Steve Suman
The forecast shows temperatures in the mid to upper 80s, more smoke, and slight chances of rain and thunderstorms starting Wednesday. August is on the move, so check the calendar below ‑‑ there are MANY activities in store! Enjoy!
The full Sturgeon Moon is coming up Saturday night, August 9.
“Recent nights hitting the 40s were great for sleeping and keeping the Quiet Lakes’ water temperatures in check,” says Greg at Happy Hooker, “with most lakes currently in the upper 70s to low 80s.
“Fishing was good last week despite the hot, calm weather; this week should be good with stable weather.
“Musky action is decent, though anglers are not putting on much pressure with the warm water. My nephew caught his first musky on a #4 purple Mepps, and we moved a few fish on bucktails in weeds in 6-10 feet.
“Walleye angler reports are few, so fish must have the summer doldrums and are likely in weeds or on deep rocks, given the time and temperatures. Slow trolling crawlers and leeches on bottom bouncers or Lindy rigs should work well.
“Northern pike action is decent in weeds out to 6 feet with spinnerbaits and wacky rigged plastic worms.
“Largemouth bass fishing was hot last week on wacky rigged Senko style worms on weed edges in 8-10 feet. Color did not really matter ‑ let the worms sink and twitch them through the weeds.
“Smallmouth bass are in the same spots as largemouth and any rigged plastics fished slightly deeper work well.
“Panfish fishing is decent and we saw thousands of small bluegills in schools on shallow sandy areas near weeds. Most catches came on scented plastics, waxies, and leaf worms on small jigs under floats, and Beetle Spins.”
Jarrett at Hayward Bait says fish should start moving and feeding more with cooler weather.
“Musky fishing turned on and most anglers throw bucktails, assorted smaller plastics, and topwaters. Weedlines and structure in 10-20 feet are producing, with sunrise and sunset superior for success.
“Walleye fishing in these dog days of summer is tough, as fish scatter to depths with abundant food. Anglers troll crawler harnesses and crankbaits to cover water for reaction strikes from active fish. Most success is at sunrise and sunset.
“Northern pike action is solid for numbers. Anglers report success with various lures and live bait on shallow flats to deep weeds. Minnows, swimbaits, spinnerbaits, and spoons are great options.
“Largemouth and smallmouth bass are on main lake humps and weed edges and feeding like crazy, with many anglers catching good numbers of both species. For largemouth, use Texas and wacky rigs. Smallmouth are schooling and pinning baitfish against the surface, producing awesome topwater bites. Leeches produce as well ‑ but they will be gone soon!
“Crappies moved to deeper cribs, weed flats, and basins, and often on the move. Spend time looking for schools before sitting on a favorite spot during the day. During mornings and sunsets, fish should be active on jigs and bobbers.
“Bluegill are in mid-depths to deep water and many anglers use leeches and crawlers under slip bobbers. More technical anglers are throwing drop shots and small crankbaits for big bluegills.”
Mike at Jenk’s says the Chippewa Flowage is down 1.5 feet, with the water temperature 78 degrees.
“Musky action is on bigger blade baits in very early morning. During daylight hours, fish move deeper and trolling is most effective. Anglers have their own philosophy on water temperatures, but we suggest giving the fish a break if water temperatures hit 80 degrees or more.
“Walleye fishing is rough with the warm water, with best fishing at night or early morning. Check areas with weeds bordering deeper water, such as river channels. Leeches and crawlers are the baits of choice. During the day, fish deeper areas with decent cover. A few guides report daytime success trolling deeper areas with crankbaits, Flicker Shads, and jointed Flicker Shads.
“Northern pike are in weeds, but mostly small fish. Tinsel Tail spinners are best, then chatterbaits and spoons.
“Largemouth bass are somewhat sluggish, though some anglers catch them in the weeds on frogs and spinnerbaits.
“Smallmouth bass are active in wood, with Ned rigs the hot ticket. The southeast end of the Flowage is offering the most smallmouth action.
“Crappie fishing remains best on bogs in the evening, with crappie minnows the best live bait. Garland Mayflies, one-inch Gulp! Minnows, and Voodoo hair jigs are great artificials. During the day, target deeper cribs, brush piles, and weeds. Cribs in Chief Narrows and deep brush off the northeast corner of Birch Island are great spots to try.”
This week, DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter talks tiger musky.
“Catching a musky is a unique and rare experience. Catching a ‘tiger musky’ might be one of the only angling accomplishments in our part of the world that might even be rarer. Tiger muskellunge get their name because they often sport a bold striped pattern along their sides and cheeks.
“A tiger musky is a naturally occurring hybrid between a muskellunge and a northern pike. The hybridization is possible because the two closely related species share the same number of chromosomes. Tiger muskies occur when a male northern pike successfully spawns with a female muskellunge.
“Obviously, for this to happen, a lake must have both species present, and when and where they spawn need to overlap at least a bit. This is part of what makes a tiger musky such a rare fish. Anglers can find tiger muskies on a number of Hayward area waterbodies, and some lakes offer anglers a good shot at landing one.
“Recently, Lac Courte Oreilles is where we have observed some of the largest tiger muskies in this area, including a 48.5-inch tiger we captured in 2024. Round Lake has produced an occasional tiger muskellunge, and the Chippewa Flowage has healthy populations of both pike and musky, creating a lot of potential for tigers in that waterbody.
“Lower Clam is another tiger spot, as northern pike have started to be more common in this high-density musky lake. Even Moose Lake is producing a few tigers, though most of what we have seen in surveys is smaller ones.
“The best chance to catch a tiger locally right now has to be Spider Lake. We handled eight tigers at a variety of catchable sizes in our spring 2025 survey on Spider Lake. Tigers are present throughout all parts of the chain, including North Lake.
“We remind anglers that tiger muskellunge fall under the same angling regulations as regular muskellunge.”
The DNR’s 2025 fall forecast series outlines what hunters and trappers can expect during deer, bear, upland game birds, migratory birds, and furbearers seasons. The forecasts, based on analysis of species data, federal and local species surveys, DNR research projects, weather patterns, and information from advisory committees and staff. It includes reminders about season dates, public land access, and game registration requirements.
For more information, visit “forecasts” on the DNR website.
The free annual Sawyer County Cops & Bobbers fishing event is this Saturday, August 9, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., at The Landing Resort. Young anglers ages 6-14 spend the day fishing the Chippewa Flowage with Sawyer County deputies and other law enforcement personnel. Sign-up at the Sheriff’s Office lobby or register online.
ATV/UTV Trail Report
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 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.
Check for trail openings, closures, and more atHLVCB ATV/UTV trail conditions report. Contacts for forest ATV/UTV trails are as follows: Sawyer County Forest (715-634-4846), Chequamegon National Forest (715-634-4821), and Flambeau State Forest (715-332-5271).
Sawyer County snowmobile and ATV trail maps are available from Hayward Lakes Visitor & Convention Bureau.
Fishing Report
Cooler temperatures rejuvenated most fish species, though walleyes remain obstinate. Most fish will work with you once you find them, and bait shop personnel can get you current on fish locations, movements, bite windows, and productive baits and presentations. Seriously ‑ talk with them!
Musky:
Musky fishing picked up at bit, but early morning and late evening still offer the best success. Look for fish in 6-10 feet on weedlines and other structure. Troll deep water during the day. Bucktails, spinners, smaller plastics, bigger blade baits, and topwaters work well.
Walleye:
Walleyes are lethargic this time of year and fishing is challenging, with best success in early morning and late evening into dark. Target deeper weeds and rock during the day, trolling crawlers and leeches on harnesses, bottom bouncers, and Lindy Rigs, or crankbaits, Flicker Shads, and jointed Flicker Shads.
Northern Pike:
Northern pike action is good for smaller fish on shallow to mid-depth weeds, flats, and baitfish concentrations. Productive offerings include sucker minnows, spinners, spinnerbaits, spoons, swimbaits, and chatterbaits.
Largemouth Bass:
Largemouth bass fishing is fair to excellent. Focus on weeds and main lake humps and weed edges in 8-10 feet. Texas and wacky rigged Senko worms, spinners, spinnerbaits, minnowbaits, frogs, and other topwaters will produce action.
Smallmouth Bass:
Smallmouth bass fishing is good to very good on main lake humps, weed edges, and wood in 8-10 feet and somewhat deeper. Sucker minnows, leeches, crawlers, Ned rigs, drop-shots, plastics in various configurations, and topwaters are all working well.
Crappie:
Crappie fishing is good on weed flats, brush piles, deep cribs, and basins, hitting bogs in the evening. Best success is in early morning and late evening. Use crappie minnows, waxies, plastics, and one-inch Gulp! Minnows on small jigs and slip bobbers, Garland Mayflies, Voodoo hair jigs, and Beetle Spins.
Bluegill:
Bluegill fishing is good on weeds and sandy areas from shallow to deep. Waxies, leaf worms, leeches, crawler chunks, plastics, and Gulp! baits on small jigs under slip bobbers, drop-shots, and small crankbaits all catch fish.
Upcoming Events
Aug. 9: Full Sturgeon Moon.
Aug. 9: Annual Ojibwa Canoe & Kayak Race at Wannigan Resort 10 a.m.-1 p.m. ((715-266-5141).
Aug. 9: Sawyer County Cops & Bobbers fishing event, ages 6-14, at The Landing Resort, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Register here.
Aug. 11-13: Perseids Meteor Shower 1-3 a.m., northeast, 45-90 per hour, very swift, rich display.
Aug. 14-17: Sawyer County Fair at Sawyer County Fairgrounds on Highway B (715-699-2022).
Aug. 16: Brule State Fish Hatchery Family Fun Day 10 a.m.- 3 p.m. (715-372-4820).
Aug. 17: HBC Free Youth Bass Tourney, Chippewa Flowage, The Landing Resort, Noon-4 p.m. (405-227-1789).
Aug. 23: Seeley Lions PreFat Bike Race 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Aug. 24: HBC Tom Turner Open Benefit Tourney on Tiger Cat Flowage, Weber’s, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. (405-227-1789).
Sept. 1: Seasons open: Early Canada goose; Early teal; Mourning dove (see closing dates).
Sept. 3: Black bear season opens (see regs).
Sept. 3-6: 25th Annual Lake Chippewa Flowage Musky Hunt at Treeland Resorts, 6 a.m-9 p.m. (715-462-3874).
Sept. 6-30: Lake sturgeon hook-and-line season.
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.