Steve Suman
Wet and warming is trending, says the forecast, and predicts sunshine Friday and through the weekend. Forecasts are never a lock (ha!), so enjoy each day as it arrives. Rain or shine, there is much to do in the North Woods!
“Last week, storms and rain dropped Quiet Lakes’ water temperatures considerably,” says Greg at Happy Hooker, “which is excellent news for musky fishing in particular. Temperatures are in the low 70s on some area lakes and fishing should improve with the cooler water temperatures.
“Musky fishing had improved and water temperatures are now more favorable for active muskies. Topwaters, and burning bucktails over weeds, should produce action. Look for musky around shallow weeds, and work through weed beds and shallow bars with weeds.
“Walleye fishing is fair, with anglers finding bite windows mainly from dusk and just into dark. Snap-jigging baits and jigging leeches and minnows off deep weed edges are catching fish.
“Northern pike are hitting all sorts of baits and action is good. Small bucktails, spinnerbaits, and topwater bass baits are all producing fish around shallow weedy bays and weed beds.
“Largemouth bass are in quite shallow water and anglers report success on live bait such as crawlers, spinnerbaits, and on topwaters such as buzzbaits, prop baits, and Whopper Ploppers. Cast around docks, lily pads, and any emergent weeds.
“Smallmouth bass are on deep weed transitions and wacky rigs and drop-shotting are catching fish. Leeches and crawlers worked towards those bottom transitions are two great options as well.
“Panfish are in 3-12 feet and relating to weed beds, weedy shorelines, and shallow weedy bays. Crappie minnows, leaf worms, crawlers, and fishing small plastics under floats or on small jigs jigged through weeds are great choices.”
Jarrett at Hayward Bait says fishing is stable, despite the inconsistent weather.
“Musky anglers opted to leave muskies alone during the warm weather, as some reported dead fish that likely expired from over-handling and too much time out of the water. Fishing after dark when temperatures have cooled, lakes are quiet, and void of pleasure boaters, is a great time for muskies.
“Walleyes moved deeper and anglers are trolling deep crankbaits and crawler harnesses. Some fish scattered amongst the weeds where anglers use leeches on slip bobbers and jigs. Dawn and dusk are best for active fish.
“Northern pike action is very good. Anglers catch eaters in shallow weeds or target bigger fish on deep breaks and structure adjacent to deep water. Follow the food chain ‑ pike are chasing bluegills, which lead to the toothy critters. Live bait, spinnerbaits, and swimbaits are great options.
“Largemouth and smallmouth bass fishing is good. Bass are in schools, chasing bait balls and pushing bait towards the surface, producing some amazing topwater bites. Some anglers fish Senkos, Texas rigs, and live bait along weedlines.
“Crappies are on deep weeds or roaming basins. The hard part is finding the fish, and the key is staying mobile! Crappies love to roam, and fish on/over basins or weedlines will not be there long. Crappie tubes, Gulp! Minnows, and live bait are good options.
“Bluegills are on the first break heading into deep water and in thick cover. For big bull bluegills, toss a spoon, small crankbait, or even an extra-large leech and watch the magic unfold.”
This week, DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter says do not panic ‑ there are native species of lamprey!
“Lamprey is an ancient family (Petromyzontidae) of jawless fishes. They are truly unique, with long, ribbon-like bodies, smooth skin with no scales, and beady eyes, but what really stands out is their round, toothy, suction-cup mouths! Some parasitic species of lamprey use their mouth to attach to the body of another fish and use their teeth to bore into the flesh of the host fish to feed.
“The invasion of sea lamprey into the Great Lakes has caused huge problems for many native species, including lake trout, and managing the sea lamprey problem has received considerable funding and attention. It is no surprise that Hayward area anglers who catch a fish with a lamprey attached are often very concerned.
“Yes, we have lamprey in the Hayward area, including the Namekagon River and Lake Hayward. However, the lamprey that people find attached to fish in local waters are actually native parasitic chestnut lamprey that typically grow to 6-10 inches long. We also have a smaller, non-parasitic species, the northern brook lamprey, which gets its nutrients by filtering small pieces of food from the water.
“Observations of parasitic chestnut lamprey, both from anglers and in our surveys, have been higher than usual over the last year. If you wear polarized sunglasses while canoeing stretches of the Namekagon River downstream from Hayward, you have a very good chance of seeing a redhorse with a lamprey attached. We also have reports of anglers catching smallmouth bass and northern pike with lamprey attached.
“Though they might be strange, our native lamprey is not of concern. Though it is not always true with the much larger sea lamprey, native lamprey typically do not lead to the death of their host fish, so if you were worried ‑ they do not pose any threat to humans.
“The Hayward Fish Team recently assisted a researcher from Western Michigan who is studying native lamprey species, and we might learn more about these fascinating fish when he publishes his work.”
Hayward Chapter-Muskies, Inc. will host its Annual Kids Fishing Day Sunday, August 3, from 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m., at Weber’s Northwoods Tavern (formerly Blackiron Grill). Muskies, Inc. members and friends take youth anglers 8-16 years of age on Tiger Cat Flowage for a morning of fishing for muskies, northern pike, bass, and panfish ‑ whatever is appropriate for their age or skill level. They break at noon for a picnic lunch. Each youth angler receives a fishing goody bag and participates in a raffle for other fishing items.
Participants MUST sign up by/with their parents at Hayward Bait.
For more information, call (715) 558-2853 or 634-2921.
To enter to win a fall fishing getaway for two with Chad Grigsby, submit entries to Hayward Lakes Visitor and Convention Bureau through the August 1 deadline.
The winner receives lodging for two at the Holiday Inn Express for Friday, September 5, including complimentary breakfast, and fishing with Chad Saturday, September 6. The winner receives 1919 Root Beer, Ranch House Coffee, and two St. Croix spinning rods with Seviin reels. Chad will provide everything the anglers need for their day on the water,
Chad has fished tournaments full time for 22 years, is a two-time FLW Tour Champion, runner-up in the FLW Forest Wood Cup, and has more than $1.4 million in career earnings.
For more information, visit “Fall Fishing Getaway” or call (715) 634-4801.
The Barnes Area Historical Association is hosting its annual Summer Festival Saturday, July 26, from noon-4 p.m. in Barnes. The event includes food, beverages, bingo, cash raffles, meat raffles, and more.
For more information, visit Barnes Area Historical Association, Summer Festival, or call (425) 318-0851.
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 Hayward Lakes Visitor & Convention Bureau.
Fishing Report
Fishing remains good for some species, less so for others, and with timing very important. Weather “could” be an issue again this week. As always, check with bait shop personnel for the current fish locations, movement, bite windows, bait du jour, and the most favored presentations.
Musky:
Musky action is fair, but improving, with best fishing in late evening/after dark. Work shallow weeds, weed beds, and weedy bars. Small to medium bucktails, spinnerbaits, swimbaits, and topwaters work, with daytime trolling an option.
Walleye:
Walleye fishing is fair, with best success during pre-sunrise and from late evening into after dark in mid-depths to shallow water. During the day, fish deep weeds, weed edges, rock, and brush. Leeches, crawlers, and minnows on jigs and/or slip bobbers, crawler harnesses, and trolling crankbaits can all produce at given times.
Northern Pike:
Northern pike action is good to very good, especially for smaller fish. Find them in/near shallow weeds, weed beds, weedlines, and panfish concentrations. Northern suckers, small spinners, spinnerbaits, spoons, swimbaits, and bucktails work well. For trophy pike, use bigger baits on deep breaks and structure.
Largemouth Bass:
Largemouth bass fishing is good for fish in and around shallow weeds, weedlines, weedy bays, lily pads, slop, brush, and docks. Crawlers, leeches, spinners, spinnerbaits, Senkos, Texas rigs, buzzbaits, prop baits, Whopper Ploppers, frogs, and other topwaters are all productive.
Smallmouth Bass:
Smallmouth bass fishing is good, with fish on deep weed transitions, along weedlines, and chasing bait balls. Leeches, crawlers, drop shotting, wacky rigs, Texas rigs, Senkos, and topwaters can all produce success.
Crappie:
Crappie fishing is good once you locate the wandering schools and move to follow them. Look for fish along or suspending over shallow to mid-depth weedlines, deep weeds, and basins. Best baits include crappie minnows, leaf worms, crawlers, small plastics, Mini-Mites, and Gulp! Minnows on small jigs and/or slip bobbers.
Bluegill:
Bluegill fishing is good to very good in and around shallow weeds, weedy bays, along shoreline weeds, and in thick weeds on mid-depth breaks near deep water. Use waxies, leaf worms, leeches, crawlers, small plastics, and Gulp! baits on small jigs and teardrops, and/or on slip bobbers. For big bluegills, try small minnows, spoons, and crankbaits.
Upcoming Events
July 26: Barnes Area Historical Association ‑ Summer Festival, noon-4 p.m. (425-318-0851).
July 28-30: Delta Aquariids Meteor Shower, 1-3 a.m., south, 15-25 per hour, long, slow paths.
Aug. 1: Entry deadline for fall fishing getaway for two with Chad Grigsby (715-634-4801).
Aug. 1: Application deadline for sharp-tailed grouse permit drawing.
Aug. 1: Application deadline for fisher and bobcat trapping permit drawing.
Aug. 1-2: Jack Pine Savage Days in Spooner (715-635-2168).
Aug. 3: Hayward Chapter-Muskies, Inc. ‑ Kids Fishing Day, Weber’s, 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. (715-558-2853; 634-2921).
Aug. 9: Full Sturgeon Moon.
Aug. 9: Annual Ojibwa Canoe & Kayak Race at Wannigan Resort 10 a.m.-1 p.m. (715-415-6539).
Aug. 11-13: Perseids Meteor Shower 1-3 a.m., northeast, 45-90 per hour, very swift, rich display.
Aug. 14-17: Sawyer County Fair at Sawyer County Fairgrounds on Highway B (715-699-2022).
Aug. 17: HBC Free Youth Bass Tourney, Chippewa Flowage, The Landing Resort, Noon-4 p.m. (405-227-1789).
Aug. 23: Seeley Lions PreFat Bike Race 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Aug. 24: HBC Tom Turner Open Benefit Tourney on Tiger Cat Flowage, Weber’s, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. (405-227-1789).
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.