Hayward Lakes Sherry
08-20-2012, 10:28 AM
FISHING REPORT
Muskies:
Muskies are more active with the cooling water temperatures and are hitting throughout the day. Guide Steve Genson says anglers should be sure to make good figure eights since fish are showing up at the boat. Work shallower weed and bar edges in 4-12 feet of water with big bucktails, jerkbaits, topwaters, soft plastics, and stickbaits.
Walleye:
Walleye action is challenging, but some anglers are doing well. Depths vary from shallower water out to more than 30 feet, with evenings into dark in shallower water best. Locations include bars, bar edges, weed lines, weed pockets, flats, deep holes, brush, rocky shorelines, gravel, and rock bars. It is still a leech and crawler bite, but minnows are getting more interest. Try Lindy Rigs and spinner harnesses with leeches and crawlers, jigs/fatheads, and trolling stick and crank baits.
Northern:
Northern pike were somewhat quiet with the warm water, but fish getting more active with cooling water temperatures. Look for them in and around weeds, weed edges, cribs, and wherever you find panfish. Bigger pike are in deeper water. Use spinners, spinnerbaits, crankbaits, jerkbaits, minnows, and northern suckers.
Largemouth Bass:
Largemouth fishing continues to be good, primarily in shallower water (three to eight feet) around wood, weeds and weed pockets, lily pads, and bogs. Topwaters, including weedless plastic frogs, are working well, as are spinnerbaits, soft plastics, and live bait such as leeches and crawlers on jigs.
Smallmouth Bass:
Smallmouth action is improving and the best fishing is in deeper water around wood, rocks, cribs, and drop-offs. Best offerings include jigs; Senkos; soft plastics; jigs with leeches, worms, or plastics; tubes; drop-shot rigs; and live bait under slip bobbers.
Crappie:
Crappies are scattered, suspended, and difficult to locate, but action can be very good once you find them. Work weed line and channel edges, cribs, and bogs in 12-24 feet of water. Baits of choice include crappie minnows, tube jigs, Gulp! baits, and plastics under slip bobbers or with vertical jigging.
Bluegill:
Bluegill fishing continues to be very good for smaller fish around shallow weeds, brush, and docks. For larger ‘gills, work deeper water weeds, brush, and cribs. Best baits include waxies, worms, and leaf worms for small fish. Use leeches, Gulp! baits, jigs/plastics, and minnows for larger fish.
Upcoming Events
Aug. 18: Antlerless deer permits now on sale.
Aug. 25: SCOPE Family Fun Days (715-558-5371).
Aug. 25: Remaining fall turkey permits go on sale 10 a.m.
Aug. 31: Application deadline for wolf season permits.
Aug. 31: Training dogs by pursuing bear closes (see regs.)
Aug. 31-Sept. 2: Exeland Rod & Gun Club Trout Fest.
Sept. 1: Seasons open: Early Canada goose; Mourning dove; Lake sturgeon (hook and line; see regs.); Wild ginseng.
Sept. 4: Hayward Lakes Chapter Muskies, Inc. meeting at Dick-Sy Roadhouse. (715-634-4543.)
Sept. 5: Bear season opens for bait hunters only.
Sept. 12: Bear season opens for bait hunters and with aid of dogs.
Sept. 15: Seasons open: Early archery deer; Turkey; Ruffed grouse (Zone A); Cottontail rabbit (Northern Zone); Squirrel (gray and fox); Crow.
Sept. 15: Early Canada goose season closes.
Sept. 15-16: Youth waterfowl hunt.
Sept. 16: Exterior Zone Canada goose season opens.
Sept. 22: Seasons open: Duck in Northern Zone; Woodcock.
Sept. 30: Seasons close: Inland trout (see regs.); Sturgeon on inland waters.
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.
Muskies:
Muskies are more active with the cooling water temperatures and are hitting throughout the day. Guide Steve Genson says anglers should be sure to make good figure eights since fish are showing up at the boat. Work shallower weed and bar edges in 4-12 feet of water with big bucktails, jerkbaits, topwaters, soft plastics, and stickbaits.
Walleye:
Walleye action is challenging, but some anglers are doing well. Depths vary from shallower water out to more than 30 feet, with evenings into dark in shallower water best. Locations include bars, bar edges, weed lines, weed pockets, flats, deep holes, brush, rocky shorelines, gravel, and rock bars. It is still a leech and crawler bite, but minnows are getting more interest. Try Lindy Rigs and spinner harnesses with leeches and crawlers, jigs/fatheads, and trolling stick and crank baits.
Northern:
Northern pike were somewhat quiet with the warm water, but fish getting more active with cooling water temperatures. Look for them in and around weeds, weed edges, cribs, and wherever you find panfish. Bigger pike are in deeper water. Use spinners, spinnerbaits, crankbaits, jerkbaits, minnows, and northern suckers.
Largemouth Bass:
Largemouth fishing continues to be good, primarily in shallower water (three to eight feet) around wood, weeds and weed pockets, lily pads, and bogs. Topwaters, including weedless plastic frogs, are working well, as are spinnerbaits, soft plastics, and live bait such as leeches and crawlers on jigs.
Smallmouth Bass:
Smallmouth action is improving and the best fishing is in deeper water around wood, rocks, cribs, and drop-offs. Best offerings include jigs; Senkos; soft plastics; jigs with leeches, worms, or plastics; tubes; drop-shot rigs; and live bait under slip bobbers.
Crappie:
Crappies are scattered, suspended, and difficult to locate, but action can be very good once you find them. Work weed line and channel edges, cribs, and bogs in 12-24 feet of water. Baits of choice include crappie minnows, tube jigs, Gulp! baits, and plastics under slip bobbers or with vertical jigging.
Bluegill:
Bluegill fishing continues to be very good for smaller fish around shallow weeds, brush, and docks. For larger ‘gills, work deeper water weeds, brush, and cribs. Best baits include waxies, worms, and leaf worms for small fish. Use leeches, Gulp! baits, jigs/plastics, and minnows for larger fish.
Upcoming Events
Aug. 18: Antlerless deer permits now on sale.
Aug. 25: SCOPE Family Fun Days (715-558-5371).
Aug. 25: Remaining fall turkey permits go on sale 10 a.m.
Aug. 31: Application deadline for wolf season permits.
Aug. 31: Training dogs by pursuing bear closes (see regs.)
Aug. 31-Sept. 2: Exeland Rod & Gun Club Trout Fest.
Sept. 1: Seasons open: Early Canada goose; Mourning dove; Lake sturgeon (hook and line; see regs.); Wild ginseng.
Sept. 4: Hayward Lakes Chapter Muskies, Inc. meeting at Dick-Sy Roadhouse. (715-634-4543.)
Sept. 5: Bear season opens for bait hunters only.
Sept. 12: Bear season opens for bait hunters and with aid of dogs.
Sept. 15: Seasons open: Early archery deer; Turkey; Ruffed grouse (Zone A); Cottontail rabbit (Northern Zone); Squirrel (gray and fox); Crow.
Sept. 15: Early Canada goose season closes.
Sept. 15-16: Youth waterfowl hunt.
Sept. 16: Exterior Zone Canada goose season opens.
Sept. 22: Seasons open: Duck in Northern Zone; Woodcock.
Sept. 30: Seasons close: Inland trout (see regs.); Sturgeon on inland waters.
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.