Hayward Lakes Sherry
07-29-2014, 09:34 AM
July 28, 2014
Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman
The cooler days and nights continue in the North Woods, with highs in the 70s, lows in the lower 50s, and (currently) all chances of rain at less than 30 percent throughout the week!
“Cold fronts slowed fishing,” says Pat at Happy Hooker, “but fishing remains good overall.
“Fish muskies along weedline edges with medium size gold-bladed black bucktails or topwaters. For walleyes, use jigs tipped with leeches or crawlers in 12-15 feet in weeds near sand or gravel.
“Use plastic worms and topwaters for largemouth in shallow, heavy cover. Fish smallmouth in deeper water with minnow or crayfish imitations. For bigger panfish, work crappie minnows and plastics under slip bobbers along weed edges in 6-10 feet.”
Guide Dave Dorazio at Outdoor Creations says Chippewa Flowage muskie action is good on bucktails and topwaters at dusk and during incoming fronts.
“Fish walleyes on bogs and brush in 12-22 feet with crawlers and leeches on slip bobbers. Catch pike on spoons and spinnerbaits.
“Work thick weeds on the west side with weedless frogs for largemouth. Work rock and wood on the east side with jigs and plastics for smallmouth. Fish crappies and bluegills in brush and cribs in 12-24 feet with crappie minnows and jig/tube combos.”
Jim at Hayward Bait says muskies on weed beds in 8-15 feet are hitting bucktails and spinnerbaits.
“Fish walleyes on gravel bars and mid-lake structure in 15-30 feet with leeches and crawlers on slip bobbers or Lindy Rigs. Catch northern on weedlines in 5-15 feet with suckers, spinners, and spoons.
“Largemouth action is good in shallow weeds with plastics, topwaters, and buzz baits. Fish smallmouth in 15-25 feet with leeches, crawlers, walleye suckers, and crankbaits. Take suspending crappies with minnows, waxies, and plastics on jigs or slip bobbers.”
Mike at Jenk’s says muskies are short-hitting baits and not connecting.
“Try new spots and baits they haven’t seen in awhile. Fish walleyes on bars and weed edges at night and sunken brush during the day with leeches, crawlers, and Beetle Spins. Catch pike on spinnerbaits and spoons on bars and weed edges.
“Largemouth are hitting spinners, rubber frogs, and crankbaits on rocks and stumps. Fish smallmouth on bars in 8-12 feet with crawlers. For crappies on the bogs, use minnows, Mini-Mites, and tube jigs.”
Jim at Minnow Jim’s says Nelson Lake walleye angers are working the channel with Rapalas and jigging with leeches and minnows.
“Pike action is decent near weed beds and bay openings with buzz, spinner, and stick baits. Bass fishing is good along weed beds and rock bars with crawfish color baits and plastics with red or green flecks, spinners, and poppers. For panfish, use dressed jigs with waxies, worms, or leeches.”
Carolyn at Anglers All in Ashland says smallmouth are in the shallows (try topwaters) and rock pile, break wall, and Long Island.
“Walleye action continues in the shallows during low light hours, with anglers trolling stickbaits over weed beds and humps.
“Trout action is hot from Long Island to Outer Island, in the Flats, and out of Saxon Harbor. Anglers are taking lake trout on spoons and Spin-N-Glos during the day and stickbaits in the shallows during low light hours.”
This week, DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter discusses the bowfin.
“Anglers fishing Red Cedar drainage (Red Cedar, Chetac, Long) may encounter bowfin (aka dogfish, grindle), a prehistoric looking fish with a long, ribbon-like dorsal fin making some people think they caught an eel. Native to Wisconsin, bowfin look similar to snakehead, an invasive species now established in the eastern U.S. and middle Mississippi.
“Bowfins provide quite a fight when hooked on the same lures as for bass and pike. Male bowfins aggressively guard their fry, with rare reports they launch themselves onto shore to attack predators threatening their young.”
DNR fisheries biologist Skip Sommerfeldt says muskie anglers are seeing some nice fish on bucktails and Bull Dawg-type baits.
“Walleye fishing is consistent with crawlers and leeches under slip bobbers fished on mid-depth rock bars and deep weed edges. Pike action is good along weed edges.
“Fish largemouth on docks, logs, bogs, reeds, and stumps with plastics and topwaters. Catch smallmouth near mid-depth cover with finesse plastics. Panfish on deeper mud flats and weed edges are taking waxies and crawlers under slip bobbers.”
Hayward Rod & Gun Club is hosting Project Appleseed's family friendly Rifle Marksmanship and American Heritage Clinic Aug. 9-10. Registration begins at 8 a.m. and the clinic runs from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. both days. Fees are $60 for adults 18 and older and $20 for youth under 18. For more information, visit www.appleseedinfo.org.
The Hayward Lakes Chapter Muskies, Inc. annual free Kid’s Fishing Day on Tiger Cat Flowage is Sunday August 3, from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at Beer Bellies. Young anglers 10-16 years of age fish with knowledgeable muskie anglers until noon shore lunch and prize distribution. Pre-register at Hayward Bait (required) and a parent or guardian must be present to sign the registration form. For more information or to volunteer, contact Mike Persson (715) 634-4543.
FISHING REPORT
Muskie:
Muskie action slowed, but anglers fishing bucktails, Bull Dawgs, gliders, spinnerbaits, plastics, topwaters, and suckers are catching fish on weedlines/weed edges in 8-15 feet during late evening and dropping barometric pressure.
Walleye:
Walleye action is best in 8-30 feet of water near weed edges, sand, gravel, brush, bogs, bars, rock, and mid-lake structure. Try leeches and crawlers on jigs, split shot rigs, and under slip bobbers, and Beetle Spins, crankbaits, and stickbaits.
Northern Pike:
Northern action is good on weeds and weed edges, bars and bay openings in 4-18 feet of water. Top baits include suckers, spinners, spinnerbaits, spoons, bucktails, crankbaits, and stickbaits. For trophy pike, go deeper with larger baits.
Largemouth Bass:
Largemouth action is good to excellent in shallow, thick weeds, wood, brush, bogs, rocks, docks, and lily pads with plastics, crankbaits, spinners/spinnerbaits, jigs, buzz baits, and topwaters.
Smallmouth Bass:
Smallmouth moved to deeper sand, rock, and gravel bottoms and bars in 10-25 feet. Best baits include tubes, plastics, and crankbaits in crayfish colors, and leeches, crawlers, and walleye suckers fished on jigs or live bait rigs.
Crappie:
Crappie fishing is good to excellent, with bigger fish out to 24 feet (suspending) near deeper brush, bogs, cribs, and weedlines. Try crappie minnows, waxies, worms, Mini-Mites, Tattle-Tails, and tubes under slip bobber rigs.
Bluegill:
Bluegill fishing is very good for bigger fish on deeper weed edges, bogs, brush, cribs, and mud flats with waxies, worms, leaf worms, leeches, and plastics on jigs or plain hooks, and poppers.
Upcoming Events
Through July 31: Illegal to allow dogs to run on DNR lands and Federal WPA (see regs for exceptions).
Aug. 1: Application deadline: Fall turkey; Horicon goose; Wolf; Bobcat; Fisher; Otter; Sharp-tailed grouse; Upriver Winnebago system sturgeon spearing.
Aug. 2: Flambeau River State Forest Outdoor Camp Cooking (715-332-5271).
Aug. 3: Hayward Lakes Chapter Muskies, Inc. Kids Fishing Day (715-634-4543).
Aug. 5-12: Hunter Education course at Hayward Middle School. (715-558-5371).
Aug. 9-10: Project Appleseed at Hayward Rod & Gun Club (715-466-5145).
Aug. 14-17: Sawyer County Fair (715-934-2721).
Aug. 17: Hayward Bass Club Youth Bass Tournament on Chippewa Flowage (405-227-1789).
Aug. 23: Remaining fall turkey permits go on sale.
Aug. 23: S.C.O.P.E. Family Fun Day (715-558-5371).
Through Aug. 31: Training dogs by pursuing bear (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
The cooler days and nights continue in the North Woods, with highs in the 70s, lows in the lower 50s, and (currently) all chances of rain at less than 30 percent throughout the week!
“Cold fronts slowed fishing,” says Pat at Happy Hooker, “but fishing remains good overall.
“Fish muskies along weedline edges with medium size gold-bladed black bucktails or topwaters. For walleyes, use jigs tipped with leeches or crawlers in 12-15 feet in weeds near sand or gravel.
“Use plastic worms and topwaters for largemouth in shallow, heavy cover. Fish smallmouth in deeper water with minnow or crayfish imitations. For bigger panfish, work crappie minnows and plastics under slip bobbers along weed edges in 6-10 feet.”
Guide Dave Dorazio at Outdoor Creations says Chippewa Flowage muskie action is good on bucktails and topwaters at dusk and during incoming fronts.
“Fish walleyes on bogs and brush in 12-22 feet with crawlers and leeches on slip bobbers. Catch pike on spoons and spinnerbaits.
“Work thick weeds on the west side with weedless frogs for largemouth. Work rock and wood on the east side with jigs and plastics for smallmouth. Fish crappies and bluegills in brush and cribs in 12-24 feet with crappie minnows and jig/tube combos.”
Jim at Hayward Bait says muskies on weed beds in 8-15 feet are hitting bucktails and spinnerbaits.
“Fish walleyes on gravel bars and mid-lake structure in 15-30 feet with leeches and crawlers on slip bobbers or Lindy Rigs. Catch northern on weedlines in 5-15 feet with suckers, spinners, and spoons.
“Largemouth action is good in shallow weeds with plastics, topwaters, and buzz baits. Fish smallmouth in 15-25 feet with leeches, crawlers, walleye suckers, and crankbaits. Take suspending crappies with minnows, waxies, and plastics on jigs or slip bobbers.”
Mike at Jenk’s says muskies are short-hitting baits and not connecting.
“Try new spots and baits they haven’t seen in awhile. Fish walleyes on bars and weed edges at night and sunken brush during the day with leeches, crawlers, and Beetle Spins. Catch pike on spinnerbaits and spoons on bars and weed edges.
“Largemouth are hitting spinners, rubber frogs, and crankbaits on rocks and stumps. Fish smallmouth on bars in 8-12 feet with crawlers. For crappies on the bogs, use minnows, Mini-Mites, and tube jigs.”
Jim at Minnow Jim’s says Nelson Lake walleye angers are working the channel with Rapalas and jigging with leeches and minnows.
“Pike action is decent near weed beds and bay openings with buzz, spinner, and stick baits. Bass fishing is good along weed beds and rock bars with crawfish color baits and plastics with red or green flecks, spinners, and poppers. For panfish, use dressed jigs with waxies, worms, or leeches.”
Carolyn at Anglers All in Ashland says smallmouth are in the shallows (try topwaters) and rock pile, break wall, and Long Island.
“Walleye action continues in the shallows during low light hours, with anglers trolling stickbaits over weed beds and humps.
“Trout action is hot from Long Island to Outer Island, in the Flats, and out of Saxon Harbor. Anglers are taking lake trout on spoons and Spin-N-Glos during the day and stickbaits in the shallows during low light hours.”
This week, DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter discusses the bowfin.
“Anglers fishing Red Cedar drainage (Red Cedar, Chetac, Long) may encounter bowfin (aka dogfish, grindle), a prehistoric looking fish with a long, ribbon-like dorsal fin making some people think they caught an eel. Native to Wisconsin, bowfin look similar to snakehead, an invasive species now established in the eastern U.S. and middle Mississippi.
“Bowfins provide quite a fight when hooked on the same lures as for bass and pike. Male bowfins aggressively guard their fry, with rare reports they launch themselves onto shore to attack predators threatening their young.”
DNR fisheries biologist Skip Sommerfeldt says muskie anglers are seeing some nice fish on bucktails and Bull Dawg-type baits.
“Walleye fishing is consistent with crawlers and leeches under slip bobbers fished on mid-depth rock bars and deep weed edges. Pike action is good along weed edges.
“Fish largemouth on docks, logs, bogs, reeds, and stumps with plastics and topwaters. Catch smallmouth near mid-depth cover with finesse plastics. Panfish on deeper mud flats and weed edges are taking waxies and crawlers under slip bobbers.”
Hayward Rod & Gun Club is hosting Project Appleseed's family friendly Rifle Marksmanship and American Heritage Clinic Aug. 9-10. Registration begins at 8 a.m. and the clinic runs from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. both days. Fees are $60 for adults 18 and older and $20 for youth under 18. For more information, visit www.appleseedinfo.org.
The Hayward Lakes Chapter Muskies, Inc. annual free Kid’s Fishing Day on Tiger Cat Flowage is Sunday August 3, from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at Beer Bellies. Young anglers 10-16 years of age fish with knowledgeable muskie anglers until noon shore lunch and prize distribution. Pre-register at Hayward Bait (required) and a parent or guardian must be present to sign the registration form. For more information or to volunteer, contact Mike Persson (715) 634-4543.
FISHING REPORT
Muskie:
Muskie action slowed, but anglers fishing bucktails, Bull Dawgs, gliders, spinnerbaits, plastics, topwaters, and suckers are catching fish on weedlines/weed edges in 8-15 feet during late evening and dropping barometric pressure.
Walleye:
Walleye action is best in 8-30 feet of water near weed edges, sand, gravel, brush, bogs, bars, rock, and mid-lake structure. Try leeches and crawlers on jigs, split shot rigs, and under slip bobbers, and Beetle Spins, crankbaits, and stickbaits.
Northern Pike:
Northern action is good on weeds and weed edges, bars and bay openings in 4-18 feet of water. Top baits include suckers, spinners, spinnerbaits, spoons, bucktails, crankbaits, and stickbaits. For trophy pike, go deeper with larger baits.
Largemouth Bass:
Largemouth action is good to excellent in shallow, thick weeds, wood, brush, bogs, rocks, docks, and lily pads with plastics, crankbaits, spinners/spinnerbaits, jigs, buzz baits, and topwaters.
Smallmouth Bass:
Smallmouth moved to deeper sand, rock, and gravel bottoms and bars in 10-25 feet. Best baits include tubes, plastics, and crankbaits in crayfish colors, and leeches, crawlers, and walleye suckers fished on jigs or live bait rigs.
Crappie:
Crappie fishing is good to excellent, with bigger fish out to 24 feet (suspending) near deeper brush, bogs, cribs, and weedlines. Try crappie minnows, waxies, worms, Mini-Mites, Tattle-Tails, and tubes under slip bobber rigs.
Bluegill:
Bluegill fishing is very good for bigger fish on deeper weed edges, bogs, brush, cribs, and mud flats with waxies, worms, leaf worms, leeches, and plastics on jigs or plain hooks, and poppers.
Upcoming Events
Through July 31: Illegal to allow dogs to run on DNR lands and Federal WPA (see regs for exceptions).
Aug. 1: Application deadline: Fall turkey; Horicon goose; Wolf; Bobcat; Fisher; Otter; Sharp-tailed grouse; Upriver Winnebago system sturgeon spearing.
Aug. 2: Flambeau River State Forest Outdoor Camp Cooking (715-332-5271).
Aug. 3: Hayward Lakes Chapter Muskies, Inc. Kids Fishing Day (715-634-4543).
Aug. 5-12: Hunter Education course at Hayward Middle School. (715-558-5371).
Aug. 9-10: Project Appleseed at Hayward Rod & Gun Club (715-466-5145).
Aug. 14-17: Sawyer County Fair (715-934-2721).
Aug. 17: Hayward Bass Club Youth Bass Tournament on Chippewa Flowage (405-227-1789).
Aug. 23: Remaining fall turkey permits go on sale.
Aug. 23: S.C.O.P.E. Family Fun Day (715-558-5371).
Through Aug. 31: Training dogs by pursuing bear (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.