August 18, 2025
Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman
This week’s forecast shows milder highs in the upper 70s and more rain, excluding sunshine Wednesday and Thursday. Friday night through next Monday should be mostly sunny. We have passed the mid-August “Rubicon,” so take advantage of any sunny days going forward!
“The Quiet Lakes’ area should have a pleasant week, with temperatures in the 70s,” says Greg at Happy Hooker. “Lake levels are down around 18 inches and water temperatures in the mid-70s. Fishing is not great, but maybe the weekend storms will fire it up a bit.
“Musky fishing slowed, with only one fish on the board in the last 10 days. Anglers caught that fish and a few others on bass size crankbaits and spinnerbaits. Fish are relating to weeds, but not very active.
“Walleye fishing remains tough. To fish for them at this time, try slow trolling rocks in 12-20 feet with crawler harnesses on bottom bouncers, or crawlers on Lindy rigs or jigs as other options.
“Northern pike action is slow, with small bucktails and spinners in and around weeds great choices. A few anglers report small pike on spinnerbaits.
“Largemouth bass fishing is good with on spinnerbaits, plastics, and topwaters fished around lily pads and emergent vegetation.
“Smallmouth bass anglers report catching fish with jigs, plastics, and topwaters on weed and rock edges adjacent to deeper water.
“Panfish fishing is up and down. On some days, fish are all over the place and easy to catch; other days they disappear from those places. Minnows are great for crappies, crawlers the ticket for bluegill and perch, and plastics and Gulp! baits work for all species. Fish the baits under floats or cast and retrieve through weed beds.”
Jarrett at Hayward Bait says musky fishing is now easier for anglers.
“Muskies are free to move shallower with cooler temperatures. Bucktails, swimbaits, and topwaters show success, and suckers will soon appear to dangle in front of stubborn fish.
“Walleye anglers are pulling crankbaits and crawler harnesses over deeper water. With food abundant, quicker baits trigger reaction bites from active fish.
“Northern pike action is good on spinnerbaits, swimbaits, spoons, and jigs and minnows along mid-depth weed edges. For bigger pike, check drop-offs adjacent to deep weedlines where fish cycle in and out for feeding.
“Largemouth and smallmouth bass fishing is good shallow and deep. Ned rigs pulled along the bottom on weedlines and rock catch both species. Some have success for largemouth with frogs in lily pads. Smallmouth anglers work topwaters such as Whopper Ploppers around shoreline structure such as logs and stumps. Texas and wacky rigs produce fish in all areas.
“Crappies are around deep weeds and structure such as cribs and downed trees. Minnows on small jigs fished slowly and close to cover during daylight work well to pull fish from cover. During sundown hours, anglers go bigger and more aggressive with their casting to produce bigger fish.
“Bluegill fishing is consistent, from fish in dock areas to those on fish cribs near crappies. Red worms on small Aberdeen hooks on drop-shots or under bobbers are great options. Larger fish are coming on hard baits and spinnerbaits.”
Mike at Jenk’s says the Chippewa Flowage is down two feet and the water temperature 76 degrees.
“Musky anglers report a few catches, and some success trolling deeper water during daylight hours. Adjust baits to depths that you see on the graph. In early mornings and the evenings, cooler water is better for casting blade and surface baits. Sit shallower and cast to deep edges.
“Walleye anglers should focus on deep cover during the day. Trolling jointed Flicker Shads, Shad Raps, and Reef Runners covers more water more quickly. During evening and night, drag crawlers and artificial leeches on weedy bars in 6-10 feet, staying off the edges. Cooler days drop surface temperatures, increasing shallower fishing opportunities.
“Northern pike action is solid for smaller fish, with Tinsel Tails, Chatter Flashes, and World Rush crankbaits producing. Fish the slop or over weed beds. Remember: the Pike Improvement Project is in progress!
“Largemouth bass, though smaller than usual, are active in weeds and lily pads. Chatterbaits, in-line spinners, and frogs do the trick.
“Smallmouth bass are on stumps and rock bars on the east side, hitting various baits, but Ned rigs and Whopper Ploppers stand out.
“Crappies are in traditional summer patterns. During the day, target spots such as cribs and try deep sunken bogs. At night, the bog bite is still strong. Crappie minnows are the best live bait, plastics shine, and Garland Mayflies and one-inch Gulp! Minnows are catching fish.”
This week, DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter discusses thermally challenged trout streams.
“Most anglers can picture a trout stream in their mind, but not all trout streams look the same. Some are rocky, tumbling streams coming out of mountains, while others flow quietly through old-growth forests or grassy meadows.
“The common denominator in all trout streams is cold water. Trout and char, which technically include brook trout, arctic char, and lake trout, cannot survive without consistent cold water. This rule is on display locally as we go around Sawyer County to survey various streams.
“When arriving at a stream, one of the first things I do is stick my hand in the water. If it feels like water a person might swim in, trout will not appear in the survey. If the water is so cold that you cannot keep your hand in it for more than a minute, that stream is going to be loaded with trout. A thermometer is a more scientific version of this test.
“Streams that run cooler than 60F in the summer are our best trout waters, and there will not be many other species present. This includes streams such as Cap Creek, Benson Creek, Hatchery Creek, Beaver Creek, and a few others in the Exeland area.
“Streams that run 60-65F are more marginal, where trout might be present, but so are many minnows and other warmwater species with which they must compete. Examples here would include Eddy Creek, Swift Creek, sections of the Brunet River, and Hauer Creek.
“Minnows, dace, and suckers will fill streams that are consistently above 65F, but probably no brook trout. That list includes many former trout waters that have warmed over time, such as Tupper Creek, Alder Creek, the Totagatic River, and many more.
“The difference between a great trout creek, an ‘okay’ trout creek, and a creek with no trout, is just a handful of degrees. This is one reason why biologists see climate change impacting trout so drastically. We have already seen the number of creeks capable of supporting trout shrink, and expect that pattern to continue.”
The DNR 2025 fall forecast series outlines what hunters and trappers can expect during deer, bear, upland game birds, migratory birds, and furbearers seasons. It includes reminders about seasons, public land, and registration requirements.
For more information, search “forecasts” on the DNR website.
Bonus antlerless harvest authorizations ($12/residents, $20/non-residents, and $5/youth 11 years and younger) are now on sale through Go Wild and at license sales locations at one per person per day until sold out or deer season ends.
For more information, search “deer hunting” on the DNR website.
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 Hayward Lakes Visitor & Convention Bureau.
FISHING REPORT
The rain and cooler temperatures could raise water levels and jump-start fishing action for all species. Get out and give it a shot! Yes, do check with bait shop personnel!
Musky:
Musky action is slow, with early mornings and evenings best. Find fish on deeper weeds and weed edges during the day and shallower in the evening. Suckers, bucktails, swimbaits, spinnerbaits, crankbaits, topwaters, and trolling can all produce.
Walleye:
Walleyes are being obstinate. During the day, look for fish on weed and rock cover in 12-25 feet. In evening into dark, target weedy bar edges in 4-12 feet. Crawlers and artificial leeches on jigs, Lindy rigs, and harnesses, and trolled crankbaits and live bait rigs are all effective.
Northern Pike:
Northern pike action is good, primarily for smaller fish. Focus on shallow to mid-depth weeds, weedlines, weed edges, drop-offs, and baitfish and panfish concentrations. Sucker minnows, bucktails, chatterbaits, spinners, spinnerbaits, spoons, and swimbaits are working well. Check out the Pike Improvement Project!
Largemouth Bass:
Largemouth bass fishing is very good. Anglers find fish on shallow to mid-depth weeds, weedlines, lily pads, slop, stumps, and fallen trees. Minnows, crawlers, plastics, Ned, Texas, and wacky rigs, spinners, chatterbaits, Whopper Ploppers, frogs, and other topwaters do the job.
Smallmouth Bass:
Smallmouth bass fishing is very good on weedlines, weed and rock edges, wood, stumps, and structure near deeper water. Sucker minnows, Ned, Texas, and wacky rigs, jigs, plastics, Whopper Ploppers, and other topwaters all work well.
Crappie:
Crappie fishing is fair to good on deep weeds, downed trees, cribs, bogs, and basins. Crappie minnows, plastics, and Gulp! baits on jigs, teardrops, and plain hooks with/without floats, Garland Mayflies, and Beetle Spins all catch fish.
Bluegill/Perch:
Bluegill and perch fishing is good to frustrating. Work weed beds, cribs, brush, and around docks. Waxies, red worms, crawler chunks, plastics, and Gulp! baits on small jigs, teardrops, and plain hooks fished under floats work well.
Aug. 18: Bonus antlerless deer harvest authorizations on sale.
Aug. 23: Seeley Lions PreFat Bike Race 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Aug. 24: HBC Tom Turner Memorial Open on Tiger Cat Flowage, Weber’s, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. (405-227-1789).
Aug. 29-31: 33rd Annual Exeland Trout Festival (715-943-2242).
Sept. 1: Seasons open: Early Canada goose; Early teal; Mourning dove (see closing dates).
Sept. 1: Labor Day.
Sept. 3: Black bear season opens (see regs).
Sept. 3-6: 25th Annual Lake Chippewa Flowage Musky Hunt (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. 22: Autumnal Equinox.
Sept. 20: Hayward Fall Festival, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (715-634-8662).
Sept. 25-27: Annual Treeland Premiere Musky Fly Fishing Championship (715-462-3874).
Sept. 26-27: 23rd Annual Cable Area Fall Fest (715-798-3833).
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.
