Hayward Area Fishing Report

June 29, 2009
Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman

Summer is a busy time in Hayward. This past weekend, Musky Festival drew large crowds to the area, and the Lumberjack World Championships are only a few weeks away.
DNR fisheries biologist Frank Pratt reports a great turnout for Family Fishing Fun days at Shue’s Pond during Musky Festival.
“We welcomed 292 youth and mentoring adults to the event,” says Pratt. “Most all of them fished – and caught nearly every sunfish we stocked. In my 35 years with the DNR, I’ve never seen so many smiles in one place at any DNR event.”
The “Golden Spike” hidden on Tuscobia State Trail as part of a promotion was found by a Couderay couple June 12 at the base of an historic marker. The “Trailside Camping” prize package they won included a four-person tent, fishing poles, and other camping items. The 74-mile Tuscobia State Trail is a former railroad grade running from Park Falls Rice Lake, and 65 miles of the trail – from Park Falls to Birchwood – is open to ATV use. A number of spur trails allow a seamless ride across northern Wisconsin.
The DNR advises people to avoid wild parsnip as they would poison ivy, oak, and sumac. The plant is about four feet tall, with yellow clusters of flowering stems, and the plant’s juice causes severe burns to skin when exposed to the sun’s ultraviolet light. Blisters can last several weeks, and brown scarring can last months or years. ID cards are available at DNR service centers.

Muskies:
Musky action is improving each week, with early morning and evening hours still the most productive. Target weed beds, rock points, shallow bars, main lake bars and points, and shallow weed lines, and look for suspending fish. Bucktails, jerkbaits, and topwaters are best, but Bull Dawgs, crank and stickbaits are also getting good attention. Vary the size of the baits you throw. Muskies in some waters currently seem to prefer smaller baits.

Walleye:
Mayfly hatches negatively affected walleye fishing in the past week or two, but the hatches are now diminishing and action is improving. However, fish are scattered and you can find them in six feet of water down to 30 feet or deeper. Concentrate on weed beds, the edges of weed lines, drop-offs, and transition areas of soft and hard bottoms meet. Leeches and crawlers are the best choices for live bait at this time. Fish them under sip bobbers, on floating jig heads, Lindy Rigs, and live bait harnesses. Trolling Rapalas, crank and stick baits, or live bait can also be quite productive.

Northern:
Northern pike action continues to be good, but the pike have moved to somewhat deeper water. Fish the edges of weeds and weed beds, bars and flats with spoons, spinners, spinner and crank baits, bucktails, and northern suckers. Pike are excellent on the table and the DNR encourages harvest in some lakes. Once you learn how to remove the y-bones for boneless filets you will become a big fan.

Largemouth Bass:
Largemouth bass action is very good to excellent – and excellent in this area is outstanding. Fish shallow weeds, weed beds, wood, slop, and lily pads. Your lure and bait options are wide and varied, from spinner, stick, and buzz baits, soft plastics, and scented worms, to weedless spoons, rubber frogs and other topwaters, to crawlers, leeches, and minnows.

Smallmouth Bass:
Smallmouth anglers are having success fishing on deep main lake bars, cribs, and wood, but rocks can be key at this time. Not all fish are deep, so start from shallow to mid-depths and work toward deeper water. Spinnerbaits, plastics, tube jigs, X-Raps, and topwaters are all producing catches, and live bait – minnows, crawlers, and leeches – are always a good bet for smallies.

Crappie:
Crappie action is good to very good. They are scattering to deeper water, but you can still find some holding not far from their spawning areas. Otherwise, look to weeds and weed beds, cribs, and structure. Depths will vary from shallow to deep, and some fish are suspending. Best live baits are crappie minnows, waxies on small jigs, plain hooks fished under a bobber. Artificials include Mini-Mites, Tattle Tails, tube jigs and other plastics, and don’t overlook topwaters.

Bluegill:
Bluegill spawning appears to be winding down on most lakes, but fishing action continues to be very goo. If you don’t find fish on shallow spawning beds, look to deeper water – especially for larger bluegills. Best live baits include leaf worms, waxies, crawler chunks, and leeches on plain hooks or small jigs. If you’re using artificials, try Mini-Mites, Tattle Tails, tube jigs and other plastics, and poppers.

Upcoming Events
July 1: Training dogs by pursuing bear allowed through August 31. (See regs.)
July 15: Turtle season opens statewide. (See regs.)
July 24-26: 50th Annual Lumberjack World Championships (715-644-2484.)
Through July 31: Illegal to run dogs on WPA lands. (See regs.)
Aug. 1: Fall turkey permit application deadline.

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.

June 22, 2009
Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman

Summer’s official start is June 21, and “summer” weather arrived on schedule. The change from daily highs in the 60s and 70s to mid-80s and 90s was abrupt, but summer is a short season in the north woods
Hayward’s 60th Annual Musky Festival is June 25-28. It’s a fast-paced weekend filled with fishing and casting contests, sidewalk sales, carnival, street dance, live entertainment, and more, and be sure to check into the Hayward Lions Club fishing contest. The Festival closes Sunday with the Musky Festival Grand Parade. Visit Musky Festival (www.muskyfestival.com) or call 715-634-8662 for more information.
DNR fisheries biologist Frank Pratt encourages families to visit Shue’s Pond on Friday and Saturday of Musky Festival, from noon to 5 p.m. There will be lure making, casting, fishing, and more for the kids, and Park Service personnel will offer “fish painting.”
The Quiet Lakes Crappie-A-Thon on Lost Land, Teal, and Ghost lakes runs through October 15. Tagged crappies worth up to $500 in cash prizes are swimming in those lakes. All entrants are eligible for the year-end drawing – you could win a prize without catching a fish! The $3 tournament badges (plus free Tattle Tail lure) are available at participating Quiet Lakes resorts or bait shops.
Turtle nesting reaches its peak in June and the DNR reminds drivers to be on the lookout when on roads near wetlands and rivers. Motorists are encouraged to move turtles across the road – in the direction the turtle was traveling – when traffic conditions are safe.

Muskies:
Muskies are becoming more active and fishing is improving. Concentrate on weeds and weed lines, bars, humps, and points in a wide range of depths, as well as suspending fish. During the day use bucktails, plastics, crank and jerk baits, but in the evening hours switch to topwater baits.

Walleye:
Walleye fishing is fair to good, but the mayfly hatch is making catching efforts more difficult. The fish are scattered, so not all are dining on mayflies. Fish the edges of weeds and weed beds, flats, bars, brush, and humps in 8-20 feet of water. Some are deeper ... some shallower. Leeches and crawlers are working better than minnows, though that’s not necessarily true for all waters. (Take a mix of baits.) Use jigs and/or slip bobbers, and harnesses. Trolled crankbaits and Beetle Spins are also producing catches.

Northern:
Water is warming, northern pike are moving to deeper, cooler water, and action continues to be good. You will find fish on the edges of weeds (particularly near new weed beds), flats, and bars, and some in shallow water. Crank and spinner baits, spinner, spoons, and northern suckers are all productive baits at this time. Fish deeper for larger pike.

Largemouth Bass:
Bass season in the Northern Zone switched to daily bag limits this past weekend (June 20) and fishing is very good in nearly all area lakes. Spawning is winding down or done, though fish are still shallow. Fish the weeds, slop, lily pads, submerged trees, and other structure. You have a good assortment of baits from which to choose, so throw your favorites ... or ones you would like to lose. Topwaters, plastics (including crawfish imitations), buzz, crank, and spinner baits, leeches, and crawlers will all attract largemouth.

Smallmouth Bass:
Smallmouth bass have completed their spawning and are now locating in deeper water. Look for rocky bottoms on main lake bars and points, and drop-offs near the spawning areas. Crankbaits (especially X-Raps), spinnerbaits, soft plastics, jigs, and topwaters are all working very well at this time.

Crappie:
Crappie spawning continues on some of the deeper lakes, but for the most part, it has ended on the shallower lakes. Action is good to excellent, even with fish somewhat scattered. Fish weeds and weed lines in 5-12 feet of water, particularly locations near spawning areas, cribs and brush. Most productive baits include crappie minnows, waxies, and leeches, Beetle Spins, topwaters, and plastics such as Mini-Mites and Tattle Tails. Once you find the fish, slip bobbers can hold the bait at the correct depth. If you have never used a slip bobber – learn to do so. You’ll increase your success.

Bluegill:
Bluegill spawning should peak this week and action is very good to excellent on most lakes. Look for shallow water and sandy bottoms with “elephant tracks” (spawning beds) and you should find large numbers of fish. Bigger bluegills will be slightly deeper. Best baits include waxies, worms, leaf worms, crawler chunks, and leeches fished on plain hooks or jigs, with or without a bobber, and Mini-Mites, Tattle Tails, and other plastics.

Upcoming Events
June 25-28: Musky Festival (715-634-8662.)
June 26-27: Hayward Lions Musky Fest Fishing Contest.
July 1: Training dogs by pursuing bear allowed through August 31. (See regs.)
July 15: Turtle season opens statewide. (See regs.)
July 24-26: 50th Annual Lumberjack World Championships (715-644-2484.)
Through July 31: Illegal to run dogs on WPA lands. (See regs.)

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.

June 15, 2009
Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman

Our nights are now “less cool,” water temperatures are finally starting to rise, and this should be THE week for bluegill spawning to occur. Bluegill fishing is never better than at this time of year.
Northern Zone bass season makes the switch from catch and release to daily bag limits this Saturday, June 20. The Hayward lakes area offer some of this country’s best bass fishing – for both largemouth and smallmouth bass.
DNR fisheries biologist Frank Pratt says people should not be alarmed by the late spring fish kills, mostly crappie and bluegill, occurring on a number of area lakes.
“These fish kills are caused by post-spawning stress, coupled with other biological factors, such as thermal stress, a common bacteria known as Columnaris, and – rarely – toxic substances produced by blue-green algae. So far, all samples we’ve sent to Madison received a clean bill of health for VHS.”
This Sunday, June 21, Big Musky Resort on the Chippewa Flowage will host the Big Chip Fish Fest. Bass 14-19 inches long, and northerns less than 32 inches long, will be targeted for selective harvest. Fishing hours are 6 a.m. until 4 p.m. The fish will be cleaned, cooked, and served with potato salad and cole slaw. The first 125 kids age 12 and under receive a rod/reel combo, and the Grand Prize is a $1000 Hayward Home Center gift certificate. Entry is $5 for adults; $3 for youth 16 and younger. For more information, call event coordinator George Greenbank (715) 634-9929.
DNR spring drumming count results indicate a six percent increase in grouse numbers from last year. The season in Zone A runs Sept. 12 through Jan. 31, 2010.
Deer fawns are now seen with their mothers, feeding along the roadsides. If you see deer, slow down. The DNR says spring period is second only to rut in the number of vehicle-deer collisions.

Muskies:
As the water temperatures on local lakes are heating up, so is musky action. You will find some fish in shallow water, while some are now residing in their “summer residences” on points, bars, and the edge of weedlines. Bucktails, spinners, and surface baits are working best, with crankbaits, Bull Dawgs, and suckers also catching fish. At this time, small to medium size baits appear to be more productive than large baits.

Walleye:
Walleye action is inconsistent, but improving, and early morning and evening hours are best. DNR fisheries biologist Skip Sommerfeldt says the mayfly hatch is starting on some lakes, providing a significant source of natural food ... and limiting fishing success. Walleye are scattered from 8-25 feet and deeper. Look for main lake bars, weed edges, cribs, rock, wood, and brush. Leeches and crawlers are the most effective live baits on most lakes, though jigs with walleye suckers are working on other lakes. Casting or trolling crank and stick baits are also producing some nice fish.

Northern:
With water temperatures warming, northern pike are moving to somewhat deeper water. Look for them in 4-18 feet of water on weed lines, weed edges, and bars, and wherever panfish are spawning. Northern suckers are always a good choice, but if pike are in the area, spinnerbaits, spoons, crank and surface baits will also get their attention.

Bass:
The Northern Zone bass season changes from catch and release to daily bag limits this Saturday, June 20. Roller coaster water temperatures keep the bass moving, but action is very good. Plastic frogs/surface baits, spoons, and scented plastics are working best.

Crappie:
Crappie action is fairly good, with early morning and late afternoon hours best. The fish are post-spawn, scattering, and moving to summer holding areas. Look for fish suspending, near weedlines, along the edges of shallow weeds, and cribs, and even working the surface. Use crappie minnows, waxies, leeches, plastics, tube jigs, and topwaters. Once you locate the crappies, a bobber will hold the bait in front of their nose until they just can’t stand it. At least, that’s the theory.

Bluegill:
Bluegill spawning should start this week. Look for their beds in shallow, sandy areas, but some will be slightly deeper and along breaklines out to about 10 feet. Fished with or without a bobber, your bait options are open. For live bait, it’s waxies, worms, and small leeches on plain hooks, small jigs, and ice jigs. Artificials include plastics, small spinners, topwaters, poppers, flies, and Berkley Gulp! panfish baits.

Upcoming Events
June 20: Northern Zone bass season changes from catch-and-release to daily bag limits. (See regs.)
June 21: Big Chip Fish Fest at Big Musky Resort on the Chippewa Flowage (715-634-9929.)
June 25-28: Musky Festival (715-634-8662.)
June 26-27: Hayward Lions Musky Fest Fishing Contest.
July 1: Training dogs by pursuing bear allowed through August 31. (See regs.)
July 15: Turtle season opens statewide. (See regs.)
July 24-26: 50th Annual Lumberjack World Championships (715-644-2484.)
Through July 31: Illegal to run dogs on WPA lands. (See regs.)

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.

June 08, 2009
Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman

Our cool spring continues, but we are finally receiving some much-needed rain. As often happens, a change to a hot and sunny summer could occur almost overnight. If the change happens this week, it should create fantastic bluegill fishing opportunities.
DNR fisheries biologist Frank Pratt says with recent weather changes dropping water temperatures six to eight degrees, bass and bluegill are moving in and out of the shallows. Fishing is either very good ... or not good at all. That aside, largemouth bass appear to be doing quite well on the Chippewa Flowage.
“Some electrofishing stations on the west side of the Chippewa Flowage recently showed bass catch rates of 30-60 bass per mile,” the biologist says. “Twenty years ago, those catch rates were about one bass per mile!”
During Friday and Saturday afternoon of Musky Festival (June 25-28) make a point to visit “Family Fishing Days” at Shue’s Pond, presented by the DNR and Park Service. They will offer tackle making, casting, fishing, plus more, and Pratt invites all families to participate.
Big Musky Resort on the Chippewa Flowage will host Double G’s Big Chip Fish Fest June 21, an event targeting the selective harvest of 14- to 19-inch largemouth bass and northern pike less than 32 inches. Fishing runs from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the fish will be cooked on-site and served with potato salad and cole slaw. The first 125 kids 12 and under will receive a rod/reel combo. Raffle tickets and event T-shirts will be available. The Grand Prize is a $1000 gift certificate from Hayward Home Center. Entry is $5 for adults; $3 for youth 16 and younger. For more information, call event coordinator George Greenbank (715) 634-9929.

Muskies:
Musky action is fair but improving. Anglers continue to report good numbers of sightings and follows, but the fish just aren’t hitting the baits as they should. Or as anglers wish they would! The fish are moving out of their spawning areas, though not far, so target nearby points, weeds, and weed beds – emerging green weeds in particular. Bait selection is up for grabs, though twitch and glide baits appear to be getting the most attention, and there are reports of some hooking success on smaller bucktails, crankbaits, rubber, and surface baits, as well as on live suckers.

Walleye:
Walleye fishing is fair to good, and anglers continue to catch fish throughout the day, though a mayfly hatch on some lakes is not helping matters. Depending on the lake, you will find walleyes in 4-28 feet or deeper water, around weeds and weed edges, rocks, cribs, and on the flats. The switch from minnows (fatheads, walleye suckers) to crawlers and leeches is in progress, but you can’t really rule out any of them at this time. In early morning and evening hours cast or troll Rapalas or other crankbaits over shallow weeds and shoreline areas.

Northern:
Cool water is keeping pike shallow and they are generally aggressive, with some days better than others. You will find them in 4-18 feet of water, around weeds and areas where bluegills are spawning. Spoons, spinnerbaits, Rapalas, Rattlin’ Raps, buzz baits for artificials, and northern suckers and fathead minnows, will all catch northern pike. This is a great time of year to use those “bottom of the box” baits you might otherwise not throw ... and that might otherwise not catch fish.

Bass:
Bass season in the North Zone is catch and release only until June 20 when it switches to daily bag limits. Spoons, spinnerbaits, and soft plastics are working well.

Crappie:
For all practical purposes crappies have finished spawning, though they are still moving in and out of the shallows. This will make finding them more difficult, as they are both scattering and heading to deeper water, but fishing remains fair to good. Best action is in the early morning and late afternoon hours. Look for weeds, weed edges, wood, and cribs. Best live baits are crappie minnows, waxies, and small leeches on jigs and/or under slip bobbers; best artificials are small Mini-Mites, tube jigs, plastics, and spinners.

Bluegill:
Bluegills are in pre-spawn, but they are starting to “circle the wagons” and move toward shallower water. Spawning could start any day now, particularly with warm, sunny weather. For now, look to shallow weeds, structure, and along break lines in 3-8 feet of water, and especially in warmer water bays. Waxies, worms, crawler chunks, leeches, and plastics on plain hooks or dressed jigs, and surface baits/poppers will all catch the ‘gills.

Upcoming Events
June 20: Northern Zone bass season goes from catch-and-release to daily bag limits.
June 21: Big Chip Fish Fest at Big Musky Resort on the Chippewa Flowage (715-634-9929.)
June 25-28: Musky Festival (715-634-8662.)
June 26-27: Hayward Lions Musky Fest Fishing Contest.
July 24-26: 50th Annual Lumberjack World Championships (715-644-2484.)
Through July 31: Illegal to run dogs on WPA lands. (See regs.)

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.

The Hayward Lakes Visitors and Convention Bureau is not responsible for the content or accuracy of area fishing reports.