Hayward Lakes Sherry
01-21-2013, 01:45 PM
FISHING REPORT
Walleye:
Walleye anglers are catching fish, but action is inconsistent, with short bite windows, and the best fishing continues to be low light morning and evening hours. Depths range from 5-30 feet (depending on time of day) on rock bars, weeds, and weed edges. Tip-ups with walleye suckers and shiners work best, but anglers are also enjoying success with Jigging Rapalas and jigging spoons tipped with minnow heads.
Northern:
Northern pike fishing is fair to good, depending on the lake and weather. Concentrate on weeds at various depths out to about 20 feet, and anywhere you find panfish. Tip-ups with large northern suckers or shiners work well. Use bigger baits in deeper water for larger pike.
Crappie:
Crappies are offering fair to good action. Use your electronics, check the entire water column, and plan to spend some time on the move. Prime locations include depths from 6-30 feet, in shallow weeds to deep holes to flats, with fish suspending at various levels in deeper water. Jigs tipped with crappie minnows, waxies, wigglers, spikes, plastics, and Gulp! baits are the top choices, and artificials are often more productive than live bait.
Bluegill:
Bluegill action is also fair to good, depending on the lake and your ability to find them. Look for bluegills in the same areas you find crappies – from shallow to deep, suspending, near weeds, cribs, or on flats. Best baits include ice jigs tipped with waxies, wigglers, spikes, plastics, and Gulp! baits. Downsizing tackle will increase your panfish success.
Perch:
There are few perch reports, but anglers are catching fish on the deep, clear lakes in depths to 30 feet or so, with fish holding near the bottom. Jigs tipped with waxies, wigglers, spikes, crappie minnows, and fatheads will all catch perch.
Upcoming Events
Jan. 19: Winter crow season opened.
Jan. 26: Elk Country ATV Club Ice Fishing Contest (715-794-2298).
Jan. 26: Relic Riders vintage and antique snowmobile show. (715-638-2563).
Jan. 27: Deer Run Resort women’s ice fishing fundraiser (715-462-3276).
Jan. 31: Seasons Close: Squirrel; Ruffed grouse in Zone A; Bobcat Period 2.
Feb. 2: Relic Riders 7th Annual Kaye Johnson Memorial Ride (715-462-4566).
Feb. 9: Walleyes for Northwest Wisconsin 17th Annual Family Ice Fishing Event (715-634-2921).
Feb. 9: Cable Rod and Gun Club annual Ice Fishing Contest (715-798-4459).
Feb. 15: Seasons Close: Raccoon and fox hunting/trapping; Coyote trapping.
Feb. 23: American Birkebeiner (715-634-5025).
Feb. 28: Seasons Close: Cottontail rabbit; Mink trapping.
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.
Walleye:
Walleye anglers are catching fish, but action is inconsistent, with short bite windows, and the best fishing continues to be low light morning and evening hours. Depths range from 5-30 feet (depending on time of day) on rock bars, weeds, and weed edges. Tip-ups with walleye suckers and shiners work best, but anglers are also enjoying success with Jigging Rapalas and jigging spoons tipped with minnow heads.
Northern:
Northern pike fishing is fair to good, depending on the lake and weather. Concentrate on weeds at various depths out to about 20 feet, and anywhere you find panfish. Tip-ups with large northern suckers or shiners work well. Use bigger baits in deeper water for larger pike.
Crappie:
Crappies are offering fair to good action. Use your electronics, check the entire water column, and plan to spend some time on the move. Prime locations include depths from 6-30 feet, in shallow weeds to deep holes to flats, with fish suspending at various levels in deeper water. Jigs tipped with crappie minnows, waxies, wigglers, spikes, plastics, and Gulp! baits are the top choices, and artificials are often more productive than live bait.
Bluegill:
Bluegill action is also fair to good, depending on the lake and your ability to find them. Look for bluegills in the same areas you find crappies – from shallow to deep, suspending, near weeds, cribs, or on flats. Best baits include ice jigs tipped with waxies, wigglers, spikes, plastics, and Gulp! baits. Downsizing tackle will increase your panfish success.
Perch:
There are few perch reports, but anglers are catching fish on the deep, clear lakes in depths to 30 feet or so, with fish holding near the bottom. Jigs tipped with waxies, wigglers, spikes, crappie minnows, and fatheads will all catch perch.
Upcoming Events
Jan. 19: Winter crow season opened.
Jan. 26: Elk Country ATV Club Ice Fishing Contest (715-794-2298).
Jan. 26: Relic Riders vintage and antique snowmobile show. (715-638-2563).
Jan. 27: Deer Run Resort women’s ice fishing fundraiser (715-462-3276).
Jan. 31: Seasons Close: Squirrel; Ruffed grouse in Zone A; Bobcat Period 2.
Feb. 2: Relic Riders 7th Annual Kaye Johnson Memorial Ride (715-462-4566).
Feb. 9: Walleyes for Northwest Wisconsin 17th Annual Family Ice Fishing Event (715-634-2921).
Feb. 9: Cable Rod and Gun Club annual Ice Fishing Contest (715-798-4459).
Feb. 15: Seasons Close: Raccoon and fox hunting/trapping; Coyote trapping.
Feb. 23: American Birkebeiner (715-634-5025).
Feb. 28: Seasons Close: Cottontail rabbit; Mink trapping.
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.