February 2, 2026
Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman
The forecast predicts warmer days ahead this week, which will irritate some and make others smile ‑ not unlike Punxsutawney Phil’s predictions on Groundhog Day. Temperatures will range from -8 degrees to 34 degrees, with a mix of sun, rain, and snow. The North Woods seeks to satisfy everyone! Enjoy the warmth and sunshine!
Travelers can check current road conditions at 511wi.gov for Wisconsin and 511mn.org for Minnesota.
“Expect cold lows in the Quiet Lakes’ area this week,” says Greg at Happy Hooker, “but high temperatures in the teens and twenties and fantastic winter recreation weather. Lakes have 16-18 inches of ice and excellent travel conditions.
“Walleyes are suspending or tight to bottom on deep rocks and sand, on mid-lake reefs and humps, or on rocky, steep breaking shorelines. Use walleye suckers and shiners on tip-ups and work the water column. Set one near bottom, one a few feet off bottom, and one higher on the shallow side of the break. Jigging spoons and bigger minnows on jigs can call in aggressive fish.
“Northern pike fishing is good with jigging spoons, and with walleye suckers and shiners on tip-ups set in and around shallow weeds and weed edges.
“Largemouth bass are hitting jigging spoons and bigger minnows and plastics on jigs. Work in and around shallow weeds. Focus on anything holding oxygen at this time when ice blocks light penetration.
“Crappies are suspending in basins in 12-25 feet, as well as deeper weed edges in 10-14 feet. Use minnows and plastics on small tungsten jigs.
“Bluegill anglers have better luck on shallow weed beds and in weedy bays. Focus on any green weeds you find, or pockets of weeds and edges. Waxies, spikes, and plastics on jigs work best.
“Perch are schooling tight to the bottom in basins and on deep edges in 8-20 feet, depending on the lake. Fish aggressively with small noisy and flashy spoons.”
Jarrett at Hayward Bait says that with the cold finally releasing its grip, anglers are back on the ice.
“Most lakes have 19-22 inches of ice, enough for some brave souls to begin driving out vehicles. On any waterbody, with any mode of transportation, beware of deep snow patches, cracks, or springs. No ice is ever completely safe!
“Walleye fishing is solid on main lake humps and deeper flats in 12-26 feet. Tip-ups produce, but jigging prevails. Anglers are using minnowbaits, spoons, and live bait.
“Northern pike action is great, with anglers seeing good numbers of eater size and larger fish. Work suckers, shiners, and dead bait on tip-ups in 8-20 feet around structure holding baitfish.
“Crappies are schooling in 20-35 feet and constantly moving. Punch numerous holes before moving to other areas. Spoons, rattlebaits, jigs, minnows, and waxies all produce.
“Bluegills are on flats and in weeds. Find abundant cover in 8-15 feet and let fish come through. Use waxies and spikes on small spoons and jigs.
This week, DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter discusses the basic biology of fish recruitment.
“Even the most casual angler understands that the sustainability of a fishery relies on new fish coming into the lake. Biologists call that concept ‘recruitment,’ and it is one of the most important dynamics in our fisheries.
“Measures of recruitment typically focus on naturally born fish, but recruitment of new fish into a lake or river can also happen via stocking. We gear many of our local fisheries surveys towards understanding recruitment so that we can anticipate changes in the fishery, make stocking requests, set harvest regulations, and more.
“Recruitment in fisheries often does not function the way most people think. For example, recruitment is rarely a steady stream of new fish coming into the waterbody each year. Recruitment can vary widely, especially for certain species. There might be a big ‘year class’ of new recruits in one year, and then very little for the next several years.
“Unpredictable recruitment can be very challenging for managing a fishery and can create uncertain and often disappointing conditions for anglers as well. However, variable recruitment is natural and even typical for some species.
“The relationship between spawning adults and the amount of recruitment that happens can also be unexpected. For example, having many spawning females does not automatically mean lots of recruitment. In fact, the opposite can sometimes be true for fish due to cannibalism and competition for prey.
“On the flip side, a small number of spawning fish can sometimes pull of a big year class. Individual female fish having thousands, sometimes tens of thousands, of eggs, make this possible. This is very different from how mammals or birds reproduce.
“We should note that humans have huge impacts on fish recruitment as well. Shoreline development, increased runoff, groundwater losses, damming, and other habitat fragmentation can all negatively impact fish recruitment. Good management practices can reverse many of these impacts, which means more little fish produced, and a fishier future.”
Flambeau River State Forest will host its 52nd candlelight ski & hike for skiers, hikers, and snowshoers Saturday, February 7, from 6-9 p.m., at the Flambeau Hills Trail Head on County Hwy W near Winter. Crews will groom and track a 1.8km looped trail lit with candles through the forest. Staff will provide food and warm refreshments, picnic tables, and a large BBQ grill for those who wish to cook.
For more information, call (715) 890-0856.
The 26th Annual Drummond Barstool Races are Saturday, February 14. Food and entries start at 10:30 a.m.; races begin at 12 p.m. In addition to the races, the event offers raffle drawings, food, music, beer, and a heated pavilion. All proceeds go to local snowmobile and ATV trail maintenance.
For more information, visit Drummond Barstool Races.
Anglers
The DNR is hosting a virtual meeting Thursday, February 26, from 6-8 p.m., to discuss the status and management of walleye in northwest Wisconsin. For more information, call (715) 418-0897.
Wisconsin’s inland gamefish season closes March 1.
Hunters/Trappers
Second period bobcat hunting/trapping season closed January 31.
Coyote trapping, fox hunting/trapping, and raccoon hunting/trapping seasons closes February 15.
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 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).
SNOWMOBILE/SKI TRAIL REPORT
Snowmobiles must have a current registration and display a valid snowmobile trail pass to operate on public snowmobile trails. You can renew registrations and order trail passes online or purchase trail passes from sales agents. Members of the Association of Wisconsin Snowmobile Clubs (AWSC) can purchase trail passes at a discounted rate directly from www.awsc.org. You need not to be a Wisconsin resident to be an AWSC member.
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 for the complete map ($2).
The February 2 HLVCB snowmobile trail report says Sawyer County trails are open, groomed, with a base of 10-12 inches, and in excellent condition.
The February 2 Travel Wisconsin snowmobile trail report for Washburn County says trails are open, groomed, with a base of 6-8 inches, and in good condition.
The February 2 Travel Wisconsin snowmobile trail report for Rusk County says trails are open, groomed, with a base of 4-6 inches, and in fair to excellent condition.
The February 2 Travel Wisconsin snowmobile trail report for southeast Douglas County says trails are open, groomed, with a base of 6-16 inches, and in good to excellent condition.
American Birkebeiner week is Feb. 18-22, with other events in early February.
Check here for Birkie trail maps and conditions. Skiing the Birkie Trail System December through March requires a Birkie Trail Ski Pass. Skiing on the snowmaking loop required an All-Access snow pass.
For more information, visit www.birkie.com or call (715) 634-5025.
FISHING REPORT
Ice reports indicate thickness up to 22 inches, depending on the lake and good travel conditions. Check very closely before taking out any vehicle. Recent brutal weather gave fish a break from fishing pressure, which should be good for anglers taking advantage of this warming trend. Check with your favorite bait shop personnel!
Walleye:
Walleye fishing is good to very good, with fish on or suspending over deep rocks and sand, on mid-lake reefs, flats, and humps, and steep, rocky shorelines in 10-28 feet. Check the entire water column. Best baits include walleye suckers and shiners on tip-ups, and jigging spoons and minnowbaits.
Northern Pike:
Northern pike action is very good to excellent for fish in/on shallow weeds, weed beds, and weed edges in 6-20 feet. Look for baitfish and panfish concentrations. Suckers, shiners, and dead bait on tip-ups, and jigging spoons, all catch pike.
Largemouth Bass:
Largemouth bass are in shallow weeds and weed bed areas ‑ any place that holds oxygen. Jig spoons and larger minnows and plastics on jigs.
Crappie:
Crappies are schooling in basins or holding on weed edges in 10-35 feet, depending on the lake. Plan to drill many holes to stay with them. Crappie minnows, waxies, and plastics on small jigs and spoons, and rattlebaits are productive.
Bluegill:
Bluegill fishing is good to very good. Find fish in shallow green weeds, weedy bays and flats, and on weed edges in 6-18 feet. Set up and wait for fish to come to you. Waxies, spikes, and plastics on small jigs and spoons work well.
Perch:
Perch are tight to the bottom in basins and on deep edges in 8-22 feet. Fishing is fair to good with minnows, minnow heads, and plastics on small jigs and spoons, especially aggressively jigged spoons offering flash and noise.
Jan. 31: Bobcat hunting/trapping season period 2 closed.
Feb. 7: 42nd Annual Hayward Lions Pre-Birkie in Cable, 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. (715-558-6251).
Feb. 7: Flambeau River State Forest Candlelight Ski & Hike (715-890-0856).
Feb. 7: Cable Rod & Gun Club – Annual Ice Fishing Tournament on Lake Namakagon, 12 a.m.-4 p.m. (715-798-3099).
Feb. 14: 26th Annual Drummond Barstool Races.
Feb. 15: Seasons close: Coyote trapping; Fox hunting/trapping; Raccoon hunting/trapping (888-936-7463).
Feb. 18-22: American Birkebeiner Week (715-634-5025).
Feb. 21: Concealed carry class (WI/MN) – Hayward Rod & Gun Club 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. (715-558-8312).
Feb. 26: DNR virtual meeting on status and management of walleye in northwest Wisconsin, 6-8 p.m. (715-418-0897).
Feb. 28: Fat Bike Birkie (715-634-5025).
Feb. 28: Seasons close: Cottontail rabbit; Squirrel (gray, fox) (888-936-7463).
Feb. 26-March 1: Lakewoods Resort – World’s Longest Weenie Roast (715-794-2561).
March 1: Inland gamefish season closes (see regs).
March 3: Full Worm Moon and lunar eclipse.
March 8: Daylight Saving Time begins – turn clocks ahead one hour.
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.
