April 21, 2025
Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman
Snow fell in the Hayward area Sunday night and early Monday morning, but it disappeared quickly. Spring showers are in the forecast for most of this week, with highs in the 50s and 60s, and Wednesday currently showing the best chance for sunshine.
“We received some much needed rain in the Quiet Lakes’ area last Thursday night,” says Greg at Happy Hooker, “though not enough to make a difference. The 15-day forecast shows promise for good weather for the fishing opener, but that is still a ways out, so will not hold my breath.
“Most lakes are free of ice, although a couple of the bigger lakes have some remaining ice sheets. Water temperatures are only in the upper 30s, and crappies have not yet pushed too shallow. Longer days of sunlight should start warming water, and weed beds should emerge.
“A few anglers have already had their boats wet, but I have not heard anything on a bite to report. Anglers should start in the basins for crappie and perch, and work shallow water for bluegills.
“There is still plenty of time to prepare the boats and fishing set-ups before the opener. Be sure to check rods and reels and install new line. Make sure everything is in order on the marine side, as well. Charge the batteries, make sure the motor is smooth running, and that boat plugs are present and in good condition.
“We do hope to get some more rain before the opener, as all of the water levels are way down!”
Jarrett at Hayward Bait says he traveled around to check what the recent warmth has done to the ice on area lakes, and it appears most of them are now free of ice.
“That being said, anglers should begin to prepare their open water gear and be ready for the opener. Last year’s fishing licenses expired March 31, so it is time to renew licenses for this year. Licenses have not gone up in price, but there is talk of it for this year. Make sure you update at the regular price in case something should happen.
“As the high sun warms the waters, most fish species will begin to push shallow and remain there until about June. Panfish season is year-around, and bass are under a catch and release program as well as most inland trout. Walleye and northern pike are not legal for targeting until the May 3 opener.
“Until then, be safe on the water, and get out and enjoy some sunshine and near 60-degree temperatures!”
This week, DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter discusses the ability of anglers to identify bass species.
“We have two species of bass in the Hayward area, both relatively common, but there are some significant differences in the two species’ biology and habitat preferences, which can impact how we manage them.
“For example, there are cases where we might want a separate harvest regulation for each species. However, if we use different regulations for the two species, we need some confidence that anglers can tell the difference between the species. This was the basis of a 2012 project run by the DNR Hayward Fish Team.
“During that summer, we interviewed 244 anglers on lakes that contained both bass species. We asked a handful of interview questions and then asked each angler to identify bass from photographs. Overall, 89 percent of the anglers could correctly identify smallmouth and largemouth bass from the two largemouth and two smallmouth photographs shown.
“Wisconsin residents at 92 percent were a little more accurate than the non-residents at 86 percent. Anglers who actually planned on harvesting bass scored higher than those who said they had no plans to harvest, which is encouraging.
“We asked anglers to tell us which characteristics they used to identify the bass in the pictures, with the options being body color, eye color, mouth size, and stripes.
“Anglers who only used one of those characteristics to identify the photographs were less accurate than those who used more than one. Anglers who were familiar with all four characteristics were 100 percent accurate in our sample.
“These results demonstrate that most anglers in our area are able to tell the difference between largemouth and smallmouth bass. Anglers who planned to harvest bass were even better at identifying the two species.
“This gives us confidence that we can use separate regulations for the two bass species without creating confusion among anglers, but aiding species identification is still valuable.”
The DNR and County Deer Advisory Councils (CDAC) are seeking public feedback concerning Wisconsin’s deer management, including harvest quotas and management zones before the 2025 deer season.
Each county has a County Deer Advisory Council that meets annually to provide input and recommendations to the DNR on local deer management. They base their input on deer herd metrics, county management goals, and public feedback. The CDACs hold meetings across the state from April 21 through May 1.
This year, the CDACs in the Northern and Central Forest deer management zones will make recommendations on numbered deer management units. The DNR changed Northern Forest Zone boundaries to habitat-based deer management units. Some CDACs will make multiple recommendations based on the number of units within a county. A map of the 2025 DMUs is available on the Deer Management webpage.
The DNR encourages the public to attend local CDAC meetings. Following the CDAC process, the DNR will take its 2025 season recommendations to the Natural Resources Board for review in June.
The Sawyer County CDAC meeting is Monday, April 28, starting at 6:30 p.m., at the Hayward DNR Service Center.
For more information, visit the DNR’s County Deer Advisory Councils webpage.
The Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame opened for the 2025 season Tuesday, April 15, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. These hours run through May, changing to 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. from June through August, and reverting to 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. during September and October. The Hall is open seven days a week, including Sundays and holidays.
For more information, visit Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame or call (715) 634-4440.
The regular spring turkey season opened with Period A Wednesday, April 16, and runs through April 22. The spring season is open in seven management zones comprised of six, seven-day periods that run Wednesday through the following Tuesday. Hunting hours differ depending on the time of year and location, be it the northern or southern half of the state. Check out the Turkey Hunting FAQ section, and review the regulations.
For more information, visit turkey hunting on the DNR website.
Early season anglers should be aware that the early catch and release trout season closes May 2. The general inland fishing season opens May 3. Review the seasons for species, area, and waters you are fishing. If you are not sure which zone in which you are fishing, or have other questions, visit the Wisconsin Fishing Season Definitions page.
Last year’s fishing licenses expired March 31, so anglers must renew their licenses for this fishing season. First-time Buyer licenses are available for those who have not previously fished in Wisconsin or who want to return to fishing after at least ten years without a license. One-day fishing licenses are available for anglers who want to try Wisconsin fishing for one day only.
For more information, visit Fishing on the DNR website.
If the night skies are clear on Tuesday and Wednesday April 22-23, and you are fighting insomnia from 2-4 a.m., venture outdoors and look to the east and overhead for the Lyrids meteor shower. These shooting stars move in swift streaks at 10-20 per hour.
The Eta Aquarids meteor shower occurs Monday and Tuesday, May 5-6, from 2-4 a.m. Look south for these shooting stars at 5-20 per hour. They are very swift and move in long paths.
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.
County forestry staff will survey the land in the next week or so and consider possible early trail openings by, if not before, May 1. We eagerly await an update, so keep checking!
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). Check for trail and road closures and updates at HLVCB ATV/UTV trail conditions report and Sawyer County Snowmobile & ATV Alliance.
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 and get the complete Sawyer County Trail Map ($2).
FISHING REPORT
Numerous reports say most area lakes are now ice-free, so we are good to go for the May 3 gamefish opener. Anglers have less than two weeks to prepare for it, including renewing fishing licenses. Panfish season is open all year. Early catch and release trout season is open through May 2 on many streams and rivers (check the regulations); catch and release bass fishing is open year-around for both largemouth and smallmouth; and suckers are running in the rivers.
April 15: Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame opened for the season, 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. (715-634-4440).
April 15: Trapping seasons close in Northern Zone: Mink; Muskrat.
April 22-23: Lyrids meteor shower, 2-4 a.m., east and overhead in swift streaks, 10-20 hr.
April 28: Sawyer County CDAC meeting, starting at 6:30 p.m., at Hayward DNR Service Center (715-634-7467).
April 30: Trapping seasons close: Beaver in Northwest Zone; Otter in Zone A.
May 2: Early catch and release trout season closes.
May 3: General Inland fishing season opens (includes largemouth bass; see regs).
May 5-6: Eta Aquarids meteor shower 2-4 a.m., southeast, 5-20 hr., very swift, long paths.
May 6: Hayward Chapter-Muskies, Inc., general meeting, 7 p.m., at Flat Creek Lodge (715-634-4543).
May 7-10: 40th Annual Treeland Challenge Bass & Walleye Release Tournament ‑ Full (715-462-3874).
May 10: North Country Riders ATV Club Spaghetti Feed at the Hayward Veterans Center.
May 12: Full Flower Moon.
May 16-17: Hayward Chapter-Fishing Has No Boundaries 38th Annual Fishing Event (715-634-3185).
May 16-18: Musky Tale Resort – Northern Encounter fishing contest (715-462-3838).
May 24: Musky season opens in Northern Zone.
May 24: Wisconsin Canoe Heritage Day – Wisconsin Canoe Heritage Museum in Spooner (715-635-5002).
May 26: Memorial Day memorializing the veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice for this country.
May 31: Elk tag application period deadline ($10 fee).
Spring turkey season is six, seven-day periods running Wednesday through the following Tuesday, in seven zones.
Period A: April 16-22
Period B: April 23-29
Period C: April 30-May 6
Period D: May 7-13
Period E: May 14-20
Period F: May 21-27
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.
