Hayward Lakes Sherry
02-03-2009, 10:23 AM
February 02, 2009
Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman
We enjoyed a short-lived teaser of warm weather this past weekend, with temps breaking 40 degrees Saturday afternoon. On the heels of a few -30-degree nights, Sunday’s +30 degrees felt almost tropical!
Fishing activity, relatively slow in recent weeks, exploded with the sunshine and mild temps, and area lakes were very busy. Travel on the ice is fairly good on the main routes, but some drivers who choose to take “the road less traveled” are finding themselves stuck.
Across the area, ice thickness is reported to be anywhere from a foot or less, to 30 inches or more. As always, if you decide to drive on the ice, use caution and common sense – and good quantities of both.
The Cable Rod and Gun Club ice fishing contest is Saturday February 7, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., on Lake Namakagon. The Loon Saloon on Hwy D is contest headquarters.
Walleyes for Northwest Wisconsin Family Ice Fishing event is Saturday, Feb. 14, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., on Lac Courte Oreilles. Register at the Hwy K public boat landing. Call Hayward Bait (715) 634-2921 for more information.
Spring turkey permits were drawn and successful hunters should receive a card by mid-February. Nearly 71,000 leftover permits will go on sale over the counter March 23. The fee is $10 for residents, $15 for nonresidents.
The DNR will issue 7,310 permits for the 2009 bear hunting season, increasing harvest quotas by about 60 percent from 2008. A recently completed study indicates the state’s bear population could be more than twice previous estimates.
Hayward will host the 36th annual American Birkebeiner, America’s largest cross country ski race, February 19-21, featuring more than 9,000 cross country skiers from around the world. For more details, visit American Birkebeiner.
The Hayward 300 ISOC Snocross Nationals presented by LCO Casino Lodge and Convention Center is March 6-8. Top professional drivers will tackle a grueling, mile-long snocross track in this seventh stop on the International Series of Champions (ISOC) sanctioned tour. For information, visit Hayward 300 ISOC Snocross Nationals or call (715) 634-8662.
According to the Sawyer County snowmobile report, trail conditions are excellent across the county, with the best riding conditions still ahead. Sno-Trails Snowmobile Club reports trails are good overall, though additional snow (in the forecast!) would be appreciated. For trail information, visit Snowmobile and ATV Trail Maps.
Walleye:
Walleye anglers report action is fair to good, with slow, spotty, erratic, and challenging thrown into the mix for good measure. Late afternoon just before dark and into the evening hours offer your best chances for success. The fish are scattered in different locations, from weeds/weed edges, and grass, to mud flats and structure. Depths can vary from six to more than 35 feet. Walleye suckers and shiners under tip-ups, and fatheads on jigs or jigging spoons continue to be the tip choices. Smaller shiners are producing more action for some anglers, so mix your offerings.
Northern:
Northern action is a bit slower, but the bite is still very good, and some pike anglers are reporting incidental catches of largemouth bass. Look for weeds – and panfish – in 5-20 feet of water and you will be in northern territory. Northern suckers and large shiners are the favorite baits. For trophy pike, select larger baits and fish in deeper water.
Crappie:
Crappie activity also seems to have hit a lull, though some anglers seem to always catch fish. Crappie are spread at different depths, with some suspending over deeper water and others holding near shallow weeds. Crappies move, and if you want to catch them, you will have to move, too. The one constant is the standard baits of crappie minnows, rosy reds, waxies, and plastics continue to produce fish ... though on any given day one will work better than another.
Bluegill:
Bluegill anglers are getting some action, but it is often erratic. Look for bluegills near weeds and weed edges in 4-18 feet of water. Some are in deeper water, suspending just off bottom. The usual panfish baits – waxies, mousies, spikes, plastics (and minnows for the larger ‘gills) – are all productive at this time.
Perch:
Perch action is hit and miss, but anglers are catching a few. Fish fatheads, rosy reds, and waxies near bottom in deeper water areas where you find walleyes, such as mud flats.
Upcoming Events
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.
March 23: OTC sale of remaining turkey permits begins.
April 11-12: Youth turkey hunt.
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
We enjoyed a short-lived teaser of warm weather this past weekend, with temps breaking 40 degrees Saturday afternoon. On the heels of a few -30-degree nights, Sunday’s +30 degrees felt almost tropical!
Fishing activity, relatively slow in recent weeks, exploded with the sunshine and mild temps, and area lakes were very busy. Travel on the ice is fairly good on the main routes, but some drivers who choose to take “the road less traveled” are finding themselves stuck.
Across the area, ice thickness is reported to be anywhere from a foot or less, to 30 inches or more. As always, if you decide to drive on the ice, use caution and common sense – and good quantities of both.
The Cable Rod and Gun Club ice fishing contest is Saturday February 7, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., on Lake Namakagon. The Loon Saloon on Hwy D is contest headquarters.
Walleyes for Northwest Wisconsin Family Ice Fishing event is Saturday, Feb. 14, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., on Lac Courte Oreilles. Register at the Hwy K public boat landing. Call Hayward Bait (715) 634-2921 for more information.
Spring turkey permits were drawn and successful hunters should receive a card by mid-February. Nearly 71,000 leftover permits will go on sale over the counter March 23. The fee is $10 for residents, $15 for nonresidents.
The DNR will issue 7,310 permits for the 2009 bear hunting season, increasing harvest quotas by about 60 percent from 2008. A recently completed study indicates the state’s bear population could be more than twice previous estimates.
Hayward will host the 36th annual American Birkebeiner, America’s largest cross country ski race, February 19-21, featuring more than 9,000 cross country skiers from around the world. For more details, visit American Birkebeiner.
The Hayward 300 ISOC Snocross Nationals presented by LCO Casino Lodge and Convention Center is March 6-8. Top professional drivers will tackle a grueling, mile-long snocross track in this seventh stop on the International Series of Champions (ISOC) sanctioned tour. For information, visit Hayward 300 ISOC Snocross Nationals or call (715) 634-8662.
According to the Sawyer County snowmobile report, trail conditions are excellent across the county, with the best riding conditions still ahead. Sno-Trails Snowmobile Club reports trails are good overall, though additional snow (in the forecast!) would be appreciated. For trail information, visit Snowmobile and ATV Trail Maps.
Walleye:
Walleye anglers report action is fair to good, with slow, spotty, erratic, and challenging thrown into the mix for good measure. Late afternoon just before dark and into the evening hours offer your best chances for success. The fish are scattered in different locations, from weeds/weed edges, and grass, to mud flats and structure. Depths can vary from six to more than 35 feet. Walleye suckers and shiners under tip-ups, and fatheads on jigs or jigging spoons continue to be the tip choices. Smaller shiners are producing more action for some anglers, so mix your offerings.
Northern:
Northern action is a bit slower, but the bite is still very good, and some pike anglers are reporting incidental catches of largemouth bass. Look for weeds – and panfish – in 5-20 feet of water and you will be in northern territory. Northern suckers and large shiners are the favorite baits. For trophy pike, select larger baits and fish in deeper water.
Crappie:
Crappie activity also seems to have hit a lull, though some anglers seem to always catch fish. Crappie are spread at different depths, with some suspending over deeper water and others holding near shallow weeds. Crappies move, and if you want to catch them, you will have to move, too. The one constant is the standard baits of crappie minnows, rosy reds, waxies, and plastics continue to produce fish ... though on any given day one will work better than another.
Bluegill:
Bluegill anglers are getting some action, but it is often erratic. Look for bluegills near weeds and weed edges in 4-18 feet of water. Some are in deeper water, suspending just off bottom. The usual panfish baits – waxies, mousies, spikes, plastics (and minnows for the larger ‘gills) – are all productive at this time.
Perch:
Perch action is hit and miss, but anglers are catching a few. Fish fatheads, rosy reds, and waxies near bottom in deeper water areas where you find walleyes, such as mud flats.
Upcoming Events
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.
March 23: OTC sale of remaining turkey permits begins.
April 11-12: Youth turkey hunt.
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.