Following a Sunday night low of 34 degrees and a Monday high of 60, temperatures return to upper 60s/low 70s this week, with frequent chances for rain. Fall officially arrives Tuesday, September 22, and there are numerous outdoor activities available ‑ take advantage of the season that is always too short!
“Most Quiet Lakes’ waters are down about 2 feet, with water temperatures in the low 70s,” says Greg at Happy Hooker. “Fishing is okay and should improve as water temperatures cool and fish start feeding.
“Musky action is better, the musky board added a few fish, and other anglers report good opportunities. The fish are moving on bucktails and faster moving baits, pull/pause, and crankbaits. Drag a sucker or two near the boat while you cast, as following fish might want an easier, slow-moving meal. Look for fish in and around deep weed edges and on mid-lake reefs and humps.
“Walleye success reports are almost non-existent, as we are hearing very little about walleye action. Typical patterns would indicate fish are in deep water basins, but on most area lakes, however, they relate to shallower rocks and weeds, pushing as shallow as 3-5 feet. With water temperatures cooling, crawlers, jerkbaits, and crankbaits will produce success.
“Northern pike action is hot, and pike are already on the feed relating to shallow to deep weeds and weed edges. Larger swimbaits, spinnerbaits, and bucktails all produce.
“Largemouth bass are suspending off structure and in mid-water column in 6-15 feet, depending on the lake. The low water greatly changes structure compared to normal levels. Points extend further, edges are shallower, etc., but the fish still hit live and plastic worms, crankbaits, and spinnerbaits.
“Smallmouth bass anglers do well on Rat-L-Traps and other lipless shallow running crankbaits, or count them down to your preferred depth. Work baits over/through weeds, let them sink down deep rock edges, or retrieve along shorelines.
“Panfish information is minimal, with most anglers focusing on muskies. All panfish are relating to shallow to deep green weeds and deep edges. Stay focused on green weeds, as diminishing sunlight will start weed decay.”
This week, DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter discusses the possibility of stocking too many fish.
“Stocking fish into waterbodies is one of the most visible and popular things associated with the DNR Fisheries program. The promise of better future fishing by stocking has intuitive appeal, and Wisconsin has considerable success stocking species such as walleye, trout, salmon, and muskellunge.
“When we achieve some stocking success, the temptation is always to push the envelope, but the research is clear: Yes, you can stock too many fish in a waterbody.
“During many conversations with anglers who want increased stocking on their favorite waterbody, a rare few want less stocking, usually because they do not like the species in question.
“The most commonly stocked fish in Wisconsin and throughout the country are typically predators such as walleye, musky, and salmon ‑ and those predators need something to eat. As a result, available prey becomes a consideration for the number of fish to stock, or attempt to stock, and determining prey availability is very complicated.
“Very few lakes have a high abundance of available prey with no other predators eating them. In most cases, a waterbody already has some predators relying on whatever prey is available, including predator stocked in previous years.
“That does not always leave a surplus of available prey for newly stocked fish. In such cases, fisheries biologists and hatchery staff must understand the available prey and other habitat considerations when setting stocking rates.
“We also must consider that stocked fish do not need the same size prey throughout their entire life. Consider the changing diet of a musky stocked at 12-inches that might eventually grow to 50 inches!
“Stocking too many fish for the available prey can have consequences for the ecosystem and be financially inefficient, since producing hatchery fish can be expensive.
“In Wisconsin, the guidance set for stocking important species such as walleye and muskellunge takes into account the habitat, productivity of the waterbody, and past success under different stocking rates. Even then, stocking rates are continually under evaluation as we learn more about the conditions that make stocking more, or less, successful.
“Stocking is a more delicate balancing act than many anglers realize, and understanding the limitations of this important tool is necessary for good fish management.”
Anglers
Lake Sturgeon hook-and-line season opened September 5 and runs thru September 30 (check regs).
The free Disabled Veterans Fishing Outing on Nelson Lake is Wednesday Sept. 16-17, from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Event sponsors are Hayward Chapter-Fishing Has No Boundaries and Hayward Veterans Center. There are limited openings, so register early. This event is free of charge for disabled veterans and their caregiver, with guides, gear, boats and pontoons provided, and lunch each day, with raffle prizes throughout the event. For more information, and to register, email vets.haywardfhnb@gmail.com or call (715) 651-0482.
The 48th Annual Hayward Chapter-Muskies Inc. Musky Tournament is September 25-27 ‑ a new time one week earlier than previous tournaments ‑ and a new headquarters location, the Hayward Sports Center. The entry fee is $110 ($130 after Sept. 14), and $25 for anglers 16 years and younger. The official entry/release stations are Hayward Bait, Jenk’s Bait, Angler’s Haven, Mogasheen’s, and Bobber Down Bait. All contest winners must be present for the awards ceremony at Hayward Sports Center at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, September 27 ‑ with NO exceptions.
For more information, visit www.muskiesinc-hayward.org or call (715) 634-2921 or (715) 558-2835.
Hunters/Trappers
September 15 is the application deadline for eligible hunters to apply for the Hunters with Disabilities Deer Hunt.
Bear season opened September 9 and runs thru Oct. 13. See regulations for details.
September 12 was the season opener for Archery/crossbow deer, Turkey, Ruffed grouse (Zone A), Cottontail rabbit, and Squirrel (gray, fox).
Bonus antlerless deer harvest authorizations are available thru license sales locations and Go Wild ($12/resident; $20/nonresident; $5/under age 12). Numerous authorizations remain available in Sawyer County/Northern Forest zones. For more information, visit “deer hunting” on the DNR website.
This week, the Northern Zone goose season opens Sept. 16; the Youth Waterfowl Hunt is Sept. 19-20; and Woodcock season opens Sept.19.
Hayward Rod & Gun Club on County Road B will host a WI/MN concealed carry class September 19, from 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m., presented by On Target Northwoods Defense. The $109 course fee includes four hours of class time and one hour of range time. For more information, and to register, visit On Target Northwoods Defense or call (715) 558-8312.
ATV/UTV Trail Report
All ATV/UTV riders should review recent law changes effective June 1. Visit 2026 ATV/UTV regulations for details on new ATV/UTV seatbelt requirements, liability, towing, and window tint restrictions. For questions, contact DNR Customer Service at (888) 936-7463.
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; 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 posted otherwise, all county roads outside LCO Reservation in Sawyer County are legal for ATV/UTV use. Contact numbers for ATV/UTV trails: Sawyer County Forest (715-634-4846); Chequamegon National Forest (715-634-4821); and Flambeau State Forest (715-332-5271).
For updates and closures, visitHLVCB ATV/UTV trail conditions report.
Sawyer County ATV & Snowmobile trail maps are available from the Hayward Lakes Visitor & Convention Bureau and the Trail Treker smartphone app ($2) for the complete map ($2).
Fishing Report
Fishing remains fair to good overall, though low water levels and fish transitions affect angler interest. Cooling water should move fish into fall feeding. Check with your favorite bait shop for the most current fish locations, movement, bite windows, and preferred baits and presentations.
Musky:
Musky action is improving, with anglers finding fish on shallow to mid-depth weeds, weed edges, points, and mid-lake rock humps. Bucktails, crankbaits, jerkbaits, Suicks, and Hawg Wobblers, creepers, and other topwaters. do the job.
Walleye:
Walleye fishing is quiet ‑ the calm before the storm? Focus on shallow to mid-depth weed edges, rock, and ledges during the day; work shallow shorelines in the evening. Crawlers, drop-shots, jerkbaits, and trolled Shad Raps, jointed Flicker Shads, and similar crankbaits work well.
Northern Pike:
Northern pike action is very good to excellent on shallow to mid-depth weeds and weed edges and near panfish and baitfish concentrations. Northern suckers, fatheads, spinners, spinnerbaits, spoons, crankbaits, chatterbaits, buzzbaits, and various topwaters will all produce. To paraphrase and old line, “If ya got ‘em, throw ‘em!”
Largemouth Bass:
Largemouth bass fishing is fair to good, with fish near weeds and structure in 4-18 feet, depending on the lake. Look for changes to accessible structure due to the low water levels. Sucker minnows, fatheads, plastic worms, swim jigs, Ned rigs, crayfish and frog color crankbaits, chatterbaits, frogs, and other topwaters work well.
Smallmouth Bass:
Smallmouth bass fishing is good around weeds, wood, rock, gravel, sand, stumps, and shorelines. Top baits include sucker minnows, plastics, Ned rigs, crayfish color crankbaits, lipless crankbaits, frogs, and other topwaters.
Crappie:
Crappie anglers are finding fish in/on green weeds and edges, cribs, and suspending over deeper water. Productive offerings include crappie minnows, fatheads, plastics, and Gulp! baits on small jigs under floats, and Beetle Spins.
Bluegill/Perch:
Bluegill and perch are on green weeds and weed edges at varied depths and fishing is good. Baits of choice include waxies, crawler chunks, leaf worms, and small plastics on small jigs for bluegills, and minnows and plastics on small jigs and spin-jigs.
Upcoming Events
Sept. 1: Seasons opened: Early teal; Early goose; Mourning dove (see closing dates).
Sept. 5: Hook and Line Lake Sturgeon season opened (check the regs).
Sept. 9: Bear season opened with aid of bait (see regulations).
Sept. 12: Seasons open: Archery/crossbow deer; Turkey; Cottontail rabbit; Squirrel (gray, fox); Ruffed grouse (Zone A).
Sept. 15: Deadline to apply for hunters with disabilities gun deer hunt.
Sept. 16: Northern Zone goose season opens.
Sept. 16-17: Disabled Veterans Fishing Outing on Nelson Lake, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., email or call (715-651-0482).
Sept. 19-20: Youth Waterfowl Hunt.
Sept. 19: Woodcock season opens.
Sept. 19: Hayward Lions Oktoberfest at Sawyer County Fairgrounds, 12-7 p.m.
Sept. 19: Chequamegon MTB Festival in Cable, 6:30 a.m.-5 p.m. (cheqmtb@ltevents.zendesk.com).
Sept. 19: WI/MN Concealed Carry Class at Hayward Rod & Gun Club, 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. (715-558-8312).
Sept. 22: First day of fall (autumnal equinox).
Sept. 24-26: Annual Treeland Premiere Musky Fly Fishing Championship (715-462-3874).
Sept. 25-27: (New dates) Hayward Lakes Chapter-Muskies Inc. Musky Tournament (715-634-2921; 558-2835).
Sept. 25-26: Cable Fall Festival (715-798-3833).
Sept. 26: National Hunting and Fishing Day.
Sept. 26: Northern Zone duck season opens.
Sept. 26: Hayward Fall Festival – event schedule, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (715-634-8662).
Sept. 26: Full Harvest Moon.
Sept. 30: Hook and Line Lake Sturgeon season closes (check the regs).
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.