Steve Suman
This past weekend’s fishing opener was sunny and warm, which will continue through this week, with Friday the only chance for showers. Mother’s Day Sunday, May 11, should be sunny and 74 degrees ‑ and please note the next day, Monday May 12, is the Full Flower Moon (hint, hint)! Take mom fishing, if she is so inclined!
“This is a wonderful week in the Quiet Lakes’ area to start the fishing season,” says Greg at Happy Hooker. “There is no rain in the forecast for this week or next, and water temperatures in the high 40s and low 50s on most lakes, and the shallow lakes should warm significantly.
“It appears the opening weekend bite was all over the place. Some anglers found success early, jigging in moving water, while others had slow outings.
“Walleye anglers will find fish off rocky points, mid-lake structure and reefs, and sand and rock bottom transitions. Fish will push shallow at daylight and dusk. Fatheads on jigs will work now, as will Rapala Husky Jerks, Livingston Jerkmaster, and other minnow-style baits. Water temperatures might be a little cold for leeches.
“Northern pike are around shallow bays and weed beds. Spinnerbaits, Mepps spinners, shallow crankbaits, and live bait all work great.
“Largemouth bass are around shallow weedy bays and weed beds. Spinnerbaits, skirted jigs, and jigs and minnows work well.
“Smallmouth bass are in the same areas as walleye and catchable on the same live bait and crankbaits. Deeper crankbaits bounced off rocks and the bottom can be very effective.
“Crappies are in in 7-15 feet, depending on the lake. Some are in basins; others are on deep weed edges, in historic pre-spawn spots. Minnows and plastics on jigs under floats, Mimic Minnows, and Berkley Minnotators are productive.
“Bluegills are in warmer water and/or tight to weed growth. Try waxies and leaf worms on small hooks or jigs under floats. Perch favor deep weed edges or basins off weedlines. Jigs and crappie minnows are excellent for perch.”
Jarrett at Hayward Bait says gamefish season is officially open, with walleye, northern pike, and largemouth bass now fair game. Musky season opens May 24, while smallmouth bass remain catch and release only until June 21.
“Walleyes should be nearing the end of spawning, if not already post-spawn. The fish will linger in spawning spots for a few weeks and provide great action on crankbaits and jerkbaits at dusk and dawn. Work the baits slowly, with a nice long pause, to tempt fish into feeding.
“Northern pike should be moving to shallow back bays with dark bottoms, as they heat fastest. Pike sun throughout the day and feed on small panfish in the same areas. Spinnerbaits, spoons, jerkbaits, and swimbaits should all pull in pike.
“Largemouth bass are still in mid-depths, cruising weeds, feeding on staging panfish waiting to come shallow, and it is hard to beat a jerkbait
“Crappies and bluegills will be very weather and water temperature dependent, and often in the warmest water available. Search back bays, channels, and any water with cover that warms fastest. Any cold weather can shut down the fish and push them back to deeper water. Live bait is king, so grab some crappie or fathead minnows.”
Mike at Jenk’s says the Chippewa Flowage is down a half-foot, with the water temperature in the high 40s/low 50s.
“Walleyes have finished spawning and anglers should look in areas such as Moores Bay, Moss Creek, and just north of Yankee Joe Creek. Target good cover in mid-depth areas that provide walleyes natural ambush points for their prey.
“Northern pike action is best on live bait ‑ for early season, live bait is the key.
“Bass anglers are making some catch and release smallmouth connections this week, many on our new in-house Jenk’s Chatter Flash. Ned Rig plastics are also doing well for attracting smallmouth.
“Crappies are in 7-9 feet outside of bays, but not yet spawning. It is too cold, but they are active. Crappie minnows are your best bet, but try hair jigs such as Voodoo Jigs and Bimbo Skunks, or plastics such as Mini-Mites and Gulp! baits.”
This week, DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter discusses fish ‘escapement.’
“We have always known that fish leave reservoirs or impoundments by going over dams, which is a big reason why fishing below dams is so successful and popular. However, losing those fish from the reservoir, which biologists call ‘escapement,’ can be a drain on the reservoir’s population and a major challenge for managing that fishery. This is especially true when expensive stocked fish are leaving the lake instead of staying put and available to anglers.
“One of the favorite projects I have worked on in my career was estimating how many and which muskies were leaving reservoirs in Illinois. The results of that study really surprised some people in the fisheries world. Since then, some great studies have advanced our understanding of escapement and what we might be able to do about it.
“One useful and intuitive finding is that stocking fish farther from the dam leads to fewer young fish escaping. We had long assumed this was true, and put it into practice locally in reservoirs such as Lake Winter, Nelson Lake, and the Chippewa Flowage.
“Now, we have research support for stocking farther from a dam, and there are several evaluations of different barrier types to prevent escapement. While barriers can be effective, they come with many considerations and associated costs. As a result, barrier use is in only a few places where dam design and conditions are conducive.
“It is worth noting that while escapement can detract from fishing quality in a reservoir, it is also responsible for good fishing in downstream waters. Because some fish escape from the reservoir, local anglers enjoy considerable success below dams, including Nelson Lake, Lake Hayward, and the Chippewa Flowage. Without escapement, those spots would likely be very ordinary.”
The 2025 spring turkey harvest as of April 29 includes Zone 4: 3,971, Zone 6: 697, and Zone 7: 396. Statewide to date, hunters have registered 24,189 birds.
Wisconsin’s spring turkey season opened April 16 and runs through May 27. The spring season is open in seven management zones comprised of six, seven-day periods that run Wednesday through the following Tuesday. Hunting hours differ depending on time of year and location (northern, southern half of state). Check the Turkey Hunting FAQ section, and review the regulations.
For more information, visit turkey hunting on the DNR website.
Hayward Chapter-Muskies, Inc. will hold its Tuesday, May 6, meeting at the DNR Fish Hatchery in Spooner, starting at 7 p.m. Following a brief business meeting and presentation by hatchery manage Jared Boucher, attendees will tour where the facility raises fish for stocking. Everyone is welcome.
The hatchery is at 951W Maple (Hwy 70), west of Hwy 63, on the south side of the road. Park in the upper lot and enter the building and meeting room.
For more information, call (715) 634-4543.
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 trail openings and closures atHLVCB ATV/UTV trail conditions report and Sawyer County Snowmobile & ATV Alliance. 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
Opening weekend anglers enjoyed beautiful weather to start the season and it should continue throughout the week. Fishing success varied, as usual, but what a wonderful time to be on the water! Musky season opens May 24; smallmouth bass are catch and release until June 21. Make sure your license is current! First-time buyer and one-day fishing licenses are available.
Walleye:
Walleyes mostly completed spawn, but remain in spawning areas. Fish move shallow during dusk and dawn hours. Rock points, sand/rock transition areas, mid-depth structure, and moving water can hold fish. Use walleye suckers and fatheads on jigs, Husky Jerks, Jerkmasters, crankbaits, and jerkbaits moved slowly and with long pauses.
Northern Pike:
Northern pike fishing is good in and around shallow, dark-bottom bays, weeds, weed beds, weedlines, and weed edges where the water is warmest and there are concentrations of panfish. Sucker minnows, spinners, spinnerbaits, spoons, swimbaits, crankbaits, and jerkbaits are all effective offerings.
Largemouth Bass:
Largemouth bass are in and around shallow to mid-depth weeds and in shallow bays looking for panfish meals. Favored baits at this time include jerkbaits, minnows on jigs and/or under bobbers, spinners, spinnerbaits, skirted jigs, minnow baits, and plastics.
Smallmouth Bass:
Smallmouth bass fishing is catch and release only until June 21. Anglers report some success on mid-depth rock, sand, and transition areas, rock points, and mid-lake structure. Fish move shallow at sunrise and sunset. Baits of choice include live bait, crankbaits, and Ned rigs.
Crappie:
Crappies are in or moving shallow for pre-spawn staging. Fish are in/near basins, bays, weed edges, and channels, i.e., warming water, in 6-16 feet. Crappie minnows, fatheads, Minnotators, Mimic Minnows, Voodoo Jigs, Bimbo Skunks, Mini-Mites, Gulp! baits, and plastics on jigs and plain hooks are all producing action.
Bluegill:
Bluegills are moving in and around shallow weeds and the warmest water available, such as in bays, structure that absorbs sunlight, and south facing shorelines. Waxies, worms, leaf worms, Gulp! baits, and plastics on small jigs, teardrops, and plain hooks under slip bobbers should get the bluegills’ interest.
Upcoming Events
May 3: General Inland fishing season opened (includes largemouth bass, but not smallmouth; see regs).
May 5-6: Eta Aquarids meteor shower 2-4 a.m., southeast, 5-20 hr., very swift, long paths.
May 6: Hayward Chapter-Muskies, Inc. meeting at DNR Fish Hatchery in Spooner, starting at 7 p.m. (715-634-4543).
May 7-10: 40th Annual Treeland Challenge Bass & Walleye Release Tournament ‑ Full (715-462-3874).
May 10: North Country Riders ATV Club Spaghetti Feed at the Hayward Veterans Center.
May 11: Mother’s Day.
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 24: Musky season opens in Northern Zone.
May 24: Wisconsin Canoe Heritage Day – Wisconsin Canoe Heritage Museum in Spooner (715-635-5002).
May 26: Memorial Day memorializing the veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice for this country.
May 31: Deadline to apply for elk tag ($10 fee).
Spring turkey season is six, seven-day periods running Wednesday through the following Tuesday, in seven zones.
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.