Hayward Lakes Sherry
11-22-2011, 02:52 PM
November 21, 2011
Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman
Deer hunters hoping for “tracking snow” for the season opener had their wishes fulfilled Saturday, with reports of snow depths in northwest Wisconsin ranging from a mere trace up to a foot in some locations. This week’s forecast calls for moderate temperatures, with the high on Thanksgiving Day nearing 50 degrees!
For opening weekend of the nine-day gun deer season, Hayward area registration stations Shooting Star and Hillman’s Store registered 165 antlerless deer and 195 bucks, including a couple big 12-pointers and a half-dozen nice 10-pointers. As in recent years, DNR biologists took deer aging samples at Shooting Star on Saturday and Sunday and Hayward Bait was not open as a registration station during opening weekend.
According to the DNR, 99,988 hunters purchased their licenses on Friday, an all-time record for license purchases the day before the start of the 9-day deer gun. As of Friday, hunters had purchased 603,913 licenses, representing all 50 states, including 209 from Alaska and 12 from Hawaii, and 17 came from Canada, 9 from Germany, and five each from Mexico and Norway. The 53,914 female hunters is an increase of nearly 1500 compared to 2010 and they comprise nine percent of all hunters. The DNR says there were no shooting incidents reported by mid-afternoon 4 p.m. on opening day.
You can read about the history and chronology of deer hunting in Wisconsin on the DNR website.
Finally, here is the gist of two (amusing) deer season Call Center conversations taken from the DNR website.
• Early in the week, a bow hunter called from his tree stand (near the close of hunting hours) asking if it was legal to shoot at skunks. He was unable to scare off three skunks below him and did not want them to spray him.
• A man calling the hotline complained that a tree stand put up by his neighbor looked directly into his bathroom. The caller said that even if it were legal to have a tree stand in that location, it would be a “visually unpleasant experience for everyone.”
Pat at Happy Hooker says water temperatures are in the upper 30s to mid 40s, muskie fishing is good, and anglers are catching some nice fish. Muskies season is open until November 30 in the northern zone.
“The best action is fishing 10- to 14-inch suckers on quick-strike rigs around weeds in 6-15 feet of water. In clear water lakes, fluorocarbon rigs are producing more fish than steel.
Fall is also a great time to catch walleyes, says Pat.
“Fish for walleyes near four- to eight-foot weeds with crankbaits and jigs with fatheads or large walleye suckers during low light conditions.
“You can catch smallmouth along steep drop offs with walleye suckers on jigs. Crappies are suspending over deeper water or along weeds and fallen trees in 6-15 feet of water. Use small jigs with small fathead minnows or plastic tails.”
Al at Pastika’s reports both muskie and smallmouth bass fishing is phenomenal at this time – and could get even better. He says anglers should keep an eye on the deep, clear lakes with cisco populations that may soon start their spawning season. This can really turn on the muskie, walleye, and northern pike feeding activity.
“Fishing pressure is generally light across the north woods,” says DNR fisheries biologist Skip Sommerfeldt. “Water temperatures are near 40 degrees and cold nighttime temperatures produced skim ice on many ponds and the edges of small lakes. For the most part, lakes remain open and are several weeks away from solid ice and any ice fishing activity.
“The muskie anglers still trying their luck are getting short strikes on suckers and some follows on slow-moving glide baits. A few river anglers report fair success on small walleyes.
“Brook trout spawning season is nearing its peak, typical for mid-November. Male brookies exhibit spectacular spawning colors and you can often view them in their mating rituals on native brook trout streams. Look for spawning fish in riffles around gravel areas in smaller tributary streams. Watch from a distance and do not disturb the fish or their fragile spawning areas – they represent the future of that brook trout population.”
FISHING REPORT
The opening of gun deer season, measureable snowfall, and skim ice on many lakes produced a negative effect on open water fishing interest. As such, fishing reports are on hold until ice conditions are considered “safe” (technically less un-safe) for ice fishing. However, as evident in the reports above, fishing is extremely good for anglers who are willing and/or able to endure challenging weather conditions. If you get the urge, check with your favorite bait and tackle shop for the most up-to-date information on the best baits and presentations, as well as boat access conditions.
Upcoming Events
Nov. 22: Northern zone duck season closed.
Nov. 27: Regular gun deer season closes.
Nov. 28: Seasons Open: Muzzleloader deer; Fall turkey (zones 1-5).
Nov. 30: Seasons Close: Muskellunge; Turtle.
Dec. 1: Lake Superior lake trout season opens.
Dec. 7: Muzzleloader deer season closes.
Dec. 8-11: Antlerless-only firearms hunt in herd control and CWD units.
Dec. 9: Canada goose season closes in north exterior zones.
Dec. 10: Application deadline: Spring turkey; bear.
Dec. 26: Season Opens: Period 2 bobcat hunting/trapping north of Hwy. 64.
Dec. 31: Seasons Close: Pheasant; Fall turkey; Hungarian partridge; Bobcat; Fisher; Frog.
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
Deer hunters hoping for “tracking snow” for the season opener had their wishes fulfilled Saturday, with reports of snow depths in northwest Wisconsin ranging from a mere trace up to a foot in some locations. This week’s forecast calls for moderate temperatures, with the high on Thanksgiving Day nearing 50 degrees!
For opening weekend of the nine-day gun deer season, Hayward area registration stations Shooting Star and Hillman’s Store registered 165 antlerless deer and 195 bucks, including a couple big 12-pointers and a half-dozen nice 10-pointers. As in recent years, DNR biologists took deer aging samples at Shooting Star on Saturday and Sunday and Hayward Bait was not open as a registration station during opening weekend.
According to the DNR, 99,988 hunters purchased their licenses on Friday, an all-time record for license purchases the day before the start of the 9-day deer gun. As of Friday, hunters had purchased 603,913 licenses, representing all 50 states, including 209 from Alaska and 12 from Hawaii, and 17 came from Canada, 9 from Germany, and five each from Mexico and Norway. The 53,914 female hunters is an increase of nearly 1500 compared to 2010 and they comprise nine percent of all hunters. The DNR says there were no shooting incidents reported by mid-afternoon 4 p.m. on opening day.
You can read about the history and chronology of deer hunting in Wisconsin on the DNR website.
Finally, here is the gist of two (amusing) deer season Call Center conversations taken from the DNR website.
• Early in the week, a bow hunter called from his tree stand (near the close of hunting hours) asking if it was legal to shoot at skunks. He was unable to scare off three skunks below him and did not want them to spray him.
• A man calling the hotline complained that a tree stand put up by his neighbor looked directly into his bathroom. The caller said that even if it were legal to have a tree stand in that location, it would be a “visually unpleasant experience for everyone.”
Pat at Happy Hooker says water temperatures are in the upper 30s to mid 40s, muskie fishing is good, and anglers are catching some nice fish. Muskies season is open until November 30 in the northern zone.
“The best action is fishing 10- to 14-inch suckers on quick-strike rigs around weeds in 6-15 feet of water. In clear water lakes, fluorocarbon rigs are producing more fish than steel.
Fall is also a great time to catch walleyes, says Pat.
“Fish for walleyes near four- to eight-foot weeds with crankbaits and jigs with fatheads or large walleye suckers during low light conditions.
“You can catch smallmouth along steep drop offs with walleye suckers on jigs. Crappies are suspending over deeper water or along weeds and fallen trees in 6-15 feet of water. Use small jigs with small fathead minnows or plastic tails.”
Al at Pastika’s reports both muskie and smallmouth bass fishing is phenomenal at this time – and could get even better. He says anglers should keep an eye on the deep, clear lakes with cisco populations that may soon start their spawning season. This can really turn on the muskie, walleye, and northern pike feeding activity.
“Fishing pressure is generally light across the north woods,” says DNR fisheries biologist Skip Sommerfeldt. “Water temperatures are near 40 degrees and cold nighttime temperatures produced skim ice on many ponds and the edges of small lakes. For the most part, lakes remain open and are several weeks away from solid ice and any ice fishing activity.
“The muskie anglers still trying their luck are getting short strikes on suckers and some follows on slow-moving glide baits. A few river anglers report fair success on small walleyes.
“Brook trout spawning season is nearing its peak, typical for mid-November. Male brookies exhibit spectacular spawning colors and you can often view them in their mating rituals on native brook trout streams. Look for spawning fish in riffles around gravel areas in smaller tributary streams. Watch from a distance and do not disturb the fish or their fragile spawning areas – they represent the future of that brook trout population.”
FISHING REPORT
The opening of gun deer season, measureable snowfall, and skim ice on many lakes produced a negative effect on open water fishing interest. As such, fishing reports are on hold until ice conditions are considered “safe” (technically less un-safe) for ice fishing. However, as evident in the reports above, fishing is extremely good for anglers who are willing and/or able to endure challenging weather conditions. If you get the urge, check with your favorite bait and tackle shop for the most up-to-date information on the best baits and presentations, as well as boat access conditions.
Upcoming Events
Nov. 22: Northern zone duck season closed.
Nov. 27: Regular gun deer season closes.
Nov. 28: Seasons Open: Muzzleloader deer; Fall turkey (zones 1-5).
Nov. 30: Seasons Close: Muskellunge; Turtle.
Dec. 1: Lake Superior lake trout season opens.
Dec. 7: Muzzleloader deer season closes.
Dec. 8-11: Antlerless-only firearms hunt in herd control and CWD units.
Dec. 9: Canada goose season closes in north exterior zones.
Dec. 10: Application deadline: Spring turkey; bear.
Dec. 26: Season Opens: Period 2 bobcat hunting/trapping north of Hwy. 64.
Dec. 31: Seasons Close: Pheasant; Fall turkey; Hungarian partridge; Bobcat; Fisher; Frog.
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.