Hayward Lakes Sherry
01-31-2012, 12:35 PM
January 30, 2012
Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman
We have a beautiful week ahead, according to the forecast – cold nights to maintain snow and ice conditions and mild daytime temperatures conducive to just about any outdoor endeavor. If you enjoy winter activities of any type – ice fishing, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, hiking, or whatever your interest – get outside and take advantage of these excellent conditions! What the heck – get out even if you don’t like winter!
“Ice quality is unchanged from last week,” says Pat at Happy Hooker, “but there is less ice than usual this winter. Though we often have nearly 30 inches on many lakes, for the most part we have 20-26 inches and even thinner ice on some lakes. Do not assume that because we are well into winter all ice is safe.”
At Hayward Bait, Jim says ice conditions are very good, with ice thickness up to 14 inches or more on most lakes and some people are driving on the lakes – but use caution and common sense. Snow cover is minimal, but there is slush in some areas of some lakes.
Al at Pastika’s says anglers not familiar with tip-downs (barney poles) should try them with crappie minnows, fatheads, and waxies. The poles are a type of “finesse” tip-up that instead tips down, and they are great for crappie and perch fishing.
Guide Dave Dorazio at Outdoor Creations says there is considerable fishing pressure on the Chippewa Flowage right now and anglers are doing quite well on crappies and bluegills.
At Anglers All in Ashland, Carolyn says fishing is good on Chequamegon Bay. On the Ashland side, anglers report perch, northern, brown trout, walleye, coho, whitefish, and herring in 20-30 feet of water. The Washburn side has good reports of browns, coho, and whitefish. Wherever you go, exercise extreme caution.
“Ice thickness on most lakes varies from 11-14 inches,” says DNR fisheries biologist Skip Sommerfeldt, “with recent snows adding three to four inches of heavy, grainy snow to the surface. Frigid weather firmed most of the slushy spots and access is good to most fishing areas. However, the recent cold temperatures also put a damper on fishing pressure and fish activity seems to be at its mid-winter low point.”
There is an exceptional influx (irruption) of snowy owls from coast to coast in the Lower 48 states this winter. Visit www.birds.cornell.edu to view an interesting and educational video on the lives of snowy owls.
Cable Rod & Gun Club's 23rd annual ice fishing contest is Saturday February 4 on Lake Namakagon, with Loon Saloon on County Hwy D contest headquarters. The contest runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., but you may start fishing at midnight. Entry fee is $5. All WI DNR regulations apply. There are cash prizes for the biggest fish (walleye, northern, perch, bluegill, and crappie), cash raffles, special raffles, 50/50 drawings, and food available.
The January 30 Hayward Lakes Visitors and Convention Bureau trail report says groomers are grooming and Sawyer County trail conditions are good and lake trails (nearly 25 percent of the 600 miles of groomed trails) are excellent.
The Cable area snowmobile trails report for January 27 says trails are in good riding condition. The Namakagon Trail Groomers groomed the trails in Cable, Namakagon, east to Clam Lake, and north to Grand View, and the Drummond Sno Jacks groomed their sections of trails.
The January 27 Namakagon Trail Groomers report says the groomers are out doing what they can and there are many people riding the trails. Trail 90 toward Ashland County is in poor shape.
The DNR Tuscobia State Trail conditions report as of January 26 says trail conditions are fair, with some grooming taking place. The base varies from about three inches on the west portion to six inches to the east. The detour remains in place in Radisson due to the August washout of Rock Creek. The trail in Washburn and Sawyer counties remains open for ATV/UTV operation.
FISHING REPORT
Walleye:
Walleye action is fair, but consistent, and late afternoon and the last hour before dark are the best times. Look for weeds, bar edges, drop-offs, breaklines, and mid-lake humps in 8-35 feet of water. Walleye suckers, fatheads, and shiners all work at certain times, so take some variety. Jigging live bait or spoons is currently the most productive presentation, though tip-ups continue to catch good numbers of fish.
Northern:
Northern pike action is very good around weeds in 6-25 feet of water. Shiners under tip-ups are catching the most fish, with northern suckers also very effective.
Crappie:
Crappie action is good and improving. Look for suspending fish in 8-30 feet of water. Make sure to check the entire water column, starting near the bottom. Most productive baits are crappie minnows, fatheads, rosy reds, waxies, plastics, and Gulp! baits fished on jigging rods and tip-downs. Downsize tackle and use light line to improve success.
Bluegill:
Bluegill fishing is good in 6-15 feet of water around cribs, weeds, and weed edges, and over deeper water for suspending fish. Waxies, spikes, mousies, plastics, and Gulp! baits are all catching ‘gills.
Perch:
Perch anglers report good to very good action and in a variety of areas, depending on the lake. Fish mud flats, soft bottoms, transition areas, and cribs. Depths range from 9-30 feet of water. A number of baits will work, including fatheads, crappie minnows, rosy reds, waxies, spikes, silver wiggles, and jigs/plastics.
Upcoming Events
Jan. 31: Seasons Close: Ruffed grouse in northern zone; Gray and Fox squirrel; Bobcat period 2.
Feb. 4: Cable Rod & Gun Club Ice Fishing Tourney on Lake Namakagon (Loon Saloon 715-798-4459).
Feb. 4: Relic Riders Kaye Johnson Memorial vintage snowmobile ride (715-462-4566).
Feb. 11: Relic Riders Big Boyz Toyz vintage snowmobile ride.
Feb. 15: Seasons Close: Coyote trapping; Fox; Raccoon.
Feb. 17-20: Great Backyard Bird Count (800-843-2473).
Feb. 18: Walleyes for Northwest Wisconsin Family ice fishing contest (715-634-2921).
Feb. 18: RMEF fundraising banquet (715-634-1742).
Feb. 23-26: American Birkebeiner (715-634-5025).
Feb. 29: Seasons Close: Cottontail rabbit; Mink trapping; Muskrat.
March 2: Namekagon River Gobblers NWTF banquet (715-798-3439).
March 3: Early inland trout season opens (see regs).
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
We have a beautiful week ahead, according to the forecast – cold nights to maintain snow and ice conditions and mild daytime temperatures conducive to just about any outdoor endeavor. If you enjoy winter activities of any type – ice fishing, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, hiking, or whatever your interest – get outside and take advantage of these excellent conditions! What the heck – get out even if you don’t like winter!
“Ice quality is unchanged from last week,” says Pat at Happy Hooker, “but there is less ice than usual this winter. Though we often have nearly 30 inches on many lakes, for the most part we have 20-26 inches and even thinner ice on some lakes. Do not assume that because we are well into winter all ice is safe.”
At Hayward Bait, Jim says ice conditions are very good, with ice thickness up to 14 inches or more on most lakes and some people are driving on the lakes – but use caution and common sense. Snow cover is minimal, but there is slush in some areas of some lakes.
Al at Pastika’s says anglers not familiar with tip-downs (barney poles) should try them with crappie minnows, fatheads, and waxies. The poles are a type of “finesse” tip-up that instead tips down, and they are great for crappie and perch fishing.
Guide Dave Dorazio at Outdoor Creations says there is considerable fishing pressure on the Chippewa Flowage right now and anglers are doing quite well on crappies and bluegills.
At Anglers All in Ashland, Carolyn says fishing is good on Chequamegon Bay. On the Ashland side, anglers report perch, northern, brown trout, walleye, coho, whitefish, and herring in 20-30 feet of water. The Washburn side has good reports of browns, coho, and whitefish. Wherever you go, exercise extreme caution.
“Ice thickness on most lakes varies from 11-14 inches,” says DNR fisheries biologist Skip Sommerfeldt, “with recent snows adding three to four inches of heavy, grainy snow to the surface. Frigid weather firmed most of the slushy spots and access is good to most fishing areas. However, the recent cold temperatures also put a damper on fishing pressure and fish activity seems to be at its mid-winter low point.”
There is an exceptional influx (irruption) of snowy owls from coast to coast in the Lower 48 states this winter. Visit www.birds.cornell.edu to view an interesting and educational video on the lives of snowy owls.
Cable Rod & Gun Club's 23rd annual ice fishing contest is Saturday February 4 on Lake Namakagon, with Loon Saloon on County Hwy D contest headquarters. The contest runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., but you may start fishing at midnight. Entry fee is $5. All WI DNR regulations apply. There are cash prizes for the biggest fish (walleye, northern, perch, bluegill, and crappie), cash raffles, special raffles, 50/50 drawings, and food available.
The January 30 Hayward Lakes Visitors and Convention Bureau trail report says groomers are grooming and Sawyer County trail conditions are good and lake trails (nearly 25 percent of the 600 miles of groomed trails) are excellent.
The Cable area snowmobile trails report for January 27 says trails are in good riding condition. The Namakagon Trail Groomers groomed the trails in Cable, Namakagon, east to Clam Lake, and north to Grand View, and the Drummond Sno Jacks groomed their sections of trails.
The January 27 Namakagon Trail Groomers report says the groomers are out doing what they can and there are many people riding the trails. Trail 90 toward Ashland County is in poor shape.
The DNR Tuscobia State Trail conditions report as of January 26 says trail conditions are fair, with some grooming taking place. The base varies from about three inches on the west portion to six inches to the east. The detour remains in place in Radisson due to the August washout of Rock Creek. The trail in Washburn and Sawyer counties remains open for ATV/UTV operation.
FISHING REPORT
Walleye:
Walleye action is fair, but consistent, and late afternoon and the last hour before dark are the best times. Look for weeds, bar edges, drop-offs, breaklines, and mid-lake humps in 8-35 feet of water. Walleye suckers, fatheads, and shiners all work at certain times, so take some variety. Jigging live bait or spoons is currently the most productive presentation, though tip-ups continue to catch good numbers of fish.
Northern:
Northern pike action is very good around weeds in 6-25 feet of water. Shiners under tip-ups are catching the most fish, with northern suckers also very effective.
Crappie:
Crappie action is good and improving. Look for suspending fish in 8-30 feet of water. Make sure to check the entire water column, starting near the bottom. Most productive baits are crappie minnows, fatheads, rosy reds, waxies, plastics, and Gulp! baits fished on jigging rods and tip-downs. Downsize tackle and use light line to improve success.
Bluegill:
Bluegill fishing is good in 6-15 feet of water around cribs, weeds, and weed edges, and over deeper water for suspending fish. Waxies, spikes, mousies, plastics, and Gulp! baits are all catching ‘gills.
Perch:
Perch anglers report good to very good action and in a variety of areas, depending on the lake. Fish mud flats, soft bottoms, transition areas, and cribs. Depths range from 9-30 feet of water. A number of baits will work, including fatheads, crappie minnows, rosy reds, waxies, spikes, silver wiggles, and jigs/plastics.
Upcoming Events
Jan. 31: Seasons Close: Ruffed grouse in northern zone; Gray and Fox squirrel; Bobcat period 2.
Feb. 4: Cable Rod & Gun Club Ice Fishing Tourney on Lake Namakagon (Loon Saloon 715-798-4459).
Feb. 4: Relic Riders Kaye Johnson Memorial vintage snowmobile ride (715-462-4566).
Feb. 11: Relic Riders Big Boyz Toyz vintage snowmobile ride.
Feb. 15: Seasons Close: Coyote trapping; Fox; Raccoon.
Feb. 17-20: Great Backyard Bird Count (800-843-2473).
Feb. 18: Walleyes for Northwest Wisconsin Family ice fishing contest (715-634-2921).
Feb. 18: RMEF fundraising banquet (715-634-1742).
Feb. 23-26: American Birkebeiner (715-634-5025).
Feb. 29: Seasons Close: Cottontail rabbit; Mink trapping; Muskrat.
March 2: Namekagon River Gobblers NWTF banquet (715-798-3439).
March 3: Early inland trout season opens (see regs).
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.