July 22, 2024
Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman
The forecast indicates a good week once we get past Tuesday’s rain and thunderstorms. Temperatures are near the averages of 82-degree highs and 54-degree lows, and Wednesday through Saturday look great!
“Quiet Lakes’ anglers are struggling to find consistent patterns,” says Greg at Happy Hooker. “Water temperatures increasing quickly and considerably could be the reason, with reports saying upper 70s to low 80s.
“Musky action slowed with the warmer water and fish hunkered into cover. Bucktails will find active fish. If they follow but do not hit, dive/rise or pull/pause baits are great throwback lures. The dusk topwater bite should be on every anglers mind. Creepers, Pacemakers, Topraiders, and Hawg Wobblers will all raise fish. With this warm water, have the tools, net, and camera ready to go!
“Walleyes moved deeper. Crankbaits and bottom bouncing crawler and leech harnesses work well, as does jigging fatheads on structure in 12-20 feet.
“Northern pike are around weed beds in 4-10 feet and crushing everything, with spinnerbaits the #1 lure.
“Largemouth bass are hitting both live bait and artificials. Crawlers under floats around weeds continue to catch fish. Topwaters such as frogs and Whopper Ploppers are also catching good numbers of bass.
“Smallmouth bass are on deep structure and deep diving crankbaits, drop shots, and Ned rigs should work. Start in areas with deep rock in 12-15 feet.
“Crappies are on deep weed edges, with small Beetle Spins producing nice fish.
“Bluegills and perch fishing is fair to good on deep weed edges. Anglers are catching mixed bags with worms and minnows on jigs.”
Jarrett at Hayward Bait says warm water temperatures have musky anglers extremely careful or not fishing.
“Warm water stresses big fish after a fight, making recuperation risky. Immediate releases improve survival odds. Bucktails, swimbaits, and topwaters remain the key. Daytime fishing is tough, but evening action can be incredible.
“Walleye fishing slowed, fish scattered amongst the depths, and traditional sonar and side imaging help find them. Snap jigging the bottom with Acme Hyper Rattles and Hammers, and Jigging Raps selects active fish. For others, slowly drag Lindy Rigs with live bait, drop shot rigs, and bladed crawler harnesses across the bottom.
“Northern pike fishing is solid with live bait, spinnerbaits, and spoons over weed flats. Bigger fish feed near bottom in deep water.
“Largemouth and smallmouth bass are on deeper weedlines, rock, and other structure. Some fish are around shallow piers and downed trees along shorelines near deep water offering escape room. Live bait, Texas rigs, wacky rigs, drop shots, and topwaters work well.
“Crappies are feeding on insect hatches coming out of the mud in basins, or on deeper weedlines, rising in low light to feed on baitfish. Small plastics on jigs, Beetle Spins, and live bait on slip bobbers locate fish quickly.
“Bluegills are around shallow cover, mid-depth cribs, and weed flats. Bigger fish are in the basins. Small jigs with crawler pieces or Gulp! Minnows work well.”
Mike at Jenk’s says the Chippewa Flowage is down a half-foot, with high 70s/low 80s water temperatures.
“Musky action is decent between casting and trolling. Casting subsurface baits, particularly Ghosttails, over weeds in 9-12 feet is productive during the day. Scott and Crane lakes are good for casting. Trolling is good during the day, as muskies head deeper with the warming water. Temperatures 80 degrees or warmer can be fatal to stressed fish. Give them a break and fish for something else until the water cools.
“Walleye fishing is tough and high temperatures will keep fish deep during the day. Trolling during daylight hours is your best. In the evening, target weed edges with deeper drop-offs into river channels. Leeches are your best option during the evening, and jumbos and super jumbos are still available.
“Northern pike remain active, especially around the bog edges. Casting Tinsel Tail spinnerbaits, square-bill crankbaits, and Jack Hammer chatterbaits are producing good numbers.
“Largemouth bass are active around bog edges and weed beds. Chatterbaits, Big Foot Scum Frogs, and Googan Revolvers are very good.
“Smallmouth bass in stumps and rocks are active on Ned Rigs.
“Crappies are quiet during the day, though some anglers find daytime success fishing the bog by Chipmunk Island with crappie minnows, Garland mayflies, Voodoo jigs, and Mini-Mites. Evening bog fishing is very productive, with crappie minnows, plastics, and hair jigs.”
This week, DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter discusses Little Weirgor Creek’s rising trout numbers.
“In July, the Hayward DNR Fish Team completed a trout survey on Little Weirgor Creek, just downstream from Polish Road. Beaver had heavily impacted this area in the past.
“The relationship between beaver and trout is complicated and not always negative. There are areas where beaver and their damming can create good trout habitat, but this did not appear to be the case for the Little Weirgor. A 2005 survey in this area found very warm water and no trout.
“In 2017, the DNR decided to enroll the creak in beaver control efforts that included removal of dams. Several surveys since that time document how the fishery responded.
“In 2018, the first year after the beaver dam removal, we captured one trout. At that point, the stream was much cooler, 62F, but still dominated by warmwater species such as minnows and suckers. Since that time, we have seen cold water persist and trout steadily recolonizing the area.
“In 2019, we captured 24 trout; in 2021, we captured 47 trout. Last year, 2023, we set a new high mark with 100 brook trout in the survey.
“In 2024, we were very pleased to see the trend continue, finding the water temperature at 57F, which is very good for brook trout. The survey yielded 168 brook trout, including some ‘young of year’ that were likely born in that stretch. In the past, we believed most of the trout showing up in that stretch were moving in from other tributary streams.
“It has been exciting to watch the progressive restoration of the Little Weirgor trout fishery. We plan to continue surveying this stretch and will provide more updates in the future.
“Anglers might find this stretch attractive, too. The stream is wide and flows through some areas with public land ownership. Many areas even have grassy banks that allow for fly or spin casting.”
The Barnes Area Historical Association will host its annual Summer Festival fundraiser Saturday, July 27, from 12-4 p.m. The event includes a cash raffle, 50/50 raffle, four meat raffles, silent auctions, bingo, food, and beverages.
For more information, visit www.bahamuseum.org or call (425) 318-0851.
The 2024 Lumberjack World Championships are July 31-August 3 at the Lumberjack Bowl in Hayward. Talented amateur, semi-pro, and professional athletes saw, chop, speed climb, log roll, boom-run, and more in this international timber sports competition.
For more information and tickets, visit Lumberjack World Championships or call (715) 634-2484.
The Hayward Bass Club will host its annual FREE Youth Bass Tournament Sunday, July 28, at The Landing Restaurant and Resort on the Chippewa Flowage. This event is for youth anglers 10-17 years (requires registration and reservation to participate). Club members and local guides fish with the youth from noon to 4 p.m., followed by the weigh-in, shore lunch, and award presentations.
For more information, visit the HBC website; stop at Hayward Bait; or phone/text Wayne at (405) 227-1789.
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. The DNR requires trail passes for non-residents; Wisconsin residents must display registration stickers. State law requires riders to run headlights at all times when operating. Visit the DNR ATV website to review rules and regulations.
Check the HLVCB ATV/UTV trail conditions report and Sawyer County Snowmobile & ATV Alliance for trail and road updates.
FISHING REPORT
Depending on species, fishing is fair to good, with warming water affecting the bite. Check with your favorite bait shop personnel for the most current details regarding fish locations, favored baits and presentations, and bite windows.
Musky:
Musky action slowed with the warm water, making evening fishing more attractive and best for fish survival. Work weedy bottoms out to 15 feet with bucktails, gliders, jerkbaits, swimbaits, and topwaters such as Hawg Wobblers, Creepers, Pacemakers, and Topraiders. Daytime trolling works, but watch those water temperatures!
Walleye:
Walleye fishing slowed, with fish scattered on deep weedlines/edges, breaklines, and drop-offs. Focus on shallow weedlines from evening into dark. Crawlers and leeches on spinner harnesses, slip bobbers, or Lindy Rigs; jigged fatheads, drop shot rigs, crankbaits, and Jigging Raps, and trolling are all effective.
Northern Pike:
Northern pike fishing remains good for numbers of eaters around weedlines, weed flats, bogs, and concentrations of panfish and baitfish out to 12 feet. For trophy pike, fish deeper with bigger baits. Northern and walleye suckers, spinners, spinnerbaits, spoons, crankbaits, and chatterbaits all work well.
Largemouth Bass:
Largemouth bass action is good for fish on mid-depth to deeper weedlines, rock, shorelines, bogs, cribs, lily pads, and slop. Live bait, crawlers under slip bobbers, plastics, chatterbaits, and topwaters such as Whopper Ploppers, frogs, and similar all catch fish.
Smallmouth Bass:
Smallmouth bass are on mid-depth to deep weedlines, rock, and stumps, and around shallow weeds, docks, trees, brush, and shoreline cover. Productive baits include sucker minnows, plastics rigged Texas, wacky, Ned, and drop shot style, and crankbaits. Try crawdad colors with some red.
Crappie:
Crappies are on mid-depth to deep weedlines and weed edges, in and suspending over deep water/basins, and on bogs. Fishing is fair to good, with evenings best. Use crappie minnows and other live bait on slip bobbers, plastics on jigs, Garland Mayflies, Mini-Mites, and Beetle Spins.
Bluegill/Perch:
Bluegill and perch fishing is good, with fish on shallow weeds, docks; mid-depth weeds, cribs, and other structure; and in deep basins. Use traditional baits such as waxies, worms, crawler chunks, plastics, and Gulp! Minnows on jigs.
July 27: Barnes Area Historical Association – Summer Festival, 12-4 p.m. (425-318-0851).
July 28-30: Delta Aquarids meteor shower, 15-25/hr., 1-3 a.m.
July 28: HBC Youth Bass Tourney on Chippewa Flowage, noon-4 p.m., The Landing Resort (405-227-1789).
July 31-Aug. 3: Lumberjack World Championships, tickets (715-634-2484).
Aug. 2-3: Jack Pine Savage Days in Spooner (715-635-2168).
Aug. 4: Hayward Chapter-Muskies Inc. Kids Day, Tiger Cat Flowage, Blackiron Grill (715-634-4543).
Aug. 10: Musky Tale Resort – Pig Roast Fundraiser for Hayward Veterans Cemetery Fund, 3-7 p.m. (715-462-3838).
Aug. 10: Ojibwa Canoe & Kayak Race at The Wannigan, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. (715-415-6539).
Aug. 11-13: Perseid meteor shower, 45-90/hr., 1-3 a.m.
Aug. 15-18: Sawyer County Fair (715-699-2022).
Aug. 17: Seeley Lions PreFat Bike Race, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Aug. 18: HBC free youth bass tournament on Chippewa Flowage, noon-4 p.m., The Landing Resort (405-227-1789).
Aug. 19: Full Sturgeon Moon.
Aug. 25: HBC Tom Turner Memorial Open/HS Team Benefit Tourney, Tiger Cat, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., (405-227-1789).
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.