March 23, 2026
Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman
Look for sunshine and mild temperatures in the 40s/50s Monday thru Wednesday this week. There are rain chances Wednesday night thru Thursday, sunshine and 37 degrees Friday, then warmer and sunny thru the weekend. Maybe. Forecast and what occurs are not always the same ‑ but that can go both ways!
Travelers can check current road conditions at 511wi.gov for Wisconsin and 511mn.org for Minnesota.
“This past weekend’s Quiet Lakes’ area weather opened up some shorelines and ice season might be just about over,” says Greg at Happy Hooker. “Conditions change rapidly this time of year, and anglers venturing out should check ice frequently. Late ice is usually great fishing, but it can come with some very big risks if anglers are not cautious.
“Panfish should push into shallower areas where creek and river inlets bring oxygenated water into the lakes. Look for all panfish species in 6-12 feet. Minnows, waxies, and plastics on jigs and jigging spoons are great options.”
This week, DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter discusses spring fishing opportunities, old and new.
“Anglers often overlook early spring months, but this period offers some exceptional fishing at a time with limited outdoor opportunities. Starting in 2026, some new spring fishing opportunities go along with the tried and true favorites.
“The big change this year is two seasons with earlier start dates. Catch and release for trout starts in January, but the harvest season now opens the first weekend in April. The Hayward area has many streams with a high abundance of brook trout that present great harvest opportunities. Check the trout regulations for size and bag limits for local streams.
“The other change in season dates is an earlier start to musky fishing. Nearly all musky anglers practice catch and release, and the earlier season is unlikely to lead to muskellunge harvest. This gives anglers the green light to fish for them at a time when the water is cool and fish can be active. Post-spawn muskies are often eager to get back to feeding.
“The year-round panfish season presents great opportunities for anglers as panfish flood into shallow bays to warm after ice-out. Look for crappie and bigger bluegill to school and locate high in the water column, often near the tops of any surviving vegetation from last season.
“Panfish at this time of year can be very spooky, often scattering if they see shadows or hear a loud splash. Strategize on how to present your bait from a distance without making a big disturbance.
“Lastly, anglers can look to our warmwater rivers for some fishing fun, especially for kids. Many rivers in the Hayward area have excellent runs of redhorse.
“Redhorse spawn in big congregations in the spring, not unlike salmon. Kids can have fun for hours catching and releasing these heavy, hard-fighting fish. Redhorse are a native fish ‑ they are not ‘carp’ ‑ and due to an abundance of bones, not known as good table fare, and we encourage their release.”
The DNR reminds people to keep safety top of mind when heading out to ice fish or ride trails as temperatures fluctuate between above and below freezing. Ice thickness changes quickly and becomes more unreliable and dangerous.
This time of year, people need to be especially careful about using their ATVs/UTVs and snowmobiles on lakes, rivers, and trails. Remember these safety tips before heading out on your next trip:
- Carry a cell phone. Let people know where you are going and when you will return.
- On the ice, wear a life jacket/float coat. It will keep you afloat and maintain body heat if you break through.
- Wear ice creepers on boots to prevent slipping on ice.
- Carry a spud bar to check ice while walking to new areas.
- Bring a few spikes and length of light rope in an accessible pocket to help pull out yourself or others.
If you fall in, remain calm, and while you attempt to get out of the water, call for help. Anyone attempting a rescue should use a rope or something similar to avoid falling through.
A few snowmobile trails in northern Wisconsin remain open. Check the Travel Wisconsin’s Snow Report for current trail conditions. Like the ice, late season trails can be unpredictable. Be careful, watch your speed, and ride sober.
Turkey hunters, anglers, and other outdoor recreationists should look at the DNR’s 2026 Public Access Lands Atlas now available for purchase. The Atlas contains 441 maps covering statewide public lands, roads, and waterways. These maps make it easy to locate a state park, county forest, or lake for hiking, hunting, or fishing.
Updated every two years, the atlas is available from the University of Wisconsin Bookstore for $104.95. Atlas information and maps are also available in DVD ($5.95), individual county booklets ($29.95), downloadable county PDF maps (free), and online mapping application (free).
For more information, visit the 2026 Public Access Lands Atlas webpage.
Sales of bonus harvest authorizations for the 2026 spring turkey season began Monday, March 16. Remaining bonus authorizations are available online through Go Wild and license sales agents on a first come, first served basis, at one per day until the zone and period sell out or the season closes.
Check the zone map and available bonus authorizations that cost $10/resident and $15/nonresident. Purchases do not affect preference point status for future spring drawings.
Spring turkey season in the seven zones is comprised of six, seven-day periods running Wednesday through the following Tuesday. The 2026 spring season dates are as follows:
- Youth Hunt: April 11-12
- Period A: April 15-21
- Period B: April 22-28
- Period C: April 29-May 5
- Period D: May 6-12
- Period E: May 13-19
- Period F: May 20-26
For more information, visit turkey hunting on the DNR website.
Hunters
Remaining bonus turkey tags are now on sale by zone. No tags remain for Zone 6.
The application period for the 2026 elk season drawing is open through May 31.
A Hunter Safety Education Class sponsored by Sawyer County Outdoor Projects and Education (SCOPE) is accepting registrations through 5 p.m. March 18. Classes begin March 24 at the Middle School. SCOPE covers costs for all students 18 years and younger. Fee for others is $10. For more information, visit here or email Petersc315@gmail.com. (This class is likely full.)
Anglers
New regulation changes for this year include early inland catch-and-release, artificials only trout season that will close April 3. The general inland trout season on inland streams, springs, and spring ponds then opens April 4. In addition, Wisconsin’s musky fishing season will open with the May 2 opening of the regular gamefish season.
The 2025-26 fishing and hunting licenses expire March 31; 2026-27 licenses are available and valid upon purchase.
Brule River fishing opens March 28 for fishing downstream of Highway 2. It is illegal to fish the river from a half-hour after sunset to a half-hour before sunrise from March 28-May 1 and from October 1-November 15, and to fish 500 feet upstream and downstream from the sea lamprey barrier. See page 6 of the trout fishing regulations.
A History of Wisconsin Fishing Lures presentation is March 26, from 6-7:30 p.m., at Weiss Community Library. For more information, visit weisscommunitylibrary.com or call (715) 634-2161.
The Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame opens for the season April 15, barring snow and ice covered sidewalks. Daily hours are 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. For more information, visit www.freshwater-fishing.org or call (715) 634-4440.
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. Contact numbers are as follows for the ATV/UTV trails in Sawyer County Forest (715-634-4846); Chequamegon National Forest (715-634-4821); and Flambeau State Forest (715-332-5271).
For trail and road updates on openings and closures, visit HLVCB ATV/UTV trail conditions report.
Sawyer County ATV & Snowmobile trail maps are available from the Hayward Lakes Visitor & Convention Bureau, or download the Trail Treker app ($2) on your smartphone for the complete map ($2).
FISHING REPORT
Ice fishing season is winding down too quickly for some and not quickly enough for others. If you go, use extreme caution, check thickness (or thinness) as you go, and take safety equipment. Trail crews pulled the lake trail stakes, a solid hint to pay attention! Check with your favorite bait shop for the current information on ice conditions, and for fish movement, bite windows, and the most productive baits and presentations.
Panfish (crappie, bluegill, perch):
Panfish fishing is good and late season can be exceptional at times, but it also brings safety issues and risks to keep in mind. Most panfish species are moving toward shallower water and in 4-20 feet on weed edge, flats, and structure, with some still in basins. Crappie minnows, minnow heads, waxies, spikes, plastics, and Gulp! baits on plain hooks, jigs, and jigging spoons can entice hungry fish.
The DNR will accept applications for the 2026 elk season through May 31.
March 25: Crow season closes.
March 26: A History of Wisconsin Fishing Lures, 6-7:30 p.m., Weiss Community Library (715-634-2161).
March 28: Brule River fishing opens downstream of Highway 2 (see page 10 of regs for legal fishing hours).
March 31: Some boat registrations expire – is your registration current?
March 31: 2025-26 fishing and hunting licenses expire. New 2026-27 licenses are available and valid upon purchase.
April 1: April Fools’ Day.
April 1: Full Pink Moon.
April 3: Early inland catch and release only trout season closes.
April 4: General inland trout season opens.
April 5: Easter Sunday.
April 11-12: Spring Turkey Youth Hunt.
April 13-15: Spring Hearing and public input, in person April 13; online April 13-15 (888-936-7463).
April 15: Trapping seasons close: Mink and muskrat in North Zone.
April 15: Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame opens unless snow or ice cover sidewalks, 9:30 a.m.-4p.m. (715-634-4440).
April 22-23: Peak Lyrids Meteor Shower; 2-4 a.m. best, 10-20 hr., east and overhead, swift streaks, luminous dust trains.
April 30: Trapping seasons close: Beaver in northwest zones; otter in North Zone.
Spring turkey season is six, seven-day periods running Wednesday through the following Tuesday, in seven zones.
Spring Turkey Youth Hunt: April 11-12
Period A: April 15-21
Period B: April 22-28
Period C: April 29-May 5
Period D: May 6-12
Period E: May 13-19
Period F: May 20-26
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.
