Hayward Lakes Outdoor Report 6-22-2026

The forecast shows mixed chances for rain and sunshine this week. Highs remain in the 70s until a warming trend begins Sunday, with lows in the 40s. Days are great for outdoor activities; nights are great for sleeping! Sunday, June 21, was picture perfect for Father’s Day, the first day of summer, Summer Solstice, and longest day of the year. The downside ‑ hours of daylight now become shorter each day!

Musky Fest, June 26-28, Hayward’s largest summer celebration, honors the fishing heritage of Wisconsin’s North Woods. Musky Fest features the Musky Queen crowning, sidewalk sales, arts and crafts show, live music, children’s games, food trucks, Musky Run/Walk, fishing contest, carnival, and regional musicians on stage each day and during the Friday and Saturday night street dances. The Grand Parade concludes the weekend.

For information, visit Musky Festival, Musky Fest schedule of events, or call (715) 634-8662.

Enter to win the 2006 summer fishing getaway and fish with Chad Grigsby!

Chad will take the winner and guest on a Hayward area lake (TBA) Saturday, August 29, and provide everything needed for the day.

The prize package includes overnight accommodations for two Friday and Saturday nights, August 28 and 29, at Northwoods Motel. The winner receives two rods and reels from St. Croix Rods; 1919 Root Beer; and a voucher for a free set of four B.F. Goodrich tires.

Chad is a two-time FLW Tour Champion and FLW Forest Wood Cup runner-up. He fished tournaments full time for 22 years and recorded more than $1.4 million in career earnings.

The contest will accept entries through July 31.

For contest details, and to enter, visit “Summer Fishing Getaway” or call (715) 634-4801.

“The Quiet Lakes’ area enjoyed a cool start to summer, with temperatures in the low 70s,” says Greg at Happy Hooker. “Water temperatures are in the mid- to upper-60s, and last week’s rain has water levels in good shape.

“Fishing is good for most species.

“Musky action picked up and our first musky board is three-quarters full. Anglers are catching all sizes of fish on bucktails and spoons, and with #5 Mepps to double #8s-10s. Work weeds, points, bays, and bars. For non-committal fish, have a ‘throw-back’ outfit with a glider or jerkbait.

“Walleye fishing is good in 8-15 feet on deep weed edges on some lakes, and in 12-20 feet on clear lakes with deep rocks. Leeches on jigs and slip bobbers, Husky Jerks, Countdowns, and Hit Sticks are very good choices.

“Northern pike action is consistent in shallow to mid-depth weeds on everything from live bait to plastic worms, to crankbaits and stickbaits.

“Largemouth bass fishing slowed. Try slightly deeper or near bottom around shallow weeds. Spinnerbaits are excellent, as are wacky rigged plastic worms jigged back with a slow retrieve.

“Smallmouth bass are in 4-12 feet and deeper, depending on the lake. Live bait and plastics on jigs, and topwaters such as Whopper Ploppers and poppers can work very well in the early season.

“Crappie, bluegill, and perch are near weeds, timber, cribs, and docks. Minnows and plastics on jigs work for crappie and perch around deep weed edges. Crawlers and leaf worms work off docks and shallow structure all summer.”

Jarrett at Hayward Bait says muskies are relatively shallow, with 8-20 feet most common.

“As water temperatures climb, fish metabolisms increase. Early season anglers throw smaller baits such as bucktails, swimbaits, gliders, and topwaters. For a successful release, minimize a fish’s time out of water.

“Walleyes relate to weedlines in 6-15 feet, depending on the lake. Target these fish with leeches on slip bobbers. For anglers who want faster movement, Ned rigs and small swimbaits are effective. As the water warms, fish push deeper over flats, and good tech or trolling comes into play.

“Northern pike fishing is stellar as they follow bluegills shallow near any drop-offs with bluegills present or with good weeds. Suckers and tuffies, swimbaits, spinnerbaits, spoons, and hard baits can all be productive.

“Largemouth and smallmouth bass finished spawning and are now chasing food. Sometimes they school or pack hunt in shallow weeds and deeper water craws and baitfish. Ned rigs, plastics, topwaters, and other options are all effective.

“Crappie spawn was weird and fish appear still affected, with many running in groups of 2-6 fish. As we get into summer patterns, we hope fish school in basins, and on cribs and weedlines, 8-10 feet. Anglers report success on minnows and plastics.

“Bluegills are somewhere in spawn, with a good bite for a week or two. Smaller fish are on main lake structure such as cribs, and spawning males and females will soon join them. Red worms work great, especially with the up-an-down weather, and plastics work for bigger fish.”

This week, DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter scores Ghost Lake fishing opportunities.

“In this series, I rate local fishing opportunities by individual species, on a 0-10 scale, to reflect catchability, size, and other fishing qualities, with notes on why each species received its score.

“This week, we look a Ghost Lake, sitting at the edge of the Chequamegon National Forest, just north of Highway 77.

“A small gravel boat ramp on the east side of the lake offers access from a forest road. Much of Ghost’s shoreline is wild, undeveloped, and with some beautiful old trees and large rock. The water in Ghost is very dark stained, which has a big influence on which species are successful.

“Walleye in Ghost is a stocked population, one that is fairly successful, and rates a six. A 2026 survey will help us better understand current population size and stocking success.

“Musky rates an 8 in Ghost, one of the few remaining area lakes that do not have northern pike, and muskies have the lake to themselves. Ghost has an entirely self-sustaining and moderately high-density population, and is more an ‘action’ water, with fish greater than 40 inches somewhat rare.

“The positive ratings mostly end after those two species.

“Ghost Lake bluegill rates a 3. The lake has often had an abundant population, but typically of small fish. Crappies are present in Ghost and might attain slightly better size. Interestingly, both black and white crappie are present, so crappie receive a 4 rating based on the chance of catching a rare species for our area.

“Ghost Lake bass receive a 3 rating, but that could improve in the future. At times, winter conditions appear a little too severe for largemouth and we have periodically seen the population drop dramatically in abundance. Currently, the bass appear to be on the rebound after a decline a few years ago. Surprisingly, smallmouth bass are not present.

“Ghost remains an excellent destination for those seeking classic north wood’s species ‑ walleye and musky ‑ in a classic north wood’s setting.”

Anglers

Smallmouth bass harvest season in the Northern Bass Zone opened June 20.

Anglers need a 2026-27 fishing license and any necessary/required stamps.

Musky Fest’s Fishing Contest runs June 25-27.

Hayward Bass Club’s Round Lakes Open bass tournament is June 28. Visit the website or call (715-699-1015).

Hunters/Trappers

Hayward Rod & Gun Club’s seasonal trap shooting is open to the public Tuesday evenings from 6 p.m. until all have had enough. The price per round (25 shots) is $5/members and $10/non-members. The club supplies the clay targets. Bring your shotgun, target load shotshells, and eye and ear protection.

For more information, visit Hayward Rod & Gun Club or call (715) 634-4912 and leave a message.

ATV/UTV Trail Report

NEW: The DNR urges ATV/UTV riders to review recent law changes that went into effect June 1. The 2026 ATV/UTV regulations detail numerous law changes and updates pertaining to ATV/UTV operation.

Updates include new ATV/UTV seatbelt requirements, liability, towing, and window tint restrictions.

For questions, contact your local DNR warden or DNR Customer Service at 888-936-7463.

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 the ATV/UTV trails in Sawyer County Forest (715-634-4846); Chequamegon National Forest (715-634-4821); and Flambeau State Forest (715-332-5271).

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) and most current information. If you previously purchased maps from Trail Treker, delete them and reinstall (re-purchase not necessary). Check out the app!

VisitHLVCB ATV/UTV trail conditions report for trail and road updates.

Fishing Report

Good fishing continues for most species, though action slowed somewhat now that most finished spawning. Water is in the mid- to upper-60s, with air temperatures in the mid-70s, great days for being on the water!

Musky:

Musky fishing is improving, with fish around shallow to mid-depth weeds, bays, bars, and off main lake points in 6-22 feet. Bucktails and spinners from #5 Mepps to #8-10 blades, and spoons, gliders, swimbaits, jerkbaits, and topwaters can all entice the fish.

Walleye:

Walleye fishing is good in 4-22 feet on weeds, weedlines, weed edges, rock, and flats, depending on the lake. Move shallow in late evening into dark. Leeches and crawlers on jigs, slip bobbers, spinner rigs, and jerkbaits, Ned rigs, swimbaits, and minnowbaits are all producing action.

Northern Pike:

Northern pike actions is very good to excellent in shallow to mid-depth weeds, drop-offs, and wherever you find concentrations of panfish and baitfish. Northern suckers, fatheads, minnowbaits, swimbaits, spinners, spinnerbaits, spoons, and crankbaits all work on pike.

Largemouth Bass:

Largemouth bass action slowed post-spawn, with fish around shallow to mid-depth new weeds. Spinnerbaits, wacky rigged plastic worms fished slowly, Ned rigs, plastics, and topwaters, and live bait, are very effective.

Smallmouth Bass:

Smallmouth bass are on the feed. Fishing is good to 12 feet and deeper around weeds, crawdads, and baitfish concentrations. Suckers, crawlers, leeches, plastics, swimbaits, Ned rigs, and various topwaters are all productive.

Crappie:

Crappies are scattered in small groups around mid-depth weeds, weedlines, weed edges, wood, and cribs in 6-12 feet. Crappie minnows, fatheads, plastics, and Gulp! baits on small jigs under slip bobbers will catch fish.

Bluegill:

Bluegills are at some point in spawning mode. Find them shallow around docks, weeds, wood, and cribs, and on deep weed edges. Crawler chunks, leaf worms, red worms, small minnows, plastics, and Gulp! baits on small jigs work well.