The current forecast for this week (aside from variable Monday activity), indicates two days in the 70s mid-week, a welcome relief if it comes to fruition. Otherwise, expect highs in the 80s, lows in the 50/60s ‑ and (it says) cleaner air!
“The Quiet Lakes’ area could see cooler temperatures this week,” says Greg at Happy Hooker, “after water temperatures at 83-85 degrees generally paused fishing except for bass and panfish.
“Musky anglers stopped targeting musky with the warm water, and the few anglers fishing saw very little. The fish are probably in deep cabbage in dark, cool water, or in the basins looking for a thermocline and cool water. Try bucktails and spinnerbaits around weed beds, and crankbaits and rubber baits in basins.
“Walleyes are in 10-25 feet, depending on the lake, but tight lipped in the heat. Deep transitions might hold some fish, while others might push into basins and chase baitfish. Try vertically fishing leeches and crawlers on jigs on deep transitions, or troll crankbaits or crawlers and leeches on bottom bouncers in the basins for suspending fish.
“Northern pike are around weeds in 3-12 feet and fishing is ‘okay.’ Live bait, smaller spinnerbaits, and jerkbaits worked through weed beds are producing action.
“Largemouth bass anglers are finding fish in/around weeds, lily pads, cabbage, and bulrushes. Live bait, spinnerbaits, plastics, and topwaters are all good choices.
“Smallmouth bass are on deep transitions in 8-15 feet, deep weed edges, and where mid-lake reefs head into the abyss. Anglers are using leeches on jigs.
“Crappie fishing is probably the most consistent in this heat, with anglers doing well on fish in weeds in 6-10 feet. Crappie minnows work well, as do Beetle Spins, Mimic Minnows, and smaller plastics on jigs.
“Bluegill and perch are in/around weed beds and shorelines and hitting leaf worms and crawlers.”
Jarrett at Hayward Bait says musky anglers should use caution when fishing with the hot temperatures.
“These conditions can lead to high stress and high fish mortality. Fish early mornings, late evenings, and at night. Loud topwaters and bucktails entice night bites. Try Medusas and swimbaits at dusk and dawn.
“Walleyes during daylight are out to 35 feet and deeper, on the bottom or following baitfish schools. Prime night hours are 8-9:30 p.m. and 12-6 a.m. with fish feeding shallow. Leeches and jerkbaits work well; walleye suckers get bigger fish.
“Northern pike are chasing baitfish and patrolling weed edges. Spinnerbaits and topwaters work great; large plopper-style baits can get blow-ups in the evening.
“Largemouth bass are on thick weeds and deep weed edges eating anything moving slow along the bottom. Use Texas rigged creature baits and wacky worms during the day, and topwaters and shallow crankbaits at dawn and dusk.
“Smallmouth bass are deep, chasing baitfish, often suspending above the thermocline. Slow roll umbrella rigs (check regulations) above or through the schools. Crankbaits are another good choice. For numbers, throw small Ned rigs in 10-20 feet on rock piles and cribs.
“Crappies are on weed edges in 10-15 feet during the day; use leeches and small plastics on slip bobbers. Fish roam and surface feed with the bug hatch. In the evening, find the bugs to find the fish. At sundown, toss small topwaters.
“Bluegills are near weed edges and docks taking leeches, worms, and plastics. When bugs appear, use topwaters. Fly fishing is rewarding at this time. Try imitating the small surface bugs.”
Mike at Jenk’s says the Chippewa Flowage pool is currently down about two feet.
“Musky anglers know water temperatures are super high, and we all know there is limited fishing time each year. However, with this very hot water, hooking a musky now is very dangerous and will almost surely be fatal for the fish. Use good judgment in favor of the resource. If you see water temperatures are more than 80 degrees, give musky fishing a break until things cool into the 70s to enable proper and safe releases.
“Walleye fishing with the increased heat over the last week or so is difficult and your best bet is to target brush in 18-25 feet. Trolling deeper running crankbaits can be very effective for catching walleyes down deep, with leeches still the live bait of choice.
“Largemouth bass are particularly aggressive, especially smaller bass. We are not hearing about many bigger largemouth catches. Anglers report smaller largemouth are on fire in weeds and lily pads, hitting everything from spinners to frogs. Smallmouth bass, however, were quiet in the past week.
“Crappie fishing, despite the heat, is decent on the bogs at night and in weeds in 7-10 feet during the day. Crappie minnows remain the prime bait, but one-inch Gulp! Minnows are producing many catches.”
This week, DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter discusses fish and hot water.
“Summer is a time many Hayward locals and visitors set aside for fishing, but it has been very hot. Anglers ask how fish fare during extreme heat, and if they should pause or alter fishing activities. The answers are complicated.
“Bass generally do not mind the heat, and water temperatures in the 80s (Fahrenheit) are considered ideal for bass growth. Studies show the temperature has to reach up to 95 or even 100 degrees before becoming lethal for bass.
“Panfish are generally in the same category, with species such as bluegill and crappie found throughout much warmer parts of North America. Some ‘north woods’ species are not fans of prolonged heat.
“Brown trout can tolerate water temperatures up to about 75F before becoming uncomfortable, and lethal effects might begin around 80F. Brook trout are slightly less tolerant. Extreme heat can pressure local trout populations, especially in thermally marginal water. Unfortunately, that includes some of our premiere fisheries such as the Namekagon River and Little Weirgor River.
“The walleye strategy to beat the heat in many deeper lakes ‑ moving to deeper, cooler water at this point in the summer ‑ can expose them to a different risk. If anglers catch them in depths of 30 feet or more, it can lead to high likelihood of barotrauma, potential injuries resulting from changes in pressure. Anglers should note that targeting deep walleye might make it difficult to release unharvested fish successfully.
“Lastly, many concerns center on muskellunge during hot spells. Muskies are generally comfortable, and feed and grow well, at water temperatures in the 70s. Many anglers have adopted 80F as the cutoff to stop targeting musky.
“Research on warm-water musky angling is somewhat rare, with not all studies conclusive or able to target fish at extreme temperatures. Still, anglers who wait for cooler days might feel better doing so with these rare, long-lived fish.
“Anglers should understand that not only short periods of extreme heat are dangerous. As prolonged exposure to even moderately elevated water temperature conditions drags on, the risks increase.
“Conversations about heat and fish welfare are not likely to go away. Fisheries biologists are looking at waters to the south for clues about what climate change will mean for our local waters and species.”
Anglers
Entry deadline is July 31 for the 2026 Summer Fishing Getaway! Pro angler Chad Grigsby will take the winner and a friend fishing on a Hayward area lake 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 fished tournaments full time for 22 years, is a two-time FLW Tour Champion and FLW Forest Wood Cup runner-up, 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
August 1 is the application deadline for Bobcat and Fisher permits. There is no sharp-tailed grouse season this year.
Aug. 17: Bonus antlerless deer harvest authorizations sales begin at 10 a.m. thru Go Wild and license sales locations.
ATV/UTV Trail Report
All ATV/UTV riders should review recent law changes effective June 1. Visit 2026 ATV/UTV regulations for details. Updates include 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 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).
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, or download the Trail Treker app ($2) on your smartphone for the complete map ($2).
Fishing Report
Fishing is good for some species and not so much for others, with water temperatures in the low to mid-80s. A very brief reprieve mid-week might help. The current forecast shows no chances for rain. Keep live bait cool!
Musky:
Musky anglers generally cut the fish a break with the high temperatures. Evenings and after dark hours offer better success. Target deep weeds, weed beds, cabbage, and basins. Bucktails, spinnerbaits, rubber baits, crankbaits, swimbaits, and topwater are all effective.
Walleye:
Walleye fishing is fair with the hot temperatures. Best success is shallow in early morning and late evening into dark. During daylight, work deep transitions, brush, and basins in depths from 10-25 feet. Leeches and crawlers on jigs and spinner rigs, walleye suckers on jigs, jerkbaits, and trolled crankbaits can all work.
Northern Pike:
Northern pike action is fair to good in/on weeds and weed edges in 3-15 feet and near baitfish and panfish concentrations. Sucker minnows, spinners, spinnerbaits, spoons, crankbaits, jerkbaits, and topwaters all produce.
Largemouth Bass:
Largemouth bass fishing is good to very good. Focus on thick weeds and weed edges, lily pads, cabbage, bulrushes, and slop. Minnows, leeches, crawlers, plastics, wacky worms, creature baits, crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and topwaters all work well.
Smallmouth Bass:
Smallmouth bass are active and fishing is good. Find them on deep weed edges and transitions, mid-lake reefs leading to deep water, suspending, and on rock piles and cribs in 12-22 feet. Sucker minnows, leeches, and crawlers on jigs, Ned rigs, crawdad color plastics and crankbaits, and umbrella rigs (check regulations) all work well.
Crappie:
Crappie fishing is good and steady. Find fish on weeds and weed edges in 5-15 feet during the day and on bogs in the evening. Look for surface feeding during bug hatches. Best baits include crappie minnows, leeches, plastics, Mimic Minnows, plastics, and one-inch Gulp! Minnows on small jigs and slip bobbers, and Beetle Spins.
Bluegill/Perch:
Bluegill fishing is good near weeds, weed beds and edges, docks, and shorelines. Top choices include small minnows, crawler chunks, leaf worms, leeches, and plastics on small jigs and teardrops, poppers, and flies.
Upcoming Events
July 25: Barnes Area Historical Association Summer Festival (414-254-3060).
July 29-30: Delta Aquariids Meteor Shower peak, best after midnight, long-lasting, steady.
July 29: Full Buck Moon.
July 31: Deadline to enter the 2026 Summer Fishing Getaway to fish with Chad Grigsby.
August 1 is the application deadline for Bobcat and Fisher permits. There is no sharp-tailed grouse season this year.
Aug. 2: Muskies Inc. FREE Kid’s fishing Day, 9 a.m.-noon, Weber’s, pre-registration required (715-558-2835).
Aug. 7-8: Jack Pine Savage Days in Spooner; events schedule (715-635-2168).
Aug. 11-13: Perseids Meteor Shower, 2-4 a.m., great viewing with waning moon (dark sky), 50-100/per hour.
Aug. 13-16: Sawyer County Fair (715-934-2721).
Aug. 16: HBC FREE Youth Bass Tournament, ages 10-17, The Landing, 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m. (405-227-1789).
Aug. 17: Bonus antlerless deer harvest authorizations sales begin at 10 a.m. thru Go Wild and license sales locations.
Aug. 21-22: Seeley Lions PreFat Bike Race.
Aug. 28: Full Sturgeon 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.