September starts out sunny and warm, with temperatures in the 80s continuing through the week. From Tuesday night through the weekend, Saturday the exception, every day shows “chances” for rain. Time will tell…
Enjoy a fun and safe Labor Day weekend!
“Quiet Lakes’ area water temperatures dropped considerably to around 70 degrees,” says Greg at Happy Hooker. “Water levels remain low, and even anglers who ‘know’ the waterbody should use caution. Every week, boaters find rocks or bars they never knew existed!
“We are in a weird transition where summer is dragging on, kids are back in school, fewer people are here, and the low lakes make fishing ‘different.’
“Musky fishing slowed, with anglers seeing follows without many strikes. Work shallow to mid-depth weeds. Bucktails are still the hot bait, and spinnerbaits will trigger bites, too. Jerkbaits and gliders are great for throw-back baits.
“Walleyes are in basins or on deep weed edges, rocks, and sand. Trolling crankbaits and jigging crawlers and minnows along edges and into basins should produce.
“Northern pike in/around shallow to deep weeds are hitting mostly musky baits and smaller crankbaits.
“Largemouth bass are in lily pads, cabbage, and fallen timber. Rigged plastic worms and running baits mid-water column can be effective.
“Smallmouth bass are shallow in weeds and on edges in 4-12 feet. Use plastics mimicking crawfish, crawlers, and other live bait.
“Panfish are in/around weedy bays, weed beds, and big weed flats. Crappies are taking crappie minnows on jigs, small spinner-jigs, and Beetle Spins.
“Bluegill anglers catch fish on waxies, leaf worms, and crawler chunks under floats.
“Perch are off deeper edges and hitting minnows.”
TJ at Hayward Bait says musky fishing is improving as water temperatures drop to the low 70s. Work bucktails, rubber baits, and topwaters near weedy points, weed beds, and reefs.
“Walleye fishing is tough, but anglers are catching fish on deeper weeds, rocks, humps, drop-offs, and ledges. Best action is during early mornings and evening into dark with crawlers and minnows on jigs.
“Northern pike action is good with spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, and spin-jigs around green weeds and edges in 3-12 feet, especially near baitfish.
“Largemouth bass fishing remains very good, with most holding around shallow to mid-depth weeds, weed edges, lily pads, and heavy cover. Wacky worms, spinner-jigs, swimbaits chatterbaits, and topwater frogs are exceptional, with early mornings and evenings excellent for working the shallows before fish move deeper.
“Smallmouth bass provide some of the most consistent action around weed edges, rock, gravel humps, drop-offs in 5-28 feet. Small jigs, Beetle Spins, Ned rigs, and other small artificial baits work well.
“Crappie fishing is very good, with many fish suspending along weed edges near basins in 8-12 feet. Waxies and plastics on small jigs, and small Beetle spins, are effective.
“Bluegills are around weeds in shallow to mid-depth cover in 5-10 feet, with bigger fish on deeper weed edges. Crawlers and other live bait on small jigs produce consistent action.”
This week, DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter offers appreciation for the Hayward Bass Club.
“Hayward Bass Club is one of our most active fishing groups in the area, yet many in the community might not be aware of all the things in which it is involved.
“The club has been the organizing force behind the Lake Hayward Kids Fishing Derby held in early June each year. In spring 2026, Hayward Bass Club volunteers helped clear brush from a few spots along the shoreline to provide better fishing and lake access along the peninsula at Lake Hayward City Park.
“The club members also organize the Round Lake Open in late June each year, and members are often the first to step up and volunteer for other youth fishing events in the area. The members also do plenty of their own fishing as well, with a popular and competitive Wednesday night bass league that rotates around on many local waters.
“One of the club’s most unique events is its annual youth fishing tournament on the Chippewa Flowage each August. This event is very effective at getting kids excited about fishing by introducing an element of competition. The club is often looking for community members who are able to serve as guides for its youth tournament.
“Throughout all its events, the club is passionate about practicing and educating others on proper catch and release and conservation of our local fisheries resources. In doing so, the club maintains a high standard for itself and for other bass clubs and organizations that might visit the area to host fishing tournaments.”
Anglers
Lake Sturgeon hook-and-line season opens September 5 and is open thru September 30 (check regs).
The free Disabled Veterans Fishing Outing on Nelson Lake is Wednesday Sept. 16-17, from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Hayward Chapter-Fishing Has No Boundaries and Hayward Veterans Center sponsor this event. Openings are limited, so register early. This event is free for disabled veterans and their caregiver, with guides, gear, pontoons, and boats provided, and includes lunch daily and raffle prizes throughout the event. For more information, and to register, email vets.haywardfhnb@gmail.com or call (715) 651-0482.
The 48th Annual Hayward Chapter-Muskies Inc. Annual Musky Tournament is September 25-27 ‑ one week earlier than previous tournaments ‑ with new headquarters, the Hayward Sports Center.
The entry fee is $110 thru Sept. 14 and $130 afterwards. For anglers ages 16 and younger, the fee is $25.
The official entry/release stations are Hayward Bait, Jenk’s Bait, Angler’s Haven Resort, Mogasheen Resort, and Bobber Down Bait.
For more information, visit www.muskiesinc-hayward.org or call (715) 634-2921 or (715) 558-2835.
Hayward Lakes Chapter-Muskies Inc. invites the public to its club meeting Tuesday, September 8, at Hayward Rod and Gun Club. A business meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. to prepare for the tournament. At 7 p.m., guest speaker, DNR research biologist Colin Dassow, will update members on his work with Spider Lake muskies. Admission is free, and attendees interested in becoming a new member of Muskies, Inc. can purchase a half-price membership.
For more information, call Mike Persson at (715) 558-2835.
Hunters/Trappers
Early teal, Early goose, and Mourning dove seasons open September 1 (check closing dates).
First period bear season opens September 9. See regulations for details.
September 12 is the season opener for Archery/crossbow deer, Turkey, Cottontail rabbit, Squirrel (gray, fox), and Ruffed grouse (Zone A).
Bonus antlerless deer harvest authorizations remain available thru license sales locations and Go Wild. Surprisingly, many authorizations remain in the Sawyer County and Northern Forest Region. Antlerless opportunities vary based on local population levels and management goals. For more information, visit “deer hunting” on the DNR website
ATV/UTV Trail Report
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. The Trail Treker app shows the changes. Trails 174 and 176 in Spider Lake Township are no longer open to ATV/UTV use. The ATV/UTV trails in Sawyer County Forest (715-634-4846), Chequamegon National Forest (715-634-4821), and Flambeau State Forest (715-332-5271) are open.
Check for trail and road updates, closures, and upcoming closures:HLVCB ATV/UTV trail conditions report and Sawyer County Snowmobile & ATV Alliance.
Order a Sawyer County ATV & Snowmobile Trail Map from the Hayward Lakes Visitor & Convention Bureau or download the Trail Treker app ($2) on your smartphone and get the complete Sawyer County Trail Map ($2). Once loaded, you never need mobile coverage. Put the phone in Airplane Mode to conserve the battery and your GPS still shows your location and all map business sponsors in “Points of Interest.”
Fishing Report
Fishing is fair to good overall, but timing is important! Be cautious with the low water levels and watch for now-exposed rocks, bars, and other impediments that are usually safely submerged. Water temperatures are good in the low 70s, and fewer people are on the water now. As always, check with your favorite bait shop for the most current information on fish locations, movement, bite windows, and preferred baits and presentations.
Musky:
Musky action slowed, though anglers see fish and have follows, but with few hook-ups. Target shallow to mid-depth weeds, weed beds, weedy points, and reefs. Best baits include bucktails, spinnerbaits, jerkbaits, gliders, pull/pause baits, rubber baits, and topwaters.
Walleye:
Walleye fishing is a challenge, but anglers are catching fish, with best action during low light mornings and late evenings into dark. Focus on deep weeds, weed edges, rock, humps, ledges, sand, drop-offs, and deep basins. Trolled crankbaits, and crawlers and minnows on spinner rigs produce good results.
Northern Pike:
Northern pike action is good to very good around shallow to mid-depth green weeds, weed edges, and concentrations of baitfish and panfish. Small musky baits, crankbaits, chatterbaits, spinners, spinnerbaits, spinner-jigs, and spoons will all catch the attention of pike.
Largemouth Bass:
Largemouth bass fishing slowed, but still very good, and best in early mornings and evenings. Find them in shallow to mid-depth weeds, weed edges, lily pads, cabbage, brush, timber, and slop. Wacky-rigged plastic worms, spinner-jigs, swimbaits, chatterbaits, frogs, and other topwaters all work well.
Smallmouth Bass:
Smallmouth bass fishing is steady. Find fish in weeds, on weed edges, rock, gravel, humps, drop-offs, and deep edges in 4-20 feet. Use sucker minnows, crawlers, crawfish color plastics, tubes, jigs, Ned rigs, Beetle Spins, and similar lures.
Crappie:
Crappie fishing is good to very good in/around weed beds, weed flats, weedy bays, and along weed edges in 8-12 feet near deep basins. Crappie minnows, waxies, plastics, and Gulp! baits on small jigs, and small spinner-jigs and Beetle spins are all effective.
Bluegill/Perch:
Bluegill action is good around weed beds, weedy bays, weed flats, shallow to mid-depth cover in 4-12 feet, and deep edges. Best baits include waxies, leaf worms, and crawler chunks, and plastics under floats and on small jigs. Perch are near deeper edges, with minnows produce.
Upcoming Events
Sept. 1: Seasons open: Early teal; Early goose; Mourning dove (see closing dates).
Sept. 5: Hook and Line Lake Sturgeon season opens (check the regs).
Sept. 7: Labor Day.
Sept. 8: Hayward Lakes Chapter-Muskies Inc. meeting at Hayward Rod & Gun Club, 6:30 p.m. (715-558-2835).
Sept. 9: Bear season opens with aid of bait (see regulations).
Sept. 9-12: Lake Chippewa Flowage Resort Association Musky Hunt (roster full).
Sept. 12: Seasons open: Archery/crossbow deer; Turkey; Cottontail rabbit; Squirrel (gray, fox); Ruffed grouse (Zone A).
Sept. 15: Deadline to apply for hunters with disabilities gun deer hunt.
Sept. 16: Northern Zone goose season opens.
Sept. 16-17: Disabled Veterans Fishing Outing on Nelson Lake, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., email or call (715-651-0482).
Sept. 19-20: Youth Waterfowl Hunt.
Sept. 19: Woodcock season opens.
Sept. 19: Hayward Lions Oktoberfest at Sawyer County Fairgrounds, 12-7 p.m.
Sept. 19: Chequamegon MTB Festival in Cable, 6:30 a.m.-5 p.m. (cheqmtb@ltevents.zendesk.com).
Sept. 19: WI/MN Concealed Carry Class at Hayward Rod & Gun Club, 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. (715-558-8312).
Sept. 22: First day of fall (autumnal equinox).
Sept. 24-26: Annual Treeland Premiere Musky Fly Fishing Championship (715-462-3874).
Sept. 25-27: (New dates) Hayward Lakes Chapter-Muskies Inc. Musky Tournament (715-634-2921; 558-2835).
Sept. 25-26: Cable Fall Festival (715-798-3833).
Sept. 26: Hayward Fall Festival – event schedule, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (715-634-8662).
Sept. 26: Full Harvest Moon.
Sept. 26: Northern Zone duck season opens.
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.