Steve Suman
This week’s forecast calls for mild temperatures thru Sunday, with chances for both snow and sunshine. It includes highs from 29 degrees Wednesday to 41 degrees Thursday, but as always, subject to change!
The 2025 Hayward Lakes Vacation Guide is now available online and in hard copy. To view or order the guide, visit haywardlakes.com/order-vacation-guide and start making vacation plans now!
“Quiet Lakes’ ice is in great shape,” says Greg at Happy Hooker. “Friday we found about 18 inches of ice everywhere we drilled holes, and the 1-2 inches of snow Friday night made travel excellent for any type of machine.
“Walleye anglers report success on the edges of points, flats, and mid-lake humps, using tip-ups and jigging in 12-16 feet. We had luck with suckers and shiners under tip-ups.
“Northern pike action is good in 6-12 feet with suckers and shiners under tip-ups. Set up in/on big pockets of weeds, weed edges, and inside/outside turns in weed beds.
“Largemouth bass anglers report decent largemouth on tip-ups in the same areas as for pike. Tip-up fishing is fun because it is always a mystery until you see the fish in the hole!
“Crappies are a struggle to find on the lakes we fish, though we have not tried deep basins. All lakes are different, but fish are probably schooling and roaming in 20-30 feet. Waxies and minnow heads on small tungsten jigs, and small jigging spoons, are great options.
“Bluegills are probably still relating to shallow weeds ‑ but not where we fished Friday! We set up on weeds, with one side of the shelter on a mid-lake hump and the other on a sharp drop to deep water. Thought for sure we would get into bluegills and crappies, but were completely wrong ‑ and frustrated!”
Jarrett at Hayward Bait says ice is in good shape on most lakes, some with more than 16 inches.
“No matter how you travel on lakes, check the ice before going on it. Fresh snow on top is making for easier walking.
“Walleyes are on main lake points and structure in 12-20 feet. Many anglers use sucker and shiners on setlines at sunset and sunrise. Others run setlines while jigging key structure with spoons, rattlebaits, and other fish attractants. Fish can push deeper in clear waterbodies and during periods of high sun.
“Northern pike anglers are doing well with northern suckers and large shiners on setlines, and on dead bait. Work main lake structure while watching for pike following crappies and bluegills.
“Crappies are in main lake basins in 15-45 feet, depending on the lake. Start with spoons and rattlebaits for active fish, switching to live bait on small jigs for stubborn fish.
“Bluegills are on deep weedlines. Anglers set up and wait for fish to arrive. Use waxies and spikes on small jigs.”
This week, DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter scores Chippewa Flowage fishing opportunities.
“In this series, I rate local fishing opportunities, by species, on a 0-10 scale. Ratings reflect catchability, size, and other elements of fishing quality with a single number, with notes about why it received that score.
“This week, we look at Lake Chippewa, better known as The Chippewa Flowage. The Chip is one of the largest, most historic, and popular fisheries anywhere in Wisconsin, and hosts anglers from all over the country. It is a very hard working fishery, sustaining an annual harvest of hundreds of thousands of fish, based on creel survey estimates.
“The Chip’s popularity and the amount of harvest likely have a moderating effect on fishing quality. It scores well across many categories, but with few species considered truly exceptional relative to other area fishing opportunities.
“For musky, the Chippewa Flowage scores an 8. This large lake has top-end size potential and diverse habitats for musky to use. Aggressive stocking and pike control have worked to increase angler catch rates, with some early success to report from those efforts.
“Walleye currently score a 9. The Chip has the most abundant walleye population in the immediate area at approximately 4-5 adults per acre, and continued strong recruitment. The population is resilient and allows for good catch rates, while offering good enough size structure to produce some keeper fish and a few occasional trophies.
“Northern pike score a 5. Pike are not difficult to catch, and in fact, many are incidental catches by anglers targeting other species. While size is typically not exceptional and anglers catch a few mid-30-inch and larger fish, the more common size by far is 17-21 inches. We encourage harvest of smaller pike to improve overall pike size and help musky abundance.
“Largemouth bass score a 5, with better largemouth opportunities on the west side than on the east.
“Smallmouth bass score slightly higher at a 6, with better opportunities on the east side, and fish fairly abundant if you know the areas to look. Size can be okay, but rarely exceptional.
“Panfish score a 7, with strong populations of bluegill and crappie offering decent catch rates and quality, though not trophy size. Nice perch are available to anglers who know where to find them in this expansive lake.”
The DNR is working on updating the Chippewa Flowage Fishery Management Plan and requests angler input to help with this update. A short online survey (less than 10 minutes) that will be open for a month or so is now available at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ChipFish25. The DNR will work on updating the plan later this year.
Hunters and trappers should note that the bobcat Period 2 hunting and trapping season closes January 31, as does the extended archery season in select counties (see map and regulations for more information).
Deerfoot Lodge’s “Freeze Your Buns Off” crappie fishing tournament is February 1-2 on the Chippewa Flowage. This event includes door prizes, Grand Prize, crappie and northern pike fish awards, and best photo award.
Enter by January 31. Entry fees are $65/individual and $100/family.
For more information, visit https://deerfootlodge.com or call (715) 462-3328.
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.
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 Hayward Lakes Visitor & Convention Bureau or download the Trail Treker app ($2) 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.”
SNOWMOBILE/SKI TRAIL REPORT
Order ATV trail maps from Hayward Lakes Visitor & Convention Bureau 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. Placing the phone in Airplane Mode conserves the battery and the GPS still shows your location and all map business sponsors in “Points of Interest.”
Snowmobiles must have a current registration and display a valid snowmobile trail pass to operate on public snowmobile trails. You can renew registrations and order trail passes online or purchase trail passes from sales agents. Members of the Association of Wisconsin Snowmobile Clubs (AWSC) can purchase trail passes at a discounted rate directly from www.awsc.org. You do not need to be a Wisconsin resident to be an AWSC member.
The January 24 HLVCB snowmobile trail report says the North Woods received 2-5 inches of fresh snow this past week, with higher amounts in the northern part of the county. Some groomers panned and/or groomed and were pleasantly surprised. Areas by roadways have less snow than in the woods, and there can be some bare spots and rocks. Considering the lack of snow, trails are in relatively good condition. Lakes are in great riding condition, but stay on the trails and be aware there are numerous ice heaves .Visit the HLVCB snowmobile trail report for more details.
Birkie Ski Trail reports are available at www.birkie.com/trail-maps-conditions. American Birkebeiner week is February 19-23. 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
Ice and travel on it are both good, and anglers are catching most species of fish. Still, test the ice as you go, as “safe ice” is a misnomer. The forecast calls for mid-30s temperatures (40 degrees Thursday) and some sunshine a couple days this week, so angler should find very comfortable fishing conditions. Action overall is mostly stable, but checking with your favorite bait shop for the most current information remains a good investment of minimal time.
Walleye:
Walleye fishing is good, with best success during low light sunrise and late evening into dark. Anglers are finding fish on the edges of flats, points, mid-lake humps, and other structure in 12-20 feet, and deeper in clear water and/or bright sun. Baits of choice include walleye suckers and shiners on tip-ups, and jigging spoons, rattlebaits, and similar offerings.
Northern Pike:
Northern pike action is good to very good. The fish are in and on the edges of weeds, weed flats, weed beds, and shallow bays in 4-14 feet, on main lake structure, and near concentrations of baitfish and panfish. Northern suckers, walleye suckers, and large shiners on tip-ups are productive, with dead bait also working.
Largemouth bass:
Largemouth bass anglers are finding some nice fish in and around weeds, weed beds, and along weed edges in 5-15 feet. Minnows, sucker minnows, and shiners on tip-ups are working well.
Crappie:
Crappie anglers report good results fishing 15-35+ feet in main lake basins. Minnows, minnow heads, and waxies on small tungsten jigs, small jigging spoons, and rattlebaits are working well at this time.
Bluegill/Perch:
Bluegills are on weedlines from shallow to deep. Many anglers are setting up on the weedlines, using waxies and spikes on small jigs, and playing bait and wait for fish to enter the area. Perch are on weeds and weedlines in 12-20 feet and hitting waxies and minnows/minnow heads on small jigs.
Upcoming Events
Jan. 31: Extended archery season in select counties; see map and regulations.
Jan. 31: Bobcat Period 2 hunting and trapping season closes.
Feb. 1-2: Deerfoot Lodge “Freeze Your Buns Off” crappie fishing tournament (715-462-3328).
Feb. 8: 42nd Annual Hayward Lions Pre-Birkie 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p m (715-558-6251).
Feb. 12: Full Snow Moon.
Feb. 15: Seasons close: Coyote trapping; Fox hunting/trapping; Raccoon hunting/trapping.
Feb. 15: Drummond 25th Annual Bar Stool Races
Feb. 15: Deerfoot Lodge Ice Junkies Outdoors Tim Cruchelow Memorial Panfish Tournament (715-462-3328).
Feb. 19-23: American Birkebeiner Week (715-634-5025).
Feb. 28-March 2: World’s Longest Weenie Roast at Lakewood’s Resort (715-794-2561).
Feb. 28: Seasons close: Cottontail; Squirrel (gray and fox).
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.