Steve Suman
Are you already feeling somewhat nostalgic for winter weather? Take heart ‑ this week you will get another taste of it (3-5 inches worth) Tuesday night and Wednesday! The snow will arrive just before the sunny and 43-degree March 20 first day of spring and Spring Equinox. More chances for rain and snow later in the week and weekend, but we ARE heading for true spring weather. Eventually. Probably…
Travelers can check current road conditions at 511wi.gov for Wisconsin and 511mn.org for Minnesota.
“High temperatures in the Quiet Lakes’ area this past Friday nearly hit 70 degrees,” says Greg at Happy Hooker, “knocking down most of the snow, aside from the plow piles.
“The ice is still in good shape, although at this rate the shorelines will start going away rapidly. There are reports the sheets of ice on the lakes are still 20-24 inches thick, but there is very little fishing happening right now.
“Crappies are still in the basins and schooled thick when anglers find them, with perch mixed in as well. Jigging spoons and crappie minnows are working best.
“Bluegills are close to shallow weeds, but anglers say the fish are small on average.”
Jarrett at Hayward Bait says the ice is really starting to wear thin around the shorelines.
“It is my guess ice fishing might last another half-week or so, until anglers are no longer able to get to the safe ice, and watch your step getting on and off the lake. It is time to start thinking about open water!
“Crappies are in basins and staging outside bays where they feed and spawn after ice-out. For now, search in 20 feet and deeper and look for suspending fish. Jigging spoons and somewhat larger jigs should temp big crappies from the pack.
“Bluegills should be roaming deep weedlines and muddy basins looking for food. Waxie and plastics on small jigs will lure in bluegills, and upsize to small spoons to pull bigger fish from the schools.
“Perch will be cruising towards mud flats getting ready to spawn. Work bottom baits to stir up the bottom sediment. Angleworm type baits or small insect baits on small jigs work well.
“Trout anglers are fishing the early catch and release season on many of our local rivers, and a portion of the Brule River to the north opens at the end of this month.”
This week, DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter discusses the Hayward Fish Team’s plans for spring 2025.
“Due to this winter’s thick ice, we expect more ‘normal’ ice-out timing in the Hayward area this year. As soon as ice-out happens, the Hayward Fish Team will jump into action to complete fisheries surveys on area lakes.
“The first weeks after ice-out are critical for completing surveys for early-spawning species such as walleye, northern pike, and later, muskellunge. Black crappie and yellow perch are sometimes survey targets as well.
“Spring surveys will likely start on Windfall Lake, where we will check on a changing fishery, with plans to generate an estimate of the number of adult walleye. Walleye was the dominant species in Windfall for a few decades, but as with many smaller area lakes, walleye dominance has given way to higher abundance of largemouth bass and panfish.
“Next, we expect to be on Sissabagama Lake to determine walleye stocking success and the relative abundance of other important species such as muskellunge and black crappie.
“We also hope to estimate the number of adult walleye in Smith Lake, again to determine stocking success. In recent years, that population has proven to be difficult to survey. This year’s survey might happen only if conditions are favorable, and would likely focus only on walleye.
“Other major plans include netting northern pike and muskellunge on the Spider Chain as part of an ongoing research project. This should yield an estimate of the number of adult muskellunge in the lake as we deal with introduced pike.
“Other netting surveys are likely to occur on the Chippewa Flowage, and Round and Moose lakes. Later in spring, we will return to many of the lakes listed above, as well as to Knuteson and Green lakes, to do one-night electrofishing surveys for bass and bluegill.
“Survey reports, as well as interesting findings, are typically available in mid-summer, and we will report them here.”
The DNR reminds people that spring wildfire season is upon us and it is important to check fire danger before conducting outdoor burning activities. Already this year, nearly 170 wildfires have burned more than 450 acres, four times more than in a typical year at this time.
Dry weather and gusty winds lead to the potential for increased wildfire activity and burning restrictions could be in effect in your area. Fire officials anticipate the fire danger will swing upward over the coming weeks until there is significant precipitation. Areas are especially vulnerable after the snow-cover melts and prior to vegetation greening.
The main cause of wildfires this time of year is burning brush and leaf piles, and debris burning continues to be the number one cause of wildfires in Wisconsin. Sparks from recreational equipment, campfires, and hot ashes from fireplaces are also contributing causes. Smoldering embers can remain hot for days or even weeks.
For more information, visit https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/ForestFire.
The DNR is now selling bonus harvest authorizations for the 2025 spring turkey season.
Sales began Monday, March 17, with a designated sale date for each zone. Bonus authorizations are available online through Go Wild and at all license sales agents for $10 for residents and $15 for nonresidents. Sales begin at 10 a.m. and run through midnight each day. New this year, if you do not have a Go Wild username and password, you must create them to purchase bonus harvest authorizations.
Check the turkey zone map and bonus harvest authorizations for available authorizations. (There are no bonus permits available for zones 6 and 7).
For more information, visit https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/permits/springturkey.html.
The DNR is accepting public input on the proposed 2026-2031 duck hunting season zones and splits. Highlights from the proposed season structure include duck zone options and duck season split options.
Every five years, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service offers states the opportunity to review and change the zones and splits for their duck hunting season structures.
The DNR is hosting a series of public meetings to present information on the proposed zones and splits structure. It will hold a meeting in Rice Lake on Tuesday, March 18, at the Econo Lodge on S. Main St., starting at 7 p.m. It will hold a Zoom meeting Wednesday, March 19, at 7 p.m. The public can also provide feedback on the DNR’s Online Input Tool thru March 30.
For more information, visit the DNR’s waterfowl hunting webpage.
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.
Each year, forest entities close their trails and roads for spring thaw, typically between March and May, depending on conditions. Flambeau Forest trails annually close to ATV/UTV use from November 15 until May 15, but could open earlier. The forestry department monitors this through spring.
Unless otherwise posted, all county roads outside the LCO Reservation in Sawyer County are legal for ATV/UTV use. The Trail Treker app shows any changes. Contact numbers are as follows for ATV/UTV trails: Sawyer County Forest (715-634-4846), Chequamegon National Forest (715-634-4821), and Flambeau State Forest (715-332-5271).
The Sawyer County ATV and Snowmobile Trail Map is available from the HLVCB.
Check trail and road updates and closures at HLVCB ATV/UTV trail conditions report.
Fishing Report
Ice thickness remains good in some areas and not so good in others, with the challenge knowing which is which! As with early ice, where fish locate are not necessarily locations where anglers should locate, and shrinking shoreline ice is making access difficult on some lakes. This is a good time to prepare for open water season.
For anglers who “have” to get on the water, early catch and release trout season is open thru May 2 on many streams, and March 29, the Brule River opens downstream from US Highway 2. Make sure to check the regulations!
Anglers (and turkey hunters!) should be aware their 2024-25 fishing and hunting licenses expire March 31.
Crappie:
Crappie fishing is good when you find the closely packed schools. Look for fish suspending in more than 20 feet in deep basins near spawning bays. Use crappie minnows, plastics, and Gulp! baits on jigs and jigging spoons.
Bluegill:
Bluegills are on deep weedlines, in muddy basins, and near shallow weeds. Anglers report fish are small on average. Waxies, spikes, plastics, and Gulp! baits on small jigs and teardrops work well. Try small minnows and spoons to target the bigger fish.
Perch:
Perch are cruising towards mud flats and preparing for spawn, as well as running with crappies. Stir up sediment on the bottom with jigging baits to attract the fish. Small minnows, worms, and plastics on small jigs work well.
Upcoming Events
March 15: Removal of ice fishing shelters from WI-MI boundary waters.
March 16: Removal of ice fishing shelters from Lake Superior and waters north of Hwy 64.
March 17: Sale of remaining spring turkey harvest permits begins, by zone, starting with Zone 1.
March 20: First day of spring – Spring Equinox.
March 26: Crow season closes.
March 29: Partial solar eclipse.
March 29: Brule River fishing season opens downstream from US Hwy 2 (see regs and legal fishing hours).
March 31: Some boat registrations expire – is your registration current?
March 31: The 2024-2025 fishing and hunting licenses expire.
April 5: Fly Fishing Film Tour – Hayward Fly Fishing Company, The Park Center, $25, 7:30-8:30pm (715-634-8149).
April 12: Full Pink Moon.
April 12-13: Spring Turkey Youth Hunt.
April 14: 2025 DNR Spring Hearing in all counties, 6 p.m. start; see hearing questionnaire and hearing locations.
April 15: Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame opens for the season 9:30am-4pm (715-634-4440).
April 15: Trapping seasons close in Northern Zone: Mink; Muskrat.
April 30: Trapping seasons close: Beaver (Northwest Zone); Otter (Zone A).
Thru May 31: Elk tag application period ($10 fee).
Spring turkey season is six, seven-day periods running Wednesday through the following Tuesday, in seven zones.
Youth Hunt: April 12-13
Period A: April 16-22
Period B: April 23-29
Period C: April 30-May 6
Period D: May 7-13
Period E: May 14-20
Period F: May 21-27
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.