Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report

November 17, 2025

Steve Suman

The current forecast shows 40-degree highs through the weekend, sunshine and a few rain showers possible, and lows ranging from upper teens to low 30s. These are all “freebies,” so take advantage of them!

“This week, the Quiet Lakes’ area looks to cool and see some rain,” says Greg at Happy Hooker. “There is plenty of fishing available for anglers who want to get out, but not many are fishing.

“Musky fishing with suckers should be best for the next couple weeks as open water season winds down. Last Wednesday, we fished all day on deep edges and steep shoreline breaks with big rubber baits, dive and rise jerkbaits, minnow baits, and suckers. A couple fish harassed our suckers ‑ but no takers! Such is musky fishing!

“Walleye anglers are few, so if walleyes are the fish anglers prefer to chase, they will likely have good spots to themselves. Jigging walleye suckers around deep structure or fished under slip bobbers are good places to start. Deeper rock transitions from hard to soft bottom, or deep weed edges in 10-14 feet, should be the key locations holding walleye. At dusk, the fish move onto shallower flats chasing baitfish, so make sure to work those shallow transitions.

“Northern pike should be in and around any green weeds in 5-12 feet ‑ and throw everything at them. Live bait and small crankbaits and spinnerbaits with slower retrieves can catch pike right now.

“Smallmouth bass should be very similar to targeting walleye. Look for fish on the same deep rocky transitions and use the same live bait and plastics on jigs.

“Panfish are schooling in the basins and anglers should target them with minnows and plastics on jigs.”

Jarrett at Hayward Bait says only a few musky suckers remain available in the area.

“As ice starts to spread and muskies get out of reach, anglers will troll to cover water and keep hands warm. The key locations at this time revolve around any green weeds that hold baitfish.

“Walleye anglers will start scouting for fish by boat in locations they will fish at early ice. Walleye suckers and slip bobbers are the key before switching to tip-ups.

“Northern pike will move near any shallow structure with deeper water nearby that might hold panfish or baitfish. Northern and walleye suckers work best this time of year.

“Crappies are in one of two places. Some are in mid-depth weeds, where they wait until twilight when they rise and feed. Others, towards the bottom in deep basins, are typically more willing to bite throughout the day. Small jigs and minnows, and vertical ripping baits such as Rippin Raps, work well.

“Bluegills are moving to shallow weeds where water is warmer at this time of year, hold remaining bug life, and provides cover. Waxies on small jigs work well, and some anglers might begin using ice jigs under corks.

“We are almost to the time when anglers will be unable to launch due to ice, but should have another week or so.”

This week, DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter offers appreciation to our local Muskies Inc. Chapter.

“Throughout the winter, I will highlight a few local fishing organizations, great groups I have had the pleasure of working with during my time in Hayward. Volunteers usually run these groups, dedicating considerable time to protecting and enhancing our local fisheries.

“First up is our local Muskies Inc. chapter, officially known as the Hayward Lakes Chapter of Muskies Inc. active since 1979. Our local group is one of 51 active Muskies Inc. chapters around the country and one of the 11 Wisconsin chapters. You see local Muskies Inc. members everywhere, from Musky Fest to its big fall tournament to just about every youth angling event in between.

“The fall tournament is the club’s primary fundraiser that has generated an astounding amount of money for local musky conservation projects. The club reports a total of $604,541 in contributions towards 393 different local projects including research, stocking, habitat work, youth angling, fishing access development, scholarships, and more.

“Just last week it used funds to purchase and place 500 musky fingerlings into Mud/Callahan Lake and 250 into Teal. These important stockings filled an unmet need in the area this year.

“Club President Mike Persson has been one of my favorite people to work with over the years. Mike and the club approach every project with a no-nonsense, problem-solving attitude, and a strong sense of wanting to help the lakes and our community.

“The club meets nearly monthly and often brings in speakers that include local guides, researchers, and club members willing to share their tips and experiences in catching our most elusive local trophy fish.

“The club always welcomes new members and I encourage anyone bitten by the musky fishing bug to attend a meetings and get involved in some of the club’s great projects.”

The Northern Forest Zone consists of many individual Deer Management Units (DMUs), with some units in Sawyer County extending into other counties. The 2025 weekly DMU deer harvest numbers for these units, as of November 11, are available by referencing the DMU map and deer harvest summary. In a number of units, bonus antlerless licenses remain available.

Fall turkey hunter success continues statewide. As of November 12, the current harvest total for all seven zones is 2,296 birds. Locally, Zone 6 has registered 273 birds and Zone 7 registered 130 birds. Many bonus tags remain available for zones 1-4. The season closes November 21 in all zones statewide, but reopens in zones 1-5 from November 22-January 4. For more information, visit “turkey hunting” on the DNR website.

Crex Meadows Wildlife Area will hold a deer processing class at the facility Saturday, December 6, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Instructors will cover all aspects of deer processing, including hanging, aging, caping, skinning, CWD testing, and hands-on processing and packaging meat for home use and storage.

Participants will learn safe handling techniques, proper cuts, and practical tips to maximize the yield and quality of the harvest. Crex will provide all necessary equipment and participants will receive venison to take home.

This class requires registration to reserve your spot. The fee is $10 to attend.

For more information, email Gregg@raisedatfulldraw.com, visit Crex, or call (715) 463-2739.

Hayward Rod and Gun Club will host its annual sight-in days through Friday November 21, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily. The public is welcome. Experienced club members can help sight-in rifles in a safe and controlled environment. The cost is $8 per rifle.

As a fundraiser, the club is selling drawing chances for a Henry Big Boy lever action .44 magnum rifle or a $500 Ace Hardware gift certificate. Tickets cost $10/each or 3/$20. The drawing is Friday, November 21, at 4 p.m., and the winner need not be present. Proceeds from the event and drawing go towards club maintenance and scholarship funds.

For more information, visit Hayward Rod and Gun Club or call (715) 634-4912.

Hayward Chapter-Muskies, Inc. welcomes the public to attend its club meeting Tuesday, November 18, at Hayward Rod and Gun Club. A general business meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. to discuss 2025 tournament results, set the budget, and elect officers for 2026. At 7:30 p.m., DNR fisheries biologist Colin Dassow will report on the Spider Lake Project. Admission is free and people interested in joining Muskies, Inc. can purchase a half-price membership at the meeting.

For more information, call Mike Persson (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 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

Anglers desiring more outings before ice-up will find good fishing and see few other anglers. Use caution ‑ water levels are low (and cold!). Check with your favorite bait shop for current details on fish locations, bite windows, and preferred baits and presentations.

Musky:

Musky fishing is good and this is trophy time! Focus on green weeds holding panfish concentrations, deep edges, and steep shoreline breaks. Suckers, if you can find them, are the prime offering, but big rubber baits, minnow baits, jerkbaits, and trolled crankbaits and stickbaits are producing fish.

Walleye:

Walleye fishing is good for the few anglers on the water. Fish deep weed edges in 8-15 feet, shallow to deep structure, and hard bottom transition areas. In late evening into dark, work shallower weedlines and flats. Walleye suckers, fatheads, and plastics on jigs, slip bobbers, and drop-shot rigs, and trolling crankbaits and stickbaits do the job.

Northern Pike:

Northern pike action is very good for fish on their big pre-winter fall feed. Find them around any shallow green weeds and other structure in 4-14 feet adjacent to deeper water, and concentrations of baitfish and panfish. Northern suckers, walleye suckers, fatheads, spinners, spinnerbaits, spoons, swimbaits, crankbaits, and jerkbaits all work well.

Smallmouth Bass:

Smallmouth fishing is good for anglers targeting fish on deep rock, points, humps, transitions, and other structure, and mid-depth weed edges. Sucker minnows and plastics on jigs, and swimbaits, Ned rigs, and drop-shots are all effective.

Crappie:

Crappie fishing is good to very good on mid-depth weeds in evening hours. Schools near bottom and suspending in basins can bite all day. Crappie minnows, fatheads, plastics, and Gulp! baits on small jigs, and Rippin Raps and similar baits work well.

Bluegill:

Bluegill fishing is fair to good, with schools scattered from shallow to deep on weeds, wood, and cribs, and in the basins. Waxies, minnows, plastics, and Gulp! baits on small jigs, teardrops, and ice jigs under slip bobbers produce.

Upcoming Events

Nov. 15-21: Hayward Rod and Gun Club ‑ annual sight-in days, $8/rifle fee, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily (715-634-4912).

Nov. 16-17: Leonids Meteor Shower, southeast, 4-5 a.m., 10-15 per hour, very swift.

Nov. 18: Hayward Chapter-Muskies, Inc. meeting, Hayward Rod and Gun Club, 6:30 p.m. (715-634-4543).

Nov. 21: Fall turkey season closes statewide.

Nov. 22: Crow season opens.

Nov. 22-30: Wisconsin’s traditional nine-day gun deer season.

Nov. 22-Jan. 4: Fall turkey season open in zones 1-5.

Nov. 25: Duck season closes in Northern Zone.

Nov. 27: Thanksgiving Day.

Nov. 28-Dec. 20: Christmas in Hayward 2025 (715-699-2706).

Nov. 29: Mourning dove season closes.