Steve Suman
A warm weekend, followed by a HOT Monday, followed by rain and thunderstorms, followed by a cooling trend and possibly more rain. However, the forecast predicts a sunny Wednesday and very nice weekend ahead, so be patient!
“The Quiet Lakes’ area will see some heat this week,” says Greg at Happy Hooker, “but cooling for Labor Day weekend. Water temperatures are holding in the low to mid 70s.
“Musky action is good. Last week’s full moon had fish moving and a few anglers reported multi-fish days. Bucktails and faster moving baits are consistently catching and raising fish, with dive/rise and pull/pause baits great throwback offerings. Work shallow weeds and edges.
“Walleye anglers are finding walleyes off deep structure and in shallower weed beds. Troll crankbaits for deep fish; jigging is the ticket for shallower fish.
“Northern pike action is steady, with spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, and topwaters all working. Cast lures on weed beds and get ready for action!
“Largemouth bass fishing is decent on Whopper Ploppers, frogs, and other topwaters. For suspending fish, live bait, plastic worms, spinnerbaits, and swimbaits work well. Work baits in lily pads and other weeds in 2-6 feet.
“Smallmouth bass anglers report success jigging plastics and fishing crawler harnesses on deep rocky points in 10-20 feet, depending on lake structure.
“Crappie, bluegill, and perch are tight to cover in lakes somewhat lacking in basins. Target fish in 6-10 feet with jigs and minnows. On lakes that have deep basins, look for some crappies suspending over deep water. Dropping jigs and minnows down to these fish can be productive. Bluegills are in shallower water and taking crawlers and leaf worms under bobbers. Look for schools of perch on the rocky bottoms of deep basins.”
Jarrett at Hayward Bait says musky anglers are using bucktails, medium Medussas and Bull Dawgs, and topwaters.
“Most anglers target 5-20 feet and retrieve baits slowly. Many fish turn aside at the boat, so make sure to do figure-8s!
“Walleye fishing remains inconsistent, with most anglers trolling crawler harnesses and crankbaits. Using planer boards on shallower waters gets lines away from the boat. For walleyes that remain in weeds throughout summer, try minnows on jigs or slip bobbers.
“Northern pike fishing is solid on live bait, spinnerbaits, jigs, and topwaters. Pike have moved from the deeper water used during warm temperatures.
“Largemouth bass fishing is steady in shallow weeds, near wood such as fallen trees, and on structure such as docks and boat lifts. Spinnerbaits, Texas rigs, wacky worms, and topwaters work great.
“Smallmouth bass fishing is solid in 15-30 feet. Not all fish are on the bottom. In late summer, many fish surface feed on insects and minnows. The most effective baits include Ned rigs, wacky rigs, drop shots, and various topwaters.
“Crappie fishing is really ramping up as we move towards fall. Most anglers see fish suspending over basins, holding to cribs in deeper water, or hovering just above the weeds. Minnows on chicken jigs or similar, and on slip floats, work well. Numbers are not high, but anglers are catching some quality fish.
“Bluegills are everywhere from shallow to deep. Crawlers or red worms on plain hooks, fished under slip bobbers or other float types, work great.”
This week, DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter discusses the completed Namekagon River trout habitat project.
“Trout love trees. Researchers have shown this, but anglers have known it for a long time. Wood in the water provides trout protection from predators, a place to find food, and a place to rest from the relentless current.
“Unfortunately, most waterbodies, both lakes and streams, do not have as much woody habitat as they did at one time. There are various reasons, but some of the biggest are related to human activities.
“Past logging practices and shoreline development have changed how often trees fall into a waterbody and if they remain as fish habitat. The Namekagon River is no exception. Two separate assessments estimated that woody habitat in the Namekagon River is 3-5x lower today than before human development. That is a big habitat loss for trout and other fish, and a big opportunity for restoration.
“In summer 2024, the DNR partnered with the National Park Service, Wild Rivers Trout Unlimited, and U.S. Forest Service on a woody habitat restoration project. The project involved adding whole maple and oak trees to specific areas on the Namekagon River where they would most benefit trout.
“Many of these sites have consistent cold temperatures that favor brook trout and offer seasonal refuges for brown trout. Having wood in these areas will provide trout greater protection during times when they would otherwise be vulnerable to predation.
“In total, we added 30 trees to six sites along the river, all in the reach upstream from Hayward. We will monitor these sites to see how trout and other species use them, and perhaps propose additional sites in the future.
“This project was completed using Trout Stamp funds and done under a waterway permit from the DNR and in compliance with National Park Service practices and protocols. Tree placements are in locations that will not impede navigation or access to canoe landings.”
Wisconsin’s bear season opens September 4, with bait hunters starting the season. The DNR awards harvest permits through a preference point/lottery system. The application deadline for a license or preference points is Dec. 10.
For more information, search “bear hunting” on the DNR website.
Hayward Lakes Chapter-Muskies Inc. invites the public to its club meeting Tuesday, September 3, at Flat Creek Lodge. Admission is free. A business meeting to prepare for the tournament is 7-7:30 p.m., followed by guest speaker DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter discussing musky matters. Anyone interested in becoming a Muskies, Inc. member can purchase a half-price membership at the meeting.
For more information, call Mike Persson (715) 634-4543.
Early Canada goose, early teal, and mourning dove hunting seasons open September 1 (Sunday of Labor Day weekend). Check the regulations for legal hunting hours, locations, and daily bag limits.
The 32nd Annual Exeland Trout Festival, sponsored by Exeland Rod & Gun Club, is Friday August 30 through Sunday September 1. Festivities begin Friday, at 5 p.m., at the Sports Center. Admission to the Sports Center requires a Trout Fest button ($3). The event includes a medallion hunt, fishing contests, sports tournaments, live music, Queen Coronation, parade, food, beverages, pancake breakfast, craft and rummage sales, youth games, and more.
For more information, visit the Trout Fest website or call (715) 943-2242 or 492-1073.
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. 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. The Trail Treker app shows the changes. Trails 174 and 176 in Spider Lake Township are no longer open to ATV/UTV use. The ATV/UTV trails in Sawyer County Forest (715-634-4846), Chequamegon National Forest (715-634-4821), and Flambeau State Forest (715-332-5271) are open. Check the HLVCB ATV/UTV trail conditions report and Sawyer County Snowmobile & ATV Alliance for trail and road updates.
Fishing Report
Water temperatures are holding in the low to mid 70s or cooling (though with a bump early this week!) and fish are responding somewhat favorably. Talk with your bait shop folks for the most current information. Fall season offers some of the best fishing and considerably less boat traffic. It is a great time to be on the water!
Musky:
Musky action is good and improving after the hot weather (aside from early this week)! Anglers report many follows, with some fish backing out near the boat. Make sure to figure-8! Weeds, weedlines, and weed edges out to 20 feet are holding fish. Best offerings include bucktails, gliders, jerkbaits, medium plastics, and topwaters.
Walleye:
Walleye fishing is fair to good, sometimes slow, and not consistent. Find fish on weeds and shallower weedlines, as well as near deep structure. Walleye suckers and minnows on jigs and under slip bobbers, and trolled crawler harnesses and crankbaits are producing catches. Work shallower weedlines in the very early morning and later evening hours.
Northern Pike:
Northern pike action is very good, though primarily for smaller fish. Find them in shallow to mid-depth weeds, weed beds, weedlines, and near panfish and baitfish concentrations. Sucker minnows, spinners, spinnerbaits, spoons, swim jigs, chatterbaits, and topwaters are doing the job. Go deeper with bigger baits for trophy pike.
Largemouth Bass:
Largemouth bass fishing is good and consistent. Find them in/on shallower weeds, weed edges, weedlines, wood, lily pads, slop, stumps, brush, cribs, docks, and other structure. Live bait, plastic worms, Texas rigs, wacky worms, swimbaits, spinnerbaits, and topwaters such as Whopper Ploppers and frogs all get the interest of bass.
Smallmouth Bass:
Smallmouth bass anglers report stable action and good success. They are finding fish on rocky points and bars in 6-28 feet or deeper, as well as some feeding on the surface. Sucker minnows, crawler harnesses, Ned rigs, wacky rigs, drop shots, and topwaters are currently the most productive baits.
Crappie:
Crappie fishing is good and improving, with anglers hooking some nice fish, though not in great number. Find them close to cover in 5-12 feet, suspending over deep basins and just above weed, and near cribs. Crappie minnows, plastics, Mini-Mites, and plastics on small plain or dressed jigs fished under slip bobbers are all catching fish.
Bluegill:
Bluegill fishing is good to very good, with fish scattered across all depths and around weeds, wood, docks, brush, and cribs. Crawlers, leaf worms, red worms, plastics, poppers, and Gulp! baits, fished with or without bobbers, work well.
Upcoming Events
Aug. 30- Sept 1: 32nd Annual Exeland Trout Festival (715-943-2242; 492-1073).
Sept. 1: Early Canada goose, early teal, and mourning dove hunting seasons open.
Sept. 2: Labor Day.
Sept. 3: Hayward Chapter-Muskies Inc. meeting 7 p.m. at Flat Creek Lodge (715-634-4543).
Sept. 4: Bear season opens (see regs).
Sept. 4-7: 25th Annual Lake Chippewa Flowage Musky Hunt.
Sept. 7: Hook and line season for lake sturgeon opens on certain waters.
Sept. 7: Hayward Bass Club and Northwoods Bass Anglers hosting Big Chip Open bass tournament (405-227-1789).
Sept. 14: Seasons open: Deer (archery/crossbow); Wild turkey; Ruffed grouse (Zone A); Cottontail rabbit (Northern Zone); Squirrel (gray/fox).
Sept. 14: 41st Chequamegon MTB Festival.
Sept. 14-15: Youth Waterfowl Hunt.
Sept. 15: Hunters With Disabilities fall gun deer hunt application deadline (608-354-3492).
Sept. 16: Regular goose season opens.
Sept. 17: Full Harvest Moon.
Sept. 21: Seasons open: Woodcock; Duck in Northern Zone.
Sept. 21: Hayward Fall Festival (715-634-8662).
Sept. 21: Fall Equinox – first day of fall.
Sept. 23: Early registration deadline ($100 vs. $120) Hayward Chapter-Muskies Inc. 46th annual fall musky tournament.
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 800-724-2992.