournament Sunday August 21.
“Muskie action is a little is a little sluggish,” says Randy at Jenk’s. “Best action is on surface baits and bucktails, though the other day a 53 1/2-inch fish took a jerkbait.”
DNR fisheries biologist Skip Sommerfeldt says nearly all streams and rivers are near their typical summer low levels.
“Most natural lakes are also at a low level, and many flowages are also experiencing drops in water levels. Emergent vegetation such as wild rice, bulrush, and water lily are at typical densities, while submergent weed growth is variable.”
DNR fish biologist Karl Scheidegger encourages anglers to submit their photos and tales for the new DNR Fishtory web page. Visit http://dnr.wi.gov/fish/fishtory to read anglers’ experiences – and learn how you could win a prize for participating.
Register now for Hayward Lakes Chapter Muskies, Inc. Kid’s Fishing Day this Sunday Aug. 7. Young anglers 10-16 years of age fish with knowledgeable musky anglers until noon and then enjoy a shore lunch. Pre-registration is required, and a parent or guardian must be present to sign the form. For more information, call Hayward Bait (715) 634-2921. To volunteer to guide or assist with shore lunch, call Mike Persson (715) 634-4543.
Hayward Bass Club’s second annual Youth Tournament is Sunday August 21 at Wilderness Haven Resort on Spring Lake. Young anglers 10-17 years of age fish with club members and local guides from noon until 3 p.m., followed by an outdoor feast. For more information, call Hayward Bait (715-634-2921) or Wayne Balsavich (715-699-1015.)
FISHING REPORT
Muskies:
Muskie action is still slow due to high water temperatures. Fishing in early morning, late evening, and after dark is easier on both the fish and the angler. Muskies are in deeper water near submerged weeds and deep weed edges. The most productive baits are large bucktails, gliders, jerkbaits, Bull Dawgs, surface and sub-surface baits, and swim baits.
Walleye:
Walleye action is fair and most success is just before and a few hours after dark. The fish are in/on mid-depth weeds, deep weed edges, rock, cribs, gravel, sand, and humps, in depths from 12 to more than 25 feet. Top baits continue to be leeches, crawlers, and Gulp! baits on slip bobbers or jigs, and worked tight to cover. Trolled stick and minnow baits are catching fish, and do not overlook crankbaits cast near weeds.
Northern:
High water temperatures slowed northern activity, but you will find them on deep edges of weed lines, bars, and near structure. Some smaller fish are in shallower weeds. Favored baits include spinners and spinnerbaits tipped with Twister Tails, spoons, and northern suckers on jigs and Lindy rigs. Fish deeper water for bigger pike.
Largemouth Bass:
Largemouth bass fishing is consistent and a trip saver when other species get lockjaw. Fish topwaters, spinners, spinnerbaits, weedless and soft plastics, crankbaits, and live bait in/on/around thick weeds and weed edges, lily pads, wood, bog, and docks, from shallow water to deep edges.
Smallmouth Bass:
Smallmouth action is somewhat inconsistent. Fish the deep edges of rock bars, points, rock/weed transition areas, gravel, wood, and weed lines in 6-25 feet of water. Best baits include jigs/plastics, tubes, wacky worms, spinnerbaits, crankbaits, swim baits, surface baits, minnow baits, Gulp! baits, crawlers, leeches, and minnows. Crawdad colors can be very effective.
Crappie:
Crappie fishing is good if you can find them. Fish along weed line edges, cribs, and bogs in deeper water with crappie minnows, plastics, Tattle-Tails, Mini-Mites, Gulp! baits, tube skirts, and small jigs. Some fish are suspending.
Bluegill:
Bluegill action is very good, but bigger ‘gills are in deeper water and difficult to locate. Work deep weed lines and edges, cribs, and brush out to about 20 feet with waxies, worms, leaf worms, panfish leeches, crawler chunks, Tattle-Tails, Mini-Mites, and Gulp! baits.
Upcoming Events
Through Aug. 31: Training dogs by pursuing bear allowed (see regs for exceptions).
Aug. 7: Hayward Lakes Chapter Muskies, Inc. Annual Kids Fishing Day (715-634-2921; 634-4543).
Aug. 18-21: Sawyer County Fair (715-934-2721).
Aug. 20: Bonus antlerless deer tags on sale at noon.
Aug. 21: Hayward Bass Club Youth Day (715-634-2921; 699-1015).
Aug. 23: Deadline to transfer Class A Bear license to youth hunter.
Aug. 26-28: Musky Tale Resort’s Mega Bass Shootout (715-462-3838).
Aug. 27: Remaining fall turkey permits on sale at noon.
Sept. 2-4: Exeland Trout Festival (715-266-4181).
Sept. 4: Cable Rod & Gun Club Pig Roast & Turkey Shoot (715-798-4459).
Sept. 7-10: Chippewa Flowage Musky Hunt (715-462-3276).
Sept. 11: Kids Fish O Rama at Fishing Hall of Fame (715-634-4440).
Sept. 24: Hayward Fall Festival (715) 634-8662).
Sept. 30-Oct. 2: 34th Annual Hayward Lakes Chapter of Muskies, Inc. Fall Fishing Tournament (715-634-2161).
For more information on area events and activities, visit the Hayward Lakes Visitor and Convention Bureau website, view its Calendar of Events, or call 1-800-724-2992.