This week begins with some varied precipitation, but also starts a warming trend, with highs reaching 40 degrees on the weekend and into next week. Look for nighttime lows in the teens and low 20s. Still winter weather, but very nice for all outdoor recreational activities. The season is moving quickly, so try to enjoy it to the fullest!
Travelers can check current road conditions at 511wi.gov for Wisconsin and 511mn.org for Minnesota.
“The Quiet Lakes’ area should have a mild week for outdoor activities,” says Greg at Happy Hooker. “Anglers should have safe ice, as we hear consistent reports of 20-22 inches, but it IS ice, and conditions can change, so always be aware. We could see the winter doldrums, as the lakes have no light penetration to help with oxygen.
“Walleyes are finicky, but anglers catch fish with suckers, shiners, and fatheads on tip-ups and dead-sticking. Look around rocks near points, mid-lake reefs, and steep, rocky shorelines in 12-20 feet.
“Northern pike anglers are catching fish on tip-ups and jigging rods. Panfish anglers report pike hitting panfish on their lines, taking easy meals. Work deep weed and bay edges reaching into basins. Jigging spoons, and suckers and shiners under tip-ups, produce fish.
“Largemouth bass are in panfish areas and on weed edges in 8-12 feet. Anglers report success with jigging spoons.
“Crappies hold to edges in 8-12 feet or suspend in basins in 12-25 feet, depending on the lake. Use minnow heads, waxies, and plastics on jigs and small spoons.
“Bluegills are on any weeds holding oxygen. Big weed beds in large bays are good spots, though ice and snow cover block light penetration for weed growth, which could push bluegills to typical deep weed edges. Use waxies and plastics on small jigs or hooks.
“Perch anglers wanting to catch many small fish should work hard to soft transition bottoms where fish feed on small larvae and hatches. Small jigs with waxies and plastics work; jig spoons for aggressive fish.”
Jarrett at Hayward Bait says walleyes are in the mid-winter lull, with few anglers reporting success.
“Northern pike anglers are catching good numbers of mixed sizes at varied depths. Big shiners, suckers, and dead bait on tip-ups can do the trick.
“Crappies are in a basin bite and anglers find fish deep in most lakes. Some roam shallow structure on lakes such as Nelson and parts of the Flowage that do not have deep areas readily available. Spoons, rattlebaits, and minnows on jigs all produce success.
“Bluegills roam deep weeds in/near any structure in 8-20 feet to avoid toothy critters. Waxies and spikes on small jigs work well.
“Perch will begin to stage on mid-depth mud flats, eating invertebrates and preparing for spawn. Big jigs and spoons that cause commotion on the bottom, followed by smaller options, is a popular tactic.”
This week, DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter provides an “incomplete history” of non-fish fishing catches.
“When anglers go fishing, they try to catch fish, but despite their best efforts, they sometimes catch something that is not a fish. I receive a fair number of contacts from anglers wanting to share their stories of catching ‘other’ things while fishing. Here is an incomplete list of what you might catch while fishing in Wisconsin, from most to least common.
“The most common non-fish that people catch while fishing has to be turtles. Painted turtles, extremely common in our area, really like to eat worms, so you can see where that logically goes. It is also possible to hook snapping turtles, and a few anglers successfully bring them to the boat ‑ but rarely decide to bring them IN the boat!
“Softshell turtles are uncommon in our area, but I find them a regular catch when fishing large rivers, especially if using any kind of dead fish as bait. Softshell turtles are startlingly fast on land and in water, and can offer quite a fight on rod and reel. I recommend just cutting the line.
“Another common critter that anglers catch is the noble mudpuppy. This amphibian is common in many area lakes and it will grab bait fished on the bottom. They are mostly harmless and easy to unhook if you are not squeamish about their sliminess and wriggling.
“Frogs are also catchable on hook and line, but from my experience, this usually does not happen by accident. If you dangle a bait in front of a large bullfrog, it will probably bite it. Please act responsibly with that information.
“Now we move on to the truly rare catches.
“There are legitimate reports of fly anglers fishing at twilight or after dark that have hooked bats. We recommended you do not handle bats because of their tendency to carry rabies. If this happens to you, get the bat to a safe place and cut the line to avoid scratches or bites.
“Lastly, I have personally witnessed and heard many other angler accounts of loons going after live bait. Fortunately, I have never heard of an angler actually hooking a loon. This might be a credit to the loons’ intelligence or eyesight. However, loons and other wildlife can get tangled in discarded fishing line, which can be a big problem, so be sure to dispose of used line appropriately.”
Anglers
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. For more information, call (715) 418-0897.
Wisconsin’s inland gamefish season closes March 1.
Hunters/Trappers
Second period bobcat hunting/trapping season closed January 31.
Coyote trapping, fox hunting/trapping, and raccoon hunting/trapping seasons closes February 15.
Lakewoods Resort will host its annual World’s Longest Weenie Roast from 1 p.m. Friday, February 26, through noon Sunday, March 1.·For an activities and events schedule, visit the Lakewoods website, view the event poster here, or call (715) 794-2561.
The 26th Annual Drummond Barstool Races are Saturday, February 14. Food and entries start at 10:30 a.m.; races begin at 12 p.m. In addition to the races, the event offers raffle drawings, food, music, beer, and a heated pavilion. All proceeds go to local snowmobile and ATV trail maintenance.
For more information, visit Drummond Barstool Races.
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).
Snowmobile trail reports this week (so far) are a few days old. For the most current reports and updates, visit the Travel Wisconsin snowmobile trail reports at www.travelwisconsin.com/snowreport/snowmobile.
American Birkebeiner week is Feb. 18-22, with other events in early February.
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
This week, anglers should see comfortable moderate to mild fishing conditions and good overall ice thickness of more than 20 inches. Still, use caution, as ice is never “safe.” Visit with your favorite bait shop personnel for the most up-to-date ice and fishing information, including bite windows, fish locations, and favored baits and presentations.
As a reminder, inland gamefish season closes March 1, so if want a few gamefish in the freezer, best go fishing now!
Walleye:
Walleye fishing is slow, which is common for this time, but some anglers continue to catch fish. Concentrate on mid-lake reefs, rocks near points, and steep breaks on rocky shorelines in 10-25 feet. Walleye suckers, shiners, and fatheads on tip-ups and dead sticks are currently more productive than jigging.
Northern Pike:
Northern pike action is very good for smaller fish and good for larger fish. Target deep weed edges and bay edges reaching into the basins. Northern suckers, shiners, and dead bait on tip-ups, jigging rods, and spoons are all effective. Otherwise, anglers report pike hitting their hooked panfish as they reel them in, so there is a different tactic to consider.
Largemouth Bass:
Largemouth bass anglers report some success in the same areas as panfish and on weed edges in 6-14 feet. Most anglers are jigging various sizes of spoons, with some using suckers and shiners.
Crappie:
Crappie fishing is good, but plan to drill many holes and keep moving, as do the fish. Focus on weed edges in 6-14 feet or look for fish suspending in basins in 10-28 feet. Fish are deep on most lakes that offer deep water. Crappie minnows, minnow heads, waxies, and plastics on jigs and small spoons, and rattlebaits, are producing action.
Bluegill:
Bluegill fishing is fair to good when you find the fish. They can be on any weeds and weed edges, from shallow to deep, in big weedy bays and around various structure types in 8-25 feet. Waxies, spikes, and plastics on small jigs, and teardrops loaded up with waxies and spikes, will do the job.
Perch:
Perch anglers should look to mid-depth mud flats and hard to soft bottom transitions where fish feed on larvae and other invertebrates on the bottom. Minnow heads, waxies, and plastics on small jigs and jigging spoons work well. Popping bigger baits on the bottom to stir up sediment will pull in fish.
Upcoming Events
Jan. 31: Bobcat hunting/trapping season period 2 closed.
Feb. 14: 26th Annual Drummond Barstool Races.
Feb. 15: Seasons close: 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.
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.