Hayward Lakes VCB
12-14-2022, 12:11 PM
Ice conditions are improving, but they vary from lake to lake and even from location to location on each lake. It is early in the season and weather fluctuations are affecting ice creation, so use extreme caution in traveling on the ice and check every step. Ice thickness reports range from less than 5 inches up to 9 inches in spots.
Walleye:
Walleye fishing is good, with best action during periods of low light. Look for fish on shallow to mid-depth weedlines (where ice conditions allow) and set tip-ups with walleye suckers and medium shiners. Jigging anglers are using spoons, Jigging and Rippin Raps, Shiver Minnows, and similar baits, and jigging and dead sticking fatheads and crappie minnows.
Northern Pike:
Northern pike are active and offering good fishing on weeds, weedlines, weed edges and flats, and around panfish and baitfish concentrations. Northern suckers, walleye suckers, and large shiners under tip-ups set at varied depths are working well.
Crappie:
Crappie fishing is good to very good. Fish are scattered from shallow to deeper water in bays and on weeds, weedlines, cribs, and humps, with some fish suspending. Ice conditions prevent accessing the deeper fish, so target the shallow fish. Baits of choice include crappie minnows, spikes, plastics, and Gulp! baits on small jigs and spoons, with purple, pink, and white the most productive colors. Check the entire water column!
Bluegill and Perch:
Bluegill and perch fishing is good to very good on weeds and weedlines, shallow bays, brush, and other structure. Drill some holes to find fish and then keeping moving to stay on them... or wait for them to come to you. Best baits include small jigs, teardrops, and plain hooks fished with or without waxies, spikes, plastics, and Gulp! baits.
Walleye:
Walleye fishing is good, with best action during periods of low light. Look for fish on shallow to mid-depth weedlines (where ice conditions allow) and set tip-ups with walleye suckers and medium shiners. Jigging anglers are using spoons, Jigging and Rippin Raps, Shiver Minnows, and similar baits, and jigging and dead sticking fatheads and crappie minnows.
Northern Pike:
Northern pike are active and offering good fishing on weeds, weedlines, weed edges and flats, and around panfish and baitfish concentrations. Northern suckers, walleye suckers, and large shiners under tip-ups set at varied depths are working well.
Crappie:
Crappie fishing is good to very good. Fish are scattered from shallow to deeper water in bays and on weeds, weedlines, cribs, and humps, with some fish suspending. Ice conditions prevent accessing the deeper fish, so target the shallow fish. Baits of choice include crappie minnows, spikes, plastics, and Gulp! baits on small jigs and spoons, with purple, pink, and white the most productive colors. Check the entire water column!
Bluegill and Perch:
Bluegill and perch fishing is good to very good on weeds and weedlines, shallow bays, brush, and other structure. Drill some holes to find fish and then keeping moving to stay on them... or wait for them to come to you. Best baits include small jigs, teardrops, and plain hooks fished with or without waxies, spikes, plastics, and Gulp! baits.