June 9, 2025
Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman
The forecast predicts rain showers and t-storms to start the week, with high temperatures from mid-60s to upper 70s, and a mix of sunshine and rain (some low chances) through the weekend. This is a great sign to buy dad some new fishing rain gear for Father’s Day!
“The Quiet Lakes’ area is in for a wet week,” says Greg at Happy Hooker, “but temperatures in the 60s-70s should increase water temperatures. Fishing is good, but warmer water will get some species in predictable patterns.
“Musky fishing is slow to start this season. Anglers see many follows, but non-aggressive fish. Warming water should get fish more active. Muskies are in shallow weeds chasing baitfish, and bucktails, gliders, and jerkbaits are good choices.
“Walleye fishing is hit or miss so far, though early summer patterns should start taking shape. Anglers should find fish off deeper rock and weed edges adjacent to deep basins. Leeches might start to work better than suckers or minnows, but any live bait is a good choice.
“Northern pike hammer handles are eating nearly everything thrown. Work small spinners, spinnerbaits, crankbaits, and live bait in and around weedy bays or weed beds in 3-12 feet.
“Largemouth bass are active, but should get very active with warmer water. Fish are in/around weed beds and suspending. Live bait, spinnerbaits, plastic worms, and topwaters work great.
“Smallmouth bass are off deep rock, such as main lake reefs, points, weeds transitioning to rocks, or shorelines that drop off into deep water. Leeches and minnows on jigs or under slip bobbers work best.
“All panfish species are holding mostly to weed cover. Shallower timber or deadfalls can hold panfish as well. Waxies, plastics, crawler chunks, and crappie minnows on small jigs work great. Cast and retrieve jig setups or fish them under a float in and around structure in 3-10 feet.”
Jarrett at Hayward Bait says musky fishing is consistent, with some anglers now having success for big fish after dark.
“Most anglers see fish out to 8 feet, taking fish on small swimbaits such as shallow Swimmin’ Dawgs and Mini Medussas. Some report success on smaller bucktails such as Flash Tails, Spanky’s, and Uncle Al’s.
“Walleyes are on weedlines during the day, some moving shallow during low light periods. Weedline anglers use Lindy rigs and crankbaits, while others run leeches under slip bobbers all day. Target new weed growth adjacent to spawning habitat such as shallow rock and wind-swept shorelines in 8-16 feet.
“Northern pike fishing is very good for both size and numbers. Live bait on jigs, and spinnerbaits, spoons, and swimbaits over new weeds in 5-15 feet work well. Anglers should have no problem finding pike.
“Largemouth and smallmouth bass are shallow and in pre-/spawning mode. Look for round stone or sand splotches on the bottom for fish guarding nests. Smallmouth fishing is catch and release only until June 21. Live bait, spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, and topwaters work well. The bite is decent, but fish are stubborn with the temperature fluctuations.
“Crappies are still spawning, with some migrating to the weeds. For crappies on beds, nothing beats fatheads on Aberdeen hooks. Try plastics on jigs and jerkbaits over weeds for post-spawn crappies.
“Bluegills are on beds and nearly any bait works. Please release most males greater than 8-8.5 inches, the building blocks for generations to come, as their removal can quickly stunt a population in a very short time.”
Mike at Jenk’s says the Chippewa Flowage is down one foot, with the water temperature 68 degrees.
“Musky action is producing many follows, but without much connecting, and most action in shallower weeds with the fish chasing bluegills. Small crankbaits and gliders work best. Keep baits small for a week or so until the bluegills leave the shallows, then look at bigger offerings.
“Walleye are in 18-25 feet during daylight hours, with leeches and minnows effective. Kalin’s Tungsten Sho-W jigs with leeches and minnows are performing very well. In evening hours, action is shallow, in 6-12 feet, on bar and weed edges. Leeches and minnows produce at night, but in early evening, try jerkbaits and shallow/mid-depth crankbaits.
“Northern pike are in and around weeds chasing bluegills. Anglers are catching many small, 20-inch and smaller pike. Tinsel Tail spinners and chatterbaits are the most effective, with some action on live bait.
“Largemouth bass are active, though less so than smallmouth. Use chatterbaits, spinnerbaits, and frogs in weeds and lilies for largemouth.
“Smallmouth bass are active in shallow wood, with Ned rigs the go-to bait. For optimal success, target areas such as the Knucklebuster and the Sticks.
“Crappies left the shallows in transition to their summer patterns. Most anglers report success in weeds in 8-10 feet with crappie minnows and various plastics, particularly one-inch Gulp! Minnows. Bog action at night should start soon.
“This week according to the Solunar Calendar, Monday, Thursday, and Friday are 3-Star days, and Tuesday and Wednesday 4 Star days. Check the Jenk’s website for Solunar Calendar times.”
This week, DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter discusses Moms and Kids Fishing Night June 16.
“Summer is here and the kids are going to want to go fishing. Last year, we heard from many moms in the community who were interested in leading fishing outings with kids, but hoped to build some of their own skills beforehand. As a result, we held our first ‘Moms and Kids Fishing Night’ at Shues Pond in June 2024.
“The event was a big success, with about 30 families coming out to fish, learn, get outfitted with fishing equipment from SCOPE, and enjoy dinner provided by the Terry Peterson Fishing Foundation.
“The event is back by popular demand this year, Monday, June 16, at 6 p.m., at Shues Pond on the corner of 3rd and Kansas, in downtown Hayward.
“We have an all-woman team of excellent local angling instructors who are ready to share their fishing skills and knowledge with any moms, grandmas, aunts, big sisters, etc., who are looking to become more skilled and confident when it comes to fishing. The kids are welcome too, of course, and the idea is for the whole family to learn together to get ready for a summer of fishing fun.
“There is no cost to participate in this event. The DNR is providing all necessary angling equipment and bait, and the Terry Peterson Fishing Foundation will again provide pizza for the participants.
“We are hoping for good weather and another great turnout. Family fishing is great quality time, and yes, you can learn how to do it!
“For more information, email DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter or call him at (715) 492-1309.”
Moms and Kids Fishing Night at Shues Pond is June 16. See Max Wolter’s item above for details.
Father’s Day is Sunday, June 15 ‑ take dad fishing (or at least to a fish fry!)
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 at HLVCB 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 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
Fishing is good, and warming water is making it better, though this week’s weather has some days more conducive to fishing than other days. Again, as always, check with your favorite bait shop, as fish are transitioning!
Musky:
Musky fishing is fair to good, with anglers reporting many follows, but not many hookups. There is some after dark success on bigger fish. Muskies are around weeds and panfish concentrations in depths to 10 feet. Smaller bucktails, jerkbaits, gliders, crankbaits, swimbaits, and rubber baits can all draw the attention of muskies.
Walleye:
Walleye fishing is fair and improving as fish transition to summer locations. Late evening and early morning offer the best success on shallow weed edges, rock, and bars in 4-12 feet. During the day, work deep weed, wood, and rock out to 25 feet. Leeches, crawlers, and minnows on jigs and slip bobbers, and jerkbaits, crankbaits, and Lindy rigs, all catch fish.
Northern Pike:
Northern pike action is excellent for good numbers of smaller fish. Focus on new weeds, weedy bays, and panfish and baitfish concentrations out to 15 feet. Most baits are working, but sucker minnows, minnows, spinners, spinnerbaits, spoons, swimbaits, chatterbaits, and crankbaits are especially effective.
Largemouth Bass:
Largemouth bass are in pre-spawn, with fishing good and improving as the water warms. Search for fish in/around shallow weeds and lilies, and suspending. Live bait, spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, plastics such as worms and swim jigs, frogs, and other topwaters work well.
Smallmouth Bass:
Smallmouth bass fishing is good as fish are now pre-spawn and spawning (and catch and release only until June 21). Find them on deep rock, points, weed to rock transitions, shallow wood, and along shorelines. Productive baits include sucker minnows, leeches, Ned rigs, spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, and topwaters.
Crappie:
Crappie fishing is good to very good, with some fish spawning and some now moving to deeper weed and wood cover out to 10 feet. Baits of choice include crappie minnows, fatheads, crawler chunks, waxies, plastics, and Gulp! Minnows on small jigs and plain hooks fished under slip bobbers.
Bluegill:
Bluegill fishing is very good to excellent, with fish on spawning beds and very vulnerable. Use discretion with harvest so there are fish to catch next year and beyond. Take enough to feed your family, not your ego. Look for “elephant tracks” on sand bottoms. Waxies, crawler chunks, and plastics on small jigs and teardrops are all you need to catch them!
June 11: Full Strawberry Moon.
June 15: Father’s Day.
June 16: Moms and Kids Fishing Night at Shues Pond (715-492-1309).
June 19-22: 75th Annual Musky Fest, schedule of events (715-634-8662).
June 19-21: Hayward Bass Club/Hayward Lakes Chapter-Muskies Inc. – Musky Fest fishing contest (715-558-2835).
June 20: Summer Solstice ‑ first day of summer!
June 21: Smallmouth bass harvest season opens in the Northern Bass Zone.
June 21: Sawyer County Dairy Breakfast at Sawyer County Fairgrounds, 6:30-11 a.m. (715-699-2022).
June 29: Hayward Bass Club – Round Lake Open, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., (405-227-1789).
July 5: Boulder Lodge 8th Annual Cardboard Boat Race – Northwoods Humane Society fundraiser (715-462-3002).
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.
