Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report

November 18, 2024

Steve Suman

Some significant weather changes, with dropping temperatures and rain/snow mixes, start mid-week. The extended forecast indicates this is the pattern thru December. It is that time of year, but we enjoyed a fantastic fall!

“Quiet Lakes’ water temperatures are about 43 degrees and fishing is consistent,” says Greg at Happy Hooker.

“Musky anglers are seeing one or two fish a day, mainly on suckers. Fish are pushing to deeper weed and rock edges, and points and bars near deep water. Slow your retrieves with artificials, give glide baits a few seconds pause, and placing extra weight on dive-and-rise baits slows the rise.

“Walleyes pushed deeper and anglers are making consistent catches. Jig walleye suckers and fatheads in 15-20 feet, casting out and jigging along bottom back to the boat.

“Northern pike are around weed beds and deep edges swiping musky suckers, but are susceptible to any pause or slow falling bait.

“Smallmouth bass are on rock and weed edges in 15-20 feet. Plastics on jigs and swimbaits work well.

“Crappies and perch are deep or in green weeds. Bluegills are likely around weed beds and shallower structure. Minnows and jigs work best for crappie and perch; jigs and small plastics are best for bluegills.”

Jeff at Hayward Bait says musky action is good with the cooler evening temperatures.

“Anglers are using suckers, bucktails, and big plastics such as Bull Dawgs and Medussas. Target weedlines, points, and humps in areas offering cover for other species.

“Walleye fishing remains slow, with most anglers trolling and enticing reaction bites from lethargic fish. Others work walleye suckers and fatheads on slip bobbers. Fish are moving shallow with cooler temperatures. Look for overcast days with some surface chop.

“Northern pike fishing is solid, with many anglers catching fish over weed beds on live bait, spinnerbaits, and crankbaits. Anglers are harvesting more pike for the table with the regulation changes.

“Largemouth bass are on green vegetation and coontail near deep water, with live bait working.

“Smallmouth bass are concentrating on deeper rocks and structure.

“Crappies are suspending over main lake basins.

“Bluegills are moving to deeper weed edges. Bigger bluegills gravitate towards deeper water sand to mud and other transitions. When the sun shines, some fish will suspend.”

Mike at Jenk’s says the Chippewa Flowage is down 2.5 feet, with the water temperature in the low to mid-40s.

“Musky action is definitely getting better, with suckers outperforming artificials, but anglers report success on artificial as well. Focus on deeper holes and underwater neck-downs. Medussas, Bull Dawgs, and various other rubber baits are producing results, but suckers are your best bet!

“Walleye fishing is improving as the water temperatures cool. The best bite is in deeper holes around 4-4:30 p.m. until sunset. Suckers, snap jigs, and plastic minnows do the trick.

“Crappies are congregating in and around Moores Bay and Blueberry Flats. Crappie minnows work well, but one-inch Gulp! Minnows work very well.”

This week, DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter discusses favorite new outreach events.

“One of the best parts of our job is spreading the enjoyment that comes from fishing and teaching people to appreciate the natural world. This outreach comes in many forms, with this column one of the most regular ways I reach people. We also do other media, such as local and statewide radio, podcasts, magazines, and sometimes television.

“We host or participate in events that can go beyond simple information sharing and lead to participants building new skills, making connections with others, and strengthening our partnerships within the community.

“A common outreach event is youth fishing clinics, such as at Shues Pond during Musky Fest each year. These events get young people interested in fishing and can be particularly useful for kids who do not have an angler in their household to teach them.

“Youth angling events are great fun, and many area partners, such as Hayward Bass Club and Hayward Lakes Chapter of Muskies Inc., organize their own events.

“We recently added to our annual calendar a number of events that help us reach potential anglers.

“This past summer, we hosted a ‘Moms and Kids Fishing Night’ at Shues Pond, with support from S.C.O.P.E. and the Terry Peterson Fishing Foundation. The goal of this event is to build fishing skills within the family unit so moms and other caretakers feel confident leading their own fishing outings. In this way, we hope our one event leads to many more fishing experiences.

“Another favorite is the annual Women’s Musky Fishing School hosted by Deerfoot Resort. This event brings in dozens of women, many new to musky fishing or fishing in general, who learn from experts and each other in a supportive environment. These might be women who, for one reason or another, missed the opportunity to get into fishing as kids. They are interested, learning, and growing their skillsets, which speaks highly of how engaged they will be as future anglers.

“Hayward has always been a leader in expanding and celebrating the fishing community. We are proud to have events such as these happening here, and look forward to seeing what other events develop!”

Wisconsin’s fall turkey season in zones 6 and 7 closes Friday, November 22. The fall turkey season in zones 1-5 remains open thru Sunday, January 5, and crow season is open from Saturday November 23 thru Wednesday March 26.

According to the DNR deer harvest report for Sawyer County, total harvest for this season, as of November 12, is 536 deer, including 358 antlered and 178 antlerless. The totals (subject to correction) include:

Archery: 151 deer (108 antlered, 43 antlerless)
Crossbow: 336 deer (218 antlered, 118 antlerless)
Youth Hunt (Oct. 5-6): 46 deer (30 antlered, 16 antlerless)

For more information, search “deer harvest summary” on the DNR website.

Wisconsin’s traditional nine-day gun deer season opens Saturday, November 23, and runs thru Sunday, December 1. Hunters must register harvested deer by 5 p.m. the day after recovery. There are three options to register as follows:

Online with GameReg
By phone at 844-426-3734
Electronically at participating in-person registration stations

For more information, search “2024 deer season” on the DNR website.

Hayward Rod & Gun Club’s annual sight-in days continue through November 22, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily, with experienced people onsite to provide assistance. The fee is $6/firearm. As a fundraiser, the club is offering drawing tickets for a Henry Big Boy .44 magnum lever-action rifle for $10 each or three for $20.

For more information, call Wally at (715) 492-0834.

The DNR is hosting open houses to discuss proposed changes to deer management units.

A virtual open house is November 18, from 5-7 p.m.

An in-person open house in Cable is Tuesday, November 19, from 5-7 p.m., at the Norvado Building on Hwy 63.

For more information, search “meetings calendar” on the DNR website, email Jeffrey.Pritzl@wisconsin.gov, or call (920) 366-3450.

ATV/UTV TRAIL REPORT

All ATV and UTV operators born on or after Jan. 1, 1988, who are at least 12 years old for ATV and at least 16 years old for UTV, must complete an ATV/UTV safety certification course to operate legally on public ATV/UTV trails and areas in Wisconsin. The DNR requires trail passes for non-residents (both ATVs and snowmobiles) and Wisconsin residents must display a registration sticker (and trail pass on snowmobiles). Riders must run headlights at all times when operating. Visit the DNR ATV website for rules and regulations.

While most trails in Sawyer County are open, before riding, check for trail and road updates and closures at HLVCB ATV/UTV trail conditions report and Sawyer County Snowmobile & ATV Alliance.

FISHING REPORT

Weather changes this week should affect fish movement, feeding, bite windows, and angler interest. As always, check with favorite bait shop personnel for the most current information!

Musky:

Musky action is good, with anglers seeing AND catching fish on bars, humps, points, rock, and weed edges near deeper water, and underwater neck-downs. Musky suckers work best, but bucktails, Bull Dawgs, Medussas, and other big rubber baits, gliders, jerkbaits, and Suick type baits fished slowly also work well.

Walleye:

Walleye fishing is improving and more consistent with the cooler water. Fish are in depths out to 25 feet on weed edges, weedlines, and deep holes, moving shallower to feed in the evening hours into after dark. Walleye suckers, fatheads, and plastics suspended under slip bobbers or on jigs fished on the bottom, and trolling, are all effective at this time.

Northern Pike:

Northern pike action is solid, with fish actively feeding. Find them in/around/on deep edges of weed beds and weedlines, and any area holding baitfish and panfish. Northern and walleye suckers, spinners, spinnerbaits, stickbaits, spoons, crankbaits, jerkbaits, and glide baits are all working.

Largemouth Bass:

Largemouth bass are active, but few anglers are targeting them. Fish are on green vegetation and coontail near deep water, on weeds, weedlines, and brush at varied depths, and anywhere holding baitfish. Crappie minnows, fatheads, Ned and drop-shot rigs, spinnerbaits, swimbaits, stickbaits, and plastics can all be productive.

Smallmouth Bass:

Smallmouth bass fishing is good for anglers pursuing them. Fish are in the same general areas as walleyes, such as on the edges of rocks, weedlines, and weed edges in 15-20 feet. They are also taking similar baits, such as sucker minnows, fatheads, and plastics on jigs and/or slip bobbers, swimbaits, Ned rigs, and drop-shot rigs.

Crappie:

Crappie fishing is good once you locate the schools. Look for them around any shallow to mid-depth green weeds, weed beds, and other structure, as well as suspending over deeper main lake basins. Crappie minnows, fatheads, plastics, and one-inch Gulp! Minnows on jigs, and small Beetle Spins, are working well.

Bluegill/Perch:

Bluegill fishing is fair to good with the changing patterns. Find fish on deeper weed edges and transition areas such as sand to mud. Look for some fish to suspend during sunny days. Top baits include waxies, worms, small minnows, plastics, and Gulp! baits on small jigs, teardrops, and plain hooks, fished under slip bobbers.

Upcoming Events

Thru Nov. 22: Hayward Rod & Gun Club sight-in days, $6/firearm, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. (715-492-0834).

Nov. 19: Duck season closes in Northern Zone.

Nov. 19: DNR Deer Management Unit Open House, Cable, 5-7 p.m., Norvado Building, Jeff Pritzl (920-366-3450).

Nov. 22: Fall turkey season closes in zones 6, 7.

Nov. 23: Seasons open: Fall turkey in zones 1-5; Crow.

Nov. 23-Dec. 1: Traditional nine-day gun deer season.

Nov. 28: Thanksgiving Day.

Nov. 29: Mourning dove season closes.

Nov. 30: Walleye season closes on the Chippewa Flowage.

Dec. 2-11: Muzzleloader deer season.

Dec. 10: Application deadline for spring turkey, fall bear permits.