Hayward Lakes Sherry
02-18-2009, 11:02 AM
February 16, 2009
Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman
Cold temperatures have returned to the north woods, firming the slush and greatly improving travel on most lakes. Still, keep an eye peeled for pockets of slush. Even late last week one angler “discovered” a slush pocket when his truck dropped down far enough to damage his truck’s plastic bumper cowling! With temperatures forecast to be below zero a few nights this week, those problems should be few and far between. Should be.
At Happy Hooker, Pat says with the freeze-up anglers could very well find a crusty layer of ice on the lakes, making auger extensions necessary. He says the upside is fish should become more active with the increased light penetration.
DNR fisheries biologist Frank Pratt has heard reports of winterkill on the back part of Musky Bay (Lac Courte Oreilles) and suggests anglers fish the north part of the bay or the main lake where there are better oxygen levels.
The Walleyes for Northwest Wisconsin ice fishing event on Lac Courte Oreilles last Saturday drew significantly more people than last year, including a 25-percent increase in youth anglers. Prizes get better and participation is bigger every year.
Reminder: Game fish season closes March 1; fishing and hunting licenses expire March 31.
The 36th annual American Birkebeiner is in Hayward this coming weekend, February 19-21. More than 9,000 cross-country skiers from around the world will participate in the event, America’s largest cross country ski race.
Current snowmobile trail reports indicate conditions are “less than ideal.” Last week’s rain and mild temperatures did some damage, though there is still a decent base. This week’s forecast shows colder temps and some chances of snow possible – needed for this area’s snowmobilers and the American Birkebeiner skiers this coming weekend.
Visit Sawyer County, Sno-Trails Snowmobile Club, or Namakagon Trail Groomers for trail reports, and Snowmobile and ATV Trail Maps for more trail information. And don’t forget the Hayward 300 ISOC Snocross Nationals March 6-8 hosted by LCO Casino Lodge and Convention Center.
Walleye:
Walleye action remains a challenge, though a number of nice fish were caught on Lac Courte Oreilles during the WFNW ice fishing event last Saturday. It should be noted those fish were caught during the day, though the best action is during late afternoon into evening. The best success continues to be in deeper water around weeds, on break lines, mud flats, rock, and similar structure. Concentrate on depths from 22-40 feet, though some fish will be found in shallower water. The usual walleye baits – walleye suckers, shiners, and fatheads are all working – and tip-ups and jigging spoons are about equally effective at this time.
Northern:
Northern pike anglers continue to enjoy reasonably good success. The mild temperatures and rain a week ago thinned snow cover, which should get the pike more active, primarily in the afternoon hours. Look for weeds, green if you can find them, in 6-20 feet of water. Northern suckers and large golden shiners are the baits of choice, and using bigger bait will usually produce bigger pike.
Crappie:
Crappie action is generally fair, but on some days (cloudy is best) action can be quite good. For the time being, it appears to be consistently inconsistent. Depending on the lake fished, crappies can be in shallow weeds or suspending over deeper water – somewhere in the water column. There is a good reason serious ice anglers use flashers. Water depths range from 5-6 feet down to 20 feet or deeper. Crappie minnows, rosy reds, waxies, and plastics can all be effective, so if you have difficulty extracting a few fish, don’t shy away from changing baits and/or presentations.
Bluegill:
Bluegill action is fair to good, and with some sorting you should be able to get a meal or two. Fish waxies, spikes, mousies, and plastics around weeds and cribs in 5-18 feet of water. If the ‘gills seem reluctant (don’t blame me – the fish make the rules) downsize tackle and bait, and if you aren’t using it already, try fluorocarbon line.
Perch:
Anglers are catching perch, with some saying the action is more consistent than with bluegill or crappie. Others disagree. They majority do agree perch are hovering just off bottom in 10-25 feet of water (depending on the lake, and don’t overlook mud flats) and hitting fatheads, crappie minnows, rosy reds, plastics, and grubs.
Upcoming Events
Feb. 19-21: American Birkebeiner.
Feb. 28: Seasons Close: Cottontail rabbit, Muskrat, Mink.
Feb. 28: Namekagon River Valley RMEF banquet. (715) 699-2674.
March 1: Game fish season ends (first Sunday in March.)
March 6-7: World’s Longest Weenie Roast at Lakewoods Resort.
March 6-8: Hayward 300 ISOC Snocross Nationals.
March 7: Hayward Lakes Chapter of Muskies, Inc. awards banquet. (715) 634-4543.
March 17: Hot Air Balloon Extravaganza at Lakewoods Resort.
March 27: Sawyer County Outdoor Projects and Education (SCOPE) banquet (715) 634-2027.
March 31: Hunting and fishing licenses expire.
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
Cold temperatures have returned to the north woods, firming the slush and greatly improving travel on most lakes. Still, keep an eye peeled for pockets of slush. Even late last week one angler “discovered” a slush pocket when his truck dropped down far enough to damage his truck’s plastic bumper cowling! With temperatures forecast to be below zero a few nights this week, those problems should be few and far between. Should be.
At Happy Hooker, Pat says with the freeze-up anglers could very well find a crusty layer of ice on the lakes, making auger extensions necessary. He says the upside is fish should become more active with the increased light penetration.
DNR fisheries biologist Frank Pratt has heard reports of winterkill on the back part of Musky Bay (Lac Courte Oreilles) and suggests anglers fish the north part of the bay or the main lake where there are better oxygen levels.
The Walleyes for Northwest Wisconsin ice fishing event on Lac Courte Oreilles last Saturday drew significantly more people than last year, including a 25-percent increase in youth anglers. Prizes get better and participation is bigger every year.
Reminder: Game fish season closes March 1; fishing and hunting licenses expire March 31.
The 36th annual American Birkebeiner is in Hayward this coming weekend, February 19-21. More than 9,000 cross-country skiers from around the world will participate in the event, America’s largest cross country ski race.
Current snowmobile trail reports indicate conditions are “less than ideal.” Last week’s rain and mild temperatures did some damage, though there is still a decent base. This week’s forecast shows colder temps and some chances of snow possible – needed for this area’s snowmobilers and the American Birkebeiner skiers this coming weekend.
Visit Sawyer County, Sno-Trails Snowmobile Club, or Namakagon Trail Groomers for trail reports, and Snowmobile and ATV Trail Maps for more trail information. And don’t forget the Hayward 300 ISOC Snocross Nationals March 6-8 hosted by LCO Casino Lodge and Convention Center.
Walleye:
Walleye action remains a challenge, though a number of nice fish were caught on Lac Courte Oreilles during the WFNW ice fishing event last Saturday. It should be noted those fish were caught during the day, though the best action is during late afternoon into evening. The best success continues to be in deeper water around weeds, on break lines, mud flats, rock, and similar structure. Concentrate on depths from 22-40 feet, though some fish will be found in shallower water. The usual walleye baits – walleye suckers, shiners, and fatheads are all working – and tip-ups and jigging spoons are about equally effective at this time.
Northern:
Northern pike anglers continue to enjoy reasonably good success. The mild temperatures and rain a week ago thinned snow cover, which should get the pike more active, primarily in the afternoon hours. Look for weeds, green if you can find them, in 6-20 feet of water. Northern suckers and large golden shiners are the baits of choice, and using bigger bait will usually produce bigger pike.
Crappie:
Crappie action is generally fair, but on some days (cloudy is best) action can be quite good. For the time being, it appears to be consistently inconsistent. Depending on the lake fished, crappies can be in shallow weeds or suspending over deeper water – somewhere in the water column. There is a good reason serious ice anglers use flashers. Water depths range from 5-6 feet down to 20 feet or deeper. Crappie minnows, rosy reds, waxies, and plastics can all be effective, so if you have difficulty extracting a few fish, don’t shy away from changing baits and/or presentations.
Bluegill:
Bluegill action is fair to good, and with some sorting you should be able to get a meal or two. Fish waxies, spikes, mousies, and plastics around weeds and cribs in 5-18 feet of water. If the ‘gills seem reluctant (don’t blame me – the fish make the rules) downsize tackle and bait, and if you aren’t using it already, try fluorocarbon line.
Perch:
Anglers are catching perch, with some saying the action is more consistent than with bluegill or crappie. Others disagree. They majority do agree perch are hovering just off bottom in 10-25 feet of water (depending on the lake, and don’t overlook mud flats) and hitting fatheads, crappie minnows, rosy reds, plastics, and grubs.
Upcoming Events
Feb. 19-21: American Birkebeiner.
Feb. 28: Seasons Close: Cottontail rabbit, Muskrat, Mink.
Feb. 28: Namekagon River Valley RMEF banquet. (715) 699-2674.
March 1: Game fish season ends (first Sunday in March.)
March 6-7: World’s Longest Weenie Roast at Lakewoods Resort.
March 6-8: Hayward 300 ISOC Snocross Nationals.
March 7: Hayward Lakes Chapter of Muskies, Inc. awards banquet. (715) 634-4543.
March 17: Hot Air Balloon Extravaganza at Lakewoods Resort.
March 27: Sawyer County Outdoor Projects and Education (SCOPE) banquet (715) 634-2027.
March 31: Hunting and fishing licenses expire.
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.