Hayward Lakes Sherry
12-30-2013, 10:07 AM
December 30, 2013
Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman
The North Woods received a brief break from frigid weather at the end of last week, but the week ahead, particularly through Wednesday, is not for the faint of heart – or those prone to cold feet! Forecast subzero nighttime lows range from -8 to -24 degrees (not wind chill), with daytime highs through Tuesday not breaking zero.
Happy New Year!
“If you recall last year,” says Pat at Happy Hooker, “it was mid-January before anglers could take to the lakes. This year, there is already excellent snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing.
“Walleye fishing is good, with a consistent evening bite. Best fishing is with medium shiners or suckers under tip-ups in 10-15 feet of water near structure. You can catch northern pike in the weeds with shiners and northern suckers under tip-ups. Anglers are picking up a few crappies and perch, but most report only fair action.”
Jim at Hayward Bait says deer hunting season is nearing the end and they are not registering many deer at this time.
“A lot of snow in the woods makes it challenging to get around. We are also hearing very little from grouse hunters.
“Ice conditions vary from lake to lake and on different parts of the same lake. The deep, clear lakes, such as LCO, Grindstone, and Round, seem to have the best ice conditions, with a consistent depth of 12 or more inches. Slush areas are making travel difficult on the Chippewa Flowage, Nelson, and some smaller lakes, and ice thickness on these lakes is very inconsistent, with depths varying from five to 12 inches. Use caution and check conditions on a frequent basis.
“Anglers report very good walleye success on Nelson, Round, Grindstone, and LCO. Fish rocks, gravel, and cribs in 12-25 feet with walleye suckers under tip-ups and jigging spoons with minnow heads.
“For northern, fish large suckers or shiners under tip-ups on weeds and weedlines in 7-20 feet of water. Crappies are suspending 5-10 feet off bottom in deep water. Use jigs tipped with crappie minnows, rosy reds, or waxies.”
Guide Dave Dorazio at Outdoor Creations says the marked snowmobile trails on the Chippewa Flowage are safe for travel, but if you venture off the trails, you might find slush and marginal ice. Be careful – think safety first!
“Northern pike anglers are catching some nice fish on deep weed edges with five- to eight-inch sucker minnows on tip-ups.
“Panfish anglers are doing well – use your electronics to find fish and then drill lots of holes! For crappies, try crappie minnows on plain hook/spit shot rigs, but jigs with waxies or plastics are more productive.
“There are some decent bluegills mixed in with the crappies and you can catch them by downsizing jigs and tipping them with waxies or spikes.”
Carolyn at Anglers All in Ashland says the Ashland side of Chequamegon Bay is in good shape despite the 31 inches of snow.
“The landings are likely to be slushy where the snow drifted, but snow depths are less as you get further out in the Bay. Snowmobiles are probably the best bet. There is no road system, though some anglers plowed out to their shacks.
“The Washburn side is slushy, but with no slush on the north side of Houghton Point. Anglers are walking off Bodin’s and maybe, by now, the Sioux and Onion rivers. Fishing is good, with anglers catching numerous brown trout off Bodin’s in about 30 feet of water. On the Ashland side, anglers report mixed bags.
“Take a spud – AND flotation – and check your way.”
In the past week, Hayward area registration stations (Shooting Star, Hillman’s Store, Hayward Bait) registered six antlerless deer and three bucks for the late archery deer season that closes January 5.
All Wisconsin wolf harvest zones closed to harvest December 23 with the closing of Zone 3. Statewide, the season harvest totaled 257 animals.
The Hayward Lakes Visitors & Convention Bureau snowmobile trail report for December 26 says there is plenty of snow, with all trails groomed except the LCO loop between Grindstone Lake and the LCO Casino. There are some ice heaves here and there, especially on Lac Courte Oreilles, and many stumps exposed on Chippewa Flowage due to the very low lake level. The Sawyer County Snowmobile and ATV Alliance will not groom Trail 63 from Boedeker Road north to the intersection of trails 70 and 73 by Cable and snowmobilers should take the alternate route. The Sawyer County and surrounding county trails have some of the best trail conditions we have seen in a long time!
The December 23 Cable Area snowmobile trails report says there is 24 inches of snow in the forest and a solid nine-inch base on the trails. The Namakagon Trail and Drummond Sno Jacks groomers are busy keeping up with the snowfall and traffic and all trails are in good to very good condition.
FISHING REPORT
Walleye:
Walleye action is good to very good and the top draw at this time. Look for fish in 10-25 feet of water near deep water drops off flats and structure such as gravel, rocks, and cribs. Walleye suckers and shiners under tip-ups work well, as do minnow heads on jigging spoons.
Northern:
Northern pike fishing is fair to good. Look for fish on weeds, weedlines, deep weed edges in 8-22 feet of water, and anywhere you find panfish. The go-to presentation is northern suckers and large shiners fished under tip-ups.
Crappie:
Crappie action is fair to good -- ‘finding’ fish is the key to success. Crappies are suspending in deep water, a few feet off bottom. Use you electronics and check the entire water column. Baits of choice include crappie minnows, rosy reds, waxies, plastics, and Gulp! baits on small jigs, treble hooks, and single hook split shot rigs.
Bluegill:
Bluegill action is slow to fair according to the very few anglers pursuing ‘gills at this time. Look for fish suspending over deeper water, often in with crappies. Waxies and spikes on small jigs work best and downsizing tackle and baits will pay dividends with the current soft bite.
Perch:
Perch anglers report ‘fair’ action, with fish on deeper weed edges and in areas holding walleye. For best results, tip ice jigs or small treble hooks with crappie minnows, fatheads, rosy reds, or waxies.
Upcoming Events
Dec. 25: Period 1 bobcat season closed.
Dec. 26: Period 2 bobcat season opened north of Hwy 64.
Dec. 31: Seasons Close: Pheasant; Turkey (zones 1-5); Fisher; Frog; Hungarian partridge.
Jan. 5: Late archery deer season closes.
Jan. 5: Relic Rider’s Paul Wick Memorial Snowmobile Ride; 1 p.m., Anglers Haven Resort.
Jan. 11: Relic Rider’s Sno-Trails Vintage Stud Run on Chippewa Flowage.
Jan. 18-19: Free Fishing Weekend.
Jan. 18: Winter crow season opens.
Jan. 18: Relic Rider’s Vintage & Antique Snowmobile Show at Chief Lake Lodge.
Jan. 31: Seasons close: Ruffed grouse (Northern Zone); Squirrel; Bobcat (Period 2).
Feb. 15: Seasons close: Fox trapping; Coyote trapping; Raccoon hunting/trapping.
Feb. 20-23: American Birkebeiner (715-634-5025).
Feb. 28: Seasons close: Mink trapping; Muskrat trapping; Cottontail rabbit.
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
The North Woods received a brief break from frigid weather at the end of last week, but the week ahead, particularly through Wednesday, is not for the faint of heart – or those prone to cold feet! Forecast subzero nighttime lows range from -8 to -24 degrees (not wind chill), with daytime highs through Tuesday not breaking zero.
Happy New Year!
“If you recall last year,” says Pat at Happy Hooker, “it was mid-January before anglers could take to the lakes. This year, there is already excellent snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing.
“Walleye fishing is good, with a consistent evening bite. Best fishing is with medium shiners or suckers under tip-ups in 10-15 feet of water near structure. You can catch northern pike in the weeds with shiners and northern suckers under tip-ups. Anglers are picking up a few crappies and perch, but most report only fair action.”
Jim at Hayward Bait says deer hunting season is nearing the end and they are not registering many deer at this time.
“A lot of snow in the woods makes it challenging to get around. We are also hearing very little from grouse hunters.
“Ice conditions vary from lake to lake and on different parts of the same lake. The deep, clear lakes, such as LCO, Grindstone, and Round, seem to have the best ice conditions, with a consistent depth of 12 or more inches. Slush areas are making travel difficult on the Chippewa Flowage, Nelson, and some smaller lakes, and ice thickness on these lakes is very inconsistent, with depths varying from five to 12 inches. Use caution and check conditions on a frequent basis.
“Anglers report very good walleye success on Nelson, Round, Grindstone, and LCO. Fish rocks, gravel, and cribs in 12-25 feet with walleye suckers under tip-ups and jigging spoons with minnow heads.
“For northern, fish large suckers or shiners under tip-ups on weeds and weedlines in 7-20 feet of water. Crappies are suspending 5-10 feet off bottom in deep water. Use jigs tipped with crappie minnows, rosy reds, or waxies.”
Guide Dave Dorazio at Outdoor Creations says the marked snowmobile trails on the Chippewa Flowage are safe for travel, but if you venture off the trails, you might find slush and marginal ice. Be careful – think safety first!
“Northern pike anglers are catching some nice fish on deep weed edges with five- to eight-inch sucker minnows on tip-ups.
“Panfish anglers are doing well – use your electronics to find fish and then drill lots of holes! For crappies, try crappie minnows on plain hook/spit shot rigs, but jigs with waxies or plastics are more productive.
“There are some decent bluegills mixed in with the crappies and you can catch them by downsizing jigs and tipping them with waxies or spikes.”
Carolyn at Anglers All in Ashland says the Ashland side of Chequamegon Bay is in good shape despite the 31 inches of snow.
“The landings are likely to be slushy where the snow drifted, but snow depths are less as you get further out in the Bay. Snowmobiles are probably the best bet. There is no road system, though some anglers plowed out to their shacks.
“The Washburn side is slushy, but with no slush on the north side of Houghton Point. Anglers are walking off Bodin’s and maybe, by now, the Sioux and Onion rivers. Fishing is good, with anglers catching numerous brown trout off Bodin’s in about 30 feet of water. On the Ashland side, anglers report mixed bags.
“Take a spud – AND flotation – and check your way.”
In the past week, Hayward area registration stations (Shooting Star, Hillman’s Store, Hayward Bait) registered six antlerless deer and three bucks for the late archery deer season that closes January 5.
All Wisconsin wolf harvest zones closed to harvest December 23 with the closing of Zone 3. Statewide, the season harvest totaled 257 animals.
The Hayward Lakes Visitors & Convention Bureau snowmobile trail report for December 26 says there is plenty of snow, with all trails groomed except the LCO loop between Grindstone Lake and the LCO Casino. There are some ice heaves here and there, especially on Lac Courte Oreilles, and many stumps exposed on Chippewa Flowage due to the very low lake level. The Sawyer County Snowmobile and ATV Alliance will not groom Trail 63 from Boedeker Road north to the intersection of trails 70 and 73 by Cable and snowmobilers should take the alternate route. The Sawyer County and surrounding county trails have some of the best trail conditions we have seen in a long time!
The December 23 Cable Area snowmobile trails report says there is 24 inches of snow in the forest and a solid nine-inch base on the trails. The Namakagon Trail and Drummond Sno Jacks groomers are busy keeping up with the snowfall and traffic and all trails are in good to very good condition.
FISHING REPORT
Walleye:
Walleye action is good to very good and the top draw at this time. Look for fish in 10-25 feet of water near deep water drops off flats and structure such as gravel, rocks, and cribs. Walleye suckers and shiners under tip-ups work well, as do minnow heads on jigging spoons.
Northern:
Northern pike fishing is fair to good. Look for fish on weeds, weedlines, deep weed edges in 8-22 feet of water, and anywhere you find panfish. The go-to presentation is northern suckers and large shiners fished under tip-ups.
Crappie:
Crappie action is fair to good -- ‘finding’ fish is the key to success. Crappies are suspending in deep water, a few feet off bottom. Use you electronics and check the entire water column. Baits of choice include crappie minnows, rosy reds, waxies, plastics, and Gulp! baits on small jigs, treble hooks, and single hook split shot rigs.
Bluegill:
Bluegill action is slow to fair according to the very few anglers pursuing ‘gills at this time. Look for fish suspending over deeper water, often in with crappies. Waxies and spikes on small jigs work best and downsizing tackle and baits will pay dividends with the current soft bite.
Perch:
Perch anglers report ‘fair’ action, with fish on deeper weed edges and in areas holding walleye. For best results, tip ice jigs or small treble hooks with crappie minnows, fatheads, rosy reds, or waxies.
Upcoming Events
Dec. 25: Period 1 bobcat season closed.
Dec. 26: Period 2 bobcat season opened north of Hwy 64.
Dec. 31: Seasons Close: Pheasant; Turkey (zones 1-5); Fisher; Frog; Hungarian partridge.
Jan. 5: Late archery deer season closes.
Jan. 5: Relic Rider’s Paul Wick Memorial Snowmobile Ride; 1 p.m., Anglers Haven Resort.
Jan. 11: Relic Rider’s Sno-Trails Vintage Stud Run on Chippewa Flowage.
Jan. 18-19: Free Fishing Weekend.
Jan. 18: Winter crow season opens.
Jan. 18: Relic Rider’s Vintage & Antique Snowmobile Show at Chief Lake Lodge.
Jan. 31: Seasons close: Ruffed grouse (Northern Zone); Squirrel; Bobcat (Period 2).
Feb. 15: Seasons close: Fox trapping; Coyote trapping; Raccoon hunting/trapping.
Feb. 20-23: American Birkebeiner (715-634-5025).
Feb. 28: Seasons close: Mink trapping; Muskrat trapping; Cottontail rabbit.
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.