Hayward Lakes Sherry
10-23-2012, 10:01 AM
FISHING REPORT
Muskie:
This is trophy time for muskies and fishing on most muskie waters is good to very good on weed lines out to deeper water bars, drop-offs, structure, and river channels. The top producing bait is large suckers, but fish are also taking gliders, Bull Dawgs, bucktails, big tubes, jerkbaits, and large minnow baits.
Walleye:
Walleye action is good and getting better, with the best fishing during late afternoon and early evening hours. Concentrate on depths from 12 to more than 30 feet of water along weed lines, drop-offs, breaklines, and old river channels. Jigs with fatheads work best, but anglers are also catching fish on walleye suckers, crawlers, and trolled crank and minnow baits.
Northern:
Northern pike are active – perhaps too much so for some muskie anglers who are hooking big pike on muskie suckers. Find faster action for smaller fish near shallower weeds and for bigger fish on deeper weed lines. The most productive baits are spinnerbaits, spoons, and northern suckers.
Smallmouth Bass:
For the most part, largemouth anglers have hung it up for the year, but this can be a great time for smallmouth as they move to wintering areas. Fish deeper water rocks and humps with plastics, crawlers, and live bait.
Crappie:
Crappie action is fair to very good, depending on the day and weather. Fish are scattered and suspending over deeper water (18-30 feet) at various locations in the water column. Top bait choices include fatheads, crappie minnows, plastics, Gulp! baits, tube jigs, and Twister Tails.
Bluegill:
Few people are fishing for bluegills, but those who are catch some nice fish once they find them. Look for bluegills on deep weed lines and in with the crappies and catch them with waxies, plastics, worms, and Gulp! baits on small jigs, teardrops, and plain hooks.
Upcoming Events
Nov. 4: Northern Zone duck, goose seasons close.
Nov. 4: Daylight Saving Time ends (turn back clocks).
Nov. 5: Woodcock season closes.
Nov. 9: Mourning dove season closes.
Nov. 10: Northern Zone duck, goose seasons open.
Nov. 10-16: Hayward Rod & Gun Club sight-in days 9 a.m.-4 p.m. (715-865-2506).
Nov. 15: Seasons close: Archery deer; Turkey; Crow.
Nov. 17-25: Gun deer season.
Nov. 17-Jan. 6: Late archery deer season.
Nov. 25: Northern Zone duck season closes.
Nov. 26-Dec. 5: Muzzleloader deer season.
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:
This is trophy time for muskies and fishing on most muskie waters is good to very good on weed lines out to deeper water bars, drop-offs, structure, and river channels. The top producing bait is large suckers, but fish are also taking gliders, Bull Dawgs, bucktails, big tubes, jerkbaits, and large minnow baits.
Walleye:
Walleye action is good and getting better, with the best fishing during late afternoon and early evening hours. Concentrate on depths from 12 to more than 30 feet of water along weed lines, drop-offs, breaklines, and old river channels. Jigs with fatheads work best, but anglers are also catching fish on walleye suckers, crawlers, and trolled crank and minnow baits.
Northern:
Northern pike are active – perhaps too much so for some muskie anglers who are hooking big pike on muskie suckers. Find faster action for smaller fish near shallower weeds and for bigger fish on deeper weed lines. The most productive baits are spinnerbaits, spoons, and northern suckers.
Smallmouth Bass:
For the most part, largemouth anglers have hung it up for the year, but this can be a great time for smallmouth as they move to wintering areas. Fish deeper water rocks and humps with plastics, crawlers, and live bait.
Crappie:
Crappie action is fair to very good, depending on the day and weather. Fish are scattered and suspending over deeper water (18-30 feet) at various locations in the water column. Top bait choices include fatheads, crappie minnows, plastics, Gulp! baits, tube jigs, and Twister Tails.
Bluegill:
Few people are fishing for bluegills, but those who are catch some nice fish once they find them. Look for bluegills on deep weed lines and in with the crappies and catch them with waxies, plastics, worms, and Gulp! baits on small jigs, teardrops, and plain hooks.
Upcoming Events
Nov. 4: Northern Zone duck, goose seasons close.
Nov. 4: Daylight Saving Time ends (turn back clocks).
Nov. 5: Woodcock season closes.
Nov. 9: Mourning dove season closes.
Nov. 10: Northern Zone duck, goose seasons open.
Nov. 10-16: Hayward Rod & Gun Club sight-in days 9 a.m.-4 p.m. (715-865-2506).
Nov. 15: Seasons close: Archery deer; Turkey; Crow.
Nov. 17-25: Gun deer season.
Nov. 17-Jan. 6: Late archery deer season.
Nov. 25: Northern Zone duck season closes.
Nov. 26-Dec. 5: Muzzleloader deer season.
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.