Hayward Lakes Sherry
10-02-2012, 02:00 PM
FISHING REPORT
Muskie:
Muskie action is good to very good. Fish weeds, weed edges, and bars in 3-16 feet of water, as well as deeper weeds. Currently, the top producing baits are suckers, bucktails, jerkbaits, crankbaits, tubes, and topwaters. Remember – anglers using suckers measuring eight inches and longer must use quick-strike rigs or a non-offset circle hooks.
Walleye:
Walleye anglers are doing well, catching fish on weeds, weed edges, breaks, brush, and mud bottom/transition areas in depths from six to more than 30 feet of water. Jigs and fatheads, walleye suckers, and crawlers are all producing catches.
Northern:
Northern pike action is improving with the cooling water. Fish weeds and anywhere you find panfish with spinners, spinnerbaits, stickbaits, spoons, minnow baits, Rapalas, and of course northern suckers.
Bass:
The number of anglers targeting bass drops quickly as the water cools and shallow weeds die off, but the bass are still there! For largemouth, fish weeds, brush, and other structure, from shallow to deep, with plastics, spinnerbaits, crankbaits, and live bait. For smallmouth, work deeper weeds, rocks, structure, and drop-offs with plastics, tubes, stick and crank baits, and crawlers – and minnows can be very productive this time of year.
Crappie:
Crappie action is good, getting better, and they should soon start schooling. For now, look for fish suspending in/over deeper water and/or on cribs and brush in 10-25 feet of water. Best baits include crappie minnows, waxies, plastics, tube jigs, and Gulp! baits tipped on plain hooks and small jigs and fished with or without slip bobbers.
Bluegill:
Interest in bluegills, as with bass, drops this time of year, but the anglers who target them are catching some nice big ones. Fish deeper weeds and weed edges with waxies, worms, and Gulp! baits on small jigs, teardrops, and other ice jigs. You will often find bluegills mixed in with crappies, and bigger ‘gills in deeper water.
Upcoming Events
Sept. 30: Seasons closed: Inland trout (see regs.); Sturgeon on inland waters. Lake trout season on Lake Superior.
Oct. 5-7: Hayward Lakes Chapter Muskies, Inc. Fall Muskie Tournament (715-634-2921).
Oct. 6: Stone Lake Cranberry Festival.
Oct. 6-7: Youth deer hunt.
Oct. 6-7: Musky Tale Resort Crappie Quest (715-462-3838).
Oct. 6-14: Special deer hunt for people with disabilities (registration deadline Sept. 1).
Oct. 9: Bear season closes.
Oct. 15: Wolf hunting and trapping season opens (see regs).
Oct. 20: Seasons open: Pheasant; Ruffed grouse (zone B); Sharp-tailed grouse (by permit); Bobwhite quail; Hungarian partridge; Raccoon gun and trapping (residents); Red and gray fox hunting and trapping; Coyote trapping; Muskrat; Mink (northern zone); Fisher trapping; Bobcat hunting and trapping period 1 (north of Hwy. 64.)
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.
Muskie:
Muskie action is good to very good. Fish weeds, weed edges, and bars in 3-16 feet of water, as well as deeper weeds. Currently, the top producing baits are suckers, bucktails, jerkbaits, crankbaits, tubes, and topwaters. Remember – anglers using suckers measuring eight inches and longer must use quick-strike rigs or a non-offset circle hooks.
Walleye:
Walleye anglers are doing well, catching fish on weeds, weed edges, breaks, brush, and mud bottom/transition areas in depths from six to more than 30 feet of water. Jigs and fatheads, walleye suckers, and crawlers are all producing catches.
Northern:
Northern pike action is improving with the cooling water. Fish weeds and anywhere you find panfish with spinners, spinnerbaits, stickbaits, spoons, minnow baits, Rapalas, and of course northern suckers.
Bass:
The number of anglers targeting bass drops quickly as the water cools and shallow weeds die off, but the bass are still there! For largemouth, fish weeds, brush, and other structure, from shallow to deep, with plastics, spinnerbaits, crankbaits, and live bait. For smallmouth, work deeper weeds, rocks, structure, and drop-offs with plastics, tubes, stick and crank baits, and crawlers – and minnows can be very productive this time of year.
Crappie:
Crappie action is good, getting better, and they should soon start schooling. For now, look for fish suspending in/over deeper water and/or on cribs and brush in 10-25 feet of water. Best baits include crappie minnows, waxies, plastics, tube jigs, and Gulp! baits tipped on plain hooks and small jigs and fished with or without slip bobbers.
Bluegill:
Interest in bluegills, as with bass, drops this time of year, but the anglers who target them are catching some nice big ones. Fish deeper weeds and weed edges with waxies, worms, and Gulp! baits on small jigs, teardrops, and other ice jigs. You will often find bluegills mixed in with crappies, and bigger ‘gills in deeper water.
Upcoming Events
Sept. 30: Seasons closed: Inland trout (see regs.); Sturgeon on inland waters. Lake trout season on Lake Superior.
Oct. 5-7: Hayward Lakes Chapter Muskies, Inc. Fall Muskie Tournament (715-634-2921).
Oct. 6: Stone Lake Cranberry Festival.
Oct. 6-7: Youth deer hunt.
Oct. 6-7: Musky Tale Resort Crappie Quest (715-462-3838).
Oct. 6-14: Special deer hunt for people with disabilities (registration deadline Sept. 1).
Oct. 9: Bear season closes.
Oct. 15: Wolf hunting and trapping season opens (see regs).
Oct. 20: Seasons open: Pheasant; Ruffed grouse (zone B); Sharp-tailed grouse (by permit); Bobwhite quail; Hungarian partridge; Raccoon gun and trapping (residents); Red and gray fox hunting and trapping; Coyote trapping; Muskrat; Mink (northern zone); Fisher trapping; Bobcat hunting and trapping period 1 (north of Hwy. 64.)
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.