January 13, 2025
Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman
Subzero lows start the week following six inches of weekend snow, but highs shift to mid-30s Thursday and Friday, with no snow in the forecast. Colder weather returns Saturday, with -1 for the Sunday high. Might want to get in your Free Fishing Day on Saturday!
“Temperatures in the Quiet Lakes’ area are cold,” says Greg at Happy Hooker, “warm later this week, and then return to cold. This will continue to build ice on top of the approximately 13 inches now on the lakes. The ice is mostly safe for ATV/UTV traffic, though we would be hesitant to drive out any full size vehicles. The fishing is good, with not much change in presentations.
“Walleye anglers are catching fish on tip-ups and by jigging bigger spoons and baits on shelves from shallow to deep. Friday night we caught fish on sucker minnows on tip-ups in 12-20 feet, and jigging these same areas can produce as well.
“Northern pike are in the same areas as walleye and anglers are catching them on the same baits and presentations.
“Crappie fishing is good in basins with shallow water nearby. Bigger presentations, such as a pinched off fathead, is working better than waxies. Jigging 1/16th-ounce jigging spoons tipped in this manner are producing big crappies.
“Bluegills are holding in shallow bays and in/on weed beds. Waxies, spikes, and plastics on small tungsten or lead jigs should all produce action.”
Jarrett at Hayward Bait says ice conditions are in great shape.
“Most lakes have 10-15 inches or more, and wheeler and side-by-side travel is perfect. Whatever transportation you choose, remember that no ice is ‘safe’ ice ‑ so check the ice before venturing out!
“Walleyes are on main lake points and structure in 12-20 feet, but could push deeper on clear waterbodies or during high sun. Many anglers use suckers and shiners on setlines during low light such as sunrise and sunset. Others have setlines in the shack while jigging structure with jigging spoons, rattle baits, and similar.
“Northern pike are very cooperative, with northern suckers and large shiners on setlines the ticket, and some giants on dead bait. Check main lake structure and for crappies and bluegills, as pike follow them. Sunny days are great, as light penetration helps pike find food easily.
“Crappies are in main lake basins in 15-45 feet, depending on the lake. Start with aggressively fishing spoons and rattlebaits for active fish, switching to live bait on small jigs for stubborn fish.
“Bluegills relate to structure such as deep weedlines. Quietly set up on weedlines with waxies and spikes on small jigs, and wait for fish to move through.”
Mike at Jenk’s says Chippewa Flowage ice is approximately 14 inches.
“Be sure to exercise caution when on the ice, especially if near the river channels.
“Northern pike action is good on suckers and shiners under tip-ups on the west side, with considerable action around Squaw Bay at the north end of Chief Lake.
“Crappie action is very good on both the east and west sides, in 19-22 feet. Minnows and waxies are the baits of choice for live bait, but the big producer is one-inch Gulp! Alive Fish Fry.”
This week, DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter discusses fluctuations in our popular smallmouth fisheries.
“One true gem of our local fishing landscape is smallmouth bass in the big, deep, clear lakes. Grindstone, Round, Lac Courte Oreilles (LCO), and even Sand and Whitefish, offer some of the best smallmouth fishing in the Midwest.
“Anglers shifted to a catch and release mindset in these waters, confirmed with thousands of creel interviews, and interest in preserving and enhancing these populations led to strong support for more restrictive smallmouth regulations.
“In 2018, we increased the length limit from 14 to 18 inches and dropped the daily bag limit to one smallmouth in Grindstone, Round, and LCO. This is about as close to ‘catch and release only’ as we get with bass regulations.
“While we knew harvest was not common in these waterbodies, the regulations had an important secondary purpose. They signaled that these are trophy fisheries where we expect fish to stick around for many years, reaching trophy size and provide angling fun for many people. Six years later, we are seeing what the regulations have done, and the results might surprise you.
“We conduct bass surveys on these three lakes about every 2-4 years. In Round, we have two surveys from before and two after the regulation change. For Grindstone and LCO, we have three surveys, including at least one before and one after the regulation change.
“All three lakes show a similar pattern for bass abundance, including lower abundance in the early 2010s, higher abundance around 2020, and then lower abundance in the 2023 and 2024 surveys. It might surprise anglers to hear that with the restrictive regulations bass abundance dropped (though still at a healthy level), but it is not a surprising result.
“We knew bass harvest was not common, so we should not expect harvest to drive population abundance, and that more restrictive regulations would not affect the number of fish to much extent. Instead, we must conclude it is likely environmental conditions are the driving factor for bass abundance in these lakes.
“This becomes even more likely when we see three separate lakes exhibit the same pattern. In other words, the conditions that make Grindstone bass production good or bad are likely the same conditions bass are experiencing in Round Lake, and harvest does not enter the picture.
“There is certainly much more to learn about these populations. Our team will continue to monitor and evaluate them and the effectiveness of our angling regulations.”
According to the DNR deer harvest report for Sawyer County, the total season harvest (as of January 10 and subject to correction), is 2,215 deer, including 1,367 antlered and 848 antlerless. Sawyer County totals (preliminary,) include:
- 9-Day Gun Season: 1,303 deer (775 antlered, 528 antlerless)
- Archery: 225 deer (160 antlered, 65 antlerless)
- Crossbow: 530 deer (354 antlered, 176 antlerless)
- Muzzleloader season: 62 deer (38 antlered, 24 antlerless)
- Youth Hunt (Oct. 5-6): 46 deer (30 antlered, 16 antlerless)
- December antlerless-only hunt: 30 deer (30 antlerless)
The harvest for the Antlerless-only Holiday Deer Hunt December 24-January 1, open only in select farm counties, was 7,465 deer (24 antlered, 7,441 antlerless).
Free Fishing Weekend is this Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 18-19, when anglers of all ages can fish any Wisconsin waters open to fishing without a fishing license, trout stamp, or salmon stamp. All other 2024-25 Hook and Line regulations remain in effect.
During Free Fishing Weekend, most trout streams are open for the catch-and-release season. Anglers can only use artificial lures and must release all trout. Some streams, spring ponds, and lakes close to fishing, so review the trout regulations.
For more information, search “Free Fishing Weekend” on the DNR website.
Northland Area Builders Association’s annual ice fishing event celebrating Free Fishing Weekend is this Saturday, January 18, headquartering at the Nelson Lake public boat landing. The entry fee is $10/adult and $5/youth 14 and younger. There are cash and raffle prizes, a chance to win an ice fishing package, food, refreshments, and fun for the entire family! The first 40 kids receive a tip-up courtesy of S.C.O.P.E. ‑ and one lucky kid will receive a fish finder!
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 and Wisconsin residents must display a registration sticker. Riders must run headlights at all times when operating. Visit the DNR ATV website for rules and regulations.
Order a Sawyer County Snowmobile & ATV Trail Map from the Hayward Lakes Visitor & Convention Bureau or download the Trail Treker app ($2) on your smartphone to get the complete Sawyer County Trail Map ($2).
Check for trail and road updates and closures at HLVCB ATV/UTV trail conditions report and Sawyer County Snowmobile & ATV Alliance.
SNOWMOBILE/SKI TRAIL REPORT
Snowmobiles must have a current registration and display a valid snowmobile trail pass to operate on public snowmobile trails. You can renew registrations and order trail passes online or purchase trail passes from sales agents. Members of the Association of Wisconsin Snowmobile Clubs (AWSC) can purchase trail passes at a discounted rate directly from www.awsc.org. Wisconsin residency is not a requirement for becoming an AWSC member.
The Hayward area received 5-6 inches of snowfall this past weekend. For trail updates, check the HLVCB snowmobile trail report and Sawyer County Snowmobile & ATV Alliance websites.
For Birkie Ski Trail conditions, visit www.birkie.com/trail-maps-conditions or call (715-634-5025).
FISHING REPORT
Reports indicate more than 12 inches of ice on most lakes, depending on the lake and locations on a lake. Continue (or start!) using caution and common sense. Mode of travel is on the individual, but current recommendations go against full size vehicles. As always, check with your favorite bait shop for the most current fishing information.
Walleye:
Walleye fishing is fair to good, with best bite windows in early morning and late evening into dark. Fish are on main lake points and structure in 10-25 feet, and on ledges in varied depths. Walleye suckers and shiners on tip-ups, and jigging spoons and rattlebaits, are all effective.
Northern Pike:
Northern pike action is very good, particularly on sunny days, and an all-day bite. Find them in the same areas as walleyes, and near baitfish and panfish. Northern and walleye suckers, large shiners, and dead bait work well.
Crappie:
Crappie fishing is good in deep basins in 15 to more than 35 feet, depending on the lake. Best baits include crappie minnows, fatheads, waxies, plastics, and Gulp! baits on small jigs and jigging spoons, and rattlebaits. Downsize if fish are finicky.
Bluegill:
Bluegill fishing is good in/on shallow bays, weed beds, and deep weedlines. Set up on weedlines and let the fish come to you! Use waxies, spikes, plastics, and Gulp! baits on teardrops and small jigs.
Jan. 4: Early inland catch-and-release trout season opened; see regulations.
Jan. 5: Seasons closed: Archery and crossbow deer; Grouse Zone A; Turkey zones 1-5; Pheasant; Hungarian partridge; Fisher trapping.
Jan. 11-12: Seeley Hills Classic.
Jan. 13: Full Wolf Moon.
Jan. 18-19: Free Fishing Weekend.
Jan. 18: NABA 15th Annual Ice Fishing Event, Nelson Lake boat landing, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. (715-558-2097).
Jan. 31: Bobcat Period 2 hunting and trapping season closes.
Jan. 31: Extended archery season in select counties; see map and regulations.
Feb. 1-2: Deerfoot Lodge “Freeze Your Buns Off” crappie fishing tournament (715-462-3328).
Feb. 8: 42nd Annual Hayward Lions Pre-Birkie, 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p m (715-558-6251).
Feb. 12: Full Snow Moon.
Feb. 15: Seasons close: Coyote trapping; Fox hunting/trapping; Raccoon hunting/trapping.
Feb. 15: 25th Annual Bar Stool Races
Feb. 19-23: American Birkebeiner Week (715-634-5025).
Feb. 28-March 2: World’s Longest Weenie Roast at Lakewood’s Resort (715-794-2561).
Feb. 28: Seasons close: Cottontail; Squirrel (gray, fox).
For more information on area events and activities, visit the Hayward Lakes Visitor and Convention Bureau and Hayward Area Chamber of Commerce websites, view the Calendar of Events, or call (715) 634-8662 or 800-724-2992.
