The forecast for this week predicts temperatures near the January average and precipitation below the average. Look for chances of snow Thursday and Sunday, but otherwise plenty of sunshine.
Travelers: Check current road conditions at 511wi.gov for Wisconsin and 511mn.org for Minnesota.
“All of the Quiet Lakes have mostly safe ice,” says Greg at Happy Hooker, “but it is ice, and never 100 percent safe. We heard the Spider Lake Chain has 11-13 inches of ice, and that crews staked the snowmobile trails on the Spider Chain, Tiger Cat, and Callahan. Temperatures barely make it out of the teens for the next 10 days, so the lakes will continue to build ice.
“Fishing is steady for those willing to put in the time, and the typical winter fishing pattern right now, which should continue with the good ice conditions.
“Walleye fishing is good at dusk for anglers using walleye suckers under tip-ups in basins in 10-15 feet, with deep basins nearby.
“Northern pike are hitting suckers and shiners under tip-ups. Set tip-ups slightly shallower than for walleye, ideally on weed edges.
“Crappie anglers find fish suspending in basins on lakes that have a basin bite, and do well with waxies, minnows, and minnow heads on jigs and small jigging spoons.
“Bluegills are stacked in and around weed beds and in shallow bays. Waxies and plastics on small jigs are the best option. With no snow cover and good light penetration, search for weeds that are still green and holding fish.”
Jarrett at Hayward Bait says rain removed the snow and loosened the top inch of ice, but single-digit lows have it making ice again. Most small to medium size lakes sport 8-12 inches.
“Some ATVs, UTVs, and snowmobiles are traveling marked ice trails, but before venturing onto the ice on a waterbody, check the current ice conditions.
“Walleyes are in 8-12 feet on shallow flats adjacent to weed edges, with tip-ups and jigging producing. Medium suckers and shiners work well on setlines; small minnows on jigs, jigging spoons, and rattle baits work well for jigging applications. Primetime bites are from 5-7, both morning and evening.
“Northern pike are on the same flats as walleye, with weeds and structure holding small panfish the key, and most action during daytime hours. Suckers, larger shiners, and dead bait are producing.
“Crappies are in basins in 15-35 feet, suspending across the water column. Active fish are suspending higher and are ‘safer’ for anglers catch and release fishing. Waxies on small jigs, small spoons, and small hard baits work well, and anglers are using tip-downs to cover more ground.
“Bluegills are cruising weeds on mid-depth flats. Some anglers set up on weedlines and wait for fish to swim through. Waxies and spikes on small jigs work well.”
This week, DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter discusses Nelson Lake fishing opportunities.
“In this series, I rate local fishing opportunities by species, on a simple 0-10 scale. This reflects catchability, size, and other elements, with a single number for each species, and notes on why it received that score.
“This week, we look at Nelson Lake, which remains one of the most popular fisheries in the area throughout some major shifts in the fish community.
“Nelson Lake does not have musky. The rumor mill might protest this statement, but we have yet to see anyone produce a photo of a musky from Nelson Lake, even in this age of a smart phone in every pocket.
“Northern pike in Nelson Lake score a 6, though we would like to improve that score. Pike increased in abundance, which likely led to higher catch rates for anglers, but size suffered as a result, putting a dent in the lake’s reputation as a trophy pike destination. A proposed angling regulation change seeks to address this issue.
“Walleye in Nelson Lake currently score a 3. Considerable work has gone into rehabilitating this once abundant population, but there is not a lot of success to show for it. Walleye present in Nelson today are mostly older, larger fish, which are impressive in size, but not easy to catch.
“Nelson Lake bass score an 8. Smallmouth bass are present, but the far more common largemouth bass draw the bulk of fishing pressure. Largemouth size has increased and abundance remains strong, making for good bass fishing action.
“Panfish receive a 5, with mixed reviews for each species. Crappies are very abundant and provide great action, but anglers desire a larger size. Bluegills are abundant and offer a little better size, with anglers regularly catching many 7-inch and some 8-inch bluegills. Perch are present, but generally small.”
Fall turkey hunters in Wisconsin registered 4,482 turkeys as of January 2. The late fall season in zones 1-5 closed January 5. For more information, search “turkey hunting” on the DNR website.
According to the DNR deer harvest report for Sawyer County, total harvest for this season, as of January 2, is 2,208 deer, including 1,365 antlered and 843 antlerless. Sawyer County totals (preliminary, subject to correction) include:
- 9-Day Gun Season: 1,303 deer (775 antlered, 528 antlerless)
- Archery: 222 deer (159 antlered, 63 antlerless)
- Crossbow: 526 deer (353 antlered, 173 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 7,388 deer (24 antlered, 7,364 antlerless). The extended archery season is open January 6-31 in select counties, which does not include Sawyer. Polk County is the nearest county open for this season. Review the map and regulations.
The DNR offers a free first harvest certificate for hunters and trappers who harvested their first deer, bear, turkey, bobcat, fisher, or otter this year to commemorate the event. Check out the online form, fill in all the necessary information, and upload a photo. The DNR will send a printable certificate to the email address supplied.
Hunting seasons that closed January 5 include archery and crossbow deer, grouse in Zone A, turkey in zones 1-5, pheasant, Hungarian partridge, and fisher trapping.
The DNR is hosting a virtual public hearing Wednesday, January 8, at 5 p.m., on a proposed deer management unit rule that would change portions of the state’s deer management unit boundaries. This review focuses on management units in the Northern Forest Zone, the Metropolitan Sub-Units, and the boundary lines between the Central Forest and Farmland Zones. The DNR might consider options to adjust deer advisory council areas in the Northern Forest Zone. If approved, these changes would go into effect for the 2025 hunting season.
The DNR encourages the public to visit the Proposed Permanent Administrative Rules.
For more information, search “proposed deer management unit rule” on the DNR website.
Early inland catch-and-release trout season opened Jan. 4 and runs through May 2 on designated trout streams, with anglers limited to artificials only. Make sure to check the Guide to Wisconsin’s Trout Fishing Regulations for specific details. Anglers participating in the early season need a 2024-25 fishing license and inland trout stamp, both good until March 31, 2025. After that date, anglers need a 2025-26 fishing license and inland trout stamp. Licenses and stamps are available through license sales locations and Go Wild.
The DNR will hold a Big Sissabagama Lake fishery planning Zoom meeting Tuesday, January 7, from 5:30-7 p.m. To register for the meeting, visit https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/calendar of upcoming events. For more information, email max.wolter@wisconsin.gov or phone (715) 634-7429.
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.
Unless otherwise posted, all county roads outside LCO Reservation in Sawyer County are legal for ATV/UTV use. Trail Treker shows any changes. The ATV/UTV trails in Sawyer County Forest (715-634-4846), Chequamegon National Forest (715-634-4821), and Flambeau State Forest (715-332-5271) are open, but check for updates, closures, and upcoming closures atHLVCB ATV/UTV trail conditions report and Sawyer County Snowmobile & ATV Alliance.
Sawyer County Snowmobile & ATV Trail Maps are available from the Hayward Lakes Visitor & Convention Bureau, or use Trail Treker app ($2) and get the complete Sawyer County Trail Map ($2). If in Airplane Mode to conserve the battery, the GPS still shows your location and all map business sponsors in “Points of Interest.”
Fishing Report
Ice conditions are very good and getting better for travel on the ice, but continue to use extreme caution, as those conditions vary from lake to lake and locations on a lake. Some anglers are using ATVs/UTVs and snowmobiles, but vehicle travel remains unadvisable ‑ and always check before/as you go! Fishing is good to very good, though visit a bait shop for the current ice conditions, fish locations, and bait and presentation preferences.
Walleye:
Walleye fishing is good, with best success in the early morning and evening into dark hours. Look for fish in 10-15 feet in basins near deeper basins and in 6-14 feet on shallow flats near weed edges. Fish shallower depths in low light hours. Walleye suckers, shiners, and small minnows on tip-ups, jigs, jigging spoons, and rattle baits are productive.
Northern Pike:
Northern pike action is very good and an all-day bite. Fish are on weedlines, weed edges, weed flats, and near baitfish and panfish concentrations. Northern and walleye suckers, large shiners, and dead bait work well.
Crappie:
Crappie fishing is good, with fish in basins in 15-30 feet and suspending throughout the entire water column. Baits of choice include crappies minnows, minnow heads, waxies, and plastics on jigs, jigging spoons, and small hard baits. Some anglers use tip-downs for greater coverage.
Bluegill:
Bluegill fishing is good to very good, with fish in/on/around green weeds (if you can find them), weedlines, flats, and shallow bays. Use waxies, spikes, plastics, and Gulp! baits on small jigs, teardrop, and plain hooks. Set up on weedlines and wait for fish to visit!
Upcoming Events
Dec. 31: Musky season closed (see regs).
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. 6-31: Extended archery season in select counties; see map and regulations.
Jan. 7: Big Sissabagama Lake fishery planning Zoom meeting, 5:30-7 p.m. (715-634-7429).
Jan. 11: Seeley Hill Classic.
Jan. 13: Full Wolf Moon.
Jan. 18-19: Free Fishing Weekend.
Jan. 31: Bobcat Period 2 hunting and trapping season closes.
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.