Steve Suman
Following mild weather for the past week or two, signs of winter appeared this past weekend with cold temperatures and snow flurries. However, the forecast for this week includes highs in the mid to upper 40s, with a 50-degree day or two at week’s end. Whatever fall work that still remains to do, get to doing it now!
In early mornings, look to the south November 2-14 for the North Taurids Meteor Shower, and to the southeast November 16-17 for the Leonids Meteor Shower.
Veterans Day is Tuesday, November 11 (as always), a special day to honor veterans for their service to this country. Be sure to thank any veterans you know, as well as those you do not, for their service.
“Quiet Lakes’ water temperatures are in the low 40s on lakes such as Lost Land, Teal, and Spider,” says Greg at Happy Hooker. “Water levels are way down on most lakes and boaters should use caution, particularly in shallow water and rocky areas.
“Muskies will put on the feed bag for the next couple weeks as water temperatures continue to drop, and live bait is a great choice at this time. Fishing the deep edges of green weeds is a good place to start. Trolling is excellent to reach fish off the edges or in basins as big fish chase schools of perch and crappie.
“Walleye fishing is good with walleye suckers on jigs and slip bobbers fished on deep edges in 10-20 feet, depending on the lake and structure. Plastics on jigs with slow presentations are great at this time.
“Northern pike should be in 5-15 feet around green weeds that hold oxygen. Small musky and northern suckers, and even musky lures, work well now.
“Smallmouth bass will be around the same areas as walleye. Deep, rocky edges and transitions can hold both species, and both will eat the same offerings.
“Panfish schooling in Round Lake basins last week were all over the water column, with some close to bottom and others suspending in the middle. Fishing minnows on jigs through the schools work well as fish suspend over deep water preparing for winter.
“The forest is getting busy with deer rut activity and many folks are now hunting.”
Jarrett at Hayward Bait says musky suckers are in short supply for anglers intending to use them.
“As ice looms closer and muskies become out of reach, anglers will begin trolling to cover water and at the same time keep their hands warm. The key locations at this time revolve around remaining green weeds that hold baitfish.
“Walleye anglers, with early ice just around the corner, will start scouting fish by boat in the locations they will check at early ice. Walleye suckers on slip bobbers are the key, before switching to tip-ups.
“Northern pike are moving shallow to bask in the sun’s rays that are not yet blocked by ice. Look near any structure that might hold panfish or baitfish, with deeper water nearby. Northern and walleye suckers work best this time of year.
“Bass anglers just are not out in any numbers at this time.
“Crappies are either towards the bottom in deep basins, or in/on mid-depth weeds. For weed fish, wait until twilight hours when fish rise and feed. Basin fish are typically more willing throughout the day. Small jigs and minnows or vertical ripping baits such as Rippin Raps work well.
“Bluegills should begin moving to shallow weeds. The last remaining weeds, typically in the warmest shallow water, offer cover and hold the remaining bug life for fish until the shallows lose their oxygen in mid-winter. Small jigs and waxies work, and some anglers will begin to pitch ice jigs as well fish them under corks.”
This week, DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter scores fishing opportunities on the Tiger Cat Chain.
“In this series, I rate local fishing opportunities by individual species on a 0-10 scale reflecting catchability, size, and other fishing qualities, and note why each species received its score.
“This week, we look at the Tiger Cat Chain, produced in 1939 by a dam and channels connecting six lakes ‑ Upper Twin, Lower Twin, Tiger Cat Flowage, Placid, Burns, and McClaine ‑ totaling 1,012 acres.
“This chain is unique in that while the majority of our local flowages have darker, stained water, most of the Tiger Cat system has very clear water. As a result, aquatic plant growth is abundant throughout the chain, an important factor for structuring the fishery.
“Tiger Cat walleye rate a 2. Stocking attempts over the years showed periods of mild success, but the lake does not have ample walleye habitat to hold many fish. However, if an angler catches a walleye, it is likely to be a very large fish.
“At this point, I rate musky a 3, though we hope to see improvement over the next decade, as this native musky lake has a reputation for great action. Northern pike entered the system in the 1990s, drastically changing the fishery. Today, muskies are far less abundant and anglers see fewer fish. Stocking efforts now underway show some positive signs.
“Bass rate an 8 in the Tiger Cat. Though smallmouth are present, the primary fishery is largemouth, a fish well suited to the chain’s complex, shallow habitat. The interconnected lakes and sprawling channels are reminiscent of bass fishing opportunities in the south. This is a very fun system to fish for bass!
“Northern pike rate a 6, but with a twist. As mentioned, pike are not native to the chain and we encourage anglers to harvest pike with a 10-fish daily limit. Catch rates appear fairly high, and there are some nice size pike. Ice fishing for pike in Upper and Lower Twin lakes can be fruitful. There are a couple angler access points, but check ice safety.
“Panfish rate a 4, primarily for smaller bluegill, but with opportunities for crappie and bigger perch. Panfish action can be very good for young anglers.”
The DNR has released preliminary bear registration numbers for the 2025 season. Hunters harvested 3,724 bears during the 35-day season. Northwest Wisconsin, hunters harvested 1,161 bears in Zone A and 906 bears in Zone D.
The application deadline is Dec. 10 for the 2026 season.
For more information, visit “Bear Hunting” on the DNR website.
The Northern Forest Zone consists of many individual Deer Management Units (DMU), with some units in Sawyer County extending into other counties. The 2025 weekly DMU deer harvest numbers are available by referencing the DMU map and deer harvest summary.
Hayward Chapter-Muskies, Inc. welcomes the public to attend its club meeting Tuesday, November 18, at Hayward Rod and Gun Club. A general business meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. At 7:30 p.m., DNR fisheries biologist Colin Dassow will report on the Spider Lake Project. Admission is free and people interested in joining Muskies, Inc. can purchase a half-price membership at the meeting.
For more information, call Mike Persson (715) 634-4543.
Hayward Rod and Gun Club will host its annual sight-in days November 15-21, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily. The public is welcome. Experienced club members can help sight-in rifles in a safe, controlled environment. The cost is $8 per rifle.
The club is selling tickets for a Henry Big Boy .44 magnum lever action rifle or a $500 Ace Hardware gift certificate. Tickets cost $10/each or 3/$20. The drawing is at 4 p.m. Friday, November 21, and the winner need not be present.
For more information, visit Hayward Rod and Gun Club or call (715) 634-4912.
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 posted otherwise, all county roads outside the LCO Reservation in Sawyer County are legal for ATV/UTV use. Trail contacts include Sawyer County Forest (715-634-4846), Chequamegon National Forest (715-634-4821), and Flambeau State Forest (715-332-5271). VisitHLVCB ATV/UTV trail conditions report for updates and closures.
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).
Fishing Report
Serious anglers still hit the water and this week could see some 50-degree days. Lakes are very low, so use caution. Fishing is good for most species ‑ and this is trophy time for musky and walleye in particular.
Musky:
Muskies are on the feed and fishing action is good. Find fish on shallow to mid-depth green weed edges, in basins, on weed flats and points, and around panfish concentrations. Reports indicate suckers, the prime fall bait, are in short supply. Some anglers troll stickbaits and crankbaits, while others cast Bull Dawgs, Medussas, tubes, and gliders.
Walleye:
Walleye fishing is fair to good on weedlines, deep edges, rocks, points, and humps in 10-20 feet, with fish moving shallower in later evening into dark. Walleye suckers, fatheads, and plastics on jigs, slip bobbers, and drop-shot rigs, and trolled crankbaits and stickbaits, are all productive.
Northern Pike:
Northern pike action is very good as fish pig-out in 4-18 feet around green weeds, other structure, and near baitfish and panfish concentrations. Northern and walleye suckers, fatheads, spoons, spinnerbaits, and jerkbaits work best.
Largemouth Bass:
Largemouth bass anglers are scarce, but the fish are still present around baitfish and panfish on weeds and brush. Try crappie minnows and fatheads, drop-shot and Ned rigs, various plastics, spinnerbaits, and stickbaits.
Smallmouth Bass:
Smallmouth bass fishing is good for actively feeding fish. Check mid-depth to deep rock, edges, humps, and points in 10-25 feet. Sucker minnows, plastics on jigs, swimbaits, stickbaits, crankbaits, and Ned and drop-shot rigs all produce.
Crappie:
Crappie fishing is fair to good. Check the entire water column for fish on mid-depth weeds, in basins, and suspending over deep water. Use crappie minnows, fatheads, plastics, and Gulp! baits on jigs, and small spoons and Beetle Spins.
Bluegill/Perch: Bluegill fishing is good once you find the fish in warmer shallow water to mid-depth and deeper weeds, cribs, and wood. Favored baits include waxies, minnows, plastics, and Gulp! baits on small jigs and teardrops fished on slip bobbers
Upcoming Events
Nov. 11: Veterans Day.
Nov. 12-14: North Taurids Meteor Shower, south, 12-2 a.m., 10-20 per hour, slow fireballs.
Nov. 16: Elk season, first period, closes.
Nov. 16-17: Leonids Meteor Shower, southeast, 4-5 a.m., 10-15 per hour, very swift.
Nov. 15-21: Hayward Rod and Gun Club ‑ annual sight-in days, $8/rifle fee, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily (715-634-4912).
Nov. 18: (Update) Hayward Chapter-Muskies, Inc. meeting, Hayward Rod and Gun Club, 6:30 p.m. (715-634-4543).
Nov. 21: Fall turkey season closes statewide.
Nov. 22: Crow season opens.
Nov. 22-30: Wisconsin’s traditional nine-day gun deer season.
Nov. 22-Jan. 4: Fall turkey season open in zones 1-5.
Nov. 25: Duck season closes in Northern Zone.
Nov. 27: Thanksgiving Day.
Nov. 28-Dec. 20: Christmas in Hayward 2025 (715-699-2706).
Nov. 29: Mourning dove season closes.
Nov. 30: Walleye season closes on Chippewa Flowage.
Dec. 4: Full Cold Moon.
Dec. 1-10: Muzzleloader deer season.
Dec. 10: Application deadline for spring turkey, fall bear permits.
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 (715) 634-4801.