The forecast for this week shows rain and thunderstorms through mid-week, some possibly severe, and then mostly clear from Thursday into Monday. Expect highs in the 80s and lows in the 50s, the normal annual July averages. Summer is short, so get out and enjoy the sunshine while we have it!
“Quiet Lakes’ area water temperatures moved into the mid-70s with the recent warm up,” says Greg at Happy Hooker, “but cooler nights should keep water from getting too warm.
“Fishing is hit or miss, and the weather is not helping the cause.
“Musky fishing is good, with the fish eating most everything thrown at them, including bucktails, glide baits, and jerkbaits. We have video of a nice musky chomping on a walleye during the angler’s retrieve, and one fish on our board is a jig and minnow catch. Find fish around weed beds and bars with rocks and weeds. Do not be afraid to try new baits or different sizes now.
“Walleyes pushed to deep structure near deeper basins. Trolling baits such as Shad Raps and Flicker Minnows work well, as does jigging leeches and suckers on deep structure edges in 10-20 feet, depending on the lake.
“Northern pike anglers are catching fish on spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, and smaller musky baits. Work weed beds, weedy bays, and shoreline lily pads and bulrushes.
“Largemouth bass fishing slowed with the weather patterns, but largemouth fishing typically get hot in July. Spinnerbaits, crawlers, rigged plastic worms, and creature baits are great for suspending fish, and topwaters such as buzzbaits, frogs, Weed Demons, and Zara Spooks are also great choices.
“Smallmouth bass are on the tops and edges of mid-lake reefs and bars, deep rocky points, and shorelines. Crawlers, leeches, and plastics on jigs, Ned, drop-shot, and wacky rigs, and topwaters such as Whopper Ploppers all work well.
“Panfish are hitting minnows, crawlers, leaf worms, and plastics on jigs under floats, and Beetle Spins. Crappie and perch are scattered in/on weed beds and deep weed edges. Bluegills are shallow around docks and fallen trees.”
Jarrett/TJ at Hayward Bait say musky anglers should keep hooked fish in the water and make quick releases.
“Musky fishing is best in early morning and dusk on deep weed edges and on flats in 15-20 feet. During summer months, muskies need access to deep, cool water and plenty of food. Throw smaller bucktails and swimbaits around weeds and topwaters above them.
“Walleye fishing is slow. This time of year, they follow schools of baitfish and around cribs, flats, and weeds. Leeches and small minnows work best, with crawlers picking up. Drop-shots work well to keep baits in their faces and offering time to take it.
“Northern pike are near bottom around weeds, waiting to ambush anything swimming nearby. Crankbaits, chatterbaits, and spoons work best. Larger pike are in/on thick vegetation and weedy ledges adjacent to deep water. Throw frogs and paddle-tails on extra wide gap hooks, and use steel leaders to avoid losing baits.
“Largemouth bass are around shallow weeds and docks. On sunny days, focus on shade and thick weeds; on cloudy days, cover water for aggressive bites. Weedless Texas rigs and belly-weighted swimbaits work well.
“Smallmouth bass are chasing baitfish schools. Small crankbaits and swimbaits work well. Smaller fish are on rocks and cribs; large females are recovering from spawn or protecting fry.
“Crappies are on cribs and weed edges. Small minnows, spinners, and small spoons work well. Larger crappies are under small ones, so increase lure weight or bobber depth. Look for different structure, various weeds, and fallen timber.
“Bluegills are plentiful along weeds and structure, aggressively eating anything that fits in their mouths. Bigger bluegills are just below the schools. Use slightly larger artificials for these fish.”
This week, DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter discusses the ages and growth of local redhorse suckers.
“The scientific process has a long history of accidental breakthroughs; X-rays, synthetic dye, and even the Post-It note were all unintended discoveries. Fisheries science can be like that too, sometimes.
“Last summer, we set out to survey smallmouth bass on the Namekagon River, but wound up learning about redhorse as well. Though targeting smallmouth, we kept capturing redhorse. Eventually relenting, we started collecting scales from redhorse, allowing us to understand better the ages and growth of these common riverine fish.
“In the stretch of Namekagon River between Hayward and Trego, there are four species of redhorse.
“Shorthead redhorse are the smallest species. We found shorthead running 3-8 years old, with rapid growth early in life. Growth appeared to slow after age 3 or 4 when shortheads are typically 13-15 inches long. The biggest shorthead captured was 17.1 inches.
“Golden redhorse are the next largest species. We found goldens ranging from 2-9 years old. Like shortheads, their growth was rapid for the first few years of life before slowing considerably.
“We saw silver redhorse, a little larger than shortheads and goldens, and older individuals, many that were more than 10 years old, with the oldest 13 years. This species, with a compact, heavy body, can be a real bruiser. Silver redhorse we captured were commonly 18-22 inches long.
“Finally, the largest redhorse species proved the hardest to capture. Greater redhorse in this reach of the river are often easy to spot with their big bodies and bright red fins. We captured just two of them, which is not a great sample for making conclusions. The two were 22.5 and 25.2 inches long and 10 and 11 years old, respectively. Compared to other species, that is relatively fast growth to reach those sizes.
“These results help us to understand these unique native species better, and we found they are relatively long-lived compared to many other fishes. They serve an important role in the river ecosystem and are not ‘trash fish’ or ‘carp,’ as many people assume.”
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.
Anglers
Enter and win the 2026 Summer Fishing Getaway and pro angler 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.
Local events in the next two weeks include:
Spooner Rodeo July 9-11. For information, visit the events schedule, or call (715)635-9696.
Lumberjack World Championships July 15-18. For information, visit the events schedule or call (715) 634-2484.
LCO Honor the Earth Pow Wow July 17-19. For information, visit the website or call (715) 634-8934.
Birchwood’s 63rd Annual Bluegill Festival July 17-19. For information, visit the website or email.
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!
Visit HLVCB ATV/UTV trail conditions report for trail and road updates.
Fishing Report
Fishing is very good for some species and a bit slow for others, and even this can vary by the day. Cooler weather might help, but that does not appear in the near-term forecast. Since it is highly unlikely you will catch fish from the comfort of your living room couch, get on the water and at least harass them! Stop at your favorite bait shop for the most current information on fish locations, movements, bite windows, and favored baits and presentations.
Musky:
Musky fishing is good, with best success in early morning and sunset into dark. Looks for weed beds, weedy bars, points, rocks, deep edges, and flats in depths to 20 feet adjacent to deep water. Bucktails, jerkbaits, gliders, swimbaits, and topwaters work well. Experiment with new baits and sizes.
Walleye:
Walleye fishing slowed somewhat. Look for fish in basins and on the edges of deep weeds, cribs, and flats out to 22 feet and deeper, and baitfish schools. Leeches, crawlers, and sucker minnows on jigs and spinner rigs, drop-shots, and trolled Shad Raps and Flicker Minnows are all catching fish. Low light hours are prime time.
Northern Pike:
Northern pike action is good to very good on weed beds, weedy bays and ledges, lily pads, and bulrushes, and around any panfish and baitfish concentrations. Check the entire water column. Sucker minnows, spinners, spinnerbaits, spoons, crankbaits, chatterbaits, and some topwaters all tempt pike.
Largemouth Bass:
Largemouth bass fishing slowed, but should improve with the warming water. Target shallow to mid-depth weeds, brush, slop, docks, and timber. Spinners, spinnerbaits, crawlers, plastic worms, creature baits, Texas rigs, swimbaits, and topwaters such as frogs, buzzbaits, Zara Spooks, and Whopper Ploppers are all producing action.
Smallmouth Bass:
Smallmouth bass fishing is good to very good. Find fish on mid-lake reefs, deep rocky points, bars, and cribs. Use sucker minnows, leeches, crawlers, and plastics on jigs, Ned, drop-shot, and wacky rigs; and crankbaits, swimbaits, and various topwaters such as frogs and Whopper Ploppers.
Crappie:
Crappie fishing is fair to good, with fish on weeds, Weed edges, wood, cribs, and other structure. Crappie minnows, fatheads, plastics, and Gulp! baits on small jigs and plain hooks under slip bobbers, and Beetle Spins, spinners, and spoons all work well.
Bluegill:
Bluegill fishing is good to very good around shallow weeds, fallen trees, docks, and other structure. Waxies, crawler chunks, leaf worms, and plastics on small jigs under slip bobbers do the job. Use larger baits for bigger fish holding lower in the water column.
Upcoming Events
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 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.
Aug. 1: Application deadline for Bobcat, Fisher, and Sharp-tailed grouse permits.
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.