Steve Suman
Sunshine and blue skies start the week, rain falls mid-week, and more sun to end the week (maybe thru the weekend). High temperatures run from 42-52 degrees, with lows 25-34 degrees. Not bad for mid-November weather. If you have unfinished fall chores, now is the time to do them ‑ but take time for fun activities, too!
“On a Quiet Lakes’ fishing outing last Friday, we found water temperatures around 48-49 degrees” says Greg at Happy Hooker. “It does not appear we will see any ice fishing soon, as the extended forecast shows temperatures in the 40s for the next 15 days.
“Musky fishing is slow, but anglers catch fish on suckers. We managed one musky Friday, a heavy mid 30-inch fish on a Bitten Tackle Mag Warlock glide bait. We were fishing deep rock edges, but this fish was off a point in 6-8 feet. Fish seem to be holding shallower than they should be for this time of year.
“Walleye anglers are finding some nice fish on rocks in 15-20 feet, with jigged walleye suckers producing success.
“Northern pike are hitting suckers half their size, harassing musky anglers, but little action on artificials. Look for pike in and around deep weed edges.
“Smallmouth bass anglers report some success, finding fish mixed in with walleyes. If walleye suckers do not work for smallmouth, switch to plastics and jig them in the same manner.
“Crappie, bluegill, and perch fishing have taken second stage, as most anglers now target muskies and walleye.
“As for the hunting seasons, it sounds like there is not much activity in the woods.”
Jarrett at Hayward Bait says temperatures are holding and intermittent rain should not harm fishing. Get out and enjoy some good fishing before ice-up!
“Muskies are on weed flats in 5-15 feet chasing panfish, bass, and walleye. Try bucktails, Bull Dawgs, Medussas, glide baits, and stickbaits. For fish in deep basins, try vertically fishing big baits such as suckers and Red October tubes.
“Walleyes are chasing panfish into the last healthy shallow weed growth. Walleye suckers, swimbaits, and jerkbaits work well. For deep fish, live bait rigs on the bottom or slow-pulled drop-shots with plastics work well.
“Northern pike are moving into shallow back bays near green weeds and other cover. Fish could be as shallow as two feet, especially on cool days when the sun is shining. Live bait, spinnerbaits, swimbaits, and jerkbaits are all great to pull pike from weed beds.
“Crappies are deep basin bound, 15-35 feet, and constantly in search of food. At this time, basin fish should be near bottom where oxygen is still plentiful, especially in waterbodies starting turnover. Plastics and fatheads on small jigs or under slip floats, and crankbaits should work very well.
“Bluegill anglers are catching fish in weedy areas and in with crappies, but without much for size or consistency.”
This week, DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter discusses bigger bass in Nelson Lake.
“Nelson Lake has undergone some major fishery changes in its roughly 90-year history. Yes, the impounded lake has only been around for that long, and some remember the days when Nelson held one of the most abundant walleye populations in the state.
“In the 1990s, walleye dominance began to give way to more abundant bass and panfish. There were many efforts to resist and counteract this shift, including intensive walleye stocking, angling regulation changes, and attempts at habitat manipulation. Today, bass and panfish still dominate the fishery, with strong numbers of northern pike present, and walleyes exist in a much lower abundance.
“Most anglers would agree that if the lake is going to have bass, it is preferable they are big bass. Fortunately, there have been some major improvements in that area.
“In 2011, largemouth bass in Nelson Lake were incredibly abundant at 51 per mile in electrofishing surveys (>95th percentile when compared to other lakes), and when fish exist at a high abundance, size often suffers. In 2011, just 20 percent of bass were greater than 15 inches. By 2017, largemouth abundance reached more normal levels, but without size improvement.
“Fast-forward to 2023, and we were finally seeing some sustained size increases, with the percentage of bass greater than 15 inches rising to 43 percent. Our 2024 fall survey produced many very nice bass, lending more data to support this shift in size.
“Changes in fisheries are always challenging for anglers who might catch more of a different species than in the past. The ability to produce quality size of the new dominant species might help anglers appreciate and enjoy the new complexion of the fishery!”
The DNR is asking the public to report black bear den locations for the fourth year of an ongoing research study on black bear reproduction. The study will generate new estimates of black bear reproductive rates within each bear management zone.
Helpful information to report includes GPS coordinates, photo of the den from a safe distance, description of site, information on bear(s) and bear activity near the site.
To report a known black bear den, visit the DNR’s black bear den submission form.
According to the DNR deer harvest report for Sawyer County, as of Novmber5, the total harvest for this season is 366 deer, including 227 antlered and 139 antlerless. These DNR totals (subject to correction) include:
- Archery: 98 deer (66 antlered, 32 antlerless)
- Crossbow: 219 deer (129 antlered, 90 antlerless)
- Youth Hunt (Oct. 5-6): 46 deer (30 antlered, 16 antlerless)
For more information, search “deer harvest summary” on the DNR website.
The DNR will host open houses to discuss proposed changes to deer management units (DMUs). A virtual open house is November 18, from 5-7 p.m.
On Tuesday November 19, there is an in-person open house in Cable, from 5-7 p.m., at the Norvado Building on Hwy 63, where attendees can ask questions about the DMU boundary review.
For more information, search “meetings calendar” on the DNR website, email Jeffrey.Pritzl@wisconsin.gov, or call him at (920) 366-3450.
Hayward Rod & Gun Club will host its annual sight-in days November 16-22, 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 selling drawing tickets for a Henry Big Boy.44 magnum lever-action rifle. Tickets cost $10 each or three for $20.
For more information, call Wally at (715) 492-0834.
Hayward Lakes Chapter-Muskies Inc. invites the public to its club meeting Tuesday, November 12, at Flat Creek Lodge. Admission is free. This general meeting to review the tournament, discuss projects, and elect officers starts at 7 p.m. Anyone interested in becoming a Muskies, Inc. member can purchase a half-price membership at the meeting.
For more information, call Mike Persson (715) 634-4543.
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 the LCO Reservation in Sawyer County are legal for ATV/UTV use. The Trail Treker app shows the changes. Trails 174 and 176 in Spider Lake Township are no longer open to ATV/UTV use. 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 trail and road closures atHLVCB ATV/UTV trail conditions report and Sawyer County Snowmobile & ATV Alliance.
FISHING REPORT
Water temperatures are in the mid to upper 40s and fish are transitioning. Angling activity is minimal and you might have an entire lake to yourself. Talk with your favorite bait shop personnel to get the most current fish locations, bait and presentation preferences, and best bite windows.
Musky:
Musky action is slow to fair, perhaps due to moderate water temperatures. Find them in 5-20 feet and deeper on rock edges, points, weed flats, and deep basins. Experiment at different depths! Suckers on quick-strike rigs, bucktails, Bull Dawgs, Medussas, Red October tubes, stickbaits, jerkbaits, and gliders can all work at this time.
Walleye:
Walleye fishing is fair to good. Fish are in 12-25 feet on weeds, weedlines, rock, humps, points, and shallow in the evening hours. Anglers report success with walleye suckers and fatheads on jigs, live bait rigs, and drop-shots; on swimbaits and jerkbaits; and on trolled stickbaits and crankbaits.
Northern Pike:
Northern pike action is good. Target both shallow and deep green weeds and weed edges, and shallow back bays on sunny days. Northern and walleye suckers, fatheads, spinners, spinnerbaits, spoons, swimbaits, and jerkbaits work well. For trophy pike, use bigger baits in deeper water.
Largemouth Bass:
Largemouth anglers still pursuing bass are finding them at various depths on weeds, weedlines, and brush holding baitfish. Live bait such as crappie minnows and fatheads, spinnerbaits, swimbaits, stickbaits, Ned and drop-shot rigs, and plastics in assorted riggings work well.
Smallmouth Bass:
Smallmouth bass fishing is good for anglers targeting them. Look for fish on weeds, weedlines, weed edges, rock, and similar cover and hard bottom areas, and mixed in with walleyes. Sucker minnows and plastics on jigs, swimbaits, Ned rigs, and drop-shot rigs are all effective.
Crappie:
Crappie fishing is not producing much chatter at this time, but anglers are finding fish near the bottom of basins in 15-30 feet. Move until you find them on weeds, weed edges, and suspending over that deeper water. Productive offerings include crappie minnows, fatheads, plastics, and Gulp! baits on small jigs and/or slip bobbers, and small crankbaits.
Bluegill/Perch:
Bluegill and perch fishing is good if you can find the fish. Many are in shallow weeds, while others, usually the bigger bluegills, are with crappies in mid-depths to deeper weeds, weed edges, wood, and cribs. Best baits include waxies, worms, minnows, plastics, and Gulp! baits on small jigs with or without slip bobbers.
Upcoming Events
Nov. 10: Elk season closed in Clam Lake management zone (888-936-7463).
Nov. 11: Veterans Day.
Nov. 12: Hayward Chapter-Muskies Inc. general meeting, elect officers, 7 p.m., Flat Creek Lodge (715-634-4543).
Nov. 12-14: North Taurids Meteor Showers; 10-20/hr., slow fireballs, south 12-2 a.m.
Nov. 15: Full Beaver Moon.
Nov. 16-17: Leonids Meteor Shower; 10-15/hr., very swift, southeast 4-5 a.m.
Nov. 16-22: 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.
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.