Mild temperatures remain until Thursday, with cold returning Thursday night. A mix of rain and snow begins Tuesday night, running through Friday. This combination could make for dicey travel conditions, so be careful out there, particularly with the heavy traffic!
Travelers can check current road conditions at 511wi.gov for Wisconsin and 511mn.org for Minnesota.
“The Quiet Lakes’ area will return to winter on Wednesday,” says Greg at Happy Hooker, “with temperatures dropping to below freezing. Travel on lakes is good, which might change with the warm temperatures. Snowmobile trails in the woods remain in great shape, but thin in open areas and the north side of roads. Most ice is 18-22 inches and that should not change. Lakes are losing oxygen, and finicky fish make fishing tougher.
“Walleye anglers report success with tip-ups, though mild temperatures should be good for moving around and jigging. Look for fish around rocks, sand, and sharp breaklines. Suckers and shiners under tip-ups work, and jigging spoons and minnow baits call in fish from a distance.
“Northern pike are on flats and summer weed bed areas in 6-12 feet. Suckers and shiners under tip-ups work best.
“Crappies are finicky. Anglers are catching just a few from a school before the fish scatter. In most lakes, crappies are in basins, suspending near mid water column, around 15-25 feet. Tungsten jigs and small spoons are the hot ticket.
“Bluegills and perch are schooling and relating more to basins than shallow weeds. Snow and ice block light penetration, weeds no longer hold oxygen, and fish are moving. Waxies and plastics on small jigs get down to suspending fish quickly. Look for softer bottoms where larvae and other offerings rise from the muck.”
Jarrett at Hayward Bait says the ice is good, even after some 40-degree days. The warmth could pack snow and make travel easier.
“Most lakes have about two feet of ice and some slush. Anglers are using all modes of transportation, but use caution, as no ice is ever safe and it can change quickly with warmer temperatures.
“Northern pike fishing is good, with anglers catching good numbers of all sizes at various depths. Suckers, big shiners, and dead bait on tip-ups are working.
“Crappie anglers find fish deep on most lakes. On lakes without deep portions available, such as Nelson and parts of the Chippewa Flowage, fish roam shallow structure. Spoons, rattlebaits, and minnows on jigs produce success.
“Bluegills are in 8-20 feet on weeds and near structure offering an escape from toothy critters. Waxies and spikes on small jigs work well.
“Perch will start staging on mud flats in 10-15 feet, feeding on invertebrates, and preparing for spawn. A popular tactic is using jigs and spoons to stir up the bottom, followed by smaller options after drawing in fish. Look for extensive mud flats with weed beds that provide structure throughout the winter.”
This week, DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter discusses biology basics and fish growth.
“Anglers love fish, of course, but what they really love are big fish, but the process for growing big is not always straightforward. When fish biologists talk about fish getting bigger, we talk in terms of ‘growth’ measured in inches or pounds gained.
“Most commonly, I use inches because that is used for almost all of our harvest regulations.
“Fish have what we call ‘indeterminate growth,’ meaning their environment plays a big role in how fast they grow and how big they become. That is different from humans, dogs, birds, and many other animals, in which the adult size is mostly fixed or ‘determinate growth.’
“Many different factors influence fish growth, including available food, water temperature, competition with other fish, and the energy spent to survive and eat. Fish generally grow faster in warmer, more southern waters, and slower in colder water.
“Fish also grow faster when population density is lower, resulting in more food available for individual fish.
“Growth is also not constant through a fish’s life. Growth tends to be fastest early in life and then slows as fish reach adulthood. Growth between males and females varies in many species, with females typically growing faster, at least for the species in our area.
“Slow-growing populations can be frustrating for anglers, especially if very few fish are reaching trophy size or the size they want to catch. Anglers should understand that slow growth is sometimes the natural state of a fish population.
“It is not always an evolutionary advantage to get big. Some species or populations have adapted to put their energy into something other than growing big, such as reproducing at a younger age, for example.
“Growth is one of the most important concepts in fisheries management, but can often be one of the most difficult to manage. We cannot provide additional feed for fish in a slow growing population due to the scale and cost it would entail.
“Fish management has to focus on creating balance within the fishery, through harvest or other habitat or population manipulations, to ensure that growth rates are adequate for popular species.”
Hunters/Trappers
Coyote trapping, fox hunting/trapping, and raccoon hunting/trapping seasons closed February 15.
Anglers
Wisconsin’s inland gamefish season closes March 1.
The DNR is hosting a virtual meeting Thursday, February 26, from 6-8 p.m., to discuss the status and management of walleye in northwest Wisconsin. Presenters include DNR fisheries biologists Max Wolter, Kyle Broadway, Craig Roberts, and Nate Thomas who will provide an overview of walleye status and management in northwest Wisconsin. They will explain what makes good walleye habitat, waterbody types where they do well, and discuss stocking strategies.
To join this meeting via Microsoft Teams, Meeting ID: 221 904 954 539 7; Passcode: ZU7Fk3KD, or by phone: (608) 571-2209; Phone Conference ID: 86675640#.
For more information, email Aaron.Cole@wisconsin.gov or call (715) 418-0897.
Lakewoods Resort will host its annual World’s Longest Weenie Roast from 1 p.m. Friday, February 26, through Sunday noon, March 1.·For an event schedule, visit Lakewoods, view the event poster, or call (715) 794-2561.
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. Contact numbers are as follows for the ATV/UTV trails in Sawyer County Forest (715-634-4846); Chequamegon National Forest (715-634-4821); and Flambeau State Forest (715-332-5271).
For trail and road updates and closures, visitHLVCB ATV/UTV trail conditions report.
Sawyer County ATV & Snowmobile trail maps are available from the Hayward Lakes Visitor & Convention Bureau, or download the Trail Treker app ($2) on your smartphone for the complete map ($2).
Snowmobile/Ski Trail Report
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 need not to be a Wisconsin resident to be an AWSC member.
Sawyer County Snowmobile & ATV trail maps are available from the Hayward Lakes Visitor & Convention Bureau, or download the Trail Treker app ($2) on your smartphone for the complete map ($2).
The February 16 HLVCB snowmobile trail report says Sawyer County trails are open, groomed, in fair condition, with a base of 6-8 inches. Lake and forest trails are in good condition. Watch for updates throughout the week.
The February 16 Travel Wisconsin snowmobile trail report for Rusk County says the trails south of Hwy 8 closed this past Sunday. Otherwise, trails are partially open, in poor to excellent condition, groomed, and with a base of 2-6 inches.
The February 15 Travel Wisconsin snowmobile trail report for the Cable area says the trails are open, groomed, and in good condition, with a base of 8-10 inches. Be cautious ‑ the corners are a bit icy!
The February 14 Travel Wisconsin snowmobile trail report for the Clam Lake area says the trails are open, groomed, and in excellent condition, with a base of 7-10 inches.
American Birkebeiner week is February 18-22 (schedule of events).
Check here for Birkie trail maps and conditions. Skiing the Birkie Trail System December through March requires a Birkie Trail Ski Pass. Skiing on the snowmaking loop required an All-Access snow pass.
For more information, visit www.birkie.com or call (715) 634-5025.
Fishing Report
Lake travel remains good despite the warm temperatures, with ice thickness up to 22 inches or more, but always check it as you go, as no ice is ever “safe.” As always, talk with your favorite bait shop personnel on the way to the lake. They have the most current information on fish locations and movement, bite windows, favorite baits, and presentations.
The DNR is hosting a virtual meeting Thursday, February 26, from 6-8 p.m., to discuss the status and management of northwest Wisconsin walleye. Go here to join this meeting. For more information, email Aaron.Cole@wisconsin.gov or call (715) 418-0897.
Wisconsin’s inland gamefish season closes March 1!
Walleye:
Walleye anglers are catching fish on rock and sand bottoms, and on sharp breaklines. Walleye suckers and shiners on tip-ups and jigs, and larger jigging spoons and minnowbaits are the baits and presentations of choice.
Northern Pike:
Northern pike action good to very good for all sizes of fish in 4-15 feet on flats and summer weed bed locations. Northern suckers, shiners, minnows, and dead bait on tip-ups produce the best success.
Crappie:
Crappie fishing is fair to good, though fish are fussy. They are in deep basins, suspending at about 15-25 feet ‑ check the entire water column! For lakes lacking deep areas, look for shallow weeds and structure. Crappie minnows, waxies, and plastics on small tungsten jigs, spoons, and rattlebaits are all producing.
Bluegill:
Bluegill fishing is good to very good for fish feeding on basin soft bottoms, mud flats with weeds, and near structure in 8-20 feet. Waxies, spikes, plastics, and Gulp! baits on small jigs work well. Using small minnows catches bigger bluegills and can deter bait robbers.
Perch:
Perch fishing is good. Find them feeding on basin soft bottoms and on mud flats near weed beds in 8-18 feet. Waxies, spikes, minnow heads, and plastics on small jigs, and jigging jigs and spoons that disturb the bottom to attract fish.
Upcoming Events
Feb. 15: Seasons closed: Coyote trapping; Fox hunting/trapping; Raccoon hunting/trapping (888-936-7463).
Feb. 18-22: American Birkebeiner Week (715-634-5025).
Feb. 21: Concealed carry class (WI/MN) – Hayward Rod & Gun Club 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. (715-558-8312).
Feb. 26: DNR virtual meeting on status and management of walleye in northwest Wisconsin, 6-8 p.m. (715-418-0897).
Feb. 26-March 1: Lakewoods Resort – World’s Longest Weenie Roast (715-794-2561).
Feb. 28: Fat Bike Birkie (715-634-5025).
Feb. 28: Seasons close: Cottontail rabbit; Squirrel (gray, fox) (888-936-7463).
March 1: Inland gamefish season closes (see regs).
March 3: Full Worm Moon and lunar eclipse.
March 8: Daylight Saving Time begins – turn clocks ahead one hour.
March 20: Spring equinox – first day of spring.
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.