by Steve Suman Winter Recreation In The North Woods Is Hitting Its Stride. Ice Conditions And Lake Access Are Improving Each Day, And Most Snowmobile Trails Are Groomed Regularly And In Excellent Condition. Nelson At Hayward Bait Says The Majority Of Lakes Are Still Not Driveable, But Are Okay For Snowmobiles And Atvs. He Emphasizes It Is Important To Know The Lake. According To Pat Jones At Happy Hooker, A Few Lakes Still Have Very Inconsistent Ice. "the Late Freeze-up, Followed By Early And Repeated Snowfalls, Will Continue To Have An Impact On Ice Conditions," Says Jones. "do Not Assume Ice Is Safe – Be Very Cautious About Travel On Foot Or By Vehicle." Mike At Pastika’s Says Ice Conditions Are Very Uneven, Ranging From 4-14 Inches. "in Some Areas There Is 14 Inches Of Ice Under An Inch Of Snow. In Other Areas, There Is Deep Snow And Thin Ice, And We Still Have Slush Problems In Some Places, Too. As Always, Be Careful!" At Stone Lake Bait And Tackle, John Says The Ice Is Supporting Vehicles On Some Lakes, But He Stresses That Anyone Going On The Ice Should Always Exercise Caution. Dnr Fisheries Biologist Skip Sommerfeldt Reports Most Lakes Have 8-10 Inches Of Ice. However, Snow-covered And Drifted Areas Have Much Thinner Ice, As Well As 3-4 Inches Of Slush In Spots. "in Addition, Frozen Ruts From Early Season Travel Have Made For Rough Conditions On Several Lakes, And These Can Be Hazardous To Atv And Snowmobile Operators." Check The Events Calendar Below (with Links) For Numerous Fishing, Snowmobile, And Other Activities – Both Participant And Spectator – Scheduled For The Upcoming Weeks And Months. Most Snowmobile Trail Reports Indicate The Trails Are In Excellent Condition. For The Most Current Trail Conditions, Visit Or Contact The Following Trail Report Websites Or Sponsors: Snowtracks, Virgin Timber Resort, Hayward Lakes Trail And Snow Report, Hayward Power Sports, Cable Area Snowmobile Trail Report, Lakewoods, And Namakagon Trails Report. Walleye: Difficult As It May Be To Believe, Walleyes Are Currently Providing The Most Consistent Ice Fishing Action. Late Afternoon Until After Dark Offers The Best Success, And Overcast Days Can Also Be Good. Depending On The Time Of Day And Water Fished, Look For Walleye In 4-35 Feet Of Water. Target Weeds And Weed Edges, Bars, Humps, Drop-offs, Hard Bottoms, And Break Lines. Walleye Suckers Under Tip-ups, Jigged Fatheads, And Jigging Spoons And Rapalas Are All Catching Fish, But You Cant’ Catch Them If You Aren’t On The Ice. Northern: Northern Pike Action Ranges From Fair To Very Good, Perhaps Due To Angler Expertise – Or Perspective. Weeds (particularly Green), Weed Edges, And Drop-offs Are Prime Areas. Anglers Are Catching Pike In Water As Shallow As Four Feet And As Deep As 18 Feet Or Deeper. Northern And Walleye Suckers And Shiners On Tip-ups Are Working Well. For Bigger Northern, Fish Bigger Baits In Deeper Water. There Are Still Some Copies Of The Sawyer County Record’s 2009 Fall Fun Guide Available, And Illustrations On Page 23 Show A Quick And Easy Method For Y-bone Removal. Crappie: Crappie Anglers Report Only Fair Action, With Best Success In Mid-afternoon Into Evening. Part Of The Problem Is That Fish Are Scattered And Can Be Found In Depths Ranging From Four To 40 Feet. In Some Areas, You Will Find Them In Shallow Water Weeds; In Others, They Are Suspending Over Deep Water, Often Holding Very Near The Bottom. Check The Entire Water Column With Your Flasher. The Standard Baits – Crappie Minnows, Rosy Reds, Waxies, Spikes, And Plastics, On Small Jigs, Teardrops, And Plain Hooks – Continue To Work. If One Color Or Bait Is Not Producing, Try Another. Bluegill: Bluegill Action Is Less Than Outstanding, But Anglers Are Catching Fish, Primarily In Mid To Late Afternoon Hours. Look For Cribs, Weeds, And Other Cover As Shallow As Four Feet To More Than 20 Feet. Waxies, Spikes, Plastics, And Gulp! Baits All Have Good Potential. Try Various Color Combinations, And Downsizing Tackle And Fluorocarbon Leaders Can Make A Huge Difference In Your Fishing Success. Upcoming Events Jan. 16: Snowmobile Speed Runs - Nelson Lake Landing (715-634-4175.) Jan. 16: Vintage Stud Run - Northwest Relic Riders Vintage Snowmobile Club. Jan. 23: Lakewoods Resort Ice Fishing Jamboree (715-794-2561.) Jan. 25: Crow Season Opens. Jan. 30: Radar Run - Northwest Relic Riders Vintage Snowmobile Club. Jan. 31: Seasons Close: Squirrel; Ruffed Grouse (zone A.) Feb. 6: Cable Rod & Gun Club Ice Fishing Tourney - Loon Saloon, Lake Namakagon (715-798-4459.) Feb. 13: Wfnw Ice Fishing Event On Lac Courte Oreilles. Feb. 13: 1st Annual Radar Run - Nelson Lake Landing (715-634-4175.) Feb. 13: Lake Winnebago Sturgeon Spearing Season Opens. Feb. 15: Seasons Close: Coyote Trapping; Raccoon Trapping/hunting; Red And Gray Fox Gun/trapping. Feb. 25-28: American Birkebeiner. (715-634-5025.) Feb. 28: Seasons Close: Cottontail Rabbit; Mink Trapping. March 5-7: Hayward 300 Snocross National. April 10-11: Youth Spring Turkey Hunt. April 14-may 23: Spring Turkey Season. 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.