Hayward Lakes Sherry
11-19-2012, 11:38 AM
November 19, 2012
Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman
Opening weekend of the regular nine-day gun deer season was mild, clear – and not necessarily welcome by deer hunters who typically prefer colder weather and a bit of snow cover. Nearly everyone else was quite pleased with the unseasonably warm conditions, however, as Sunday’s high temperature pushed 60 degrees. The forecast for this week promises continued warmth until Friday, when temperatures take a dive for at least a couple days.
As of Sunday noon during opening weekend of the regular gun deer season, Hayward area registration stations Shooting Star and Hillman’s Store registered 121 antlerless deer and 211 bucks. Registrations included one 170-class 14-pointer with 7.5-inch circumference at the bases, and a good number of very nice 8- and 10-pointers, many with spreads of more than 18 inches. As in past years, DNR staff aged deer at Shooting Star during opening weekend and Hayward Bait did not register deer.
Pat at Happy Hooker says just when we thought winter was arriving – early last week we were in the teens at night and the 20s for daytime highs – we get a reprieve.
“Some anglers are taking advantage and are again back on the lakes. They report water temperatures in the low 30s to upper 40s. Muskie anglers in search of trophy muskies are finding fish in 12 to 20 feet of water. If you plan to fish with suckers, bring them with you – suckers are no longer available in our area.”
At Hayward Bait, guide Steve Genson says the few anglers who are still fishing and targeting walleyes, crappies, and muskies should look to deep water for all species.
“For muskies, troll and jig off the deep breaks. Catch walleyes with walleye suckers on jigs and bait rigs, and work crappie minnows or plastics for crappies suspending over deep water. More adventurous anglers should consider targeting the cisco spawn after dark on the appropriate lakes for large walleyes, muskies, and northern.”
Bob reminders deer hunters that muzzleloader deer season opens November 26 and runs through December 5, followed by the late antlerless season December 6-9.
“Many anglers have put their boats in storage,” says guide Dave Dorazio at Outdoor Creations, “but a few die-hard muskie anglers are still chasing fish on the Chippewa Flowage. There is not much action on lures – the muskies are hitting live suckers on quick-strike rigs fished 12-22 feet of water along steep shorelines. Crappie anglers continue to do well in Moores Bay and Pine Point, with the best action on simple hook and split shot rigs tipped with crappie minnows.”
Carolyn at Anglers All in Ashland says stream fishing closed November 15 with the streams still full of fish.
“Anglers continue to fish along the Chequamegon Bay shoreline, and if the mild weather continues, so will shoreline fishing. Duck hunters are having a real hunting dilemma – do they hunt deer or ducks?”
“Conducting a creel survey to determine the amount of fish being caught from a lake is never easy,” says DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter, “and on a 15,300-acre reservoir such as the Chippewa Flowage, it is even more difficult. However, in 2011, four creel clerks gathered some great data on the Flowage that provides DNR fishery managers some insight into who is fishing and what they are catching.
“According to the data, anglers fished approximately 475,000 hours on the Flowage – roughly 31 hours per acre. They spent about 49 percent of this time fishing for panfish, and according to the creel, on average Flowage anglers catch a bluegill every 30 seconds. During the open water period, panfish anglers caught more than 1 million bluegills and crappies, harvesting 350,000 of them.
“The fishing efforts for walleyes and muskies were about equal at approximately 90,000 hours each. Walleye anglers caught fish at a rate of one for every eight hours of fishing, and muskie anglers caught more than 1,700 muskies, about 10 per day.”
As of November 18, the Wisconsin wolf harvest totals 83 animals. Zone 1, which covers a large portion of Sawyer County, has a harvest quota of 32 wolves and hunters and trappers have harvested 26 wolves. Effective November 16, the DNR closed Wolf Harvest Zones 2 and 4, the first wolf zones to close this season. The DNR closed Zone 2 (harvest quota 20) when harvest reached 18 wolves, and closed Zone 4 (harvest quota five) when harvest reached four wolves.
Wisconsin’s deer season continues after the nine-day gun season ends November 25, with the 10-day muzzleloader season November 26 through December 5 and the four-day antlerless season December 6-9. Unit-specific antlerless tags are still available for some regular units for $12 each and antlerless tags for Herd Control units are available for $2 each. Late archery deer season and small game seasons remain open during the muzzleloader and late antlerless gun deer seasons. With the exception of waterfowl hunters, archers and small game hunters must follow blaze orange clothing requirements through December 9.
FISHING REPORT
Muskie:
Late fall is the time for trophy muskies and anglers often have the water to themselves. Fish are around weeds, just off deep breaks, and along steep shorelines, and depths vary from 5-25 feet. Muskies are on the feed, so look for baitfish. Big suckers on quick-strike rigs are the way to go, but suckers of any size are very difficult – if not impossible – to find. Lure options include plastics, jerkbaits, and gliders.
Walleye:
Walleye anglers continue to do well and a few are putting some big fish in their boats. Walleye suckers and fatheads on jigs and live bait rigs are the best bet. During the day, work deeper water structure and flats. During low light conditions and after dark, work shallower weeds with live bait or crank and stick baits.
Northern:
Look for northern pike in deeper water around weeds, weed edges, and suspending baitfish. Favorite baits include spinnerbaits, spoons, and stickbaits, but it is hard to beat a big walleye or northern sucker suspended under a bobber.
Crappie:
Crappies are near weeds and weed edges in 6-20 feet of water and suspending over deeper water. Baits of choice include crappie minnows, fatheads, waxies, and plastics tipped on jigs or plain hooks, with or without bobbers.
Bluegill:
For bluegills, fish deeper water with waxies, leaf worms, and plastics on small jigs, teardrops, or plain hooks.
Upcoming Events
Nov. 17-25: Gun deer season.
Nov. 17-Jan. 6: Late archery deer season.
Nov. 25: Seasons Close: Northern Zone duck; Gun deer.
Nov. 26-Dec. 5: Muzzleloader deer season.
Nov. 30: Seasons Close: Muskie; Turtle.
Dec. 1: Lake Superior lake trout season opens.
Dec. 5: Muzzleloader deer season closes.
Dec. 6-9: Statewide antlerless deer season (see regs).
Dec. 10: Application deadline: Spring turkey; Bear.
Dec. 21: Canada goose season closes in North Zone.
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
Opening weekend of the regular nine-day gun deer season was mild, clear – and not necessarily welcome by deer hunters who typically prefer colder weather and a bit of snow cover. Nearly everyone else was quite pleased with the unseasonably warm conditions, however, as Sunday’s high temperature pushed 60 degrees. The forecast for this week promises continued warmth until Friday, when temperatures take a dive for at least a couple days.
As of Sunday noon during opening weekend of the regular gun deer season, Hayward area registration stations Shooting Star and Hillman’s Store registered 121 antlerless deer and 211 bucks. Registrations included one 170-class 14-pointer with 7.5-inch circumference at the bases, and a good number of very nice 8- and 10-pointers, many with spreads of more than 18 inches. As in past years, DNR staff aged deer at Shooting Star during opening weekend and Hayward Bait did not register deer.
Pat at Happy Hooker says just when we thought winter was arriving – early last week we were in the teens at night and the 20s for daytime highs – we get a reprieve.
“Some anglers are taking advantage and are again back on the lakes. They report water temperatures in the low 30s to upper 40s. Muskie anglers in search of trophy muskies are finding fish in 12 to 20 feet of water. If you plan to fish with suckers, bring them with you – suckers are no longer available in our area.”
At Hayward Bait, guide Steve Genson says the few anglers who are still fishing and targeting walleyes, crappies, and muskies should look to deep water for all species.
“For muskies, troll and jig off the deep breaks. Catch walleyes with walleye suckers on jigs and bait rigs, and work crappie minnows or plastics for crappies suspending over deep water. More adventurous anglers should consider targeting the cisco spawn after dark on the appropriate lakes for large walleyes, muskies, and northern.”
Bob reminders deer hunters that muzzleloader deer season opens November 26 and runs through December 5, followed by the late antlerless season December 6-9.
“Many anglers have put their boats in storage,” says guide Dave Dorazio at Outdoor Creations, “but a few die-hard muskie anglers are still chasing fish on the Chippewa Flowage. There is not much action on lures – the muskies are hitting live suckers on quick-strike rigs fished 12-22 feet of water along steep shorelines. Crappie anglers continue to do well in Moores Bay and Pine Point, with the best action on simple hook and split shot rigs tipped with crappie minnows.”
Carolyn at Anglers All in Ashland says stream fishing closed November 15 with the streams still full of fish.
“Anglers continue to fish along the Chequamegon Bay shoreline, and if the mild weather continues, so will shoreline fishing. Duck hunters are having a real hunting dilemma – do they hunt deer or ducks?”
“Conducting a creel survey to determine the amount of fish being caught from a lake is never easy,” says DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter, “and on a 15,300-acre reservoir such as the Chippewa Flowage, it is even more difficult. However, in 2011, four creel clerks gathered some great data on the Flowage that provides DNR fishery managers some insight into who is fishing and what they are catching.
“According to the data, anglers fished approximately 475,000 hours on the Flowage – roughly 31 hours per acre. They spent about 49 percent of this time fishing for panfish, and according to the creel, on average Flowage anglers catch a bluegill every 30 seconds. During the open water period, panfish anglers caught more than 1 million bluegills and crappies, harvesting 350,000 of them.
“The fishing efforts for walleyes and muskies were about equal at approximately 90,000 hours each. Walleye anglers caught fish at a rate of one for every eight hours of fishing, and muskie anglers caught more than 1,700 muskies, about 10 per day.”
As of November 18, the Wisconsin wolf harvest totals 83 animals. Zone 1, which covers a large portion of Sawyer County, has a harvest quota of 32 wolves and hunters and trappers have harvested 26 wolves. Effective November 16, the DNR closed Wolf Harvest Zones 2 and 4, the first wolf zones to close this season. The DNR closed Zone 2 (harvest quota 20) when harvest reached 18 wolves, and closed Zone 4 (harvest quota five) when harvest reached four wolves.
Wisconsin’s deer season continues after the nine-day gun season ends November 25, with the 10-day muzzleloader season November 26 through December 5 and the four-day antlerless season December 6-9. Unit-specific antlerless tags are still available for some regular units for $12 each and antlerless tags for Herd Control units are available for $2 each. Late archery deer season and small game seasons remain open during the muzzleloader and late antlerless gun deer seasons. With the exception of waterfowl hunters, archers and small game hunters must follow blaze orange clothing requirements through December 9.
FISHING REPORT
Muskie:
Late fall is the time for trophy muskies and anglers often have the water to themselves. Fish are around weeds, just off deep breaks, and along steep shorelines, and depths vary from 5-25 feet. Muskies are on the feed, so look for baitfish. Big suckers on quick-strike rigs are the way to go, but suckers of any size are very difficult – if not impossible – to find. Lure options include plastics, jerkbaits, and gliders.
Walleye:
Walleye anglers continue to do well and a few are putting some big fish in their boats. Walleye suckers and fatheads on jigs and live bait rigs are the best bet. During the day, work deeper water structure and flats. During low light conditions and after dark, work shallower weeds with live bait or crank and stick baits.
Northern:
Look for northern pike in deeper water around weeds, weed edges, and suspending baitfish. Favorite baits include spinnerbaits, spoons, and stickbaits, but it is hard to beat a big walleye or northern sucker suspended under a bobber.
Crappie:
Crappies are near weeds and weed edges in 6-20 feet of water and suspending over deeper water. Baits of choice include crappie minnows, fatheads, waxies, and plastics tipped on jigs or plain hooks, with or without bobbers.
Bluegill:
For bluegills, fish deeper water with waxies, leaf worms, and plastics on small jigs, teardrops, or plain hooks.
Upcoming Events
Nov. 17-25: Gun deer season.
Nov. 17-Jan. 6: Late archery deer season.
Nov. 25: Seasons Close: Northern Zone duck; Gun deer.
Nov. 26-Dec. 5: Muzzleloader deer season.
Nov. 30: Seasons Close: Muskie; Turtle.
Dec. 1: Lake Superior lake trout season opens.
Dec. 5: Muzzleloader deer season closes.
Dec. 6-9: Statewide antlerless deer season (see regs).
Dec. 10: Application deadline: Spring turkey; Bear.
Dec. 21: Canada goose season closes in North Zone.
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.