The forecast for this week is another roller-coaster ride, with highs from 47 to 72 degrees, lows from 23 to 47 degrees, and chances for rain and/or thunderstorms nearly every day. It is definitely spring in the North Woods!
Tonight, Monday April 13, the DNR and WCC are hosting the Spring Hearing public in-person input session at Hayward High School auditorium from 6-9 p.m. Online input is available April 13-15, active from 6 p.m. April 13 through April 15. Click here for the 2026 Spring Hearing questionnaire. (Additional details below.) For more information, call (888) 936-7463.
Travelers can check current road conditions at 511wi.gov for Wisconsin and 511mn.org for Minnesota.
“It looks like a wet week ahead in the Quiet Lakes’ area,” says Greg at Happy Hooker, “but we should also have some ice-melting temperatures ‑ and there is still considerable ice out there.
The Lost Land boat launch remained locked-up with a lot of ice a week ago Monday, and the same was true on Spider Lake this past Friday evening. It is anyone’s guess on when ice-out will occur, but it appears we should have open water by the gamefish opener.
“Though we do not yet have ice-out, most rivers and streams are open. We can probably consider ice fishing season as done, and every week we move closer to the opening of gamefish season!
“Regular trout season opened April 4, and small inline spinners such as Rooster Tails, small floating jigs, and flies can be great tools to target trout, but check the trout regulations. In addition, until gamefish season opens, anglers can target largemouth and smallmouth bass for catch and release fishing statewide.
“The Youth Turkey Hunt occurred this past weekend, and regular spring turkey season opens this Wednesday.”
This week, DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter discusses spring surveys for the Hayward Fish Team.
“The changing of the seasons means the Hayward Fish Team will soon be back on the water checking the status and health of our local fish populations. Spring is the most important window for our local fisheries surveys, especially for high-priority species such as walleye, muskellunge, crappie, and northern pike.
“This year’s slate of lakes is heavier than usual on pike, but includes a large focus on walleye and muskellunge.
“We expect Big Chetac as our first stop, where we will work collaboratively with other fish teams to estimate the lake’s total number of adult walleye. While there looking for walleye, we will gather data on pike, crappie, and perch. We will conduct a similar walleye survey on Ghost Lake. These estimates will be important for understanding the success of walleye stocking in the area.
“Next, we move to Nelson Lake to gather data on a changing pike population. Other pike surveys will take place on Spring and Ashegon lakes.
“Our muskellunge work will focus on the Chippewa Flowage, where Governor Thompson Hatchery staff from Spooner will join us. Hatchery staff will take a few quarts of fertilized musky eggs back to the hatchery to rear as fingerlings. The hatchery will stock those fish back into the Chippewa Flowage and other area lakes.
“We expect to end the early spring survey season with work on Lake Winter and Blueberry Lake and, if time allows, hope to get on Lower Clam and Sissabagama.
“This portion of the year is always a blur, with many days when we have two boats headed to two different lakes, and we always dry and disinfect nets and boats between waterbodies so that we do not spread any aquatic invasive species.
“If you see us on the water during the day, even though we are busy out there, it is okay to stop and ask what we are finding. We always love showing off impressive fish from our local fisheries, but typically do not stop to chat during nighttime electrofishing surveys.
“Expect to hear more in this space about the results of these surveys.”
Hayward Chapter-Muskies, Inc. has made changes to the dates and location for its 48th Annual Fall Musky Tournament. This year, it is Friday through Sunday, September 25-27, with the Saturday night raffles, door prizes, and Sunday awards ceremony at the Hayward Sports Center Arena. For more information, visit the website or Facebook page, or call Mike Persson at (715) 558-2835.
Sales of bonus harvest authorizations for the 2026 spring turkey season continue through Go Wild and license sales agents on a first come, first served basis, at one per day, until the zone and period sell out or the season closes. Check the zone map and available bonus authorizations. Authorizations are available in zones 1, 3, and 4 for the final two periods, May 13-19 and May 20-26. The cost is $10/resident and $15/nonresident. Purchases do not affect preference point status for future spring drawings. For more information, visit turkey hunting on the DNR website.
Hunters/Trappers
The 2025-26 hunting licenses expired March 31. To hunt turkey this spring, you need a 2026-27 hunting license.
The application period for the 2026 elk season drawing is open through May 31.
Mink and muskrat trapping seasons closeApril 15 in the North Zone.
Anglers
The general inland trout season on inland streams, springs, and spring ponds opened April 4. In addition, musky fishing season now opens with the regular gamefish season (May 2 this year).
The 2025-26 fishing licenses expired March 31. If you intend to fish this year, you will need a 2026-27 license.
Some boat registrations expired March 31 – is your registration current?
Brule River fishing opened March 28 for fishing downstream of Highway 2. It is illegal to fish the river from a half-hour after sunset to a half-hour before sunrise from March 28-May 1 and from October 1-November 15, and to fish 500 feet upstream and downstream from the sea lamprey barrier. See page 6 of the trout fishing regulations.
The Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame opens Wednesday, April 15 ‑ barring snow- or ice-covered sidewalks! The daily hours through May, and in September and October, are 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m., with no admittance after 3:30 p.m.
The Hall is open every day of the week, including Sundays and holidays, from mid-April through October 31. The museum and grounds remain closed from November 1 through mid-April.
For more information, visit www.freshwater-fishing.org or call (715) 634-4440.
The 2026 Spring Hearing is Monday, April 13, for in-person input, and April 13-15 for online input. Click here for the 2026 Spring Hearing questionnaire. The DNR will hold the 2026 Spring Hearing from 6-9 p.m. in each county in person on April 13, and online from April 13-15.
The Sawyer County in-person hearing is at Hayward High School auditorium, 10320 Greenwood Lane, in Hayward.
The annual Spring Hearing is an opportunity for public input on a wide array of natural resources-related proposed rule change questions presented by the DNR and advisory questions presented by the Wisconsin Conservation Congress.
The Wisconsin Conservation Congress is the only statutory body in the state where the public elects delegates to advise the Natural Resources Board and the DNR on responsibly managing natural resources for present and future generations. The WCC accomplishes this through open, impartial, broad-ranged actions.v
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. Riders must run headlights at all times when operating. 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. Contact numbers are as follows for ATV/UTV trails in Sawyer County Forest (715-634-4846); Chequamegon National Forest (715-634-4821); and Flambeau State Forest (715-332-5271).
Visit the HLVCB ATV/UTV trail conditions report and Sawyer County Alliance.com for trail updates and closures.
Sawyer County ATV & Snowmobile trail maps are available from the Hayward Lakes Visitor & Convention Bureau, or download the Trail Treker app ($2) on your smartphone for the complete map ($2).
Fishing Report
Less than three weeks until the general gamefish opener and the lakes still have ice. Will ice-out occur before May 2? We will see, but if not, it will not be the first time. It appears we will have rainy days this week, which should encourage loss of ice, but those are also good days and evenings to address fishing tackle and equipment issues. If you have indoor space to work on a boat or trailer, even better. Also, make sure you have a new fishing license! Opening day will be here before you know it!
The general inland trout season opened April 4 and the streams are open, so anglers have those fishing opportunities available now, if they are so inclined. Be sure to check the new trout regulations ‑ and make sure that you have the current trout stamp and fishing license!
Hayward area DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter has provided a link to survey reports from last year’s spring efforts for Moose, Round, Sissabagama, and Windfall lakes, including the fish management plans, and the Big Sissabagama Lake management plan. The 2025 Chippewa Flowage report might take a bit longer.
Upcoming Events
March 31: Some boat registrations expired – is your registration current?
April 4: General inland trout season opened.
April 13-15: Spring Hearing and public input, in person April 13; online April 13-15 (888-936-7463).
April 15: Trapping seasons close: Mink and muskrat in North Zone.
April 15: Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame opens (unless snow or ice cover sidewalks), 9:30 a.m.-4p.m. (715-634-4440).
April 18: Concealed carry class (WI/MN) at Hayward Rod & Gun Club, 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. (715-558-8312).
April 18: Wild River TU Coldwater Conservation Symposium (free), Lakewoods Resort 2-6 p.m.
April 22-23: Peak Lyrids Meteor Shower; 2-4 a.m. best, 10-20 hr., east and overhead, swift streaks, luminous dust trains.
April 30: Trapping seasons close: Beaver in northwest zones; Otter in North Zone.
May 1: Full Flower Moon.
May 1-2: Governor’s Fishing Opener in Hayward (715-635-9696).
May 2: Family Fishing Day, 10-a.m.-2 p.m., (715-635-9696)
May 4: Hayward Chapter-Muskies, Inc., meeting, speaker TBA, 7 p.m., Hayward Rod and Gun Club (715-634-4543).
May 4: Peak Eta Aquarids Meteor Shower; debris from Halley’s Comet, 10 per hour, closer to horizon and predawn best.
May 6-9: 41st Annual Treeland Challenge (715-462-3874).
May 9: North Country Riders ATV Club spaghetti feed at Veterans Community Center, 4-7 p.m. (715-558-6653).
May 15-16: 39th Annual Fishing Has No Boundaries Hayward Event (715-634-3185).
May 15-17: Musky Tale Resort Northern Encounter, (715-462-3838).
May 23: Winter Annual Spring Fling 9 a.m.-2 p.m. (715-415-1966).
May 31: Full Blue Moon.
May 31: Deadline to apply for the 2026 elk hunting season.
Spring turkey season is six, seven-day periods running Wednesday through the following Tuesday, in seven zones.
Period A: April 15-21
Period B: April 22-28
Period C: April 29-May 5
Period D: May 6-12
Period E: May 13-19
Period F: May 20-26
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.