Steve Suman
Hot and sunny are on tap for much of this week, with clear skies and highs in the mid-80s through Wednesday. Red Flag fire warnings are in effect through Monday night, moving to Fire Watches Tuesday. Make sure to check the current fire situation and applicable restrictions at WisBurn. Much needed rain is possible Thursday night through the weekend, which will help ‑ IF it occurs. Enjoy the early summer weather!
“We hear consistent reports of mid-60s surface temperatures on most of the Quiet Lakes,” says Greg at Happy Hooker. “Fishing is hit or miss, with largemouth bass and crappie producing good bites.
“Walleye fishing is tougher than it should be at this time. Fish seem bigger, but quantity is not there. Jigs and minnows are popular, but warming water will increase leech interest. Fish rocky/sandy points, mid-lake reefs with rocks, and sandy shorelines in 10-15 feet.
“Northern pike are hammering #5 Mepps spinners and live bait. Fish shallow weedy shorelines and weed beds near shallow panfish.
“Largemouth bass are the hot bite, with plastic worms and fatheads under floats in 2-6 feet working well. Sunny weather and the warming water have them ready for early spawning.
“Smallmouth bass are active on rocky areas adjacent to deeper water. Use minnows, leeches, and plastics on jigs.
“Crappies are moving into shallow weeds to spawn, fishing is great, and should continue this week. Crappie minnows on small jigs or plain hooks under floats work well. Look in 5-10 feet and drift through or set up on weed beds.
“Bluegills are pushing shallow and setting up spawning beds. Anglers can find fish on sandy shorelines, under docks, and on the shallow side of weed beds. Small leeches, leaf worms, and crawler chunks are great choices.
“Perch are pushing into slightly shallower water and you might find them with crappies and hitting the same baits.”
Jarrett at Hayward Bait says warm weather, followed by a cool-off, will make for some up and down fishing action.
“Walleye fishing is inconsistent. Anglers are using jigs and minnows, and hard bait presentations, along shorelines in morning and evening hours. Fish completed spawning and should be shoreline bound for another week or so until water temperatures climb and they move to weedlines.
“Northern pike anglers are harvesting limits in shallow water. The numbers are solid, though no big fish reports, and anglers report catches on nearly everything ‑ many by crappie anglers using minnows.
“Largemouth and smallmouth bass will cruise shallow until spawn, which could be a month or so. Anglers report success on spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, plastics on jigs, and live bait. Smallmouth bass are catch and release only until June 21 in the northern bass zone.
“Crappies are spawning or have spawned in some lakes, with some smaller lakes having temperatures in the 60s. Crappie minnows and plastics on small jigs do the trick. Most anglers sight-fish in shallow reeds and weeds. Practice catch and release and selective harvest! Bigger fish contain the genetics for a healthy population and are our future.
“Bluegills are moving shallow, feeding on small minnows and insects while waiting to spawn. Waxies and worms on small jigs or hooks, under floats, will keep kids and adults busy for hours with these fun fish.”
Mike at Jenk’s says the Chippewa Flowage is at normal level, with temperatures in the mid to high 50s and rising.
“Walleye fishing is a mixed bag. Bigger fish are scarce, with anglers catching a few around shallow weed edges, and catch a greater number of smaller fish in 12-18 feet. Medium walleye minnows and leeches are the live baits of choice. The CC Bridge is a popular spot for anglers fishing the edges of drop-offs east of the bridge.
“Northern pike anglers are catching fish on live bait. Crappie and bluegill are in the shallows, with pike not too far behind, in or just the outside the shallows. While hanging live bait off the side of the boat, cast a Tinsel Tail, Chatter Flash, or Jack Hammer over the weed tops.
“Smallmouth fishing on Ned jigs and Chatter Flash is promising. Early in spring, smallmouth prefer minnows, so try walleye or bass size suckers or chubs over the side while casting. Rocky and stumpy areas are usually good this time of year.
“Crappies moved shallow, but are not yet spawning. They are a bit tight-lipped, but that should change with the warm-up. Crappie minnows are always a popular choice, but when the spawn starts, one of the best baits is a Voodoo glass bead candy jig on a bobber and cast in the shallows and let it sink slowly.”
This week, DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter scores fishing opportunities in Lost Land Lake.
“In this series, I rate local fishing opportunities by individual species, on a 0-10 scale, to reflect catchability, size, and other fishing qualities, with notes on why the species received that score.
“This week, we look at Lost Land Lake. While conversations about Lost Land often include Teal Lake, since the two are connected, the fisheries of the lakes are different enough that each gets its own write-up, with Teal coming later.
“Lost Land walleye score a 6. The lake has been a stocked walleye fishery for many years, with almost no natural reproduction occurring. Adult walleye abundance tracks very close to the average for a stocked population. Size, however, is very good, boosting the rating a couple points. If you catch a walleye on Lost Land, it will likely be impressive.
“Musky score an 8. Abundance is strong, but the lake still has 50-inch potential. Musky in Lost Land are a mix of stocked and natural-born fish.
“Bass score a 4 for both species. Largemouth bass are the more abundant species, but want for size. Smallmouth can run a little larger, but abundance is lower and they might be difficult to locate at certain times of the year.
“Northern pike score a 6, with fair size structure and the chance to catch 30-inch and larger fish.
“Panfish score a 4 for each species. Compared to other area lakes, crappie, perch, and bluegill are all abundant, but each lacks consistent quality size. However, anglers can still put together enough decent panfish for a fish fry, and locating and catching numbers of panfish should not be a challenge.”
The DNR encourages the public to be “bear aware” and take steps to prevent conflicts with black bears this spring. Wisconsin’s estimated 24,000 black bears emerge from their winter torpor, leaving dens in search of food.
To avoid conflicts, reduce what attracts bears. They return to food sources and prevention is the best tactic. Avoid attracting bears to your home or campsite by following the basic steps at BearWise Basics. For your safety, and what to do should you encounter a black bear, learn about being BearWise in the outdoors.
If unable to resolve a recurring issue with a nuisance bear in Northern Wisconsin, call USDA-Wildlife Services at 800-228-1368. In Southern Wisconsin, call 800-433-0663.
For more information, visit Black Bear Management or download the Living with Black Bears pamphlet.
ATV/UTV Trail Report
All ATV/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.
Check for trail openings, closures, and more atHLVCB ATV/UTV trail conditions report. Contacts for forest ATV/UTV trails are as follows: Sawyer County Forest (715-634-4846), Chequamegon National Forest (715-634-4821), and Flambeau State Forest (715-332-5271).
Sawyer County snowmobile and ATV trail maps are available 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).
Fishing Report
Sunny days with high temperatures in the mid-80s this week should warm the water quickly. Fishing is good for most species, most in some pre/post phase of spawning. Look for a cool-down at week’s end, however, so this is a very good week to go fishing. (Then again, they all are!).
Walleye:
Walleye fishing is inconsistent and challenging, with anglers seeing fewer fish, but more larger ones, and best success in early morning and late evening into dark hours. Find them in 8-18 feet on rock and sand points and reefs, shorelines, and shallow weed edges. Walleye suckers, fatheads, and leeches on jigs, minnowbaits, and crankbaits all pull fish.
Northern Pike:
Northern pike action is very good to excellent, with anglers catching many limits of small to medium size fish. Pike are near weeds, weed beds, shallow, weedy shorelines, and concentrations of panfish. Most offerings work, including walleye and northern suckers, minnows, #5 Mepps spinners, spinnerbaits, spoons, and chatterbaits,
Largemouth Bass:
Largemouth bass fishing is very good as the fish are moving shallow to feed and prepare for spawning. Look for fish around shallower weeds and weed bed edges, wood, other structure, and panfish. Baits of choice include crappie minnows, fatheads, leeches, spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, and plastics.
Smallmouth Bass:
Smallmouth bass are on rock and stump areas adjacent to deeper water, and active in the same areas as walleye. Walleye suckers, chubs, leeches, Ned rigs, and plastics are moving fish. Note that smallmouth bass fishing in the Northern Bass Zone is catch and release only until June 21.
Crappie:
Crappie fishing is good to very good, with fish spawning or in the process. Look for them in shallower reeds, weeds, and weed beds, in 4-12 feet. Crappie minnows, fatheads, waxies, worms, plastics, and Gulp! baits on small jigs or plain hooks, and Voodoo candy jigs, all fished under floats, are working well.
Bluegill/Perch:
Bluegills are shallow or moving there staging for spawning. Find fish on weed bed edges, sandy shorelines, and under docks. Top baits include waxies, worms, crawler chunks, and small leeches and minnows on small jigs and hooks under bobbers. Perch can be with crappies and hitting the same baits.
Upcoming Events
May 3: General inland fishing season opened (includes largemouth bass, but not smallmouth; see regs).
May 12: Full Flower Moon.
May 16-17: Hayward Chapter-Fishing Has No Boundaries – 38th Annual Fishing Event (715-634-3185).
May 16-18: Musky Tale Resort – Northern Encounter fishing contest (715-462-3838).
May 23-24: ATV/UTV safety education class in Winter (402-630-0300).
May 24: Musky season opens in Northern Zone.
May 24: Wisconsin Canoe Heritage Day – Wisconsin Canoe Heritage Museum in Spooner (715-635-5002).
May 24: 40th Annual Winter Spring Fling, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. (715-415-1966).
May 26: Memorial Day memorializing the veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice for this country.
May 27: Spring turkey season Period F ends, finishing the 2025 spring season.
May 31: Deadline to apply for elk tag ($10 fee).
June 3: Hayward Lakes Chapter-Muskies Inc. business, 6:30 p.m.; general 7 p.m., Flat Creek Lodge (715-634-4543).
June 7-8: Free Fishing Weekend. Fish without a fishing license, trout stamp or salmon stamp!
June 7: Free Kids Fishing Derby, 8am-Noon, Lake Hayward Park, youth 1-15 yrs., fish from shore. (715-699-1015).
June 19-21: Hayward Bass Club/Hayward Lakes Chapter-Muskies Inc. – Musky Fest fishing contest (715-558-2835).
June 19-22: 75th Annual Musky Fest (715-634-8662).
June 20: Summer Solstice.
June 21: Smallmouth bass harvest season opens in Northern Bass Zone.
June 21: Full Strawberry Moon.
June 29: Hayward Bass Club – Round Lake Open, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., (405-227-1789).
Spring turkey season is six, seven-day periods running Wednesday through the following Tuesday, in seven zones.
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.