Temperatures return to near the average ‑ 23-degree high, -1 degree low ‑ and then temperatures turn considerably colder thru mid-January. The forecast shows few chances for snow during this time.
Travelers can check current road conditions at 511wi.gov for Wisconsin and 511mn.org for Minnesota.
Wishing you safe travels and a very Happy New Year!
The 2025 Hayward Lakes Vacation Guide is now available online or in hard copy. Visit haywardlakes.com/order-vacation-guide to view or order and start making vacation plans now!
“Fishing in the Quiet Lakes’ area was fair to good in the past week,” says Greg at Happy Hooker, “and that should continue as long as the ice stays safe. Expect teens and single-digit temperatures later this week, and this will make the standing water into glare ice when it freezes.
“Walleye anglers report success with walleye suckers and shiners on single trebles under tip-ups. Set up on deep weed edges and rocky bottom transitions in 10-20 feet. Anglers generally run baits near bottom, though set some at different depths in the water column. Tip-ups set in/around shallow weeds will get more pike and largemouth bass ‑ not a bad thing if looking for action!
“Northern pike catches are also coming on tip-ups in 10-20 feet on deep weed edges and rocky bottom transitions. Rig walleyes suckers and shiners on single trebles under tip-ups set at different depths in the water column. Setting up in and around shallow weeds should produce good action on pike and largemouth bass.
“Crappie and perch anglers should at this time find schools of fish in basins more so than on shallow structure, though every lake is different. Crappie minnows, minnow heads, waxies, and plastics on small jigs and spoons can be deadly for these fish. Look in 15-25 feet off points and mid-lake structure.
“Bluegill anglers will find bluegills in and around weeds, be it big weed flats or in bays off the main lake. Look for green weeds, as they hold some oxygen and small bugs and other things on which fish feed. Creek inlets are good spots, too, as long as the ice is safe to navigate. Waxies, spikes, and plastics on small jigs are all effective.”
Jarrett at Hayward Bait says most small to medium size lakes have 8-12 inches of ice.
“We have had some weather and rain that knocked down the snow, making for a few wet, sloppy days on the ice, followed by refreezing later this week. While some ATVs, UTVs, and snowmobiles travel marked trails on the ice, check the current ice conditions before venturing onto it.
“Walleyes still trend toward the early ice bite, with shallow flats adjacent to weed edges in 8-12 feet producing fish on tip-ups and jigging. Medium suckers and shiners work well on setlines; jigging spoons, rattle baits, and small minnows on jigs work for jigging. Primetime bites are early in the morning from 5-7 a.m., and likewise towards evening.
“Northern pike are on the same flats as walleye, with most action during daylight hours. Suckers, larger shiners, and dead baits are producing. For pike fishing, the key is weeds and structure holding small panfish.
“Crappies are in basin areas in 15-35 feet, with fish suspending all over the water column. Active fish are primarily higher in the column, and safer fish for catch and release. Waxies on small jigs, small spoons, and small hard baits are doing well. Anglers can use setlines such as tip-downs to cover more water.
“Bluegills cruise mid-depth flats, darting in and out of weeds that walleye and pike frequent. Set up on weedlines and waiting for fish to swim through is the key for some anglers. Waxies and spikes on small jigs are working well.”
This week, DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter discusses a January 7 Sissabagama Lake planning meeting.
“Sissabagama Lake has a storied local fishing history, and like many lakes, it has undergone changes over time that challenged our fish management strategies. The DNR is now in the early stages of developing a fishery management plan for Sissabagama Lake that will guide our management into the future.
“We have created similar plans for many of our popular local fisheries and public input is a critical part of the planning process, determining what species we prioritize and the overall management direction. For example, the input we receive can help us understand if people value northern pike as a food fish or as a trophy opportunity for that lake.
“On January 7, starting at 5:30 p.m., the DNR will host a virtual public meeting, with DNR fish biologist Max Wolter providing a short presentation on the history and present status of the fishery, followed by discussion, comments, and questions from the public.
“We will ask meeting participants to fill out a short online questionnaire on their preferences for different species and fish management strategies. The questionnaire will be available online for one month after the meeting, and open to those who are not able to attend the meeting.
“To register for the meeting, visit https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/calendar, check the list of upcoming events, and look for the January 7 Sissabagama Lake Fishery Management Planning Meeting. It will ask you to complete a short registration step. There is no cost to attend the meeting. For more information, email max.wolter@wisconsin.gov.
“We expect a great discussion and hope all anglers who spend time on Sissabagama Lake will attend!”
According to the DNR deer harvest report for Sawyer County, total harvest for this season, as of December 30, is 2,198 deer, including 1,361 antlered and 837 antlerless. Sawyer County totals (preliminary, subject to correction) include:
- 9-Day Gun Season: 1,303 deer (775 antlered, 528 antlerless)
- Archery: 219 deer (159 antlered, 60 antlerless)
- Crossbow: 519 deer (349 antlered, 170 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 Antlerless-only Holiday Deer Hunt is in progress and open thru January 1. This is NOT a statewide season and is open only in select farm counties. See the regulations and season map for details.
The DNR, in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa (LCO), seeks public comment on the Chippewa Flowage Joint Agency Management Plan update.
The Chippewa Flowage is a 15,300-acre impoundment in central Sawyer County, 15 miles east of Hayward. Dotted with about 200 undeveloped islands, it is Wisconsin’s third-largest lake and boasts a highly irregular, wooded, and generally undeveloped 233-mile shoreline.
The DNR will receive comments through January 31, 2025.
For more information, visit https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/fl/PropertyPlanning/ChippewaFlowage.
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 Sawyer County roads outside the LCO Reservation are legal for ATV/UTV use. The Trail Treker app shows the 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. However, check for trail and road updates and closures atHLVCB ATV/UTV trail conditions report and Sawyer County Snowmobile & ATV Alliance.
Order a Sawyer County Snowmobile & ATV Trail Map from the HLVCB or download the Trail Treker app ($2) on your smartphone and get the complete Sawyer County Trail Map ($2). Once loaded, you never need mobile coverage. Place the phone in Airplane Mode to conserve the battery, and your GPS still shows your location and all map business sponsors in “Points of Interest.”
The HLVCB snowmobile trail report says warm weather and rain late last week wiped out the snow we had and the lakes are bare ice. Cold weather later this week will continue to build good ice.
Our ATV/UTV trail system and road routes are open, so get out and enjoy a ride to your favorite local businesses!
For current Birkie Trail conditions, visit www.birkie.com/trail-maps-conditions. Skiing any part of the Birkie Trail System December through March requires a Birkie Trail Ski Pass. Skiing on the snowmaking loop requires an All-Access Snow Pass. For more information, call (715-634-5025).
Fishing Report
Mild temperatures and considerable rain over the weekend surely affected the ice in some manner, but no reports are available at this time. If you go on the ice, tread lightly, check as you go, take the standard safety tools, and rubber boots with cleats are likely necessary. Check with the bait shops for the most current information on fish locations, bait and presentation preferences, and ice conditions.
Walleye season on the Chippewa Flowage closed November 30.
Musky season closes December 31. Check regulations ‑ that do not allow anglers to target muskies through the ice.
Walleye:
Walleye fishing is fair to good, with best success in low light early morning hours and late evening into after dark. You will find fish around shallow weeds, on rock bottom transition areas, and flats and weed edges in 8-20 feet. Baits of choice include walleye suckers and shiners on tip-ups and jigs, jigging spoons, and rattle baits.
Northern Pike:
Northern pike action is very good and provides an all-day bite. Look for fish around shallow weeds, weed flats, on deep weed edges and rock bottom transitions in 10-20 feet, and near concentrations of baitfish and panfish. Northern suckers, walleye suckers, large shiners, and dead baits on tip-ups are all attractive to pike!
Crappie:
Crappie anglers report good success fishing points, mid-lake structure, and basins in 15-35 feet, with fish dispersed throughout the water column. Crappie minnows, waxies, and plastics on small jigs, teardrops, and plain hooks jigged or fished on tip-downs, as well as small spoons and hard baits, are all working well.
Bluegill/Perch:
Bluegill and perch fishing is good to very good. Find bluegills around green weeds, weed flats, bays, and inlets, if safe to access. Waxies, spikes, and plastics on small jigs do the job. Perch are on and just off points and mid-lake structure in 15-25 feet, with favored baits crappie minnows, minnow heads, waxies, and plastics on small jigs and spoons.
Upcoming Events
Dec. 2-31: Hayward Holiday Raffle Drawings; tickets $10 each (715-634-8662).
Dec. 24-Jan. 1: Antlerless-only holiday deer season (not statewide; see regs); open only in select farm counties.
Dec. 31: Musky season closes (see regs).
Jan. 1: New Year’s Day 2025!
Jan. 2-4: Quadrantids Meteor Shower; 60-120/hr. medium speed, northeast, 4-6 a.m.
Jan. 4: 13th Annual Pat’s Landing Tipper Tourney, 8am-3pm, $25 entry fee (715-945-2511).
Jan. 5: Seasons close: Archery and crossbow deer; Grouse Zone A; Turkey zones 1-5; Pheasant; Hungarian partridge; Fisher trapping.
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.
Thru Jan. 31: Bobcat Period 2 hunting and trapping season open.
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.