Steve Suman
Labor Day weekend weather was near-perfect, mostly in the 70s, and mild to cool lows. This week starts mild and sunny, then showers possible midweek, and cool temperatures through the weekend.
“Thunderstorms and a cold front moved through the Quiet Lakes’ area last week, slowing fishing,” says Greg at Happy Hooker. “Water temperatures are in the low 70s.
“Musky anglers report follows and fish high in the water column, but not eating. Those catching fish used mid-size baits in heavy cover and fish hit on the pause. Bucktails find fish, but slower presentations are working better at this time. Target weed edges, rocky points, and timber.
“Walleye fishing slowed. Jigging walleye suckers and minnows works well for smaller fish on shallow structure. Crankbaits and crawler harnesses work for bigger, deeper fish,. In both cases, target edges and transitions in bottom structure.
“Northern pike are active, though on the smaller side. Fish hold in weeds in 4-10 feet and should continue to do so, regardless of the weather and water temperature.
“Largemouth bass fishing remains good on topwaters. Cast frogs around lily pads and bulrushes; prop and poppers off docks around dusk work best.
“Smallmouth bass are on deeper rocky points and shorelines. Ned and wacky rigged plastics catch fish, as do Whopper Ploppers and other topwaters both work on the same structure.
“Panfish are in weed beds in 3-12 feet. Minnows, crawler chunks, Mimic Minnows, and tube jigs under floats, and Beetle Spins, all catch fish.”
Jarrett at Hayward Bait says musky fishing is safer for fish with water temperatures in the high 60s/low 70s.
“Muskies moved shallower and anglers are slowly working bucktails, Bull Dawgs, Medussas, and topwaters in 5-20 feet. They are moving many fish that shy at the boat, so be sure to figure-8!
“Walleye fishing is slow, with most anglers trolling crankbaits and crawler harnesses. Planer boards get lines away from the boat noise and wake. Some walleyes remain in weeds through the summer, and minnows on jigs and slip bobbers are good options.
“Northern pike fishing is solid on live bait, jigs, spinnerbaits, and topwaters.
“Largemouth bass anglers are finding fish around shallow weeds, wood, docks, and boat lifts. Texas and wacky rigged worms, spinnerbaits, and topwaters all work great.
“Smallmouth bass are in 15-30 feet, but not all fish are holding on the bottom. Drop shots, Ned rigs, wacky rigs, and topwaters work well at this time. In late summer, many fish surface feed on insects and minnows.
“Crappie fishing took off last week for both size and number. Weed flats, bogs, and cribs are all producing. Crappie minnows and plastics on small jigs work wonders.
“Bluegills are spread from shallow to deep. Crawlers and red worms on plain hooks under slip floats work great.”
Mike at Jenk’s says the Chippewa Flowage is down 1-1.5 feet, with water temperatures in the low to mid 70s.
“Musky action is mixed. Now, with the cooler surface temperatures, target mid-depth weeds, edges, and drop-offs near cover. Bucktails and surface baits do well at this time, and some anglers are hanging suckers off the boat for follows.
“Walleyes, with the cooler surface temperature, are now in weeds in 14-16 feet, hovering just above bottom in 8-12 feet. Crawlers and minnows, in that order, are the live baits choices. For trolling, Flicker Shads and Jointed Flicker Shads produce the most action.
“Northern pike are active, but picky on what they hit, with Jack Hammer Chatterbaits and Tinsel Tails hogging all the action. Retrieving baits through the weed beds or over the top is very good, producing catches of many eater-size fish.
“Largemouth bass are hitting spinners, drop shot rigs with plastics, and frogs.
“Smallmouth bass are hitting strong, with most action on Ned rigs and wacky worms.
“Crappie fishing is very good. Bogs are great for evening action, but cribs and brush piles are starting to produce. Crappies are suspending over deep brushy areas such as the northeast end of Birch Island. Crappie minnows, artificial mayflies, and one-inch Gulp! Minnows are the key to success.”
This week, former DNR fisheries technician Evan Sirianni offers a short item on lake sturgeon.
“Large, ancient fish lurk in some rivers and lakes in Sawyer County. Lake sturgeon have a very long history in northern Wisconsin. The DNR’s Hayward and Park Falls fish teams, in partnership, recently did considerable work to help better understand how these mega-giants live among us today.
“Last year was one for the record books. In spring, during the first sturgeon survey on the Chippewa River, we captured 172 individual fish ranging from upper 40 inches to a respectable 63 inches.
“During the fall, while surveying lakes above the Chippewa Flowage, the crew observed some humongous specimens, with the largest measuring 76 inches in length and weighing 116 pounds!
“Having respect for these gentle giants is important to make sure they continue to thrive in northern Wisconsin waters for generations to come.”
Early Canada goose, early teal, and mourning dove hunting seasons opened September 1. Check the regulations for legal hunting hours, locations, and daily bag limits.
Hook and line season for lake sturgeon opens September 7 on certain waters. Check regulations before fishing. The minimum length limit is 60 inches and the bag limit one fish per season. Anglers must have a fishing license to fish for sturgeon; those intending to harvest a sturgeon must purchase a harvest tag ($20/resident; $50/nonresident).
For more information, search “sturgeon fishing” on the DNR website.
Hayward Bass Club and Northwoods Bass Anglers will host a Big Chip Open bass tournament Saturday September 7, headquartering at The Landing Resort on Highway CC. The entry fee is $120 per two-person teams. An individual may compete alone as a team.
For more information, visit the Hayward Bass Club website or text Wayne at (405) 227-1789.
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 point 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. 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. Admission is free, and attendees interested in becoming a Muskies, Inc. member can purchase a half-price membership.
For more information, call Mike Persson (715) 634-4543.
ATV/UTV TRAIL REPORT
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
Fishing in general is good for most species, though some are being difficult. Cooling temperatures this week will affect them in one way or another. As always, make sure to check with your favorite bait shop personnel to learn the most timely information on where fish are locating and what they are eating. Transition time is coming and might already be in progress.
Musky:
Musky fishing is frustrating (surprise!), with many lookers and not so many eaters. Figure-8s are imperative! Fish baits tight to shallow to mid-depth weeds, weed edges, wood, rocky humps and points, and drop-offs. Productive baits include suckers, bucktails, Bull Dawgs, Medussas, and topwaters, with trolling an option.
Walleye:
Walleyes dispersed from shallow to deep and fishing is slow to fair. Find smaller fish around shallow weeds and structure; larger fish are on deep weeds, edges, and transitions; and some suspend over mid-depths to deeper water. Crawler harnesses, walleye suckers and minnows on jigs and slip bobbers, and slow-trolled Flicker Shads and Jointed Flicker Shads all draw some interest.
Northern Pike:
Northern pike action is good and consistent, particularly for smaller fish. Find them in, over, and on the edges of weed beds in depths to 12 feet. Sucker minnows, spinners, spinnerbaits, spoons, swim jigs, chatterbaits, and topwaters are all effective. Go deeper with bigger baits for trophy pike.
Largemouth Bass:
Largemouth bass action is good for anglers fishing shallow to mid-depth weeds, reeds, lily pads, slop, bulrushes, brush, docks, and other structure. Best baits include Texas, drop shot, and wacky rigged plastics, spinners, spinnerbaits, and walk-the-dog, prop, poppers, frogs, and other topwater baits.
Smallmouth Bass:
Smallmouth bass anglers are doing well on rocky shorelines and points in 10-25 feet and deeper. Sucker minnows, drop shot, Ned and wacky rigged plastics, and tubes work well. Some anglers report success with Whopper Ploppers and other topwaters.
Crappie:
Crappie fishing is good to very good for quantity and quality. Look for schools around weed flats and beds, brush, bogs, and cribs out to 15 feet, and suspending over deeper water. Crappie minnows, tube jigs, plastics, Mimic Minnows, and one-inch Gulp! Minnows on small jigs and/or slip bobbers, artificial mayflies, and Beetle Spins are all working well.
Bluegill:
Bluegill fishing is very good in most depths, from shallow to deep. Start in and around weeds, weed beds, weed edges, and brush in 3-10 feet, moving deeper if no success. Crawler chunks, red worms, tube jigs, plastics, and Gulp! baits on small jigs and/or under slip bobbers are doing the job.
Upcoming Events
Sept. 1: Early Canada goose, early teal, and mourning dove hunting seasons opened.
Sept. 2: Labor Day.
Sept. 3: Hayward Chapter-Muskies Inc. meeting at 7 p.m., 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. 7: Namekagon River Cleanup, 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m. (715-483-3300).
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 (715-798-3594).
Sept. 14: Hayward Lions Oktoberfest at Sawyer County Fairgrounds, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
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. 21: Clam Lake Elk Festival (715-310-4857).
Sept. 23: Early registration deadline ($100 vs. $120) Hayward Chapter-Muskies Inc. 46th annual fall musky tournament.
Sept. 27-28: Cable Fall Festival (715-798-3833).
Oct. 4-6: Hayward Chapter-Muskies Inc. 46th annual fall musky tournament (715-634-2921; 558-2835).
Oct. 5: Stone Lake Cranberry Festival (715-635-9696).
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.