Hayward Lakes Sherry
04-14-2009, 11:18 AM
April 13, 2009
Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman
The Hayward area was blessed with a string of extremely nice spring days prior to and through this past weekend, though with cold nights. Ice is deteriorating quickly, but those cold nights slow the process. Three steps forward and one (or two!) steps back. Still, open water is appearing in locations other than along south-facing shorelines.
Keep in mind that while the past few days were a most pleasant change, this is only April – and the forecast mentions a possibility of snow flurries. Plenty of time remains for a “real” snowstorm, too. Sorry about that.
DNR fisheries biologist Frank Pratt is expecting (hoping) to get his raring-to-go survey crews on the water this week, starting as soon as Monday on Knutson and Chetac lakes if the conditions warrant. If those plans come to fruition, his crews will survey Barker and Blaisdell in mid-week. He hopes to get the crews on Lake Hayward next weekend, which should not be problem – there is little ice remaining on at this time.
“Lake Hayward is my classic ice-out bellwether lake,” says Pratt. “Add 10 days to its ice-out and you usually bracket every lake in the county. If my ice-out predictions are wrong, it means it got colder and we had no wind or warm rain. It’s a very imprecise science.”
While we await the opening of game fish season, other fishing action is available now. The catch and release trout season will remain open on many inland streams through April 26, and anglers are starting to fish for redhorse and suckers.
Fire danger is currently very high in the Hayward area. Fire officials are warning people to not become “complacent” when preparing for wildfires this spring. It takes more than a brief rain shower to lower the danger. Sunshine and warm winds can quickly dry grass and leaves. Debris burning is the number one cause of wildfires, followed by sparks from vehicles and equipment.
The burning permit issuing system (the free permits are good for one year) requires only a single annual visit to a DNR service center or emergency fire warden. Before burning, permit holders must visit a website or call a toll free number to learn if they can burn in their area that day.
Changes are already in the works for this year’s deer season. The DNR will recommend a one-year moratorium on Earn-a Buck (EAB) units outside the Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) zone, as well as changing to a regular season 40 DMUs included in the 2008 October antlerless hunt. According to the DNR, last year’s harsh winter and late, cool spring impacted fawn production and deer survival more than anticipated.
Two reminders: The Governor’s Fishing Opener is in Hayward this year, and the public is invited to festivities at the Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame Friday May 1, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. For more information, call 1-800-724-2992.
The Hayward chapter of Whitetails Unlimited will hold its annual banquet Friday May 15. Single tickets cost $45; additional tickets for spouse or a child cost $25. Ordering deadline is May 8. Call 715-558-1395 or visit Whitetails Unlimited for more information.
Treeland Resort’s 25th annual Walleye Challenge on the Chippewa Flowage is May 8-10. The catch and release tournament is designed for the average angler, and kids and families are welcome. Fishing seminars, brat and steak feeds, and thousands of dollars worth of daily door prizes will be distributed. For every legal fish caught, the angler’s name is entered in the drawing for a Suzuki King Quad 450 AX ATV. Mention you saw this on the HLVCB website and receive a 15-percent discount on lodging and 25-percent discount on boat rentals during the tournament weekend. Entry is limited to the first 300 adult anglers. For more information, visit the Treeland Resort’s website or call (715) 462-3874.
Musky Tale Resort will host its annual Northern Encounter northern pike fishing tournament on the Chippewa Flowage May 15-17. Visit the website or call (715) 462-3838 for more information.
The annual Fishing Has No Boundaries event, three days of fishing for persons with disabilities, is May 15-17 at the Chippewa Campground on the Chippewa Flowage. For more information, call (715) 634-3185.
Upcoming Events
April 15-May 24: Spring turkey season (six, five-day periods.)
April 15-July 31: Illegal to run dogs on WPA lands. (See regs.)
April 26: Early catch-and-release trout season closes.
April 30: Northern zone trapping seasons close: Beaver, Otter.
May 1: Governor’s Opener Fishing Expo at Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame.
May 2: Seasons Open: General game fish opener (check regs for exceptions); Northern zone catch and release only bass season; Musky south of Hwy 10; Frog.
May 8-10: Treeland Resort Walleye Challenge (715-462-3874.)
May 15: Whitetails Unlimited banquet at Lumberjack Steakhouse (715-558-1395.)
May 15-17: Musky Tale Resort Northern Encounter pike fishing tournament (715-462-3838; 877-533-8902.)
May 15-17: Fishing Has No Boundaries (715-634-3185.)
May 23: Musky season opens north of Hwy 10.
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
The Hayward area was blessed with a string of extremely nice spring days prior to and through this past weekend, though with cold nights. Ice is deteriorating quickly, but those cold nights slow the process. Three steps forward and one (or two!) steps back. Still, open water is appearing in locations other than along south-facing shorelines.
Keep in mind that while the past few days were a most pleasant change, this is only April – and the forecast mentions a possibility of snow flurries. Plenty of time remains for a “real” snowstorm, too. Sorry about that.
DNR fisheries biologist Frank Pratt is expecting (hoping) to get his raring-to-go survey crews on the water this week, starting as soon as Monday on Knutson and Chetac lakes if the conditions warrant. If those plans come to fruition, his crews will survey Barker and Blaisdell in mid-week. He hopes to get the crews on Lake Hayward next weekend, which should not be problem – there is little ice remaining on at this time.
“Lake Hayward is my classic ice-out bellwether lake,” says Pratt. “Add 10 days to its ice-out and you usually bracket every lake in the county. If my ice-out predictions are wrong, it means it got colder and we had no wind or warm rain. It’s a very imprecise science.”
While we await the opening of game fish season, other fishing action is available now. The catch and release trout season will remain open on many inland streams through April 26, and anglers are starting to fish for redhorse and suckers.
Fire danger is currently very high in the Hayward area. Fire officials are warning people to not become “complacent” when preparing for wildfires this spring. It takes more than a brief rain shower to lower the danger. Sunshine and warm winds can quickly dry grass and leaves. Debris burning is the number one cause of wildfires, followed by sparks from vehicles and equipment.
The burning permit issuing system (the free permits are good for one year) requires only a single annual visit to a DNR service center or emergency fire warden. Before burning, permit holders must visit a website or call a toll free number to learn if they can burn in their area that day.
Changes are already in the works for this year’s deer season. The DNR will recommend a one-year moratorium on Earn-a Buck (EAB) units outside the Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) zone, as well as changing to a regular season 40 DMUs included in the 2008 October antlerless hunt. According to the DNR, last year’s harsh winter and late, cool spring impacted fawn production and deer survival more than anticipated.
Two reminders: The Governor’s Fishing Opener is in Hayward this year, and the public is invited to festivities at the Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame Friday May 1, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. For more information, call 1-800-724-2992.
The Hayward chapter of Whitetails Unlimited will hold its annual banquet Friday May 15. Single tickets cost $45; additional tickets for spouse or a child cost $25. Ordering deadline is May 8. Call 715-558-1395 or visit Whitetails Unlimited for more information.
Treeland Resort’s 25th annual Walleye Challenge on the Chippewa Flowage is May 8-10. The catch and release tournament is designed for the average angler, and kids and families are welcome. Fishing seminars, brat and steak feeds, and thousands of dollars worth of daily door prizes will be distributed. For every legal fish caught, the angler’s name is entered in the drawing for a Suzuki King Quad 450 AX ATV. Mention you saw this on the HLVCB website and receive a 15-percent discount on lodging and 25-percent discount on boat rentals during the tournament weekend. Entry is limited to the first 300 adult anglers. For more information, visit the Treeland Resort’s website or call (715) 462-3874.
Musky Tale Resort will host its annual Northern Encounter northern pike fishing tournament on the Chippewa Flowage May 15-17. Visit the website or call (715) 462-3838 for more information.
The annual Fishing Has No Boundaries event, three days of fishing for persons with disabilities, is May 15-17 at the Chippewa Campground on the Chippewa Flowage. For more information, call (715) 634-3185.
Upcoming Events
April 15-May 24: Spring turkey season (six, five-day periods.)
April 15-July 31: Illegal to run dogs on WPA lands. (See regs.)
April 26: Early catch-and-release trout season closes.
April 30: Northern zone trapping seasons close: Beaver, Otter.
May 1: Governor’s Opener Fishing Expo at Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame.
May 2: Seasons Open: General game fish opener (check regs for exceptions); Northern zone catch and release only bass season; Musky south of Hwy 10; Frog.
May 8-10: Treeland Resort Walleye Challenge (715-462-3874.)
May 15: Whitetails Unlimited banquet at Lumberjack Steakhouse (715-558-1395.)
May 15-17: Musky Tale Resort Northern Encounter pike fishing tournament (715-462-3838; 877-533-8902.)
May 15-17: Fishing Has No Boundaries (715-634-3185.)
May 23: Musky season opens north of Hwy 10.
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.