The forecast predicts 30- to 90-percent chances of rain for most days this week into next week. That also means 70- to 10-percent chances against it. This week, highs run in the upper 70s to upper 80s, and lows in the 50- to 60-degree range.
“Air temperatures in the Quiet Lakes’ area should be in the 70s/80s this week, so it is unlikely the weather will affect fishing,” says Greg at Happy Hooker. “Water temperatures are low to mid 70s, with most fish in summer patterns.
“Musky anglers are seeing fish in 3-15 feet, depending on structure, around green weeds/cabbage, pencil reeds, and lily pads. Bucktails and spinnerbaits locate aggressive fish; gliders and jerkbaits move neutral fish.
“Walleyes push to slightly deeper rock and sand bottoms adjacent to deep water during midday periods. At dusk, fish move onto shallow flats and shorelines. Anglers report success with leeches on jigs and under slip floats.
“Northern pike action is good in shallow weeds with #5 Mepps and similar baits, chatterbaits, and spinnerbaits. Work weed beds from the shoreline to deep weed edges.
“Largemouth bass are in the weeds, hitting wacky rigged Senkos, Ned rigs, craws, and other plastics, walleye suckers, and fatheads. Work the entire water column! Topwaters such as Whopper Ploppers and Scum Frogs should take off soon.
“Smallmouth bass are everywhere in the water column, with walleye anglers catching them on fatheads. Our niece, Kate, caught one from the dock on a wacky-rigged plastic worm!
“Crappies, post-spawn, scattered to 6-10 feet. Anglers still catch fish on crappie minnows and small plastics such as Gulp! Minnows.
“Bluegills are shallow and in spawning stages. Use waxies, leaf worms, and crawler chunks under floats.
“Perch are in the weeds and anywhere in 4-20 feet, depending on the lake.”
Jarrett at Hayward Bait says panfish and bass fishing is strong, with fish accessible from shorelines.
“Musky anglers are not yet pursuing fish with the usual interest.
“Walleye anglers report success fishing leeches under slip bobbers on weed edges that meet points, rocks, and structure in 8-15 feet. Low light hours are best, and if you fish the sunset bite, minnows on jigs and jerkbaits are lethal.
“Northern pike follow panfish moving shallow to spawn ‑ look for weed beds near panfish-packed areas. Spinnerbaits, spoons, plastics, and live bait work well. Larger pike will eventually migrate to deeper, cooler water and remain there for the summer.
“Largemouth and smallmouth bass are shallow, spawning, or just finishing. Largemouth anglers report success with spinnerbaits, creature baits, and topwaters. Smallmouth anglers are catching post-spawn fish on jerkbaits, chatterbaits, Ned rigs, and live bait. Please respect spawning fish ‑‑ their eggs are the future of the fishery!
“Crappies are shallow or adjacent to shallow water. Many clear waterbody fish are spawning in reeds or timber. Darker waterbody fish, such as in the Chippewa Flowage, finished spawning and are moving to adjacent weed edges and cribs. Plastics on jigs are the go-to. Live bait does not do well in hot weather, but keep minnows handy for stubborn fish.
“Bluegills moved shallow to spawn and will stay for a while. Most are staging near spawning areas, so look for the massive ‘golf ball’ texture beds. Spinners, jigs, plastics, drop-shots, crankbaits, and live bait produce all year.”
This week, DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter discusses the art of raising hatchery muskellunge.
“Muskellunge are our most revered and storied local gamefish, and everyone wants to catch one, but they are not as abundant as we would like in some lakes.
“While there are a variety of reasons, a common one is that they do not successfully reproduce at the level we might prefer. In these cases, DNR biologists often request muskellunge from the DNR hatchery system to supplement the population. Raising muskies, however, especially at a large scale, is no simple task.
“Jared Boucher, supervisor at Governor Thompson Hatchery in Spooner, reports muskellunge can be very difficult to raise compared to some other fish species.
“The process starts with collecting and fertilizing eggs from wild fish and bringing them back to the hatchery where they are decontaminated. Hatchery staff members carefully monitor and adjust the water temperature so that most eggs hatch at the same time, reducing cannibalism later.
“The first few weeks after hatching are critical. Jared and his staff know exactly what day the young muskies need introduction to different types and sizes of food. They start with zooplankton, move to white sucker fry hatched at the hatchery, and then to the smallest available fathead minnows.
“By mid-summer, the muskellunge get on a regular diet of fathead minnows similar in size to what anglers might buy at a bait shop. The care that goes into the fish never relents, with staff constantly monitoring water quality, deterring potential predators such as heron and osprey, and ensuring that feeding happens on time.
“Anticipation builds for hatchery staff until September when they drain the hatchery ponds, collect fish, and load the brave little muskies onto trucks to go to their new forever homes, i.e., our local lakes and rivers.
“Hopefully, this summary provides people a better sense of all the work, expertise, and decades of experience that goes into producing these fish. We are extremely fortunate to have hatchery staff members who are truly ‘the best in the world’ at rearing these prized fish!”
Anglers
Anglers need a 2026-27 fishing license and necessary stamps.
Smallmouth bass season in the North Zone is catch-and-release-only until June 20.
Hunters/Trappers
Hayward Rod & Gun Club on County Road B will host a WI/MN concealed carry class June 13, from 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m., presented by On Target Northwoods Defense. This includes 4 hours of class time and 1 hour of range time. Cost of the class is $109. For more information, and to register, visit On Target Northwoods Defense or call (715) 558-8312.
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. Prepare now for the upcoming bird seasons or enjoy a friendly competition with family and friends.
For more information, visit Hayward Rod & Gun Club or call (715) 634-4912 and leave a message.
Turtle nesting season is in progress. As the weather warms from late May into June, female turtles emerge from rivers, lakes, and wetlands and head to their nesting sites. The DNR encourages the public to slow down on roadways when driving near swamps, lakes, and rivers and ‘give turtles a brake.’ Road mortality is a leading cause of turtle decline throughout Wisconsin.
Wisconsin’s 11 turtle species lay eggs in shallow, buried nests, often along roads and in residential yards. During nesting season, turtles are more active and face added risks, such as run over by vehicles and predation from raccoons, skunks, and coyotes. To learn how to help turtles from now through July, visit Wisconsin Turtle Conservation Program.
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 for most species. Bluegill and bass are on spawning beds, while most other species are transitioning to their post-spawn and summer haunts. It is a good time to be on the water, followed by a fish dinner. On your way to the lake, check with your bait shop folks to learn the where, what, and when to catch your chosen species. If you use live bait, keep it cool and comfortable ‑ watch the water temperature!
Musky:
Musky fishing is fair to good, though few anglers are hitting it hard right now. Focus on green weeds, preferably cabbage, and lily pads, and reeds in 3-15 feet. Bucktails and spinnerbaits tempt aggressive fish; gliders and jerkbaits can move neutral fish.
Walleye:
Walleye fishing is fair to good, with best success in low light hours such as dusk when fish move to shallow flats and shorelines to feed. Use jerkbaits and minnows on jigs. During the day, work mid-depth rock and sand bottoms near deep water, weed edges, rocks, points, and structure in 6-18 feet. Use leeches and crawlers under slip bobbers.
Northern Pike:
Northern pike action is good to very good in and around shallow to deeper weeds, weed beds, and weed edges, and concentrations of bluegills and baitfish. Favored offerings include northern suckers, fatheads, #5 Mepps, spinners, spinnerbaits, spoons, chatterbaits, minnowbaits, and plastics.
Largemouth Bass:
Largemouth bass are in and around shallow weeds, spawning or just finishing, depending on the lake. Walleye suckers, fatheads, crawlers, leeches, Ned rigs, craws, wacky rigged Senkos, spinnerbaits, creature baits, and topwaters such as Whopper Ploppers and Scum Frogs, are all catching fish ‑ and make sure to fish the entire water column.
Smallmouth Bass:
Smallmouth bass are spawning or just finishing and spread throughout the water column. Some catches are by walleye anglers. Sucker minnows and fatheads on jigs, Ned rigs, wacky rigs, jerkbaits, and chatterbaits are all productive.
Crappie:
Crappie are finishing or have finished spawning on most lakes and scattered to nearby shallow to mid-depth weed edges, wood, reeds, and cribs in 4-12 feet. Top offerings include crappie minnows, fatheads, plastics, and Gulp! baits on small jigs, and Beetle Spins.
Bluegill/Perch:
Bluegill anglers report the fish are spawning, so look for “elephant tracks” (beds) on the bottom along shallow, sandy shorelines. Baits of choice include waxies, leaf worms, crawler chunks, and plastics on jigs under floats, drop-shot rigs, spinners, and small crankbaits. They are vulnerable ‑ do not get greedy! Perch are in weed beds anywhere in 4-20 feet.
Upcoming Events
June 13: WI/MN concealed carry class at Hayward Rod & Gun Club, 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. (715-558-8312).
June 20: Smallmouth bass harvest season opens in Northern Bass Zone.
June 21: Summer Solstice (first day of summer).
June 21: Father’s Day.
June 22-26: Musky Fest Medallion Hunt (715-634-4871).
June 25-27: Musky Fest Fishing Contest (715-558-2835).
June 26-28: Hayward Musky Festival (715-634-8662).
June 27: Sawyer County Dairy Breakfast, 6:30-11 a.m. (715-558-2562).
June 28: Hayward Bass Club Round Lakes Open bass tournament (715-699-1015).
June 29: Full Strawberry 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.