Hayward Lakes Sherry
08-05-2014, 09:10 AM
August 4, 2014
Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman
This week’s forecast currently indicates the mild summer weather continues, with moderate highs, cooler lows, and (surprisingly) few chance of rain.
“Fish activity is steady,” says Pat at Happy Hooker, “with 60s to low 70s water temperatures keeping fish scattered from shallow to deep.
“Muskie action improved last week, with bucktails, crankbaits, and topwaters taking fish. Walleye fishing remains slow and pike action is steady. Crappie minnows work best for crappies along deeper weedlines and edges. Smaller panfish are plentiful, providing plenty of action and entertainment for children fishing Gulp! Minnows off docks.”
Guide Dave Dorazio at Outdoor Creations says muskie action is good on the Chippewa Flowage.
“Target weed beds and edges with bucktails during the day, topwaters at dusk and dawn, and twitch minnow baits for stubborn muskies. Fish walleyes in weeds, wood, brush, and bogs in 12-20 feet with leeches, crawlers, and Rapalas during low light periods.
“Largemouth fishing is good in the west side’s slop with weedless frogs and Texas-rigged worms. Fish crappies on cribs and sunken brush in 12-24 feet. Live bait works, but jig/tube combos are more effective.”
Bob at Hayward Bait says muskie action is decent on bucktails, spinnerbaits, gliders, and plastics in 8-15 feet.
“Fish walleyes along weeds, gravel bars, and structure in 15-30 feet with leeches, crawlers, and trolled crankbaits. For northern, work weedlines in 5-15 feet with suckers, spinners, spoons, and bucktails.
“Catch largemouth in weeds with plastics, buzz baits, and topwaters, and smallmouth in 15-25 feet with leeches, crawlers, walleye suckers, and crankbaits. Fish crappies with minnows, waxies, and plastics on deep cribs; fish bluegills in weeds and wood in 3-10 feet with waxies, worms, leaf worms, leeches, and plastics.”
Mike at Jenk’s says Chippewa Flowage muskie action improved last week.
“Anglers reported more catches than last week, with most action on surface baits, bucktails, and spinners. Walleye fishing is good on leeches, crawlers, and Beetle Spins on sunken brush during the day, and bars and weed edges at night. Anglers are catching northern on spinnerbaits and weedless spoons.
“Fish largemouth in stumpy/weedy areas with spinnerbaits, Rapalas, and poppers; fish smallmouth with crawlers off bars in 8-12 feet.
“Crappie fishing is good around bogs with crappie minnows, Mini-Mites, Crappie Nibbles, tube jigs, and Roadrunner jigs.”
Jim at Minnow Jim’s says Nelson Lake walleye anglers should troll shorelines with stickbaits, or use leeches and minnows on jigs or slip bobbers.
“For northerns, work bucktails, spinner baits, and suckers near weed beds and bay openings. For bass, fish in/near weeds with spinner and buzz baits; near rock bars and structure with crankbaits; and topwaters over weeds and wood.
“There is a good panfish bite near weeds and structure for anglers using live bait, Gulp! Minnows or Nibbles, and tipping jigs with Twister Tails, Crappie Slugs, or Stinger Shads.”
This week, DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter discusses funny fish names.
“Everyone knows the common names for most fish in our area, but a variety of other names are either outdated or used in other parts of the country.
“Walleye have many other names including okow, hornfish, blowfish, and gum pike. Smallmouth bass are sometimes known as Oswego bass or mountain bass. Some people call bluegills dollardee or strawberry bass, northern pike jackfish, and rockfish goggle eye.
“Crappie names include butter bass, bitterhead, banklick bass, and lamplighter. Some people call yellow perch raccoon perch, and call brook trout squaretail or mud trout.”
DNR fisheries biologist Skip Sommerfeldt says cold fronts and rain are affecting fishing action, though it is good when conditions allow.
“Muskie fishing is good along deep weed edges and points with bucktails, Bull Dawgs, and topwaters. For walleye, anglers are dropping weedless jigs tipped with leeches or crawler pieces into pockets in deep weed beds during low light periods.
“Largemouth action is excellent with soft plastics near wood, mid-depth weeds, and deeper bog edges. Fish smallmouth on deeper water wood with tubes and finesse plastics. Crappie, bluegill, and perch fishing is fair to good near mid-depth weed beds.”
The Natural Resources Board (NRB) will travel to Hayward and Ladysmith for its August 13 meeting. The seven-member board sets policy for the DNR. You can view the agenda on the NRB website.
The DNR’s Operation Deer Watch program is now accepting reports from the public on the number of deer they see from August 1 through September 30. To take part in the survey, simply record on an online tally sheet all of the bucks, does, fawns, and other wildlife you see during the survey period.
FISHING REPORT
Muskie:
Muskie anglers report good and improving fishing action. Concentrate on weeds – beds, edges, lines – as well as points and bars, in 6-18 feet of water, especially in early morning and evening hours. Bucktails, Bull Dawgs, gliders, spinners, spinnerbaits, plastics, crankbaits, minnow baits, and topwaters are all catching fish at this time.
Walleye:
Walleye action is inconsistent, with best action in early morning and late evening into dark. Less light generally means better success. Walleyes are in/on wood, weed beds, brush, bars, bogs, and gravel in 12-30 feet of water. Fish shallower water after dark. Top producing baits include leeches and crawlers on jigs, Lindy Rigs, and under slip bobbers, or cast and troll crankbaits, stickbaits, and Beetle Spins along shore and weed lines.
Northern Pike:
Northern pike action is a bit off, particularly for bigger fish, as is expected this time of summer. Work weeds and weedlines in 4-18 feet of water with northern suckers, spinners, spinnerbaits, spoons, swim baits, bucktails, and X-Raps. As always, fish bigger baits in deeper water for larger, trophy pike.
Largemouth Bass:
Largemouth action is very good to excellent on most days. You will find them in and near thick weeds, wood, slop, brush, bogs, cribs, lily pads, reeds, and rock, from very shallow water out to mid-depths. Baits of choice include weedless rigged plastics (worms, creatures, tubes, lizards, frogs), buzz baits, crankbaits, spinners, spinnerbaits, and topwaters.
Smallmouth Bass:
Smallmouth bass are not as active as largemouth, but anglers are catching fish. Work bars, wood, and other structure in 8-25 feet of water with leeches, crawlers, walleye suckers, crawfish color crankbaits, Flicker Shad, X-Raps, tubes, and plastics.
Crappie:
Crappie action can be very good once you find them (electronics help!). Look for bigger crappies suspending over deeper water weeds, wood, cribs, brush, and bogs in 8-25 feet of water. Bait choices include crappie minnows, waxies, leeches, plastics, tube jigs, and Berkley baits on small jigs or plain hooks, fished with or without bobbers.
Bluegill:
Bluegill fishing is good to very good. Work weeds, weedlines, wood, and docks in 3-12 feet of water with waxies, worms, leaf worms, crawler chunks, Gulp! baits, and plastics on jigs or plain hooks. Try poppers for fun surface action. Catch numbers of fish in the shallower water. For bigger “keeper” ‘gills, but slower action, go deeper.
Upcoming Events
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. 12-13:NRB meeting in Hayward (608- 267-7420).
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
This week’s forecast currently indicates the mild summer weather continues, with moderate highs, cooler lows, and (surprisingly) few chance of rain.
“Fish activity is steady,” says Pat at Happy Hooker, “with 60s to low 70s water temperatures keeping fish scattered from shallow to deep.
“Muskie action improved last week, with bucktails, crankbaits, and topwaters taking fish. Walleye fishing remains slow and pike action is steady. Crappie minnows work best for crappies along deeper weedlines and edges. Smaller panfish are plentiful, providing plenty of action and entertainment for children fishing Gulp! Minnows off docks.”
Guide Dave Dorazio at Outdoor Creations says muskie action is good on the Chippewa Flowage.
“Target weed beds and edges with bucktails during the day, topwaters at dusk and dawn, and twitch minnow baits for stubborn muskies. Fish walleyes in weeds, wood, brush, and bogs in 12-20 feet with leeches, crawlers, and Rapalas during low light periods.
“Largemouth fishing is good in the west side’s slop with weedless frogs and Texas-rigged worms. Fish crappies on cribs and sunken brush in 12-24 feet. Live bait works, but jig/tube combos are more effective.”
Bob at Hayward Bait says muskie action is decent on bucktails, spinnerbaits, gliders, and plastics in 8-15 feet.
“Fish walleyes along weeds, gravel bars, and structure in 15-30 feet with leeches, crawlers, and trolled crankbaits. For northern, work weedlines in 5-15 feet with suckers, spinners, spoons, and bucktails.
“Catch largemouth in weeds with plastics, buzz baits, and topwaters, and smallmouth in 15-25 feet with leeches, crawlers, walleye suckers, and crankbaits. Fish crappies with minnows, waxies, and plastics on deep cribs; fish bluegills in weeds and wood in 3-10 feet with waxies, worms, leaf worms, leeches, and plastics.”
Mike at Jenk’s says Chippewa Flowage muskie action improved last week.
“Anglers reported more catches than last week, with most action on surface baits, bucktails, and spinners. Walleye fishing is good on leeches, crawlers, and Beetle Spins on sunken brush during the day, and bars and weed edges at night. Anglers are catching northern on spinnerbaits and weedless spoons.
“Fish largemouth in stumpy/weedy areas with spinnerbaits, Rapalas, and poppers; fish smallmouth with crawlers off bars in 8-12 feet.
“Crappie fishing is good around bogs with crappie minnows, Mini-Mites, Crappie Nibbles, tube jigs, and Roadrunner jigs.”
Jim at Minnow Jim’s says Nelson Lake walleye anglers should troll shorelines with stickbaits, or use leeches and minnows on jigs or slip bobbers.
“For northerns, work bucktails, spinner baits, and suckers near weed beds and bay openings. For bass, fish in/near weeds with spinner and buzz baits; near rock bars and structure with crankbaits; and topwaters over weeds and wood.
“There is a good panfish bite near weeds and structure for anglers using live bait, Gulp! Minnows or Nibbles, and tipping jigs with Twister Tails, Crappie Slugs, or Stinger Shads.”
This week, DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter discusses funny fish names.
“Everyone knows the common names for most fish in our area, but a variety of other names are either outdated or used in other parts of the country.
“Walleye have many other names including okow, hornfish, blowfish, and gum pike. Smallmouth bass are sometimes known as Oswego bass or mountain bass. Some people call bluegills dollardee or strawberry bass, northern pike jackfish, and rockfish goggle eye.
“Crappie names include butter bass, bitterhead, banklick bass, and lamplighter. Some people call yellow perch raccoon perch, and call brook trout squaretail or mud trout.”
DNR fisheries biologist Skip Sommerfeldt says cold fronts and rain are affecting fishing action, though it is good when conditions allow.
“Muskie fishing is good along deep weed edges and points with bucktails, Bull Dawgs, and topwaters. For walleye, anglers are dropping weedless jigs tipped with leeches or crawler pieces into pockets in deep weed beds during low light periods.
“Largemouth action is excellent with soft plastics near wood, mid-depth weeds, and deeper bog edges. Fish smallmouth on deeper water wood with tubes and finesse plastics. Crappie, bluegill, and perch fishing is fair to good near mid-depth weed beds.”
The Natural Resources Board (NRB) will travel to Hayward and Ladysmith for its August 13 meeting. The seven-member board sets policy for the DNR. You can view the agenda on the NRB website.
The DNR’s Operation Deer Watch program is now accepting reports from the public on the number of deer they see from August 1 through September 30. To take part in the survey, simply record on an online tally sheet all of the bucks, does, fawns, and other wildlife you see during the survey period.
FISHING REPORT
Muskie:
Muskie anglers report good and improving fishing action. Concentrate on weeds – beds, edges, lines – as well as points and bars, in 6-18 feet of water, especially in early morning and evening hours. Bucktails, Bull Dawgs, gliders, spinners, spinnerbaits, plastics, crankbaits, minnow baits, and topwaters are all catching fish at this time.
Walleye:
Walleye action is inconsistent, with best action in early morning and late evening into dark. Less light generally means better success. Walleyes are in/on wood, weed beds, brush, bars, bogs, and gravel in 12-30 feet of water. Fish shallower water after dark. Top producing baits include leeches and crawlers on jigs, Lindy Rigs, and under slip bobbers, or cast and troll crankbaits, stickbaits, and Beetle Spins along shore and weed lines.
Northern Pike:
Northern pike action is a bit off, particularly for bigger fish, as is expected this time of summer. Work weeds and weedlines in 4-18 feet of water with northern suckers, spinners, spinnerbaits, spoons, swim baits, bucktails, and X-Raps. As always, fish bigger baits in deeper water for larger, trophy pike.
Largemouth Bass:
Largemouth action is very good to excellent on most days. You will find them in and near thick weeds, wood, slop, brush, bogs, cribs, lily pads, reeds, and rock, from very shallow water out to mid-depths. Baits of choice include weedless rigged plastics (worms, creatures, tubes, lizards, frogs), buzz baits, crankbaits, spinners, spinnerbaits, and topwaters.
Smallmouth Bass:
Smallmouth bass are not as active as largemouth, but anglers are catching fish. Work bars, wood, and other structure in 8-25 feet of water with leeches, crawlers, walleye suckers, crawfish color crankbaits, Flicker Shad, X-Raps, tubes, and plastics.
Crappie:
Crappie action can be very good once you find them (electronics help!). Look for bigger crappies suspending over deeper water weeds, wood, cribs, brush, and bogs in 8-25 feet of water. Bait choices include crappie minnows, waxies, leeches, plastics, tube jigs, and Berkley baits on small jigs or plain hooks, fished with or without bobbers.
Bluegill:
Bluegill fishing is good to very good. Work weeds, weedlines, wood, and docks in 3-12 feet of water with waxies, worms, leaf worms, crawler chunks, Gulp! baits, and plastics on jigs or plain hooks. Try poppers for fun surface action. Catch numbers of fish in the shallower water. For bigger “keeper” ‘gills, but slower action, go deeper.
Upcoming Events
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. 12-13:NRB meeting in Hayward (608- 267-7420).
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.