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Hayward Lakes Fishing Report |
Hayward Lakes Fishing Report Sept 29, 2008 Hayward Lakes Fall in the north woods can be stressful! This is “big musky” time (fishing for other species is also very good), deer, bear, turkey, grouse, waterfowl, and various small game hunting seasons are open, and there is an abundance of other activities available. So many choices! Anglers interested in entering the Hayward Lakes Chapter of Muskies, Inc., Fall Fishing Tournament Oct. 3-5 have until 11 p.m. Thursday Oct. 2 to register in person at Jenk’s Bait, Hayward Bait, or by phone at 634-2921. All entrants are eligible to win the Grand Door Prize: Lund 1725 Pro Guide, 50 hp Mercury, and EZ Loader trailer. Just pay the $70 entry fee and be present for the drawing at the awards ceremony Sunday afternoon. The Stone Lake Cranberry Festival and Musky Tale Resort’s Crappie Quest (715-462-3838) will also be held the Oct. 4-5 weekend. In the past week, Hayward’s two big game registration stations recorded four turkeys and eight bear, along with five bucks and 23 antlerless deer. DNR Northern Region wildlife supervisor Ken Jonas says grouse hunters are finding some birds, but with the thick foliage birds are holding tight (you might walk past them), and squeezing off a good shot can be a challenge. Broods are still together so you could flush a half-dozen grouse from one location, but they are starting to disperse. Deer and turkey hunters are in the woods, but Jonas says warm temperatures appear to be limiting participation. Deer hunters who like to hang their deer for a few days will start hunting in earnest once the temperatures cool. With a week of hunting season remaining, bear registrations are running about the same as last year, though hunters report seeing fewer big bears this year. Waterfowl success at this time is primarily on local birds, though some northern ducks are starting to migrate through this part of the state. Jonas says you can find wood ducks (the prevalent local species) on water near oak trees with acorns. Early season Canada goose hunters say they had a fairly good season on locally bred Giant Canadas, and as with ducks, some Canada geese from the north are now migrating through this area. Muskies: Musky action was good to very good in the past week. The fish will be found near weeds, weedlines, and weed edges, and also in shallower water near points and main lake bars – but there must be deep water nearby. The water is still fairly warm (in the 60s) so you can choose to use about any bait in your box – bucktails, plastics, crank/jerk/glide/topwater baits – and live suckers are also working well. Walleye: Walleye action is steady and good for small to medium size fish, but Pat Jones at Happy Hooker says the larger fish will get active once the water cools. Fish are scattered from shallow to deep, on weed lines and transition areas. The deeper water offers more consistent action, as well as larger fish. Walleye suckers and fatheads are the top producers at this time, with some fish caught on crawlers, and some on trolled crank and stick baits. Northern: Fish northern pike in depths down to 15 feet or so, with spinners, spoons, and northern suckers. The pike will be near green weeds (when you can find them) and especially around areas holding panfish. Largemouth Bass: The largemouth bite remains fairly consistent. The bass continue their move to deeper weedlines as the shallower weeds are dying out, but you will catch fish anywhere from the shallow slop down to 12 feet or more. Plastics, jigs tipped with tails, spinners, and topwaters are all producing catches. Smallmouth Bass: Smallmouth are on hard bottom/transition areas and deeper water rocks and weeds. There is good action on artificials such as plastics, crankbaits, spinners and spinnerbaits, but walleye suckers are the most productive. Crappie: Crappie success ranges from somewhat spotty to very good – when you locate them. Fish are starting to show signs of schooling, but are still scattered and suspended at various depths in deeper water. Try also near brush, cribs, bogs, and other types of structure. Favorite baits continue to be crappie minnows, waxies, plastics, tubes, and spinners. Bluegill: Bluegill action is fair to good in the weeds and on weed edges, brush, and near cribs in 4-14 feet. Larger ‘gills are in deeper water. Waxies, worms, plastics, and tubes are the favorite baits, but when fishing for bigger fish try using small minnows. Perch: Perch are on the bottom in deep-water transition areas and anglers catching them on waxies, fatheads, and leaf worms. Upcoming Events Sept. 30: Seasons Close: Inland trout; Lake Superior lake trout. Oct. 3-5: Hayward Lakes Chapter of Muskies, Inc. Fall Fishing Tournament (715) 634-2921; 634-4543. Oct. 4: Stone Lake Cranberry Festival Oct. 4-5: Musky Tale Resort Crappie Quest (715) 462-3838. Oct. 7: Bear season closes. Oct. 11-12: Youth deer hunt. Oct. 16-19: Special herd control/antlerless deer season. For more information on area events and activities, see the Calendar of Events, or visit Hayward Lakes Visitor and Convention Bureau. |