Steve Suman
The forecast indicates the times they are a-changin’ (H/T Bob Dylan), with a 20-degree drop in daily highs and a few lows in the mid-30s. Somewhat warmer temperatures return for the weekend. Here comes fall!
“The Quiet Lakes’ weather is shifting,” says Greg at Happy Hooker, “with thunderstorms and highs in the 50s to end this week. Fishing has picked up for some species, while others remain tough to find.
“Muskies are on weeds, rock, and shallow structure, fishing improved with cooler temperatures, and bucktails, jerkbaits, and topwaters are all producing. Smaller suckers are available, though it seems a bit warm to drag them.
“Walleye fishing is tough. Some anglers find fish on deep weed edges, and slip bobbers with jigs and crawlers work best.
“Northern pike action is decent on weed edges and weed beds with spinnerbaits, inline spinners, and shallow running/floating crankbaits.
“Largemouth bass are in/on lily pads, weed beds, and shoreline structure, hitting spinnerbaits, crawlers under bobbers, plastic worms, and topwaters such as Whopper Ploppers.
“Smallmouth bass are on points, mid-lake reefs and humps, and deeper rock transitions. Minnows are the choice for live bait, and drop-shot shorter plastics for artificials.
“Crappies are throughout the water column. Anglers find fish in/around weeds and in deep basins. Crappie minnows and fatheads on jigs work well. In lakes with 20- to 25-foot basins, check them. On shallower lakes, fish weeds and weed beds.
“Bluegill and perch reports are few, as most anglers are not fishing for them. Green weeds and warm water are still present, and crawlers and leaf worms under bobbers fished through weeds and off docks work great.”
Jarrett at Hayward Bait predicts fishing changes as water temperatures cool.
“Water temperatures are currently high 60s to low 70s. This week, some mid-50s daytime temperatures, cool nights, and rain will drop the surface temperatures, moving fish from deep to shallow.
“Gamefish and panfish will gradually follow baitfish to shallower water through the next month or two, remaining there until early ice. Colder pre-winter temperatures spark fish to hit the feedbag, preparing for life under the ice, and anglers consider this one of the best bites of the year.
“While nowhere near ice on our lakes, you might see fish move up the slope incrementally from more than 30 feet as they follow baitfish onto shallower structure such as weed edges, cribs, and rock piles. With cooler water, live bait shines, as minnows no longer go from 60-degree bait shop water to 75-degree lake water.
“Cooler temperatures also push frogs very shallow where they will conceal in mud for the winter. This makes for an awesome topwater bite for the next month or so!
“Many anglers think downsizing can pull inactive fish, but the prey that crappies, bluegills, bass, walleye, etc., feed on now grew into bigger meals over the summer. Think big and throw larger baits such as small crankbaits.
“Enjoy the last bit of warmth over the next few weeks ‑ and get out and catch some fish!”
Mike at Jenk’s says the Chippewa Flowage is down 2.5 feet and the water temperature 68 degrees.
“Musky fishing is solid on blades during the day and surface baits in evenings. Most anglers cast the edges and over weed tops. Bucktails with offset blade sizes dominate subsurface action, and Hawg Wobblers and creepers work well on the surface.
“Walleye fishing is quiet, but will change with the cool-down. Trolling jointed Flickers, Shad Raps, and Wally Divers are effective during the day; crawlers and minnows on slip-bobbers or jigs work in the evening. As fish move shallower with the cool-down, patterns become more predictable. Use electronics and target shallow weedlines and humps. If no signs of life, such as baitfish, move.
“Northern pike action is good in weeds for smaller fish. Tinsel Tails and Chatter Flashes are hot, and some anglers report success on live bait.
“Bass fishing reports say largemouth are in weed beds hitting spinnerbaits and frogs. Smallmouth reports are quiet, with few anglers fishing for them, but the fish are likely around stumps and rocks, especially on the southeast end.
“Crappie anglers report success on cribs in 18-20 feet during the day and on bogs in the evening. If the forecast holds, crappies could move to shallower weeds and cover bordering basins. Crappie minnows are the choice for live bait, and imitation mayflies and one-inch Gulp Minnows for artificials.”
This week, DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter says the Namekagon River trout fishery is strong.
“In July, the Hayward Fish Team, Brule DNR Fish Team, and National Park Service and Wild Rivers Conservancy staff completed the annual electrofishing survey on the Namekagon River near Tag Alder Road.
“We have performed this survey every year since 2006, allowing us to get a long-term picture of the fishery, with a primary focus on the status of the brown trout population.
“The 2025 survey numbers were record breaking in many respects. We captured more adult trout per mile than any other year during the history of this survey, with 2010 the next closest. An abundance of 6- to 12-inch trout born within the last 2-3 years drove the high catch of trout. Anglers, myself included, are already having fun catching many of these smaller trout, and it is easy to get excited thinking about the fishery in another 2-3 years when these fish have added a few more inches in length.
“There are also some big fish in the river right now. The biggest trout we captured in 2025 was 22.2 inches long, and 6 percent of the total catch was greater than 15 inches. Trout reproduction in 2024/2025 was not as high as in some recent years, but was still solid and above the long-term average.
“Though we consider this population still threatened by summertime heat and the current and future risks associated with climate change, the protected stream banks and conservative regulations work in favor of trout and contributed to the strong population available to anglers today.
“Trout season remains open through October 15, and if you are not fishing the Namekagon, get out there!”
The DNR reminds hunters to avoid placing deer stands in or near ash trees. Most ash trees in the southern two-thirds of Wisconsin are dead or dying due to the emerald ash borer, with infestations in the northern part rapidly expanding. The DNR has confirmed emerald ash borer in all 72 Wisconsin counties.
Infested trees can drop large branches unexpectedly, and hunters on the ground should be especially cautious on windy days, as infested trees are susceptible to branch and stem breakage.
For more information, visit Tree Stand Safety on the DNR website.
The DNR reminds hunters that early Canada goose, teal, and mourning dove seasons opened September 1. Check the DNR website for closing dates.
Wisconsin’s black bear season opens September 3, with dog hunters opening the season this year. Check the bear hunting regulations for additional details.
Lake sturgeon hook-and-line season opens September 6.
Hunters eligible for the fall Gun Deer Hunt for Hunters with Disabilities have until the September 15 deadline to sign up with a sponsor for the hunt. Visit the Hunters with Disabilities deer hunt web page for more information.
The Hayward Chapter-Muskies, Inc. invites the public to its club meeting Tuesday, September 2, at Flat Creek Lodge. Admission is free. A business meeting to prepare for the tournament starts at 6:30 p.m., followed by a general meeting at 7 p.m. The guest speaker, DNR research biologist Colin Dassow, will update information on the Spider Lake musky project. Attendees interested in becoming a Muskies, Inc. member can purchase a half-price membership at the meeting.
For more information,call Mike Persson at (715) 634-4543.
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
Fishing is good for most species overall, and significant weather changes (cooling) in the offing might make it even better! Those changes will likely kick-start fish transitions, affecting fish locations, movements, bite windows, and bait and presentation preferences. Check with the bait shops for updates!
Musky:
Musky fishing is good and improving with the cooling water. Find them on weeds, weed edges, rock, and shallow structure. Cast bucktails, blade baits with offset blade sizes, and jerkbaits during the day, and Hawg Wobblers, creepers, and other topwaters during evenings.
Walleye:
Walleye fishing remains challenging, but improving, as fish move shallower with the cooling water. Target shallow to mid-depth weed edges, weedlines, humps, and areas holding baitfish. Crawlers and minnows on jigs and slip bobbers work well in the evening, as does trolling jointed Flickers, Shad Raps, and Wally Divers during the day.
Northern Pike:
Northern pike action is good, though mostly for smaller fish. Focus on shallow to mid-depth weeds, weed beds, weedlines, and weed edges, and around baitfish and panfish concentrations. Sucker minnows, spinners, spinnerbaits, spoons, swimbaits, crankbaits, and chatterbaits are all effective.
Largemouth Bass:
Largemouth bass fishing is good to very good on shallow to mid-depth weeds, weed beds, weed edges, lily pads, brush, and shoreline structure. Productive offerings include crawlers, minnows, plastic worms, spinners, spinnerbaits, spoons, swimbaits, and Whopper Ploppers, frogs, and other topwaters
Smallmouth Bass:
Smallmouth bass fishing is good and anglers are finding fish on deep rock transitions, points, stumps, rocks, and mid-lake humps and reefs. Sucker minnows, drop-shot, Ned, and wacky rigged plastics, tubes, and some topwaters are all producing catches.
Crappie:
Crappie fishing is good to very good once you locate the schools ‑ check the entire water column. During the day, find fish around weeds, weed beds, cribs, and basins in 15-25 feet. In the evening hours, fish the bogs. Baits of choice include crappie minnows and fatheads on jigs, plastics, imitation mayflies, and one-inch Gulp! Minnows.
Bluegill:
Bluegill fishing is good around green weeds, weed edges, and brush at varied depths, as well as docks. Start shallow and move deeper as necessary. Crawlers, leaf worms, Mini-Mites, plastics, and Gulp! baits on small jigs fished under slip bobbers work well, and try small minnows for larger fish.
Upcoming Events
Sept. 1: Seasons open: Early Canada goose; Early teal; Mourning dove (see closing dates).
Sept. 1: Labor Day.
Sept. 2: Hayward Chapter-Muskies, Inc. meeting, Flat Creek Lodge, business 6:30 p.m., general 7 pm. (715-634-4543).
Sept. 3: Black bear season opens (see regs).
Sept. 3-6: 26th Annual Lake Chippewa Flowage Musky Hunt. Full. (715-462-3874).
Sept. 6: Lake sturgeon hook-and-line season opens.
Sept. 6: Namekagon River Clean-up, 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m. (715-483-3300).
Sept. 7: Full Harvest Moon.
Sept. 13: Seasons open: Deer (archery/crossbow); Grouse (Zone A); Fall turkey; Cottontail rabbit (North Zone); Squirrel.
Sept. 13: Chequamegon MTB Festival, Hayward to Cable, 6 a.m.-6 p.m. (612-518-8234).
Sept. 16: Regular goose season opens.
Sept. 20: Seasons open: Woodcock; Youth duck hunt.
Sept. 20: Hayward Fall Festival on Main Street, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (715-634-8662).
Sept. 22: Fall Equinox.
Sept. 25-27: Annual Treeland Premiere Musky Fly Fishing Championship. Full. (715-462-3874).
Sept. 26-27: 23rd Annual Cable Area Fall Fest (715-798-3833).
Oct. 3-5: Hayward Chapter-Muskies, Inc. ‑ Fall Tournament (715-634-2921; 558-2835).
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.