Hayward Lakes Sherry
03-26-2013, 10:58 AM
March 25, 2013
Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman
Mother Nature must have finally received the “Spring begins March 20” memo, as this week’s forecast shows highs in the 40s for the entire week – and a chance of rain this Saturday. Do not get too excited quite yet – snow is again on the schedule for next Monday.
“Though this should be a good time for panfish, cold, snowy, windy weather and the removal of ice houses affected fishing interest,” says Pat at Happy Hooker. “Take some time to prepare for open water season – clean your tackle boxes, check rod eyelets for cracks, grease, oil, and re-line reels – and buy your new license now to avoid the last-minute rush!”
Jim at Hayward Bait says there is still some excellent ice fishing ahead, but this is a good time to repair reels and spool new line for the May 4 game fish opener – and last year’s fishing licenses expire March 31.
Guide Dave Dorazio at Outdoor Creations says crappie fishing is still great on the Chippewa Flowage.
“Use your electronics to find schools of fish on the deep, wooded flats in 18-25 feet of water. Most fish are suspending, but some may be near bottom. Plastics on jigs are more efficient when fish are active, but crappie minnows and jigs tipped with waxies or spikes will produce fish.”
Carolyn at Anglers All in Ashland says good ice fishing continues on Chequamegon Bay.
“Most anglers are using snowmobiles or walking. Those who insist they can ‘go anywhere’ with their ATVs give up after burying them a few times. Coho action is good on the hot pond, though it slows when everyone is fishing the same area. There is also decent action off Tern Island across from Shopko for perch, walleye, and northern.”
An audience member at the February panfish meeting asked DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter how length limits would work for panfish.
“There are many studies evaluating how effective these regulations are for panfish, particularly crappie, and biologists can sometimes use minimum length limits to protect fish from harvest until they are a more desirable size for anglers.
“In lakes with fast growth and lots of fishing pressure, minimum length limits can increase the average size of fish. In lakes with slow growth, fish might not reach the minimum length and die of old age before anglers can harvest them.
“Before considering a certain type of regulation, it is very important to have good information on the fish population.”
Hayward Fly Fishing Company recently received a 2012 External Partners Award from the DNR for creel survey work done in the Chippewa, Flambeau, and Namekagon rivers by husband and wife owners/guides Larry Mann and Wendy Williamson, three staff guides, and the local DNR. The company collected the length and weight of all fish they caught this past guiding season.
The Hayward Chapter-Wisconsin Waterfowl Association is selling wood duck houses built by Northern Waters Environmental School students and Chapter members, with proceeds earmarked for local programs and projects. The houses cost $20 each or three for $50, and are available at Shooting Star Archery, Hayward Bait & Bottle, Hayward Feed & Seed, Hayward Outdoor Gear, and the Sawyer County Record office. For more information, call David LaPorte (715) 558-0380 or Shooting Star Archery (715) 634-8880.
The DNR is holding local Deer Hunter Forums March 26 for Washburn County at Spooner High School, 6:30-8:30 p.m.; March 27 for Sawyer and Price counties at Winter School, 7-9 p.m.; and March 27 for Ashland and Bayfield counties at Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center in Ashland 6:30-8:30 p.m. Through April 12, you can comment at the online herd status summary and survey (search ‘deer hunter forum’ on the DNR website).
The 2013 DNR spring fish and wildlife rules hearing and Conservation Congress meetings start at 7 p.m. Monday April 8. The questionnaire package and list of meeting locations are available on the DNR website.
Visit the World Fishing Network (WFN) website (www.UltimateFishingTown.com) before April 15 to vote for Hayward as the 2013 Ultimate Fishing Town. Hayward could win up to $25,000 for fishing-related purposes.
Snowmobiling continues in the north woods, with reports from Hayward Power Sports and the HLVCB saying Sawyer County trails are in good to excellent condition. In the Cable area of Bayfield County, Lakewoods Resort, Namakagon Trail Groomers, and the Cable Chamber also report good to excellent trail conditions (Bayfield trails are open until April 1).
FISHING REPORT
Reminder: Fishing and hunting licenses for the 2012-13 seasons expire March 31. Licenses for the 2013-14 seasons are now available through DNR service centers, license agents, Online Licensing Center, or call toll-free 1-877-945-4236.
Crappie:
Crappie action is good on most lakes and excellent on the Chippewa Flowage, with best fishing in late afternoon hours. Look for fish suspending over deep water and on wooded flats out to about 25 feet. There is some indication they are inching toward shallower water. As always, and especially this time of year, check the entire water column – the fish can hold at any location, from on the bottom to just under the ice. The most productive baits include crappie minnows, rosy reds, waxies, spikes, plastics, and Gulp! baits on jigs and/or fished under tip-ups and tip-downs.
Bluegill:
Bluegills are suspending around weeds and other structure – often with the crappies – in 6-18 feet of water. Baits of choice include waxies, spikes, plastics, and Gulp! baits. Minnows can help you target larger ‘gills and avoid the bait-robbers. Downsize your line and baits to improve your success.
Perch:
Perch anglers are also catching fish on most area lakes, with best action for bigger fish on the deep, clear lakes. Work depths from 6-25 feet of water near weeds and on mud flats with fatheads, rosy reds, waxies, and plastics on jigs and plain hooks, or try jigging spoons tipped with minnow heads or waxies.
Upcoming Events
March 26: Washburn County deer hunter forum; Spooner High School, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
March 27: Sawyer/Price counties deer hunter forum; Winter School, 7-9 p.m.
March 27: Ashland/Bayfield counties deer hunter forum; Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center, Ashland 6:30-8:30 p.m.
March 30: Trout season opens on designated sections of some Lake Superior tributaries. (See regs.)
March 31: Hunting/fishing licenses expire.
April 6-7: Youth Turkey Hunt.
April 8: Spring Fish and Wildlife Rules Hearings/Conservation Congress meetings.
April 10-16: Period A spring turkey season.
April 15-July 31: Illegal to allow dogs to run on DNR lands and Federal WPA (see regs for exceptions).
April 17-23: Period B spring turkey season.
April 24-30: Period C spring turkey season.
April 28: Early catch-and-release trout season closes at midnight.
April 30: Otter trapping season closes in North Zone.
May 1-7: Period D spring turkey season.
May 8-14: Period E spring turkey season.
May 15-21: Period F spring turkey 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.
Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman
Mother Nature must have finally received the “Spring begins March 20” memo, as this week’s forecast shows highs in the 40s for the entire week – and a chance of rain this Saturday. Do not get too excited quite yet – snow is again on the schedule for next Monday.
“Though this should be a good time for panfish, cold, snowy, windy weather and the removal of ice houses affected fishing interest,” says Pat at Happy Hooker. “Take some time to prepare for open water season – clean your tackle boxes, check rod eyelets for cracks, grease, oil, and re-line reels – and buy your new license now to avoid the last-minute rush!”
Jim at Hayward Bait says there is still some excellent ice fishing ahead, but this is a good time to repair reels and spool new line for the May 4 game fish opener – and last year’s fishing licenses expire March 31.
Guide Dave Dorazio at Outdoor Creations says crappie fishing is still great on the Chippewa Flowage.
“Use your electronics to find schools of fish on the deep, wooded flats in 18-25 feet of water. Most fish are suspending, but some may be near bottom. Plastics on jigs are more efficient when fish are active, but crappie minnows and jigs tipped with waxies or spikes will produce fish.”
Carolyn at Anglers All in Ashland says good ice fishing continues on Chequamegon Bay.
“Most anglers are using snowmobiles or walking. Those who insist they can ‘go anywhere’ with their ATVs give up after burying them a few times. Coho action is good on the hot pond, though it slows when everyone is fishing the same area. There is also decent action off Tern Island across from Shopko for perch, walleye, and northern.”
An audience member at the February panfish meeting asked DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter how length limits would work for panfish.
“There are many studies evaluating how effective these regulations are for panfish, particularly crappie, and biologists can sometimes use minimum length limits to protect fish from harvest until they are a more desirable size for anglers.
“In lakes with fast growth and lots of fishing pressure, minimum length limits can increase the average size of fish. In lakes with slow growth, fish might not reach the minimum length and die of old age before anglers can harvest them.
“Before considering a certain type of regulation, it is very important to have good information on the fish population.”
Hayward Fly Fishing Company recently received a 2012 External Partners Award from the DNR for creel survey work done in the Chippewa, Flambeau, and Namekagon rivers by husband and wife owners/guides Larry Mann and Wendy Williamson, three staff guides, and the local DNR. The company collected the length and weight of all fish they caught this past guiding season.
The Hayward Chapter-Wisconsin Waterfowl Association is selling wood duck houses built by Northern Waters Environmental School students and Chapter members, with proceeds earmarked for local programs and projects. The houses cost $20 each or three for $50, and are available at Shooting Star Archery, Hayward Bait & Bottle, Hayward Feed & Seed, Hayward Outdoor Gear, and the Sawyer County Record office. For more information, call David LaPorte (715) 558-0380 or Shooting Star Archery (715) 634-8880.
The DNR is holding local Deer Hunter Forums March 26 for Washburn County at Spooner High School, 6:30-8:30 p.m.; March 27 for Sawyer and Price counties at Winter School, 7-9 p.m.; and March 27 for Ashland and Bayfield counties at Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center in Ashland 6:30-8:30 p.m. Through April 12, you can comment at the online herd status summary and survey (search ‘deer hunter forum’ on the DNR website).
The 2013 DNR spring fish and wildlife rules hearing and Conservation Congress meetings start at 7 p.m. Monday April 8. The questionnaire package and list of meeting locations are available on the DNR website.
Visit the World Fishing Network (WFN) website (www.UltimateFishingTown.com) before April 15 to vote for Hayward as the 2013 Ultimate Fishing Town. Hayward could win up to $25,000 for fishing-related purposes.
Snowmobiling continues in the north woods, with reports from Hayward Power Sports and the HLVCB saying Sawyer County trails are in good to excellent condition. In the Cable area of Bayfield County, Lakewoods Resort, Namakagon Trail Groomers, and the Cable Chamber also report good to excellent trail conditions (Bayfield trails are open until April 1).
FISHING REPORT
Reminder: Fishing and hunting licenses for the 2012-13 seasons expire March 31. Licenses for the 2013-14 seasons are now available through DNR service centers, license agents, Online Licensing Center, or call toll-free 1-877-945-4236.
Crappie:
Crappie action is good on most lakes and excellent on the Chippewa Flowage, with best fishing in late afternoon hours. Look for fish suspending over deep water and on wooded flats out to about 25 feet. There is some indication they are inching toward shallower water. As always, and especially this time of year, check the entire water column – the fish can hold at any location, from on the bottom to just under the ice. The most productive baits include crappie minnows, rosy reds, waxies, spikes, plastics, and Gulp! baits on jigs and/or fished under tip-ups and tip-downs.
Bluegill:
Bluegills are suspending around weeds and other structure – often with the crappies – in 6-18 feet of water. Baits of choice include waxies, spikes, plastics, and Gulp! baits. Minnows can help you target larger ‘gills and avoid the bait-robbers. Downsize your line and baits to improve your success.
Perch:
Perch anglers are also catching fish on most area lakes, with best action for bigger fish on the deep, clear lakes. Work depths from 6-25 feet of water near weeds and on mud flats with fatheads, rosy reds, waxies, and plastics on jigs and plain hooks, or try jigging spoons tipped with minnow heads or waxies.
Upcoming Events
March 26: Washburn County deer hunter forum; Spooner High School, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
March 27: Sawyer/Price counties deer hunter forum; Winter School, 7-9 p.m.
March 27: Ashland/Bayfield counties deer hunter forum; Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center, Ashland 6:30-8:30 p.m.
March 30: Trout season opens on designated sections of some Lake Superior tributaries. (See regs.)
March 31: Hunting/fishing licenses expire.
April 6-7: Youth Turkey Hunt.
April 8: Spring Fish and Wildlife Rules Hearings/Conservation Congress meetings.
April 10-16: Period A spring turkey season.
April 15-July 31: Illegal to allow dogs to run on DNR lands and Federal WPA (see regs for exceptions).
April 17-23: Period B spring turkey season.
April 24-30: Period C spring turkey season.
April 28: Early catch-and-release trout season closes at midnight.
April 30: Otter trapping season closes in North Zone.
May 1-7: Period D spring turkey season.
May 8-14: Period E spring turkey season.
May 15-21: Period F spring turkey 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.