April 14, 2025
Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman
This week starts with chances for rain and light snow Monday and Monday night, followed by a sunny, warming trend Tuesday through Thursday morning. Rain chances return Thursday afternoon into Friday, but the Saturday and Sunday forecast includes clear skies, sunshine, with mild temperatures in the mid-50s to low 60s.
Travelers can check current road conditions at 511wi.gov for Wisconsin and 511mn.org for Minnesota.
“We have a good chance of rain in the Quiet Lakes’ area this week,” says Greg at Happy Hooker, “and the rain is much-needed this spring, as ponds and lakes are way down. Warmer temperatures throughout the week should do a number on the remaining ice.
“While a few lakes still have some large sheets of ice yet, it does not appear any of them are safe to fish at this point. Right now, we are in transition time and waiting for open water. My guess for ice-out on the bigger lakes is around Easter.
“Anglers should start to focus on the open water season as it is approaching fast! Some might get out for panfish before the gamefish opener, but it will not be much before that time.
“Anglers can fish streams and rivers right now for trout. While I am not a good source for much information on that, I would throw small inline spinners such as Rooster Tails and small Mepps.”
Jarrett at Hayward Bait says the ice is almost out on most of our lakes!
“We have a handful of the larger lakes where some ice still lingers a little ways off shore, but it should be nothing for some warm temperatures to take care of that ice over the next week or so. Anglers should begin to prepare their open water gear and be ready for the season opener.
“All of last year’s fishing licenses expired March 31, so it is time to renew your license before you get on the water this season. License fees have not increased, but there has been talk of it for this year. Get out and purchase your license now, at the regular price, in case something happens along those lines.
“For most fish species, the high sun will begin to warm the waters and push all fish shallow, where most will remain until about June.
“Panfish season is open year-around, bass are catch and release, as are most inland trout. Walleye and northern pike are not legal to target until the May 3 opener.
“Until then, be safe on the water and get out and enjoy some sunshine and near 60-degree temperatures.”
This week, DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter discusses the 2025 research plans for Spider Lake.
“In 2024, the Hayward DNR Fish Team and DNR fish researchers from Spooner embarked on an ambitious and groundbreaking study to better understand how northern pike and musky interact and compete. Generous donations from the Spider Lake and musky communities made this study possible, and allowed for the purchase of cutting-edge technology to track fish movements and better understand all elements of the aquatic ecosystem.
“The project will move into a new phase in 2025. Receivers on the lakebed are currently collecting data on the movement of 35 tagged pike and muskies. We plan to download the first round of that data covering the fall and winter period in February, and expect this will include millions of lines of data that we can analyze.
“Other data downloads will happen throughout the year, providing detailed understanding of fish movements and interactions across all seasons. This is something never before done anywhere for these two species.
“Other plans for 2025 include more fyke netting to capture muskies and complete an estimate of the total number of adult muskies in the lake using a ‘mark-recapture’ estimate. In addition, we will deploy five additional tags in large female muskies we expect to catch in the spring. This survey will also provide a check-up on pike abundance after a year of aggressive angling harvest, and we plan to remove any pike appearing in the survey.
“All those with an interest in the project should expect some exciting updates throughout 2025!”
Wisconsin’s inland gamefish season opener is May 3 and it is approaching quickly! Anglers should make sure to renew their licenses, as the 2024-25 licenses expired March 31. (This is of course true for spring turkey hunters as well.) It is important for anglers to know the seasons and bag limits for the waters they fish, but also be able to differentiate between fish, such as knowing the difference between a largemouth bass and a smallmouth bass, and between a musky and a northern pike.
Wisconsin boat registrations run for a period of three years, beginning April 1 of the year the registration is issued or renewed, and expiring March 31 of the third year after issuance or renewal. Make sure your registration is current!
The Northern Zone mink and muskrat trapping seasons close April 15; trapping seasons close April 30 for beaver in the Northwest Zone and otter in Zone A.
Regular spring turkey season begins with Period A this Wednesday, April 16, and run through April 22. The spring season is open in seven zones, comprised of six, seven-day periods that run Wednesday through the following Tuesday.
Hunting hours differ depending on the time of year and location, be it northern or southern half of the state.
For more information, visit turkey hunting on the DNR website, check out the Turkey Hunting FAQ section, and review the regulations. In addition, be sure to know the 2025 northern region spring turkey shooting hours.
The Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame opens for the 2025 season Tuesday, April 15, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. These hours run through May, changing to 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. from June through August, and reverting to 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.in September and October. The Hall is open seven days a week, including Sundays and holidays.
For more information, visit Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame or call (715) 634-4440.
The 2025 DNR Spring Hearing is today, April 14, starting at 6 p.m., when the DNR and Wisconsin Conservation Congress offer the public in all counties an in-person opportunity to provide their input on natural resource-related questions.
The hearing questionnaire, hearing agenda, and hearing locations are available online. Input at the in-person meeting and through the online option carry equal weight.
This year, the Sawyer County meeting is at Winter High School in Winter.
The online option starts at 7 p.m. April 14 and is available through 6 p.m. April 16. The DNR will post the link on the Spring Hearing webpage.
For more information, visit the Spring Hearing webpage 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. 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). Check for trail and road closures and updates at HLVCB ATV/UTV trail conditions report and Sawyer County Snowmobile & ATV Alliance.
Sawyer County Snowmobile & ATV trail maps are available 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).
FISHING REPORT
Only three weeks until the May 3 gamefish season opener and those weeks will pass quickly! Prepare now for opening day, such as renewing fishing licenses for 2025, so that it is one of pleasure, not problems! Address any equipment issues needing attention, assuming that you are looking over and inspecting the boat, motor, and trailer for problems that might have developed over winter or those not addressed before storing the boat. Check safety equipment, PFDs, boat plugs, charge batteries, and look over the trailer closely. Re-line and lube reels, inspect and repair rod line guides and tips, and sort through tackle boxes to see what you have and what you need.
Between now and opening day, there are a number of fishing opportunities for anglers to get on the water. Many of the lakes still have ice, but it is disappearing quickly, to the extent that even if you can access the ice sheets, it is not wise to do so. Panfish season is open all year. Early catch and release trout season is open through May 2 on many streams and rivers (check the regulations). Catch and release bass season is open year-around for both largemouth and smallmouth. Harvest season for largemouth opens with the May 3 fishing opener; smallmouth bass harvest season opens June 21 in the Northern Bass Zone. Work the open water areas now available on many lakes and rivers. The word is suckers are running in the rivers and now is the time to target them.
April 14: 2025 DNR Spring Hearing in all counties, 6 p.m. start; see hearing questionnaire and hearing locations.
April 14-16: DNR annual Spring Hearing online participation.
April 15: Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame opens for the season 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. (715-634-4440).
April 15: Trapping seasons close in Northern Zone: Mink; Muskrat.
April 20: Easter Sunday.
April 22-23: Lyrids meteor shower, 2-4 a.m., east and overhead, swift streaks, 10-20 hr.
April 28: Sawyer County CDAC meeting, starting at 6:30 p.m., at Hayward DNR Service Center (715-634-7467).
April 30: Trapping seasons close: Beaver in Northwest Zone; Otter in Zone A.
May 2: Early catch and release trout season closes.
May 3: General Inland fishing season opens (includes largemouth bass; see regs.)
May 5-6: Eta Aquarids meteor shower 2-4 a.m., southeast, 5-20 hr., very swift, long paths.
May 6: Hayward Chapter-Muskies, Inc., general meeting, 7 p.m., at Flat Creek Lodge (715-634-4543).
May 7-10: 40th Annual Treeland Challenge Bass & Walleye Release Tournament ‑ event is full (715-462-3874).
May 10: North Country Riders ATV Club Spaghetti Feed at the Hayward Veterans Center,
May 12: Full Flower Moon.
May 16-17: Hayward Chapter-Fishing Has No Boundaries 38th Annual Fishing Event (715-634-3185).
May 16-18: Musky Tale Resort – Northern Encounter fishing contest (715-462-3838).
May 24: Musky season opens in Northern Zone.
May 24: Wisconsin Canoe Heritage Day – Wisconsin Canoe Heritage Museum in Spooner (715-635-5002).
May 26: Memorial Day ‑ a day memorializing the veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice for this country.
May 31: Elk tag application deadline ($10 fee).
Spring turkey season is six, seven-day periods running Wednesday through the following Tuesday, in seven zones.
Period A: April 16-22
Period B: April 23-29
Period C: April 30-May 6
Period D: May 7-13
Period E: May 14-20
Period F: May 21-27
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.
