Hayward Lakes Sherry
05-02-2016, 02:50 PM
May 2, 2016
Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman
The current forecast (subject to change at any time!) shows a possible wet start to the week, warm and sunny during mid-week, and a chance of rain moving in Friday night and for the Saturday fishing opener. Sunday looks to be warm and sunny – let’s assume that will be so. The North Woods offers an abundance of outdoor recreation – take advantage of the super spring weather and participate in whatever activities you most enjoy!
“Though water temperatures are a little cooler now,” says Pat at Happy Hooker, “they were high enough to bring perch in to spawn in the shallows.
“Perch action is good on minnows fished in as shallow as 2 feet the backs of bays. In shallow water, it is important to use very light tackle, with 4- to 6-pound line and very small bobbers.
“Crappies are staging for spawn on most lakes and have started to move into the weeds. Use minnows and small plastics on light tackle.
“Be sure to check the new regulations for this year. Some changes for the Quiet Lakes Chain include 25/10 on panfish, with no more than 10 of any one species, and the May 7 largemouth bass opener.
“There is still time to purchase a new license and avoid the rush!”
At Hayward Bait, Bob, Sonya, and Kelly wish good luck to all anglers fishing the Saturday May 7 opener.
“The walleye bite should be good in mornings or early evenings with fatheads or leeches on jigs, crankbaits, and stickbaits.
“For anglers currently fishing panfish, crappies are in 10-12 feet along weed edges and other structure, hitting minnows, waxies, tube jigs, and plastics. Bluegills in similar depths are taking crawlers, waxies, tube jigs, and plastics. As the days warm, fish will move to shallower water.”
Mike at Jenk’s says the Chippewa Flowage is at full pool and water temperatures are in the high 40s to low 50s.
“The crappie spawn has not started, but smaller males are congregating in bays and larger females are in deeper water. If numbers are your goal, fish bays with weed cover in 3-4 feet of water. For the larger females, target cribs and brush piles in 15-25 feet.
“The opener is this weekend and now that it appears walleyes have completed spawning, anglers will probably find fish heading out of the river channels into deeper water. Try outside of Moores Bay, Chief Narrows, and Hay Creek Narrows. During the day, try between the Banana Islands with crankbaits, Beetle Spins, and walleye minnows. Check areas with thick, sunken brush and deep weeds around river and creek channels.
“This time of year, northern pike tend to have more interest in live bait than in artificials. Try fishing northern suckers or chubs on the west side, particularly Squaw Bay, Dagget’s Bay, Musky Bay, and Chicago Bay.”
Carolyn at Anglers All in Ashland says rain and high winds kept anglers off the water last week.
“We are looking forward to sunny skies, warmer temps, and calmer winds this week so the mud lines have a chance to develop. This should provide great fishing opportunities, particularly for trollers, who report Bay Rats are hot.
“The smelt run is done and fishing should pick up as the natural food supply moves on and the Bay clears.
“The rain brought fresh fish into the streams and they should be in good shape.”
This week, DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter discusses the 2016 fishing opener.
“The Hayward Fish Team is wishing anglers good luck and a safe and productive opener! Now that many species have finished spawning, the fish should settle into more predictable patterns.
“Northern pike spawning started in early April in many lakes, but stretched on for a longer than usual time span thanks to cooler weather. Walleye spawning peaked in mid-April. Most fish should have finished in all lakes and should be ready to eat again.
“Panfish and largemouth bass will seek the warmest water they can find as they stage for their spawning. Look for dark bottomed bays to find crappie, bluegill, and largemouth bass.
“Anglers may still see spawning muskies cruising shorelines of some deeper, cooler lakes.
“All in all, conditions look very similar to the 2015 fishing opener and repeating successful patterns from last year may pay dividends.”
Anglers should be aware of new, experimental panfish regulations now in effect on 93 lakes across the state. Biologists are posting signs at boat landings and public fishing spots. Most inland waters still have the 25 fish per day bag limit for species including bluegill, pumpkinseed, sunfish, crappie, and yellow perch. It takes panfish six or seven years to reach 8 inches and then their growth rate slows. In Wisconsin, bluegills 9-10 inches long can be 14-16 years old!
The DNR is reminding people that spring is a great time to observe wildlife, but they should observe the fun from afar. Human interaction often does more harm than good. Never assume an animal is an orphan. It may seem the young are not cared for because you cannot see the mother, but chances are she knows you are there. Do not touch genuinely orphaned or injured animals. Instead, contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. For more information, search “keep wildlife wild” on the DNR website.
Starting in May, the DNR will begin aerial spraying for gypsy moth caterpillars in Sawyer, Bayfield, Douglas, and Rusk counties, among others, using small, yellow, loud, low-flying planes. Depending on weather conditions, spraying will start as early as sunrise on any day of the week, including weekends, and last into late morning or afternoon. During their caterpillar stage, the invasive pests defoliate trees causing stress and potential tree death. The caterpillars shed bristly skin as they grow in spring and summer that can become airborne and irritate eyes, skin, and respiratory systems. People having contact with bristles may develop a rash. Spraying ends in northern Wisconsin during August. For more information and maps of specific spray areas, visit http://gypsymoth.wi.gov, or call 800-642-MOTH.
The DNR reminds people who are fishing, hunting, camping, or doing other outdoor activities to use care with anything that can start a wildfire. Depending on weather and vegetation dryness, fire danger can vary from one day to the next this time of the year. To check current conditions and burning permit restrictions, search “fire danger” on the DNR website.
On Tuesday, May 3, Hayward Lakes Chapter Muskies, Inc. is holding a meeting, starting at 7 p.m., at Coop’s Pizza in Hayward. Following a brief meeting, guest speaker and local guide Scott Keiper, who guides exclusively in northwest Wisconsin, will present his “The Science of Giants” seminar. Admission is free and the Hayward Chapter welcomes public attendance. Attend the meeting and purchase your first annual Muskies, Inc. membership for half price! For more information, call Mike Persson (715) 634-4543.
Upcoming Events
April 30: Otter trapping season closed in North Zone.
May 3: Hayward Lakes Chapter Muskies, Inc. meeting at Coop’s Pizza, 7 p.m. (715-634-4543).
May 6: Early catch and release trout season closes.
May 7: Seasons open: General inland fishing (see regs); Musky in South Zone; Frog.
May 7-June 17: Northern Zone smallmouth bass catch and release only.
May 13-15: 32nd Annual Treeland Challenge (715-462-3874).
May 20-21: Fishing Has No Boundaries on Chippewa Flowage (715-634-3185).
May 20-22: Musky Tale Resort – Northern Encounter (715-462-3838).
May 28: Musky season opens in North Zone.
May 28: Wisconsin Canoe Heritage Museum canoe and wooden boat show in Spooner (715-635-3580).
Through July 31: Illegal to allow dogs to run on DNR lands and FWPAs (see regs).
Spring turkey season dates
April 27-May 3: Period C.
May 4-10: Period D.
May 11-17: Period E.
May 18-24: Period F.
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 current forecast (subject to change at any time!) shows a possible wet start to the week, warm and sunny during mid-week, and a chance of rain moving in Friday night and for the Saturday fishing opener. Sunday looks to be warm and sunny – let’s assume that will be so. The North Woods offers an abundance of outdoor recreation – take advantage of the super spring weather and participate in whatever activities you most enjoy!
“Though water temperatures are a little cooler now,” says Pat at Happy Hooker, “they were high enough to bring perch in to spawn in the shallows.
“Perch action is good on minnows fished in as shallow as 2 feet the backs of bays. In shallow water, it is important to use very light tackle, with 4- to 6-pound line and very small bobbers.
“Crappies are staging for spawn on most lakes and have started to move into the weeds. Use minnows and small plastics on light tackle.
“Be sure to check the new regulations for this year. Some changes for the Quiet Lakes Chain include 25/10 on panfish, with no more than 10 of any one species, and the May 7 largemouth bass opener.
“There is still time to purchase a new license and avoid the rush!”
At Hayward Bait, Bob, Sonya, and Kelly wish good luck to all anglers fishing the Saturday May 7 opener.
“The walleye bite should be good in mornings or early evenings with fatheads or leeches on jigs, crankbaits, and stickbaits.
“For anglers currently fishing panfish, crappies are in 10-12 feet along weed edges and other structure, hitting minnows, waxies, tube jigs, and plastics. Bluegills in similar depths are taking crawlers, waxies, tube jigs, and plastics. As the days warm, fish will move to shallower water.”
Mike at Jenk’s says the Chippewa Flowage is at full pool and water temperatures are in the high 40s to low 50s.
“The crappie spawn has not started, but smaller males are congregating in bays and larger females are in deeper water. If numbers are your goal, fish bays with weed cover in 3-4 feet of water. For the larger females, target cribs and brush piles in 15-25 feet.
“The opener is this weekend and now that it appears walleyes have completed spawning, anglers will probably find fish heading out of the river channels into deeper water. Try outside of Moores Bay, Chief Narrows, and Hay Creek Narrows. During the day, try between the Banana Islands with crankbaits, Beetle Spins, and walleye minnows. Check areas with thick, sunken brush and deep weeds around river and creek channels.
“This time of year, northern pike tend to have more interest in live bait than in artificials. Try fishing northern suckers or chubs on the west side, particularly Squaw Bay, Dagget’s Bay, Musky Bay, and Chicago Bay.”
Carolyn at Anglers All in Ashland says rain and high winds kept anglers off the water last week.
“We are looking forward to sunny skies, warmer temps, and calmer winds this week so the mud lines have a chance to develop. This should provide great fishing opportunities, particularly for trollers, who report Bay Rats are hot.
“The smelt run is done and fishing should pick up as the natural food supply moves on and the Bay clears.
“The rain brought fresh fish into the streams and they should be in good shape.”
This week, DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter discusses the 2016 fishing opener.
“The Hayward Fish Team is wishing anglers good luck and a safe and productive opener! Now that many species have finished spawning, the fish should settle into more predictable patterns.
“Northern pike spawning started in early April in many lakes, but stretched on for a longer than usual time span thanks to cooler weather. Walleye spawning peaked in mid-April. Most fish should have finished in all lakes and should be ready to eat again.
“Panfish and largemouth bass will seek the warmest water they can find as they stage for their spawning. Look for dark bottomed bays to find crappie, bluegill, and largemouth bass.
“Anglers may still see spawning muskies cruising shorelines of some deeper, cooler lakes.
“All in all, conditions look very similar to the 2015 fishing opener and repeating successful patterns from last year may pay dividends.”
Anglers should be aware of new, experimental panfish regulations now in effect on 93 lakes across the state. Biologists are posting signs at boat landings and public fishing spots. Most inland waters still have the 25 fish per day bag limit for species including bluegill, pumpkinseed, sunfish, crappie, and yellow perch. It takes panfish six or seven years to reach 8 inches and then their growth rate slows. In Wisconsin, bluegills 9-10 inches long can be 14-16 years old!
The DNR is reminding people that spring is a great time to observe wildlife, but they should observe the fun from afar. Human interaction often does more harm than good. Never assume an animal is an orphan. It may seem the young are not cared for because you cannot see the mother, but chances are she knows you are there. Do not touch genuinely orphaned or injured animals. Instead, contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. For more information, search “keep wildlife wild” on the DNR website.
Starting in May, the DNR will begin aerial spraying for gypsy moth caterpillars in Sawyer, Bayfield, Douglas, and Rusk counties, among others, using small, yellow, loud, low-flying planes. Depending on weather conditions, spraying will start as early as sunrise on any day of the week, including weekends, and last into late morning or afternoon. During their caterpillar stage, the invasive pests defoliate trees causing stress and potential tree death. The caterpillars shed bristly skin as they grow in spring and summer that can become airborne and irritate eyes, skin, and respiratory systems. People having contact with bristles may develop a rash. Spraying ends in northern Wisconsin during August. For more information and maps of specific spray areas, visit http://gypsymoth.wi.gov, or call 800-642-MOTH.
The DNR reminds people who are fishing, hunting, camping, or doing other outdoor activities to use care with anything that can start a wildfire. Depending on weather and vegetation dryness, fire danger can vary from one day to the next this time of the year. To check current conditions and burning permit restrictions, search “fire danger” on the DNR website.
On Tuesday, May 3, Hayward Lakes Chapter Muskies, Inc. is holding a meeting, starting at 7 p.m., at Coop’s Pizza in Hayward. Following a brief meeting, guest speaker and local guide Scott Keiper, who guides exclusively in northwest Wisconsin, will present his “The Science of Giants” seminar. Admission is free and the Hayward Chapter welcomes public attendance. Attend the meeting and purchase your first annual Muskies, Inc. membership for half price! For more information, call Mike Persson (715) 634-4543.
Upcoming Events
April 30: Otter trapping season closed in North Zone.
May 3: Hayward Lakes Chapter Muskies, Inc. meeting at Coop’s Pizza, 7 p.m. (715-634-4543).
May 6: Early catch and release trout season closes.
May 7: Seasons open: General inland fishing (see regs); Musky in South Zone; Frog.
May 7-June 17: Northern Zone smallmouth bass catch and release only.
May 13-15: 32nd Annual Treeland Challenge (715-462-3874).
May 20-21: Fishing Has No Boundaries on Chippewa Flowage (715-634-3185).
May 20-22: Musky Tale Resort – Northern Encounter (715-462-3838).
May 28: Musky season opens in North Zone.
May 28: Wisconsin Canoe Heritage Museum canoe and wooden boat show in Spooner (715-635-3580).
Through July 31: Illegal to allow dogs to run on DNR lands and FWPAs (see regs).
Spring turkey season dates
April 27-May 3: Period C.
May 4-10: Period D.
May 11-17: Period E.
May 18-24: Period F.
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.