Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report 11-25-24

Steve Suman

Snowfall in the North Woods has not (yet) met the forecast predictions and much of it melted on contact. The forecast says colder temperatures are on the way for later in the week, so we will see how the prognosticators do with those pronouncements. Look for highs in the 20s and lows in the teens to single digits ‑ quite a change from 40s/20s ‑ and with wind gusts ranging from 5-25 mph.

Have a happy Thanksgiving Day celebration this Thursday, November 28, and wishing you safe travels. Inclement weather is a possibility (sometimes seems almost a certainty!), and people traveling for the holiday can check the current road conditions by visiting the 511wi.gov for Wisconsin and 511mn.org for Minnesota websites.

“Snow showers in the Quiet Lakes’ area Monday will give way to ice-making temperatures Tuesday,” says Greg at Happy Hooker. “If the forecast holds true, we will see highs in the teens and single-digit lows by the weekend.

“Lake levels bounced back with some good rains last week, including 1.25 inches in one day and plenty more off and on after that. Water temperatures dropped significantly and at last report were in the upper 30s.

“Musky anglers ‑ a few ‑ are still hitting the water, with most action on suckers if folks can find them. Slow presentations are the key. With water temperatures in the 30s, fish are looking for larger, easier meals to bulk up before the ice sets. Look for fish on deep weed and rock edges and work through areas slowly.

“Walleyes were holding in deeper water over the past couple of weeks and that seems to still be the case. Look for rocks and weeds in 15-25 feet, and jig walleye suckers and bigger plastics.

“Northern pike are putting on the feed bag as well, and will be in the same general areas as muskies. They, too, will take advantage of bigger, slower moving baits and live bait.

“Crappie and perch should be schooling and pushing to deeper water, but that is more a guess an actual observation.”

Jarrett at Hayward Bait says most anglers have now departed open water with dreams of returning to frozen lakes with jigging rods and tip-ups in tow.

“Before heading out for early ice fishing, please think about early ice safety. Make sure you take all proper gear, including a float suit, ice picks, a good buddy willing to walk out first (kidding!), and be sure to tell someone where you are heading and the approximate time you will return.

“As ice begins forming this week, here are some suggestions of where and how anglers should target fish in the next few weeks.

“Early ice calls for shallow water fishing. Back bays and small pockets of shallow water are often the first and safest places for early ice anglers, as well as where walleye, northern pike, and panfish congregate in the remains of healthy weed growth. Focus on areas along weedlines in 2-10 feet and cover a large area with a spread of tip-ups and/or other setlines. Once your set up is complete, proper ice etiquette requires you to migrate a proper distance away from your rigs.

“Early ice is often clear, and until there is snow cover, movements above are easily visible from below and can spook fish. Noise on top is louder underwater and risks further scaring fish. When approaching flags, calm and quiet footsteps can make all the difference between a trophy walleye taking in or spitting out a bait. In most lakes, from now until ice-out, the primary bait is walleye suckers, with some shiners in the mix.

“As we move through ice season, watch for species by species advice ‑ and stay safe and on top of the hard water!”

This week, DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter discusses Lake Hayward and scoring fishing opportunities.

“A big part of my job, and the original purpose of these column items, is to promote fishing opportunities in the Hayward area. Many people inquire about where to find quality opportunities for one species or another, and there is much to consider when making recommendations.

“Some people might want lots of fishing action, while others focus on trophy size. Some lakes might offer great multi-species fishing, while others offer high quality for just one or two species. Consistency and resiliency are other factors that can be even harder to quantify. Can people expect a fishery that was good five years ago to maintain that same quality?

“I am starting a recurring lake profile series rating fishing opportunities by species on a 0-10 scale (with 10 the best). I will try to condense all considerations listed above into a single number for each major species or species group, along with a few basic notes.

“The ratings will be honest assessments, based on my own likelihood to fish these species in these waters.

“Let us start with Lake Hayward, our own backyard lake. Starting at the top of the food chain, I give Lake Hayward a rating of 6 for muskies. Musky size in Lake Hayward can be exceptional, but the lake is not simple to fish and the musky population is inconsistent.

“Northern pike receive a 7. Pike are abundant, so the catch rate is high, but average size can be small. Still, the lake has produced 40-inch pike, which is not true for every lake in the area.

“Walleyes receive a 2 due to low abundance and rarity. We stock walleye occasionally, but it is likely many of those fish move upstream or escape over the dam.

“Bass receive a 3 rating. Largemouth are common, but size is not exceptional, and smallmouth are quite rare.

“Panfish get a 9 rating, as Lake Hayward is one of the best panfish lakes in the area. Size is consistently very good, with 7- to 10-inch bluegills common. Crappie and perch are less abundant, but size is solid for those species as well.

“Look for more area lake ratings like this in the future!”

Hunters:

Mourning dove season closes Nov. 29; Muzzleloader deer season is open Dec. 2-11.

Dec. 10 is the application deadline for the 2025 spring turkey season and 2025 fall bear season.

Fall turkey season in zones 1-5 remains open through Jan. 5, with many bonus tags still available in zones 1-4.

Anglers:

Walleye season on the Chippewa Flowage closes Nov. 30; Musky season closes statewide Dec. 31.

According to the DNR deer harvest report for Sawyer County, as of November 19 (prior to the gun season), total harvest for this season is 685 deer, including 484 antlered and 201 antlerless. The totals (subject to correction) include:

Archery: 198 deer (151 antlered, 47 antlerless)
Crossbow: 438 deer (301 antlered, 137 antlerless)
Youth Hunt (Oct. 5-6): 46 deer (30 antlered, 16 antlerless)

For more information, search “deer harvest summary” on the DNR website.

FISHING REPORT

Temperatures are changing from 40-degree highs to highs in the 20s, with some single-digit lows after Thanksgiving. Unless this direction reverses, which is highly unlikely, open water fishing season is ending for this year. This could be/should be a very interesting week! The following reports are for the benefit of those squeezing the last few days (hours?) out of the open water season. Be safe out there!

Musky:

Muskies are holding on the edges of rock and deep weeds in 6-25 feet, and around panfish concentrations. Musky suckers and big artificials with slow presentations can get trophy fish moving!

Walleye:

Walleyes are on weeds and rocks in 8-20 feet and deeper during the day, moving toward shallow flats and bays in early evening into after dark. Walleye suckers, fatheads, and plastics on jigs, and jigging baits, are producing.

Northern Pike:

Northern pike are actively fattening up for winter, feeding on baitfish and panfish on weeds and weedlines in shallow bays and mid-depth weeds, brush, and cribs. Use northern suckers, shiners, and minnows on jigs, and jigging baits.

Crappie:

Crappies are schooling and moving around green weeds, cribs, and lake basins, so check all depths. Crappie minnows, plastics, and Gulp! Minnows on jigs and plain hooks work well, as do small jigging spoons.

Bluegill/Perch:

Bluegill and perch dispersed from shallow and mid-depth green weeds to deep basins. Waxies, spikes, plastics, and Gulp! baits on jigs and teardrops, and/or under slip bobbers work well. Check the entire water column.