Steve Suman
Snow and mild temperatures over the weekend will give way to colder temperatures, with lows in the single-digit to subzero, and highs mostly in the upper teens to mid-20s. More snow ‑ up to four inches ‑ is in the current forecast for Wednesday, but always subject to change. Be safe and enjoy the North Woods’ outdoors!
Travelers can check current road conditions at 511wi.gov for Wisconsin and 511mn.org for Minnesota.
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!
“The Quiet Lakes area closed out last week on a high note concerning the weather,” says Greg at Happy Hooker, “with low 40s on Thursday and right around 32 Friday. Winter weather returns this week, with highs in the teens and twenties, and lows mostly in the single digits. The entire area needs snow, as winter outdoor enthusiasts are less than pleased with winter so far this year.
“Ice anglers are seeing some of the best ice in years. Most lakes have 20 inches or more, with just enough snow cover to get around everywhere easily. Fishing is good, too!
“Walleye action is predictable lately, with most anglers catching fish with walleye suckers and shiners on tip-ups around dusk. Look for fish in 12-18 feet along breaks from shallow to deep water. Jigging spoons or minnow style baits will work as well, though not many anglers in this area report much luck fishing that style.
“Northern pike action is solid, with anglers catching fish on northern suckers and shiners under tip-ups. On an area lake Wednesday, we caught a few pike in a shallow, weedy bay. Look for green shallow weeds and fish just above them.
“Crappie anglers have good luck catching fish suspending or near the bottom of basins in 15-20 feet. Small jigs and spoons tipped with waxies and crappie minnows are the best bait options.
“Bluegill information is somewhat scarce. They could be deep, mixed in with the crappies and perch, and maybe some are schooling in deeper water adjacent to weeds.”
This week, DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter discusses two lakes with same story in creel data.
“The DNR conducts creel surveys to gather important data on what anglers target, catch, and harvest. This involves DNR staff interviewing anglers and getting counts of how many anglers are fishing. This is time consuming and can be expensive, especially for larger waterbodies, but the data are incredibly valuable for setting harvest regulations, managing stocking rates, and more.
“We can use insights from creel surveys to understand how angler behavior has changed over time, and are fortunate to have considerable creel data for Hayward area lakes. Some lakes have repeated creel surveys over several decades, allowing us to really look at changes in what people fish for, catch, and harvest through time.
“Creel data from two lakes caught my eye recently. The Chippewa Flowage and Big Sissabagama are both popular fisheries that made their reputation as walleye and musky waters. Indeed, when you look at creel data from the 1990s, anglers directed more than 55 percent of their effort at those two species in both lakes.
“In more recent creel surveys, we see new fish capturing anglers’ attention: panfish. By 2011, panfish accounted for more than 50 percent of all angling effort on the Chippewa Flowage, while walleye and musky combined for around 25 percent. Panfish effort on the Chip remained higher than the combined walleye/musky effort in 2022, with bass increasing in popularity as well.
“We observed a similar pattern on Sissabagama, where 57 percent of effort in 1997 went towards walleye/musky, but by 2015, that number shrank to 26 percent. The species in Sissabagama that gained the most during that time was crappie, which went from 9 percent of all effort in1997 to almost 27 percent by 2015.
“These shifts are something for biologists to be aware of, and ideally, we will learn more about what is driving this change in angler behavior.
“Are anglers truly becoming more interested in panfish at the expense of walleye and other gamefish, or are anglers in some cases shifting their priorities as a response to decreased fishing opportunities for walleye?
“These will be key questions moving forward as we deal with climate change creating challenging conditions for walleye, while panfish should be more resilient and provide consistent fishing opportunities.”
The 25th Annual Drummond Bar Stool Races, hosted by the Drummond Dirt & Sno-Jacks ATV/Snowmobile Club, is Saturday, February 15, in Drummond. Check-in begins at 11 a.m., with a wide variety of races beginning at 12 noon. All proceeds go to local ATV and snowmobile trail maintenance. For more information, visit www.dirtandsno-jacks.com.
The Deerfoot Lodge 2025 Ice Junkies Outdoors Tim Cruchelow Memorial Panfish Tournament is Saturday, February 15, on the Chippewa Flowage. Two-angler teams pay a $100 entry fee and compete for the following event payouts: 1st – $1,000; 2nd – $750; 3rd – $500; 4th – $400; 5th – $250; and 6th – $100. The tournament allows all electronics. For more information, visit https://deerfootlodge.com, Cruchelow Tournament, or call (715) 462-3328.
Reminder: Coyote trapping, fox hunting and trapping, and raccoon hunting and trapping seasons close February 15.
Seasons that closed January 31 include bobcat Period 2 hunting and trapping season, as well as the extended archery season in select counties.
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. The Trail Treker app shows the changes. Trails 174 and 176 in Spider Lake Township are no longer open to ATV/UTV use. 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.
Check for trail and road updates and closures at HLVCB ATV/UTV trail conditions report and Sawyer County Snowmobile & ATV Alliance websites.
Order a Sawyer County Snowmobile & ATV Trail Map from the 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. Place the phone in Airplane Mode to conserve the battery and the GPS still shows your location and all map business sponsors in “Points of Interest.”
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 do not need to be a Wisconsin resident to be an AWSC member.
The February 3 HLVCB snowmobile trail report says the area received some snow Sunday night into Monday morning and clubs will assess conditions and likely pan some trails. We have noted the many existing heaves, however, more can form at any time, and this warning applies for all lakes. Please stay on the trail, drive with caution and at safe speeds, and check back for updates ‑ this is crucial for your safety!
American Birkebeiner week is February 19-23. Birkie Ski Trail reports are available at 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.
The 42nd Annual Hayward Lions Pre-Birkie is this Saturday, February 8, from 8 a.m.-1:30 p. m., and includes 42K and 26K classic and skate races. For more information, visit www.prebirkie.com or call (715) 558-6251.
Fishing Report
Anglers continue to do well for most species, and on-ice travel is about as good as it gets, with 20 inches and more according to most reports. Still, keep safety as your priority! Thin snow cover makes travel easier, but we could see another four inches of snow Wednesday. Inland gamefish season closes March 2, so less than a month remains ‑ and February is a short month! There is no better time to go than the present, with excellent fishing conditions and “moderate” temperatures. As always, check with bait shop personnel for the most current information on fish locations, bite windows, favored baits, and preferred presentations.
Walleye:
Walleye fishing is good, with best action during the low light hours of early morning and late evening into after dark. Look for fish in 12-20 feet on points, shallow to deep breaklines, mid-lake humps, edges of flats, and other structure. Walleye suckers and shiners on tip-ups, jigs, jigging spoons, minnowbaits, and rattlebaits all work well.
Northern Pike:
Northern pike action is very good to excellent and always offers an all-day bite. Find fish in 4-15 feet in and around weeds, weedlines, weedy shallow bays, weed flats and edges, and concentrations of baitfish and panfish. Northern suckers, walleye suckers, and large shiners on tip-ups do the job, with some catches on jigging baits.
Crappie:
Crappie fishing is good to very good, with fish suspending or near the bottom in 15-30 feet and deeper in basins and other deep areas. Crappie minnows, waxies, plastics, and Gulp! baits on small tungsten jigs, jigging baits, and spoons are the baits of choice.
Bluegill:
Bluegill fishing is fair to good one you locate the schools, which are usually ‑ but not always around weeds and weedlines. Waxies, spikes, plastics, and Gulp! baits on small jigs, teardrop, and plain hooks are working well.
Upcoming Events
Jan. 31: Bobcat Period 2 hunting and trapping season closed.
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: 25th Annual Drummond Bar Stool Races (715-373-6100).
Feb. 15: Deerfoot Lodge 2025 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).
March 2: General inland fishing season closes.
March 9: Daylight Saving Time begins ‑ turn clocks ahead one hour!
March 13-4: Total lunar eclipse.
March 14: Full Worm Moon.
March 26: Crow season closes.
March 31: The 2024-2025 fishing and hunting licenses expire.
May 2: Early catch and release inland trout season closes (see regs).
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.