Hot temperatures in the 90-degree range, with rain and thunderstorms possible, are in the forecast for this week through Saturday, July 4th Independence Day. Watch the heat, watch the sky ‑ and watch the fireworks!
Monday, June 29, the Full Strawberry Moon, occurs, though not a good viewing night, but a clear night Tuesday could offer a view a nearly full moon.
“The Quiet Lakes’ area will be busy this week as temperatures hit the 90s,” says Greg at Happy Hooker. “Water temperatures will jump, which is good for some fish species.
“Musky fishing is good, with anglers catching fish on bucktails, gliders, jerkbaits, minnowbaits, and twitch baits. Ripping baits over/through cabbage and deep weeds edges will produce. If temperatures rise, fish might push deeper.
“Walleyes are shallower than usual summer patterns, especially in low-light conditions. As temperatures rise, fish might suspend off deep edges and over deep basins, or low in the water column off deep structure. Leeches on jigs, and jerkbaits and minnowbaits worked over humps and reefs, all work well.
“Northern pike action is very good and they hit nearly anything. Work small bucktails, spinnerbaits, and bass and musky baits through shallow and deep weeds on mid-lake reefs, points, and bays.
“Largemouth bass fishing slowed with cooler water. Work plastic worms over/through shallow weeds ‑ or for the most fishing fun, try topwaters for fish exploding out of the water to eat a bait!
“Smallmouth bass are chasing baits high in the water column, but work it all, as some fish relate to deeper structure; others are above it. Live bait and plastics on jigs, and topwaters, all work.
“Crappies scattered in weeds in 6-10 feet. Perch are mixing in or on deep edges. Crappie minnows, small blade jigs, and spinners work great.
“Bluegills are around shallow weeds, docks, and timber. It is tough to beat crawlers under floats!”
Jarrett at Hayward Bait says muskies remain relatively shallow, with 8-20 feet common.
“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 are on weedlines in 6-15 feet, depending on the lake, and taking leeches on slip bobbers. Ned rigs and small swimbaits are effective for anglers desiring faster movement. As the water warms, fish push deeper over flats.
“Northern pike are following bluegills shallow near drop-offs or in good weeds. Suckers and tuffies, swimbaits, spinnerbaits, spoons, and hard baits all work.
“Largemouth and smallmouth bass are chasing food, sometimes in schools or packs in shallow weeds and deeper water for craws and baitfish. Ned rigs, plastics, and topwaters are all effective.
“Crappies are running in groups of 2-6 fish, but as summer patterns begin, fish should school in basins, and on cribs and weedlines in 8-10 feet. Minnows and plastics are favored now.
“Bluegills are active, with fish on main lake cribs. Red worms and plastics work great.”
Mike at Jenk’s says the Chippewa Flowage water level is down 1.5 feet.
“Musky action is decent, with more follows than connections. Blades, over-head spinners, and shallow crankbaits are popular. Following fish come from shallower, weedier areas around shorelines, with more active fish a bit deeper.
“Walleye fishing is a bit rough, and many anglers report lack of success since last week’s cold front. Anglers reporting success are fishing in 6-12 feet around the edges of shallow weed beds from 7:30 p.m.-10 p.m. Leeches produce the most action, with minnows and crawlers not as much. During the day, fish in deeper brush and timber, but success is less than the night bite. Try trolling Flicker Shads or Shad Raps in deeper basins on the west side during daylight hours.
“Northern pike are in weed. Cast Tinsel Tails in weeds, bays, and weed beds on the far west side.
“Largemouth bass reports are limited, but anglers catch some really nice, big bass over weed beds on Whopper Ploppers and frogs.
“Smallmouth bass fishing is good on chatterbaits and Ned Rigs targeting rock and stump structure.
“Crappie action is solid for numbers, but lacking in size, with a few 11-inch and larger fish, and many reports of fish 8-9 inches. Crappie minnows top the live bait, with one-inch Gulp! Minnows and Garland Mayflies great alternatives. Target cribs and brush piles during the day, bogs in the evening.”
This week, DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter discusses the strange things the fish crew finds in lakes and rivers.
“A reader reached out asking about strange finds we have made on our area lakes and rivers. The Hayward DNR Fish Team spends a lot of time on the water and has many chances to find interesting items. We are also often the first ones on the water, which can lead to some unexpected discoveries.
“We find few very common items out on the water, including wayward beach toys, dock sections that floated away, and chairs blown off docks. We do find a fair number of recreational items such as tennis balls and golf balls ‑ do not hit these into the lakes! One time when surveying near a camp, we found about a dozen sunken Frisbee golf disks.
“Often we find remnants from the previous fall’s hunting season, including shotgun casings and even lost decoys. We also find a fair amount of fishing lures, which are nice surprises. Lures that are still usable usually wind up in the Little Free Lure libraries that we have in the area.
“Last fall, we pulled up two spud bars that were caught in one of our sturgeon nets. It appeared they were sticking straight up out of the lakebed and tangled in the net.
“Our most sensational finds have been on rivers.
“While doing a youth education program on the Namekagon River with Cable Natural History Museum, we spotted a submerged compartment from a kayak and found a cell phone in it. By strange coincidence, the phone’s owner was volunteering for the kids program that day and immediately recognized his lost phone. It was totally waterlogged, but we happily returned it to him.
“Another time on the Namekagon, we noticed a strange black rectangle partially buried in the sand. We kicked it free and learned it was a cash register drawer. One can make some simple assumptions about the circumstances leading to it winding up in the river. We called the Bayfield County Sheriff Office for follow-up.
“When out on the water, keep close tabs on your possessions ‑ otherwise, they might wind up as a part of our unofficial aquatic treasure hunt!”
Anglers
June 20: Smallmouth bass harvest season opened in Northern Bass Zone.
Win a 2006 summer fishing getaway and fish with Chad Grigsby!
Enter and win the 2026 summer fishing getaway and Chad Grigsby will take you and a friend fishing on a Hayward area lake! The trip will happen Saturday, August 29, and Chad will provide everything needed for the day.
The prize package includes overnight accommodations for two Friday and Saturday nights, August 28-29, at Northwoods Motel. The winner receives two rod and reel combos 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 details, and to enter, visit “Summer Fishing Getaway” or call (715) 634-4801.
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.
This week has many events taking place and too many to list or detail. Visit the listed websites for more information! Independence Day July 4th, there is a celebration and fireworks by the Hayward Civic Club at Hayward Primary School starting at 5 p.m. (715-634-2760); the July Jubilee in Winter (715-415-1966); and Boulder Lodge will host its annual Cardboard Boat Race and Northwoods Humane Society fundraiser (715-462-3002).
For an extensive list, visit Calendar of Events or call (715) 634-8662 or 634-4801.
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
Fishing is good, but a hot week ahead will require some adjustments, as many fish will surely move deeper with the rising water temperatures. Keep a close eye on live bait, and if releasing fish, return them to the water quickly.
Musky:
Musky action is good on shallow to deep weeds and edges, cabbage, and weedy shorelines in 6-22 feet. Bucktails, swimbaits, minnowbaits, spinnerbaits, crankbaits, jerkbaits, gliders, twitch baits, and topwaters are all producing.
Walleye:
Walleye fishing is best in shallow water in low light mornings and evenings. During the day, work weedline edges, humps, reefs, brush, and flats out to 20 feet, and over deep basins. Leeches, crawlers, and minnows on jigs, spinner rigs, and slip bobbers work well, as do Ned rigs, minnowbaits, swimbaits, jerkbaits, and trolled Flicker Shads and Shad Raps.
Northern Pike:
Northern pike action is very good around shallow to mid-depth weeds, weedy mid-lake reefs and points, bays, drop-offs, and concentrations of baitfish and panfish. Sucker minnows, fatheads, bucktails, spinners, spinnerbaits, spoons, and swimbaits are all effective.
Largemouth Bass:
Largemouth bass fishing slowed somewhat with cooler water last week, but anglers continue to catch fish. Find them in and around shallow to mid-depth weeds, weed beds, brush, and cribs. Top baits include plastic worms on jigs, Ned and wacky rigged, and swimbaits, Whopper Ploppers, frogs, and other topwaters.
Smallmouth Bass:
Smallmouth bass are actively feeding in shallow weeds to deep rock and stumps. Suckers, crawlers, leeches, Ned rigs, and plastics on jigs, crayfish color crankbaits, chatterbaits, and topwater are all effective offerings.
Crappie:
Crappie fishing is good, particularly for smaller fish. Target weeds, weedlines, cribs, and brush in depths to 12 feet during the day, and bogs in evening hours. Crappie minnows, fatheads, plastics, Gulp! Minnows, Garland mayflies, and small blade jigs and spinners all produce action.
Bluegill:
Bluegill fishing is good around shallow to mid-depth weeds, wood, brush, docks, and cribs. Crawler chunks, red worms, waxies, plastics, and Gulp! baits on small jigs and plain hooks under slip bobber work well.
Upcoming Events
June 20: Smallmouth bass harvest season opened in Northern Bass Zone.
June 29: Full Strawberry Moon.
July 3-4: July Jubilee in Winter (715-415-1966).
July 4: Independence Day.
July 4: Hayward Civic Club July 4th Celebration at Hayward Primary School, 5 p.m. (715-634-2760).
July 4: Boulder Lodge Cardboard Boat Race and Northwoods Humane Society fundraiser (715-462-3002).
July 9-11: Spooner Rodeo (715-635-9696).
July 15-18: Lumberjack World Championships (715-634-2484).
July 17-19: LCO Honor the Earth Pow Wow (715-634-8934).
July 17-19: Birchwood 63rd Annual Bluegill Festival (email).
July 29-30: Delta Aquariids Meteor Shower peak, best after midnight, long-lasting, steady.
July 29: Full Buck Moon.
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.