Hayward Lakes Sherry
03-11-2009, 10:59 AM
March 09, 2009
Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman
Ice anglers are reminded fishing shacks on inland waters north of Hwy 64 must be removed by March 15. Portable shelters can still be used, but they must be removed when not occupied. Current fishing licenses will expire March 31, and licenses for 2009-10 are now on sale.
Pat at Happy Hooker says although the days are becoming increasingly longer, thinning ice is still a little ways off.
“With very little snow cover on most of the lakes, I suspect we should have a near normal thaw this year, and I’m thinking mid April if nothing significant changes.”
Pat also advises anglers to start preparing for open water season by renewing licenses, servicing reels, installing new line, sharpening hooks, and organizing equipment.
According to Bob at Hayward Bait, the lakes have plenty of ice and nearly all of it is passable. He advises anglers choosing to drive on the ice to know where the springs are located and to stay away from creek inlets and outlets.
Driving conditions are very good on most all of the lakes, says Al at Pastika’s, but anglers should still be careful and check the ice before they drive on it.
Leon Pastika is spending considerable time on the ice, and he reports the panfish bite is currently very good on Nelson, Smith, Hayward, and Long lakes.
“We are doing well on bluegill and crappie in 8-10 feet of water, using waxies for bluegills and small minnows for crappies and perch.”
Starting at 10 a.m. March 23, the DNR will begin over the counter sales of leftover spring turkey hunting permits, one zone per day. No permits remain for Zone 7, or for time periods A, B, or C. Any permits remaining after March 27 will go on sale at 10 a.m. March 28.
The cost of a leftover permit is $10 for residents and $15 for nonresidents. All hunters are required to purchase a spring turkey license and stamp unless previously purchased or they hold a 2009 Conservation Patron license. Permits can be purchased at DNR service centers, license vendors, the Online Licensing Center, or by calling 1-877-945-4236.
Wisconsin’s 2009 spring turkey season consists of six, five-day periods, and runs April 15 through May 24. Visit the Wild Turkey page on the DNR Web site for more information.
Snowmobile trails conditions are decent in some areas and not so good in others. Snow is forecast for Tuesday night, but the weather prognosticators are still speculating on accumulation. Visit Sawyer County, Sno-Trails Snowmobile Club, or Namakagon Trail Groomers for trail reports, and Snowmobile and ATV Trail Maps for more trail information.
On March 14, from noon to 4 p.m., Schultz’s Restaurant on Chief Lake Road south of Hayward will hosts its annual Turkey Bowl fundraiser for the Northwoods Humane Society. Participants “bowl” with frozen turkeys and attempt to knock over pins on lanes plowed on the Chippewa Flowage ice. There is free food, hot chocolate, a huge raffle at 4 p.m., and the top three bowlers receive trophies. For more information, visit Schultz’s Restaurant or call 715-945-2223.
Crappie:
Crappie anglers are having some success, but even better fishing is on the way. Activity will improve as the weather warms, water starts flowing back into the holes adding more oxygen, and fish move higher in the water column. For now, the evening hours and after dark is the most productive time period. Fish are scattered in various locations around the lakes and at various depths in the water column. Crappie minnows, rosy reds, waxies, and plastics are all catching fish.
Bluegill:
Bluegill action is fair to good. Anglers are catching some nice fish, though some sorting will be necessary if you’re looking for a meal or two. Target weeds and weed edges in 5-12 feet of water with waxies, mousies, spikes, and plastics on plain hooks or small jig and teardrops.
Perch:
Perch action in general is currently slow to fair, but the fish should soon start staging for spawn. Look for fish near bottom in 8-25 feet of water (depending on the lake), around weeds, and on the mud flats. Fatheads, crappie minnows, rosy reds, waxies, plastics, and jigging spoons with minnow heads are all effective.
Upcoming Events
March 7: Early catch and release trout season opened.
March 14: Schultz’s Restaurant Turkey Bowl.
March 15: Ice fishing shelters must be removed from inland lakes north of Hwy 64.
March 17: Hot Air Balloon Extravaganza at Lakewoods Resort.
March 20: Winter crow season closes.
March 23: Remaining spring turkey permits go on sale.
March 27: Sawyer County Outdoor Projects and Education (SCOPE) banquet (715) 634-2027. (Sold out.)
March 28: Trout season opens on some Lake Superior tributaries. (See regs.)
March 31: Hunting and fishing licenses expire.
April 13: Spring Fish and Wildlife Hearings and Conservation Congress meetings.
April 27: Early catch-and-release trout season closes.
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
Ice anglers are reminded fishing shacks on inland waters north of Hwy 64 must be removed by March 15. Portable shelters can still be used, but they must be removed when not occupied. Current fishing licenses will expire March 31, and licenses for 2009-10 are now on sale.
Pat at Happy Hooker says although the days are becoming increasingly longer, thinning ice is still a little ways off.
“With very little snow cover on most of the lakes, I suspect we should have a near normal thaw this year, and I’m thinking mid April if nothing significant changes.”
Pat also advises anglers to start preparing for open water season by renewing licenses, servicing reels, installing new line, sharpening hooks, and organizing equipment.
According to Bob at Hayward Bait, the lakes have plenty of ice and nearly all of it is passable. He advises anglers choosing to drive on the ice to know where the springs are located and to stay away from creek inlets and outlets.
Driving conditions are very good on most all of the lakes, says Al at Pastika’s, but anglers should still be careful and check the ice before they drive on it.
Leon Pastika is spending considerable time on the ice, and he reports the panfish bite is currently very good on Nelson, Smith, Hayward, and Long lakes.
“We are doing well on bluegill and crappie in 8-10 feet of water, using waxies for bluegills and small minnows for crappies and perch.”
Starting at 10 a.m. March 23, the DNR will begin over the counter sales of leftover spring turkey hunting permits, one zone per day. No permits remain for Zone 7, or for time periods A, B, or C. Any permits remaining after March 27 will go on sale at 10 a.m. March 28.
The cost of a leftover permit is $10 for residents and $15 for nonresidents. All hunters are required to purchase a spring turkey license and stamp unless previously purchased or they hold a 2009 Conservation Patron license. Permits can be purchased at DNR service centers, license vendors, the Online Licensing Center, or by calling 1-877-945-4236.
Wisconsin’s 2009 spring turkey season consists of six, five-day periods, and runs April 15 through May 24. Visit the Wild Turkey page on the DNR Web site for more information.
Snowmobile trails conditions are decent in some areas and not so good in others. Snow is forecast for Tuesday night, but the weather prognosticators are still speculating on accumulation. Visit Sawyer County, Sno-Trails Snowmobile Club, or Namakagon Trail Groomers for trail reports, and Snowmobile and ATV Trail Maps for more trail information.
On March 14, from noon to 4 p.m., Schultz’s Restaurant on Chief Lake Road south of Hayward will hosts its annual Turkey Bowl fundraiser for the Northwoods Humane Society. Participants “bowl” with frozen turkeys and attempt to knock over pins on lanes plowed on the Chippewa Flowage ice. There is free food, hot chocolate, a huge raffle at 4 p.m., and the top three bowlers receive trophies. For more information, visit Schultz’s Restaurant or call 715-945-2223.
Crappie:
Crappie anglers are having some success, but even better fishing is on the way. Activity will improve as the weather warms, water starts flowing back into the holes adding more oxygen, and fish move higher in the water column. For now, the evening hours and after dark is the most productive time period. Fish are scattered in various locations around the lakes and at various depths in the water column. Crappie minnows, rosy reds, waxies, and plastics are all catching fish.
Bluegill:
Bluegill action is fair to good. Anglers are catching some nice fish, though some sorting will be necessary if you’re looking for a meal or two. Target weeds and weed edges in 5-12 feet of water with waxies, mousies, spikes, and plastics on plain hooks or small jig and teardrops.
Perch:
Perch action in general is currently slow to fair, but the fish should soon start staging for spawn. Look for fish near bottom in 8-25 feet of water (depending on the lake), around weeds, and on the mud flats. Fatheads, crappie minnows, rosy reds, waxies, plastics, and jigging spoons with minnow heads are all effective.
Upcoming Events
March 7: Early catch and release trout season opened.
March 14: Schultz’s Restaurant Turkey Bowl.
March 15: Ice fishing shelters must be removed from inland lakes north of Hwy 64.
March 17: Hot Air Balloon Extravaganza at Lakewoods Resort.
March 20: Winter crow season closes.
March 23: Remaining spring turkey permits go on sale.
March 27: Sawyer County Outdoor Projects and Education (SCOPE) banquet (715) 634-2027. (Sold out.)
March 28: Trout season opens on some Lake Superior tributaries. (See regs.)
March 31: Hunting and fishing licenses expire.
April 13: Spring Fish and Wildlife Hearings and Conservation Congress meetings.
April 27: Early catch-and-release trout season closes.
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.