Hayward Lakes Sherry
06-03-2014, 08:44 AM
June 2, 2014
Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman
This week, the North Woods should see cooler, more seasonal temperatures, along with a few rain showers. Mosquitoes and ticks are abundant this spring – remember to bring bug repellent!
“Fishing season and is off to a good start,” says Pat at Happy Hooker, “with anglers concentrating on shallow water.
“Fish muskies on weedlines with smaller lures and slower retrieves. For walleyes, fish minnows or plastics on jigs at varying depths.
“Catch largemouth near weeds and docks with jigs and minnows or plastics. Smallmouth are on rock and gravel. Panfish are in the shallows. Use crappie minnows and plastics for crappies and waxies and plastics for bluegills.”
Guide Dave Dorazio at Outdoor Creations says Chippewa Flowage muskie action is good on weeds with smaller bucktails and minnow baits.
“Fish walleyes with fatheads, leeches, and crawlers in 15-18 feet of water on wood and brush near river channels. Northern pike and largemouth bass are shallow, taking spinner and minnow baits.
“Catch crappies with crappie minnows, waxies, and plastics in 1-3 feet of water on brush and trees. For bluegills, use small jigs with plastics, waxies, or leaf worms.”
Jim at Hayward Bait says muskie fishing is good in shallower water with bucktails, gliders, and plastics.
“Walleye action is good with leeches, crawlers, and minnows on jigs and Lindy rigs, and crankbaits. Largemouth are shallow, taking plastic worms, topwaters, crankbaits, crawlers, and leeches. Catch smallmouth in 15 feet with crankbaits, stickbaits, tubes, jigs, leeches, and crawlers.
“For shallow panfish, use minnows and plastics for crappies, and waxies, worms, crawlers, and plastics for bluegills.”
Mike at Jenk’s says muskies are spawning on the Chippewa Flowage and bucktails and smaller Bull Dawgs are the baits of choice this week.
“Walleyes are moving to sunken bogs and brush and still taking minnows, but anglers are making the switch to leeches. Northern pike are becoming more active on artificials.
“Crappies started moving onto the beds are in a feeding frenzy, with live bait or Mini-Mites best.”
Jim at Minnow Jim’s says Nelson Lake fishing is good for largemouth bass on plastic worms near shore and for northern pike on northern suckers in deeper water and near bluegills.
“Walleyes are taking fatheads on jigs and leeches under slip bobbers. In the evening, troll crankbaits along rocky points and weedlines.
“Fish crappies in brush in 8-20 feet with Tattle-Tails, Mini-Mites, and crappie minnows. Fish bluegills on beds with waxies, worms, and plastics.”
Carolyn at Anglers All in Ashland says fishing is super on Chequamegon Bay.
“Smallmouth are pre-spawn and fished primarily in Sand Cut and Brush Point shallows with plastics on jigs or hooks worked slowly. Anglers drifting the shallows off Ashland are catching walleyes on crawler harnesses.
“Trout and salmon anglers report success flat-lining stickbaits from Long Island to Houghton Point and among the Islands. Watch the ice flows – they keep hanging on outside the bay!”
This week, DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter discusses “trophy” fish.
“The American Fisheries Society (AFS), the scientific organization for fish biology, maintains standards for what is considered trophy fish, with cut-offs for most species.
“The cut-offs, typically calculated as 80 percent of the world record, are as follows: muskie 50 inches; northern pike 44 inches; walleye 30 inches; largemouth bass 25 inches; smallmouth bass 20 inches; brown trout 18 inches; bullhead 18 inches (!); black crappie 15 inches; bluegill and pumpkinseed 12 inches.”
DNR fisheries biologist Skip Sommerfeldt says warming water temperatures are providing great fishing action.
“Walleye success is good on jigs and minnows, with crankbaits along shorelines producing decent catches. Northern pike are active near weed beds.
“The quick warm-up brought bass and panfish into the shallows. Crappies are in various nesting stages, while bluegill and pumpkinseed are starting to concentrate near the shallows.”
This month’s Hayward Lakes Chapter Muskies, Inc. meeting is Tuesday, June 3, at Beer Bellies Bar and Grill, 10 miles east of Hayward on Hwy 77. The general meeting at 7 p.m. includes a presentation on muskie fishing the Chippewa Flowage through the seasons by local guide Pete Rich. Admission is free, the public is welcome, and new members can purchase an annual membership for half price! For more information, call Mike Persson (715) 634-4543.
During Free Fun Weekend in Wisconsin June 7-8, you can fish anywhere in Wisconsin (including inland trout and Great Lakes trout and salmon fishing), visit state parks and forests, hike or bike state trails, and ride public ATV trails all for free! For more information, search “free fun weekend” on the DNR website.
FISHING REPORT
Muskie:
Muskie action is good near weeds and spawning panfish out to about 15 feet of water. This is a good time to throw smaller muskie baits with “less hurried” retrieves. Top baits include bucktails, twitch baits, minnow baits, Bull Dawgs, crankbaits, glide baits, and plastics, and some anglers are dragging smaller muskie suckers if they can find them.
Walleye:
Walleye action is good, but best during low light conditions, and depths can range from 4-20 feet. Look for weeds, wood, brush, bogs, humps, stumps, and rock. Jigs and fatheads are best, but the switch is on to crawlers and leeches. Other presentations include cast and trolled crank, minnow, and stick baits, and Rapalas along shallow shorelines in the evening.
Northern:
Northern action is very good in depths out to about 10 feet near weeds and spawning panfish. Northern suckers are the primary choice at this time, but as the water warms, they will be more receptive to spinners, spinnerbaits, spoons, crank and minnow baits. For trophy pike, fish deeper water with larger baits.
Largemouth Bass:
Largemouth have just started their spawning and you can find them near weeds and docks in shallow water. The most productive baits include spinner and minnow baits, crankbaits, plastic worms (in various riggings), topwaters, crawlers, and leeches.
Smallmouth Bass:
Smallmouth fishing in the Northern Zone remains catch-and-release only until June 21. You can find them on rock, gravel, and drop-offs in depths to 18 feet. Baits of choice include jigs tipped with plastics or minnows, spinnerbaits, stickbaits, minnow baits, crankbaits, tubes, Texas- and wacky-rigged plastic worms, leeches, and crawlers.
Crappie:
Crappie action is at or near peak, with fish on their spawning beds in shallow water on many, if not most, lakes. Look for them in the shallows near brush, wood, and weeds, as well as suspending in deeper water. Crappie minnows, waxies, plastics, and small jigs in various configurations, fished with or without bobbers, will all catch crappie at this time.
Bluegill:
Bluegills are also heading to their shallow water spawning areas, if not already on them. Easy to find and easy to catch, the ‘gills are providing excellent fishing opportunities. Top producing baits include small jigs with waxies, plastics, leaf worms, crawler chunks, and surface baits.
Upcoming Events
June 3: Hayward Lakes Chapter Muskies, Inc. meeting at Beer Bellies (715-634-4543.)
June 7-8: Free Fishing Weekend/Free Fun Weekend.
June 7: The Fun of Fishing – learn the basic skills of fishing; Flambeau River State Forest (715-332-5271).
June 19-22: 65th Annual Musky Festival (715-634-8662).
June 20-21: 8th Annual Shue’s Pond Family Fishing; noon-4 p.m.
June 21: Smallmouth bass season opens in Northern Zone.
June 29: Hayward Bass Club Round Lakes Open (715-699-1015).
Through July 31: Illegal to allow dogs to run on DNR lands and Federal WPA (see regs for exceptions).
Hayward Lakes Visitor and Convention Bureau and Sawyer County Record co-sponsor this report. For more information on area events and activities, visit the HLVCB’s Calendar of Events or call 800-724-2992.
Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman
This week, the North Woods should see cooler, more seasonal temperatures, along with a few rain showers. Mosquitoes and ticks are abundant this spring – remember to bring bug repellent!
“Fishing season and is off to a good start,” says Pat at Happy Hooker, “with anglers concentrating on shallow water.
“Fish muskies on weedlines with smaller lures and slower retrieves. For walleyes, fish minnows or plastics on jigs at varying depths.
“Catch largemouth near weeds and docks with jigs and minnows or plastics. Smallmouth are on rock and gravel. Panfish are in the shallows. Use crappie minnows and plastics for crappies and waxies and plastics for bluegills.”
Guide Dave Dorazio at Outdoor Creations says Chippewa Flowage muskie action is good on weeds with smaller bucktails and minnow baits.
“Fish walleyes with fatheads, leeches, and crawlers in 15-18 feet of water on wood and brush near river channels. Northern pike and largemouth bass are shallow, taking spinner and minnow baits.
“Catch crappies with crappie minnows, waxies, and plastics in 1-3 feet of water on brush and trees. For bluegills, use small jigs with plastics, waxies, or leaf worms.”
Jim at Hayward Bait says muskie fishing is good in shallower water with bucktails, gliders, and plastics.
“Walleye action is good with leeches, crawlers, and minnows on jigs and Lindy rigs, and crankbaits. Largemouth are shallow, taking plastic worms, topwaters, crankbaits, crawlers, and leeches. Catch smallmouth in 15 feet with crankbaits, stickbaits, tubes, jigs, leeches, and crawlers.
“For shallow panfish, use minnows and plastics for crappies, and waxies, worms, crawlers, and plastics for bluegills.”
Mike at Jenk’s says muskies are spawning on the Chippewa Flowage and bucktails and smaller Bull Dawgs are the baits of choice this week.
“Walleyes are moving to sunken bogs and brush and still taking minnows, but anglers are making the switch to leeches. Northern pike are becoming more active on artificials.
“Crappies started moving onto the beds are in a feeding frenzy, with live bait or Mini-Mites best.”
Jim at Minnow Jim’s says Nelson Lake fishing is good for largemouth bass on plastic worms near shore and for northern pike on northern suckers in deeper water and near bluegills.
“Walleyes are taking fatheads on jigs and leeches under slip bobbers. In the evening, troll crankbaits along rocky points and weedlines.
“Fish crappies in brush in 8-20 feet with Tattle-Tails, Mini-Mites, and crappie minnows. Fish bluegills on beds with waxies, worms, and plastics.”
Carolyn at Anglers All in Ashland says fishing is super on Chequamegon Bay.
“Smallmouth are pre-spawn and fished primarily in Sand Cut and Brush Point shallows with plastics on jigs or hooks worked slowly. Anglers drifting the shallows off Ashland are catching walleyes on crawler harnesses.
“Trout and salmon anglers report success flat-lining stickbaits from Long Island to Houghton Point and among the Islands. Watch the ice flows – they keep hanging on outside the bay!”
This week, DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter discusses “trophy” fish.
“The American Fisheries Society (AFS), the scientific organization for fish biology, maintains standards for what is considered trophy fish, with cut-offs for most species.
“The cut-offs, typically calculated as 80 percent of the world record, are as follows: muskie 50 inches; northern pike 44 inches; walleye 30 inches; largemouth bass 25 inches; smallmouth bass 20 inches; brown trout 18 inches; bullhead 18 inches (!); black crappie 15 inches; bluegill and pumpkinseed 12 inches.”
DNR fisheries biologist Skip Sommerfeldt says warming water temperatures are providing great fishing action.
“Walleye success is good on jigs and minnows, with crankbaits along shorelines producing decent catches. Northern pike are active near weed beds.
“The quick warm-up brought bass and panfish into the shallows. Crappies are in various nesting stages, while bluegill and pumpkinseed are starting to concentrate near the shallows.”
This month’s Hayward Lakes Chapter Muskies, Inc. meeting is Tuesday, June 3, at Beer Bellies Bar and Grill, 10 miles east of Hayward on Hwy 77. The general meeting at 7 p.m. includes a presentation on muskie fishing the Chippewa Flowage through the seasons by local guide Pete Rich. Admission is free, the public is welcome, and new members can purchase an annual membership for half price! For more information, call Mike Persson (715) 634-4543.
During Free Fun Weekend in Wisconsin June 7-8, you can fish anywhere in Wisconsin (including inland trout and Great Lakes trout and salmon fishing), visit state parks and forests, hike or bike state trails, and ride public ATV trails all for free! For more information, search “free fun weekend” on the DNR website.
FISHING REPORT
Muskie:
Muskie action is good near weeds and spawning panfish out to about 15 feet of water. This is a good time to throw smaller muskie baits with “less hurried” retrieves. Top baits include bucktails, twitch baits, minnow baits, Bull Dawgs, crankbaits, glide baits, and plastics, and some anglers are dragging smaller muskie suckers if they can find them.
Walleye:
Walleye action is good, but best during low light conditions, and depths can range from 4-20 feet. Look for weeds, wood, brush, bogs, humps, stumps, and rock. Jigs and fatheads are best, but the switch is on to crawlers and leeches. Other presentations include cast and trolled crank, minnow, and stick baits, and Rapalas along shallow shorelines in the evening.
Northern:
Northern action is very good in depths out to about 10 feet near weeds and spawning panfish. Northern suckers are the primary choice at this time, but as the water warms, they will be more receptive to spinners, spinnerbaits, spoons, crank and minnow baits. For trophy pike, fish deeper water with larger baits.
Largemouth Bass:
Largemouth have just started their spawning and you can find them near weeds and docks in shallow water. The most productive baits include spinner and minnow baits, crankbaits, plastic worms (in various riggings), topwaters, crawlers, and leeches.
Smallmouth Bass:
Smallmouth fishing in the Northern Zone remains catch-and-release only until June 21. You can find them on rock, gravel, and drop-offs in depths to 18 feet. Baits of choice include jigs tipped with plastics or minnows, spinnerbaits, stickbaits, minnow baits, crankbaits, tubes, Texas- and wacky-rigged plastic worms, leeches, and crawlers.
Crappie:
Crappie action is at or near peak, with fish on their spawning beds in shallow water on many, if not most, lakes. Look for them in the shallows near brush, wood, and weeds, as well as suspending in deeper water. Crappie minnows, waxies, plastics, and small jigs in various configurations, fished with or without bobbers, will all catch crappie at this time.
Bluegill:
Bluegills are also heading to their shallow water spawning areas, if not already on them. Easy to find and easy to catch, the ‘gills are providing excellent fishing opportunities. Top producing baits include small jigs with waxies, plastics, leaf worms, crawler chunks, and surface baits.
Upcoming Events
June 3: Hayward Lakes Chapter Muskies, Inc. meeting at Beer Bellies (715-634-4543.)
June 7-8: Free Fishing Weekend/Free Fun Weekend.
June 7: The Fun of Fishing – learn the basic skills of fishing; Flambeau River State Forest (715-332-5271).
June 19-22: 65th Annual Musky Festival (715-634-8662).
June 20-21: 8th Annual Shue’s Pond Family Fishing; noon-4 p.m.
June 21: Smallmouth bass season opens in Northern Zone.
June 29: Hayward Bass Club Round Lakes Open (715-699-1015).
Through July 31: Illegal to allow dogs to run on DNR lands and Federal WPA (see regs for exceptions).
Hayward Lakes Visitor and Convention Bureau and Sawyer County Record co-sponsor this report. For more information on area events and activities, visit the HLVCB’s Calendar of Events or call 800-724-2992.