Hayward Lakes Sherry
01-26-2009, 11:05 AM
January 26, 2009
Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman
Following an all too brief respite from arctic temperatures a week or so ago … they returned. Anglers braving the conditions are catching fish, but action is slow. On a positive note, lake travel is pretty darn good at this time.
According to Pat at Happy Hooker, it’s not unusual to see a January fishing lag (we have), and he says combined with the cold temperatures anglers have little incentive to hit the ice. Then adds, “If cold builds character, there is now plenty of character to go around.”
Al at Pastika’s says ice is 16 inches thick or more on most lakes and driving conditions are good. He cautions anglers to be aware slush areas are forming again on some lakes and vehicles are getting stuck.
Cable Rod and Gun Club hosts its 20th annual ice fishing contest Saturday February 7, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Lake Namakagon. Anglers can begin fishing at 8 a.m. The entry fee is $5, and Loon Saloon on Hwy D serves as contest headquarters. The largest walleye, northern, perch, bluegill, and crappie win cash prize awards. A cash raffle, special raffles, and door prizes are available, and this year’s Grand Prize is a one-week vacation for two in La Quinta, California.
Walleyes for Northwest Wisconsin hosts its Family Ice Fishing event Saturday February 14, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Lac Courte Oreilles. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. at the public boat landing off Hwy K. Event buttons ($3 for adults; $1 for youth 13-17) are available at Pastika’s, Hayward Bait, and Hayward Power Sports. Children 12 years of age and younger are admitted free AND receive a jig rod/reel combo and fishing tackle packet.
The first three places in both the adult’s and kid’s divisions win prizes for the longest walleye, northern, bluegill, crappie, and perch. Raffle tickets ($1 each; six for $5) for thousands of dollars in prizes are available, and winners need not be present. For more information contact Hayward Bait and Tackle (715) 634-2921.
Sawyer County snowmobile trails are excellent. For current trail conditions, visit Sawyer County and Sno-Trails Snowmobile Club reports, and for the Cable area Namakagon Trail Groomers reports. Visit Snowmobile and ATV Trail Maps for trail information.
If you are an archer and plan to visit the Hayward area, bring your equipment and take part in Shooting Star Archery’s league shoots. Compound bow users shoot Monday and Tuesday evening. Thursday night is singles night for traditional bow users, and Friday night is for couples shooting traditional equipment. All leagues begin at 6:30 p.m. Cost is $5/night, and all archers are welcome. For more information, call 634-8880.
Walleye:
Walleye success has become more of a challenge. Fish are moving deeper, the bite window is shrinking, and reports are mixed – from poor to fair. That said, anglers are still catching fish, and the evening hours are the best bet. Target weeds and structure down to 30 feet or deeper with walleye suckers and shiners under tip-ups, and fatheads on jigging spoons.
Northern:
Northern pike action is very good and continues to be a bright spot. Northerns can be found just about everywhere, but key on areas with weeds and/or panfish in 5-20 feet of water. Northern suckers and large shiners under tip-ups will do the trick. For bigger pike, fish larger baits in deeper water.
Crappie:
Crappie action is scattered and erratic. Look for fish suspending over deep water and/or weeds in depths from eight to 30 feet or more, though this will vary from lake to lake. Favorite baits include crappie minnows, rosy reds, waxies, and plastics on plain hooks, small jigs, or teardrops, fished on jigging rods and tip-downs. If the crappies don’t cooperate, downsize to smaller tackle and bait, and try small diameter fluorocarbon line. You might not catch any more fish – but you will not catch any less!
Bluegill:
Bluegill fishing is also inconsistent, but from now through ice-out should only get better. Fish are scattered in the weeds and along weed edges in 6-20 feet of water, and best baits include waxies, mousies, spikes, and plastics on plain hooks, small jigs, and teardrops.
Perch:
Anglers are catching perch holding just above rocky bottoms in 12-30 feet of water. Fatheads, rosy reds, and crappie minnows, and jigging spoons tipped with minnows, are the baits of choice.
Upcoming Events
Jan. 31: Seasons Close: Squirrel; Ruffed grouse.
Feb. 7: Cable Rod and Gun Club ice fishing contest.
Feb. 14: Walleyes for Northwest Wisconsin ice fishing event.
Feb. 15: Seasons Close: Raccoon; Fox; Coyote trapping.
Feb. 19-21: American Birkebeiner.
Feb. 28: Seasons Close: Cottontail rabbit; Muskrat; Mink.
March 1: Hayward Lakes Chapter of Muskies, Inc. awards banquet.
March 6-7: World’s Longest Weenie Roast at Lakewoods Resort.
March 6-8: Hayward 300 ISOC Snocross Nationals.
March 17: Hot Air Balloon Extravaganza at Lakewoods Resort.
April 30: Northern zone trapping seasons close: Beaver; Otter.
For more information on area events and activities, see the Calendar of Events, visit Hayward Lakes Visitor and Convention Bureau, or call 1-800-724-2992.
Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman
Following an all too brief respite from arctic temperatures a week or so ago … they returned. Anglers braving the conditions are catching fish, but action is slow. On a positive note, lake travel is pretty darn good at this time.
According to Pat at Happy Hooker, it’s not unusual to see a January fishing lag (we have), and he says combined with the cold temperatures anglers have little incentive to hit the ice. Then adds, “If cold builds character, there is now plenty of character to go around.”
Al at Pastika’s says ice is 16 inches thick or more on most lakes and driving conditions are good. He cautions anglers to be aware slush areas are forming again on some lakes and vehicles are getting stuck.
Cable Rod and Gun Club hosts its 20th annual ice fishing contest Saturday February 7, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Lake Namakagon. Anglers can begin fishing at 8 a.m. The entry fee is $5, and Loon Saloon on Hwy D serves as contest headquarters. The largest walleye, northern, perch, bluegill, and crappie win cash prize awards. A cash raffle, special raffles, and door prizes are available, and this year’s Grand Prize is a one-week vacation for two in La Quinta, California.
Walleyes for Northwest Wisconsin hosts its Family Ice Fishing event Saturday February 14, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Lac Courte Oreilles. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. at the public boat landing off Hwy K. Event buttons ($3 for adults; $1 for youth 13-17) are available at Pastika’s, Hayward Bait, and Hayward Power Sports. Children 12 years of age and younger are admitted free AND receive a jig rod/reel combo and fishing tackle packet.
The first three places in both the adult’s and kid’s divisions win prizes for the longest walleye, northern, bluegill, crappie, and perch. Raffle tickets ($1 each; six for $5) for thousands of dollars in prizes are available, and winners need not be present. For more information contact Hayward Bait and Tackle (715) 634-2921.
Sawyer County snowmobile trails are excellent. For current trail conditions, visit Sawyer County and Sno-Trails Snowmobile Club reports, and for the Cable area Namakagon Trail Groomers reports. Visit Snowmobile and ATV Trail Maps for trail information.
If you are an archer and plan to visit the Hayward area, bring your equipment and take part in Shooting Star Archery’s league shoots. Compound bow users shoot Monday and Tuesday evening. Thursday night is singles night for traditional bow users, and Friday night is for couples shooting traditional equipment. All leagues begin at 6:30 p.m. Cost is $5/night, and all archers are welcome. For more information, call 634-8880.
Walleye:
Walleye success has become more of a challenge. Fish are moving deeper, the bite window is shrinking, and reports are mixed – from poor to fair. That said, anglers are still catching fish, and the evening hours are the best bet. Target weeds and structure down to 30 feet or deeper with walleye suckers and shiners under tip-ups, and fatheads on jigging spoons.
Northern:
Northern pike action is very good and continues to be a bright spot. Northerns can be found just about everywhere, but key on areas with weeds and/or panfish in 5-20 feet of water. Northern suckers and large shiners under tip-ups will do the trick. For bigger pike, fish larger baits in deeper water.
Crappie:
Crappie action is scattered and erratic. Look for fish suspending over deep water and/or weeds in depths from eight to 30 feet or more, though this will vary from lake to lake. Favorite baits include crappie minnows, rosy reds, waxies, and plastics on plain hooks, small jigs, or teardrops, fished on jigging rods and tip-downs. If the crappies don’t cooperate, downsize to smaller tackle and bait, and try small diameter fluorocarbon line. You might not catch any more fish – but you will not catch any less!
Bluegill:
Bluegill fishing is also inconsistent, but from now through ice-out should only get better. Fish are scattered in the weeds and along weed edges in 6-20 feet of water, and best baits include waxies, mousies, spikes, and plastics on plain hooks, small jigs, and teardrops.
Perch:
Anglers are catching perch holding just above rocky bottoms in 12-30 feet of water. Fatheads, rosy reds, and crappie minnows, and jigging spoons tipped with minnows, are the baits of choice.
Upcoming Events
Jan. 31: Seasons Close: Squirrel; Ruffed grouse.
Feb. 7: Cable Rod and Gun Club ice fishing contest.
Feb. 14: Walleyes for Northwest Wisconsin ice fishing event.
Feb. 15: Seasons Close: Raccoon; Fox; Coyote trapping.
Feb. 19-21: American Birkebeiner.
Feb. 28: Seasons Close: Cottontail rabbit; Muskrat; Mink.
March 1: Hayward Lakes Chapter of Muskies, Inc. awards banquet.
March 6-7: World’s Longest Weenie Roast at Lakewoods Resort.
March 6-8: Hayward 300 ISOC Snocross Nationals.
March 17: Hot Air Balloon Extravaganza at Lakewoods Resort.
April 30: Northern zone trapping seasons close: Beaver; Otter.
For more information on area events and activities, see the Calendar of Events, visit Hayward Lakes Visitor and Convention Bureau, or call 1-800-724-2992.