According to this week’s forecast, expect chances of rain and thunderstorms thru Wednesday and then again Saturday. Highs should range from the 60s to low 70s, and lows from 33-56 degrees, with cooler temperatures and chances of frost the latter part of the week. On the up side, we should see some sunshine Thursday, Friday, Sunday, and Monday. During fall in the North Woods, we just have to go with the flow, be it good or not so good!
The Draconids meteor showers peak Friday, October 9, kicking off the meteor shower season. For the best viewing, in late evening choose a site far from the city lights, and look northwest. You could see as many as six comets per hour.
“On the Quiet Lakes Friday morning for the start of the Muskies, Inc., musky tournament, we saw water temperatures as low as 59 degrees” says Greg at Happy Hooker. “However, warm and calm brought water temps back up to 64 degrees. This week looks to bring some rain and cooler temperatures, both of which should help the lakes.
“Musky action is picking up and the fish are eating everything, with both live bait and artificials bringing some fish to the net. We managed to catch one fish Friday, taking it on a Bull Dawg ripped through a weed bed adjacent to deep water.
“Walleye reports are still somewhat scarce, but with water and daytime temperatures dropping, the fish should start to slide into slightly deeper water. We saw some nice marks that were likely walleye close to bottom in about 20 feet. Jigging walleye suckers and minnows on deep edges can be a great way to catch fish right now.
“Northern pike are in and around weeds and anglers are catching some nice fish on small suckers and musky lures.
“Largemouth bass are not the target of many anglers right now, but those fishing report some success working sucker minnows and fatheads through the weed beds.
“Smallmouth bass should be in the same areas as walleye and taking all of the same baits. Anglers should focus on deep, rocky transitions and deep weed edges.
“Panfish fishing slowed and anglers are starting to see them push towards basins. Jigs and minnows are currently the best tactic for catching panfish.”
This week, DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter discusses river spawning Chippewa Flowage walleye saving the day.
“The Hayward DNR Fish team completed its annual fall survey on the Chippewa Flowage September 15-16. The main objective of this survey is to determine the success of walleye spawning for the year, and the 2026 results were ‘unique’ in comparison to past years.
“The first night of the survey covered the west side, with a transect that ranged from Blueberry Flats, past Tiger Musky Resort, then up and around Flat Island. This transect often sets the tone for the survey ‑ and the tone it set for 2026 was very discouraging.
“As we meandered around the weedier, greener, and lower water on the west side, we found zero ‘young of year’ (born in 2026) walleye. Lightning forced us off the water before we could finish the second west side transect. We returned the next night to see if the picture was better on the east side.
“The moment we started the survey we knew we were dealing with something very different. Young of year walleye were abundant in Moores Bay and down through Shearpin Bar. Our netters on the front of the boat, who were a little bored the night before, were now sweating as they frantically tried to capture all the little walleye.
“As we moved farther from the mouth of the West Fork, the walleye catch started to taper off, and by the time we made our way up into Hay Lake, young of year walleye were once again rare. The high catch near the river and lack of walleye in other areas, especially the west side, point to strong spawning success in the river this spring and very little success from fish that spawn around islands and points in the lake.
“This is one of the reasons why the vast and diverse Chippewa Flowage has had a more resilient walleye population than many other lakes over the last 20 years. If conditions are not right for spawning in one area of the Flowage, they might be good somewhere else. In 2026, it was conditions in the river that appear to have salvaged the walleye spawn and delivered a moderate year class that will contribute to the future of the fishery.”
Pre-purchase a Wisconsin State Park Pass required for all motor vehicles at most state parks, forests, and recreation areas, and save time when entering those properties. Passes are available online, at individual properties, DNR service centers, and when renewing vehicle registrations.
Online purchasers can use the email confirmation immediately and receive a physical pass by mail. Print the email receipt or write details on paper and place on the driver’s side, readable through the windshield.
Customers purchasing a 12-month pass during DMV registration receive the pass with the vehicle registration and stickers. Annual and daily state trail passes are available online for bike riding, horseback riding, and inline skating.
Anglers
Lake Sturgeon hook-and-line season closes September 30 (check regs).
Lake Superior Lake Trout season closes September 30 (check regs).
General Inland Trout season closes on inland lakes, streams, springs and spring ponds October 15 (see regs).
Hunters/Trappers
Seasons opening Saturday September 12 included Archery/crossbow deer, Turkey, Ruffed grouse (Zone A), Cottontail rabbit, and Squirrel (gray, fox).
Bear season opened September 9 and runs thru October 13. See regulations for details.
Northern Zone goose season opened September 16 and Woodcock season opened Sept.19 (see regs).
Northern Zone duck season opened September 26 (see regs).
Bonus antlerless deer harvest authorizations remain available for the Sawyer County/Northern Forest management zones. Purchase thru license sales locations and Go Wild for $12/resident, $20/nonresident, and $5/age 12 and younger.
For more information, visit “deer hunting” on the DNR website.
The Gun Deer Hunt for Hunters with Disabilities is October 3-11. See the regulations for more information.
The Youth Deer Hunt is Oct. 10-11. See the regulations for more information.
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 success ranges from fair to very good, depending on the species. Low water levels and temperatures fluctuate from the upper 50s to mid-60s, perhaps causing a bit of confusion for the fish as they start transitioning to fall patterns. Talking with your favorite bait shop personnel for the most current information on fish locations, movements, bite windows, and preferred baits and presentations will save you significant time when on the water.
Anglers should note that both the Lake Sturgeon hook-and-line season (check regs) and Lake Superior Lake Trout (check regs) seasons close September 30; the general inland trout season closes on inland lakes, streams, springs, and spring ponds October 15 (check regs).
Musky:
Musky action is picking up with the cooling water. Look for fish in, on, and around green weeds and weed edges near deeper water, drop-offs, and breaklines. Best bets include suckers on quick-strike rigs, bucktails, Bull Dawgs and similar rubber baits, jerkbaits, gliders, and topwaters.
Walleye:
Walleye fishing is slow, but improving. Find fish from shallow to mid-depth to deep weeds, weed edges, and breaklines, and shallow in evening into dark. Walleye suckers, fatheads, minnows, and crawlers on jigs and Lindy Rigs, and trolling minnowbaits, stickbaits, and crankbaits can all work well.
Northern Pike:
Northern pike action is good to very good around green weeds, weed edges, point, reefs, flats, and concentrations of baitfish and panfish. Sucker minnows, minnows on jigs, bucktails, spinners, spinnerbaits, spoons, swimbaits, crankbaits, minnowbaits, and chatterbaits are all effective offerings.
Largemouth Bass:
Largemouth bass are not getting much attention now and fish are scattered from deeper weeds to shallow weeds and bays hunting frogs. Work sucker minnows, fatheads, plastics, Ned Rigs, swimbaits, spinnerbaits, crankbaits, and jerkbaits in and through weed beds.
Smallmouth Bass:
Smallmouth bass fishing remains good on mid-depth to deep green weeds and edges, rock transitions, points, and breaklines. Sucker minnows, crawlers, and crayfish color plastics on jigs, Ned Rigs, minnowbaits, jerkbaits, crankbaits, and spinnerbaits will all produce.
Crappie:
Crappie fishing is fair to good around green weeds and weed edges, brush, cribs, and in basins. Baits of choice include crappie minnows, fatheads, plastics, and Gulp! baits on small jigs under slip bobbers, and small Beetle Spins.
Bluegill: Bluegills fishing slowed, with fish on shallow green weeds to deeper structure and moving towards the basins. Use the traditional waxies, leaf worms, crawler chunks, plastics, and Gulp! baits on small jigs and teardrops under floats. Small minnows and Beetle Spins work for bigger fish and deter small bait robbers
Upcoming Events
Sept. 16-Dec. 16: Northern Zone goose season (see regs).
Sept. 26: Northern Zone duck season opens (see regs).
Sept. 30: Hook and Line Lake Sturgeon season closes (check regs).
Sept. 30: Lake Superior Lake Trout season closes (see regs).
Oct. 3: 48th Annual Stone Lake Cranberry Festival.
Oct. 3-4: Musky Tale Resort Crappie Quest (715-462-3838).
Oct. 3-11: Gun Deer Hunt for Hunters with Disabilities.
Oct. 9: Draconids meteor showers; 6/hr., best viewing in late evening, northwest.
Oct. 10: 17th Annual Northwest Relic Riders Vintage Snowmobile Show & Swap, Trego, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Oct. 10-11: Youth Deer Hunt (see regs).
Oct. 13: Bear season closes (see regs).
Oct. 15: General Inland Trout season closes on inland lakes, streams, springs and spring ponds (see regs).
Oct. 17: Trapping seasons open: Coyote; Fox -red/gray (hunt/trap); Raccoon (resident hunt/trap); Bobcat Period 1 (hunt/trap by permit); Fisher.
Oct. 17-Dec. 13: Elk season open. Tags by permit drawing, application deadline May 31.
Oct. 21-22: Orionids Meteor Shower, 15/hr., best viewing/peak before dawn, south.
Oct. 24: Trapping seasons open for Northern Zone Mink, Muskrat.
Oct. 26: Full Hunters Moon.
Nov. 1: Daylight Saving Time ends(?) at 2 a.m. ‑ turn clocks back one hour (maybe…)
Nov. 2: Woodcock season closes (see 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.