Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report Steve Suman This week’s weather forecast is encouraging, showing plenty of promise for sunshine and considerably warmer temperatures. After the two- to three-week head start early this spring, conditions are now back to about normal. DNR fisheries biologist Frank Pratt is making exceptional headway as he recovers from the serious injuries, and resulting surgeries, following his recent auto accident. Pratt is in good spirits and says he could return to the Hayward area as early as this week. We’re pulling for you, Frank! “With warm weather, fishing should be good in the shallows for bluegills, crappie, and northern,” says Al at Pastika’s, “and with a mayfly hatch, walleye fishing could be good on the flats.” Nelson at Hayward Bait says anglers who are on the water regardless of conditions are catching fish. Mark advises walleye angler to concentrate on the weeds. “The recent moisture helped lake levels – or at least stopped them from going down,” says Pat at Happy Hooker. “We would be delighted with two or three days of warm rain.” Randy at Jenk’s says the Chippewa Flowage is starting to come back from cold weather that dropped water temperature eight degrees. He says that while recent rains are beginning to raise the water level, the lake is still down almost two feet. According to DNR fisheries biologist Skip Sommerfeldt, the cold, windy, rainy, and snowy weather last week kept both fishing pressure and fish activity at a minimum on most north woods waters. “Diehard anglers who were trying their luck really had to work at catching fish,” Sommerfeldt says. Hayward area registration stations (Shooting Star, Hillman’s Store, Hayward Bait) recorded four turkeys, three adults and one juvenile, for Period E (May 12-16) of spring turkey season. Period F, the final period of spring turkey season, is May 19-23. Should you be so inclined, as of Friday May 14, tags are still available as follows: Zone 1 (southwest Wisconsin): 8382; Zone 3 (central Wisconsin): 7428. Reminder: A new Wisconsin rule prohibits boaters from operating at speeds greater than ‘slow-no-wake’ (minimum speed required for maintaining steerage) within 100 feet of all lake shorelines. Current law also prohibits boaters from operating at speeds greater than slow-no-wake within 100 feet of docks, rafts, piers, and buoyed restricted areas. Fishing Reports This week, we are experiencing a major weather pattern change, and you can be sure it will affect fish activity in an equally major manner. Bait and presentation preferences can change quickly, and investing a few minutes at your favorite bait and tackle shop acquiring the most current information will pay great dividends on the water. Anglers should note the Northern Bass Zone is catch-and-release only until June 19. Walleye: Walleye anglers are catching fish, though the fish have no set pattern, but the best action is in the early morning hours and just before dark. Fish close to weeds, cribs, humps, rocks, and wood in depths ranging from 6-30 feet of water. Work shallower water on the dark, stained lakes, and go deeper on clear water lakes. Walleye suckers, fatheads, leeches, and crawlers are all catching walleyes, and there continues to be a good evening bite on stick and crank baits. During cold fronts, try smaller minnows and slow retrieves. Northern: Northern action is good around weeds, new weed beds, and panfish. Fish shallow bays for the best action, but move to slightly deeper water, such as just outside bay openings, if you want to catch bigger pike. Top baits include large northern suckers, spinner, stick, and crank baits, and spoons. Crappie: Crappies are getting anxious to spawn, and this week’s warm weather should kick them into gear. Look for crappies in shallower water near weeds, cribs, brush, and structure. Just outside known spawning areas can also be very good at this time. Depths will vary from four to 12 feet. Crappie minnows, waxies, plastics, spinners, and Gulp!/Power baits, fished on plain hooks or small jigs, with or without bobbers, are all effective presentations. Bluegill: Bluegill action could get ‘fast and furious’ in the next week, as long as the water continues to warm. Fish shallower water weeds, cribs, brush, and bays, particularly on warm, sunny days. The ‘gills are hitting waxies, crawlers, leaf worms, and plastics, and topwaters, too, will get their attention. Upcoming Events Through July 31: Illegal to run dogs on WPA lands. (See regs.) May 19-23: Spring turkey season Period F. May 21-23: Fishing Has No Boundaries fishing event for persons with disabilities (800-243-3462; 715-634-3185.) May 29: Muskellunge season opens north of Hwy 10. June 5-6: Free Fishing Weekend. No license or stamps required. All other regulations apply. June 6: State Parks Open House Day. Free admission to all state parks, forests and trails. June 19: Northern Zone bass season changes from catch-and-release to daily bag limits. (See regs.) June 24-27: 61st annual Musky Festival (715-634-8662.) June 25-27: Hayward Lions “John Ryan” Musky Fest fishing contest.