Hayward Lakes VCB
10-05-2023, 04:23 PM
Musky:
Musky anglers report fishing action is good to very good, though it might slow with the current (temporary) hot temperatures. Fish are on very shallow to mid-depth weeds, weed edges, flats, points, and other structure. The most productive offerings include musky suckers, bucktails, gliders, jerkbaits, stickbaits, crankbaits, and topwaters.
Walleye:
Walleye fishing is fair, with best success, as usual, during low light hours such as pre-sunrise and early evening into dark. Fish are scattered from shallow to deep weeds, basins, river channels, and drop-offs. Walleye suckers, fatheads, other minnows, and crawlers on jigs and under slip bobbers work well, as do trolled Flicker Shads and other crankbaits.
Northern Pike:
Northern pike action is good to very good. Many anglers are catching them while fishing for other species such as muskies and bass around shallow to mid-depth weeds, other structure, and panfish and baitfish concentrations. Northern suckers, walleye suckers, and fatheads under bobbers, and spinners, spinnerbaits, spoons, and swimbaits are effective.
Largemouth Bass:
Largemouth bass fishing is still good around shallow to mid-depth weeds, weedlines, and brush holding panfish and baitfish. Sucker minnows/minnows and crawlers under bobbers, spinners, spinnerbaits, crankbaits, plastics (worms, tubes, etc.), swim jigs, and topwaters are all working in applicable areas.
Smallmouth Bass:
Smallmouth bass fishing is good to very good and getting better as cold weather approaches. Find fish on rocks and points in depths to 22 feet. Some anglers are catching fish in areas holding walleyes. Baits of choice include walleye suckers, fatheads, plastics, and Gulp! Minnows and Paddleshads.
Crappie:
Crappie fishing is good to very good, with the fish stacking in 15-25 feet in/on weedlines, cribs, sunken bogs, and basins. Use your electronics to find and stay with the schools as they are on the move. Crappie minnows, fatheads, plastics, and Gulp! baits on jigs and plain hooks work well, as do Jigging Raps, Rippin Raps, and small Beetle Spins.
Bluegill:
Bluegill fishing remains fair to good for anglers targeting these fish. Shallow to mid-depth green weeds, weedlines, basins, brush, and cribs can all hold fish. Waxies, leaf worms, crawler pieces, and plastics on jigs, teardrops, and plain hooks work well, fished with/without slip bobbers.
Musky anglers report fishing action is good to very good, though it might slow with the current (temporary) hot temperatures. Fish are on very shallow to mid-depth weeds, weed edges, flats, points, and other structure. The most productive offerings include musky suckers, bucktails, gliders, jerkbaits, stickbaits, crankbaits, and topwaters.
Walleye:
Walleye fishing is fair, with best success, as usual, during low light hours such as pre-sunrise and early evening into dark. Fish are scattered from shallow to deep weeds, basins, river channels, and drop-offs. Walleye suckers, fatheads, other minnows, and crawlers on jigs and under slip bobbers work well, as do trolled Flicker Shads and other crankbaits.
Northern Pike:
Northern pike action is good to very good. Many anglers are catching them while fishing for other species such as muskies and bass around shallow to mid-depth weeds, other structure, and panfish and baitfish concentrations. Northern suckers, walleye suckers, and fatheads under bobbers, and spinners, spinnerbaits, spoons, and swimbaits are effective.
Largemouth Bass:
Largemouth bass fishing is still good around shallow to mid-depth weeds, weedlines, and brush holding panfish and baitfish. Sucker minnows/minnows and crawlers under bobbers, spinners, spinnerbaits, crankbaits, plastics (worms, tubes, etc.), swim jigs, and topwaters are all working in applicable areas.
Smallmouth Bass:
Smallmouth bass fishing is good to very good and getting better as cold weather approaches. Find fish on rocks and points in depths to 22 feet. Some anglers are catching fish in areas holding walleyes. Baits of choice include walleye suckers, fatheads, plastics, and Gulp! Minnows and Paddleshads.
Crappie:
Crappie fishing is good to very good, with the fish stacking in 15-25 feet in/on weedlines, cribs, sunken bogs, and basins. Use your electronics to find and stay with the schools as they are on the move. Crappie minnows, fatheads, plastics, and Gulp! baits on jigs and plain hooks work well, as do Jigging Raps, Rippin Raps, and small Beetle Spins.
Bluegill:
Bluegill fishing remains fair to good for anglers targeting these fish. Shallow to mid-depth green weeds, weedlines, basins, brush, and cribs can all hold fish. Waxies, leaf worms, crawler pieces, and plastics on jigs, teardrops, and plain hooks work well, fished with/without slip bobbers.