Hayward Lakes Sherry
05-21-2013, 11:13 AM
FISHING REPORT
Walleye:
Reports on walleye spawning progress differ lake by lake. During the day, fish 8- to 20-foot depths near weeds and structure with walleye suckers, fatheads, shiners, leeches, and crawlers. In low light conditions, work shallower depths (2-10 feet) around shorelines, weed lines, rock bars, points, and moving water with live bait, Rapalas, and crankbaits.
Northern:
Northern fishing is fair to very good in shallower, warmer water near weeds and anywhere holding panfish. Northern suckers work best, but spinners, spinnerbaits, stickbaits, crankbaits, and minnow baits will also catch pike while enabling anglers to cover more water, more quickly.
Bass:
Bass action is good (but catch-and-release only in Northern Bass Zone) until June 15. For largemouth, fish shallower, warmer water with plastic worms, spinnerbaits, jigs/plastics, crankbaits, and live bait near weeds, docks, and drop-offs. For smallmouth, work shallow rock bars, breaks, and points with leeches, fatheads, jerkbaits, and tubes.
Crappie:
Crappie fishing is very good and fish are spawning or near spawning in most area waters. Look for them in shallow water areas (3-12 feet) with green weeds and/or dark bottoms. Crappie minnows, fatheads, waxies, and plastics on plain hooks or jigs, fished with or without bobbers, are all effective crappie baits.
Bluegill:
Bluegill action is somewhat slow, though anglers are catching fish near weeds, brush, and cribs in 3-10 feet of water. Waxies, leaf worms, plastics, and Gulp! baits on plain hooks or jigs, with or without a bobber, will all work for bluegills.
Upcoming Events
May 25: Muskie season opens in the Northern Muskie Zone.
May 31-June 2: Winter Area Armed Forces Fish Fest (715-266-4203; 492-6407).
June 1-2: Free Fishing Weekend.
June 1: Free Kids Fishing Derby (715-634-4821).
June 7: Flambeau River State Forest headquarters open house (715-332-5271).
June 15: Bass harvest season opens in Northern Bass Zone.
June 20-23: 64th Annual Musky Festival (715-634-8662).
Through July 31: Illegal to allow dogs to run on DNR lands and Federal WPA (see regs for exceptions).
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:
Reports on walleye spawning progress differ lake by lake. During the day, fish 8- to 20-foot depths near weeds and structure with walleye suckers, fatheads, shiners, leeches, and crawlers. In low light conditions, work shallower depths (2-10 feet) around shorelines, weed lines, rock bars, points, and moving water with live bait, Rapalas, and crankbaits.
Northern:
Northern fishing is fair to very good in shallower, warmer water near weeds and anywhere holding panfish. Northern suckers work best, but spinners, spinnerbaits, stickbaits, crankbaits, and minnow baits will also catch pike while enabling anglers to cover more water, more quickly.
Bass:
Bass action is good (but catch-and-release only in Northern Bass Zone) until June 15. For largemouth, fish shallower, warmer water with plastic worms, spinnerbaits, jigs/plastics, crankbaits, and live bait near weeds, docks, and drop-offs. For smallmouth, work shallow rock bars, breaks, and points with leeches, fatheads, jerkbaits, and tubes.
Crappie:
Crappie fishing is very good and fish are spawning or near spawning in most area waters. Look for them in shallow water areas (3-12 feet) with green weeds and/or dark bottoms. Crappie minnows, fatheads, waxies, and plastics on plain hooks or jigs, fished with or without bobbers, are all effective crappie baits.
Bluegill:
Bluegill action is somewhat slow, though anglers are catching fish near weeds, brush, and cribs in 3-10 feet of water. Waxies, leaf worms, plastics, and Gulp! baits on plain hooks or jigs, with or without a bobber, will all work for bluegills.
Upcoming Events
May 25: Muskie season opens in the Northern Muskie Zone.
May 31-June 2: Winter Area Armed Forces Fish Fest (715-266-4203; 492-6407).
June 1-2: Free Fishing Weekend.
June 1: Free Kids Fishing Derby (715-634-4821).
June 7: Flambeau River State Forest headquarters open house (715-332-5271).
June 15: Bass harvest season opens in Northern Bass Zone.
June 20-23: 64th Annual Musky Festival (715-634-8662).
Through July 31: Illegal to allow dogs to run on DNR lands and Federal WPA (see regs for exceptions).
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.