The forecast indicates no 90-degree temperatures this week (though close!) and lows in the 60s. It includes a few chances for rain Wednesday night thru Friday night, and then clear and sunny for the weekend into next week. At that point, we will be in August, so get in your summer fun now!
This week, look for the Delta Aquariids Meteor Shower peak (some of the best) July 29-30, and the Full Buck Moon July 29, with both nights iffy for clear skies.
“The Quiet Lakes’ area water temperatures cooled and fishing picked up quite a bit,” says Greg at Happy Hooker. “Still, the weather is keeping fish scattered and anglers guessing.
“Musky fishing improved, with cooler water the reason. Fish pushed shallower, anglers report follows on smaller bucktails and other baits, and smaller fish are more active than big fish. When catching fish in warm water, have the right tools, a good-sized net, measure only if necessary, and keep fish in the water as long as possible.
“Walleye fishing is tough. Fish are deeper and scattered in basins on most lakes. Troll crankbaits, crawlers, leeches, and minnow harnesses on bottom bouncers and Lindy rigs cover water to find the fish. Troll baits in 10-20 feet to start.
“Northern pike are in weeds hitting spinnerbaits, crankbaits, crawlers, and leeches. Work weedy bays, big weed flats, and small mid-lake weedy reefs in 4-12 feet. There are few, but catchable, big fish in those areas.
“Largemouth bass are in/along weed beds and shoreline weeds, lily pads, and bulrushes. They hit many different presentations including small musky bucktails, spinnerbaits, plastic worms/Senkos and Ned rigs, and topwaters such as frogs and poppers.
“Smallmouth bass fired up since water temperatures dropped, with live bait anglers doing well. Some anglers had luck with big walleye suckers; others said big leeches accounted for their fish. Look for fish on deep weed and rock edges pushing into main lake basins in 10-16 feet.
“Panfish are active all over in and around weeds in 4-12 feet. Crappie, bluegill, and perch anglers are doing well with crappie minnows, leaf worms, and crawler chunks.”
Mike at Jenk’s says the Chippewa Flowage water level is down 2 feet.
“Musky fishing is about average, and the water has cooled enough so it is safer to fish for muskies. Evening fishing is seeing more surface action. During the day, target deeper basins with nice bottom cover. Creepers and Hawg Wobblers are good options this time of year. Trolling is picking up, with the go-to baits Mattlocks, Jakes, and Grandmas. During the evening, target shallow to mid-depth weed beds bordering deeper water.
“Walleye fishing is best in the evenings and at night in 6-12 feet around weed bed and bars edges, with 7:30-9:30 p.m. the best bet. During the day, catch them in deeper water while trolling various crankbaits. Leeches are the top bait choice, with crawlers also effective.
“Northern pike are active, but most are very small, with many reports of hammer-handles and snakes. Tinsel Tail spinners and Chatter Flash chatterbaits are the go-to for pike. If you find them deeper in thicker, matted weeds, switch to Johnson Silver Minnows.
“Smallmouth bass fishing is solid for a lot of action in wood and rocks, though nothing super big. Ned rigs are producing well, with Jitterbugs seeing considerable surface action.
“Crappies are active on the bogs at night. The bog by the bridge is producing well, with the bog by Toutants producing many fish. During daylight, target deeper cribs and brush piles. Crappie minnows are the live bait of choice, and one-inch Gulp! Minnows are producing spectacular action.”
This week, DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter discusses night fishing in Sawyer County.
“As summer wears on, fishing can really change. Warm water can move fish deeper and might make them less active. Aquatic plants are in full bloom and can make some areas more challenging to fish. Many anglers might not want the all-day exposure to the midsummer sun and heat.
“Early morning and late evening are great times to fish when these conditions occur, but anglers should also consider another time period: night. Night fishing can be productive and exciting for those who can make a few adjustments.
“First, you need to make sure the boat lights work! Other safety recommendations include making sure you tell someone where you are going, fish with a partner, and wear a PFD/life jacket. In an emergency at night, the odds of someone else being nearby to assist are much lower.
“Night fishing can be productive for a variety of species, including walleye, musky, catfish, and even smallmouth bass. Strategies vary by species, but the key to remember with night fishing is that most fish rely on senses rather than sight to find your bait.
“When targeting channel catfish, using bait with a strong scent can be productive. When targeting other species, baits with a lot of vibration can work. Topwater baits can be particularly fun when night fishing for musky or bass, and have the added benefit of keeping you out of underwater plants and snags that might go unseen under dark conditions.
“Speaking of aquatic plants, while fish might love being deep in weed beds during the day, that pattern changes at night. When we are electrofishing at night, we rarely see fish spending time in thick weed beds. Many fish move to weed bed edges at night, and anglers are wise to target those areas.
“Other non-traditional species anglers can target at night include bullheads and gar, both very nocturnal.
“Do not let the dog days of summer heat keep you off the water ‑ grab a headlamp and keep fishing!”
Anglers
July 31 is the entry deadline to enter the 2026 Summer Fishing Getaway to fish with Chad Grigsby!
The Cops & Bobbers Kids Free Fishing Event for kids ages 6-14 is Saturday, August 8, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., at DJ’s Dockside Resort on Nelson Lake. The event offers a fun day of fishing, food, and interaction with Sawyer County law enforcement officials! Sign up online or in person at the Sawyer County Sheriff’s Office.
The annual Muskies Inc. FREE Kid’s fishing Day for youth ages 8-16 years is August 2 at Weber’s on Tiger Cat Flowage. Fishing is 9 a.m.-noon, followed by lunch.
All youngsters receive a bag of fishing goodies, plus an opportunity to win larger raffle prizes. All youth, accompanied by an adult, must pre-register at Hayward Bait. For more information, call Mike at (715) 558-2835 or Hayward Bait (715) 634-2921.
August 16 is the HBC FREE Youth Bass Tournament, ages 10-17, at The Landing, 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Contact Wayne at (405) 227-1789.
Hunters/Trappers
August 1 is the application deadline for Bobcat and Fisher permits. There is no sharp-tailed grouse season this year.
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
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
Fluctuating water temperatures make fishing more challenging, but anglers are doing well overall. Keep in mind that warm water negatively affects successful releases for all species, so treat them with care. As always, check with your favorite bait shop personnel for the current information on fish locations, movement, bite windows, and bait preferences.
Musky:
Musky action improved with the cooler temperatures, but primarily for smaller fish. Go prepared for quick releases. Work deeper water/basins with good cover during the day. In the evening, try shallow to mid-depth weeds adjacent to deep water. Smaller bucktails, trolled stickbaits, and topwaters are all producing follows and hookups.
Walleye:
Walleye action slowed, with best success on shallow weed and bar edges in early morning and evening into dark. During the day, troll crankbaits, stickbaits, crawlers, and leeches on bottom bouncers and Lindy rigs in 12-25 feet.
Northern Pike:
Northern pike action is very good for numbers of smaller fish, but with few reports of big fish. Focus on weeds and weedy bays, flats, and reefs out to 14 feet, and near baitfish and panfish concentrations. Sucker minnows, spinners, spinnerbaits, spoons, and chatterbaits are very productive.
Largemouth Bass:
Largemouth bass fishing is good to very good in/on shallow to mid-depth weeds, weed beds, weed edges, lily pads, bulrushes, and slop. Small bucktails, spinners, spinnerbaits, Senkos/plastic worms, Ned rigs, and frogs, poppers, and similar topwaters work great!
Smallmouth Bass:
Smallmouth bass action greatly improved when the water cooled, but might have backed off with the return of warmer water. Look for fish on/near deep weeds, wood, rock, on the edges, and in lake basins to 18 feet. Large sucker minnows, leeches, crawlers, and plastics on jigs and Ned rigs, and topwaters such as Jitterbugs are all producing.
Crappie:
Crappie fishing is good to very good. During the day, find them in/around mid-depth weeds, deep cribs, and bush piles. At night, work the bogs. Crappie minnows, plastics, and one-inch Gulp! Minnows on small jigs fished under slip bobbers all work well.
Bluegill/Perch:
Bluegill and perch fishing is good in weeds and on the edges in 4-12 feet. Waxies, leaf worms, crawler chunks, crappie minnows, and plastic on small jigs and plain hooks under slip bobbers will keep you busy!
Upcoming Events
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 Kids Fishing Day, Weber’s, 9 a.m.-12 p.m., pre-reg. required (715-558-2835; 634-2921).
Aug. 7-8: Jack Pine Savage Days in Spooner; events schedule (715-635-2168).
Aug. 8: Cops & Bobbers Kids Free Fishing Event at DJ’s Dockside Resort on Nelson Lake, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Aug. 8: Annual Ojibwe Canoe & Kayak Race, The Wannigan in Winter, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (715-266-5141).
Aug. 11-13: Perseids Meteor Shower, 2-4 a.m. best, 50-100/hr., waning moon (dark sky).
Aug. 13-16: Sawyer County Fair (715-934-2721).
Aug. 16: HBC free Youth Bass Tourney, ages 10-17, pre-reg. required, 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.