Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report June 2, 2025
Steve Suman
Monday starts this week with a “warm” with 89 degrees, but followed by 64 degrees Tuesday! Remainder of the week is in the low to upper 70s, with a mix of sunshine and showers that could remove some of the Canadian smoke and haze. Other than a few hiccups, this week looks mostly good, so get out and enjoy it when you can!
“Quiet Lakes’ water temperatures returned to the low 60s,” says Greg at Happy Hooker, “and anglers are finding fish in normal places for this time of year.
“Musky fishing is good off points, weed beds, and shallow bays in 4-12 feet, with anglers catching fish on baits from small bucktails to 12-inch Suicks.
“Walleyes are on shallow weeds, rock edges, and deeper rocks. Jigs and minnows work, and leeches should produce.
“Northern pike action is hot on small spinnerbaits, crankbaits, and live baits. Fish in and around weedy bays and weed beds off reefs and points.
“Largemouth bass anglers report some bass on beds for spawn, if they have not already done so. Try crawlers, plastic worms in any rigging, and spinnerbaits and chatterbaits cast to inside weed edges.
“Smallmouth fishing is quiet, with not even walleye anglers talking about them. They might be spawning, post-spawn, or on shallow rocky bottoms.
“Crappies are in weed beds in 6-10 feet on crappie minnows and small plastics on jigs under floats.
“Bluegills are moving to sandy shorelines and weeds near spawning areas and should be in pre-spawn. Try waxies, crawler chunks, and red worms.
“Perch anglers are catching fish on deep weed edges with minnows and plastics.”
Jarrett at Hayward Bait says musky anglers report plenty of follows to the boat.
“Most fish are shallow and come on small bucktails and swimbaits. Natural colors such as perch, crappie, and walleye patterns get the most interest, though gold, flowage green, and a gold/purple combo always produce fish.
“Walleyes are between shallow waters and the year’s first weed growth. Cold and wind the last few weeks halted that growth, but some sun should foster growth, moving fish into weedlines where the leech bite will shine.
“Northern pike anglers report excellent fishing in 10-13 feet, with live bait, spinnerbaits, spoons, and plastics effective. Increased limits on some systems allow anglers to keep more pike and help increase panfish size.
“Largemouth and smallmouth bass are showing a giant movement shallow, and even some fish in bed mode, with the warm-up over the past few days. Plastics such as Ned rigs shine for bedding fish, while spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, and frogs can cover shallow water areas without hanging up.
“Crappie and bluegill have moved shallow with the warm up to spawn and taking anything anglers offer. Fatheads on Aberdeen hooks under floats work well for crappies, while waxies and leaf worms on small jigs work well for bluegills.”
Mike at Jenk’s says the Chippewa Flowage is a half-foot down, with low 60s and rising water temperatures.
“Musky fishing is solid, with fish on shallower weed edges and other cover. Anglers are taking fish on suckers, glide baits, and crankbaits, Warlocks, Hellhounds, Grandmas, Jakes, and Cranes. At this time, smaller baits are more effective. Muskies are chasing crappies, so crappie colors are a good idea.
“Walleyes are in 18-22 feet during daylight and shallower in evenings. Leeches are effective shallower in the evenings; minnows are effective when fishing deeper. Popular spots include deep brush east of Hay Creek Narrows and the deep basin in front of Sisko’s.
“Northern pike are in shallow weeds with the crappies. Tinsel Tail spinners, chatterbaits such as Chatter Flashes and Jack Hammers, and weedless spoons, are all deadly options.
“Largemouth are in shallow weed cover in bays on the west side, hitting frogs, Whopper Ploppers, and chatterbaits.
“Smallmouth bass are very active around stumps and wood, with 1/10- or 1/8-oz. Ned jigs and plastics the go-to bait.
“Crappies are returning to weed edges in 5-6 feet and might finish spawn. Start on weed edges, working in until you find fish. Use crappie minnows, Mini-Mites, Gulp! Minnows, and imitation mayflies.”
This week, DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter scores fishing opportunities in Black Dan Lake.
“In this series, I rate local fishing opportunities by individual species, on a 0-10 scale, to reflect catchability, size, and other fishing qualities, with notes on why each species received its score.
“This week, we look at Black Dan Lake, formerly called McDonald Lake, tucked down in Winter. The lake is just 121 acres in size, but offers many unique fishing opportunities.
“Walleye in Black Dan rate a 6 on the merits of an above-average stocked population with decent size.
“Muskellunge score an 8. This lake is 100 percent natural muskellunge reproduction ‑ no stocking occurs ‑ and is capable of consistently producing fish in the upper 40-inch range, with the outside chance of finding a 50-incher.
“Northern pike are present here, but rate just a 4, with neither pike size nor abundance exceptional.
“Crappie, the most sought-after panfish species in the lake, rates a 5, but with an interesting twist. Black Dan is one of the only lakes in the area with both black and white crappie. We also believe the two species hybridize in the lake, with the hybrids having potential to get large.
“Largemouth bass are fairly common and catchable, but without spectacular size, earning a rating of 4.
“Bluegill and perch are generally poor in size, and each rate a 2.
“Parking at Black Dan can be limited, but the lake is worth exploring if you are in search of new water.”
Free Fishing and Free Fun Weekend is this weekend, Saturday and Sunday June 7-8. During these days, the DNR waives the fishing license, trout stamp, and salmon stamp requirements for fishing the state’s 84,000 miles of rivers and streams and more than 15,000 lakes! All 2025-2026 fishing regulations apply, including bag and length limits.
There is a Free Kids Fishing Derby June 7, from 8 a.m.-noon, at Lake Hayward Park, where kids ages 1-15 years fish from shore. Experienced anglers will be on hand to help. For more information, call (715) 699-1015.
During Free Fun Weekend, admission stickers are not required at any of the 50 state parks or 15 state forests. State trails will not require trail passes for residents and nonresidents and all of the linear trails are open to the public, including ATV trails. Cyclists can ride Wisconsin's touring bicycle trails, and horseback riders can enjoy more than 800 miles of trails in state parks, forests, recreation areas, and unsurfaced trails.
For more information, visit Free Fun Weekend.
Hayward Lakes Chapter-Muskies Inc. invites the public to attend its club meeting Tuesday, June 3, at Flat Creek Lodge in Hayward. The business meeting begins at 7 p.m. At 7:30 p.m., DNR research biologist Colin J Dassow will report on a Spider Lake musky project.
Admission is free and attendees interested in becoming a new member of Muskies, Inc. can purchase a half-price membership. 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 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
Fishing took a hit with the recent cold front, but with rising water temperatures, fish are returning to their usual seasonal patterns. Save time by checking with your favorite bait shop for daily information on fish locations, bite windows, baits, and presentation preferences ‑ this can save you considerable time!
Musky:
Musky action is good and anglers are seeing ‑ and hooking ‑ quite a few fish around weeds, weed edges, points, and bays in 4-12 feet. Suckers, small bucktails, swimbaits, gliders, crankbaits, Warlocks, Cranes, Jakes, and Suicks in crappie, perch, and walleye colors are doing the job.
Walleye:
Walleye fishing is improving and anglers are catching good numbers of fish. Find them in/on weeds, brush, rock, and in basins in 15-24 feet during the day; look to shallow weeds, rock, and shorelines in the evening hours. Leeches and minnows on jigs and/or slip bobbers are the most productive baits at this time.
Northern Pike:
Northern pike action is very good to excellent around shallow weeds, weedy bays, and weed beds near points and reefs out to 12 feet. Sucker minnows, minnows, spinners, spinnerbaits, spoons, chatterbaits, crankbaits, and plastic can all work for pike ‑ there is probably no “wrong” bait at this time!
Largemouth Bass:
Largemouth bass are actively moving to shallow weedy bays and weed edges, with some reports of fish on beds. Minnows, crawlers, plastics worms in various riggings, other plastics, Ned rigs, spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, frogs, and Whopper Ploppers and all working on bass at this time.
Smallmouth Bass:
Smallmouth bass are moving to shallower wood, stumps, sand, and rock for pre-spawn and spawning. Sucker minnows, Ned rigs, drop shot rigs, plastics, spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, frogs, and other topwaters are all grabbing the attention of smallmouth.
Crappie:
Crappie fishing is good to very good in weed beds and weed edges in 5-10 feet, spawning or preparing to spawn. Try deeper weed edges first and then move shallower until you find the fish. Crappie minnows, fatheads, Mini-Mites, Gulp! Minnows, small plastics, and imitation mayflies on small jigs and plain hooks, under slip bobbers, are working well.
Bluegill/Perch:
Bluegills are in pre-spawn or spawning on shallow sandy shorelines and weedy areas near spawning spots, depending on the lake. Waxies, leaf worms, red worms, and crawler chunks on small jigs, teardrops, and plain hooks fished under slip bobbers. Perch are on deep weed edges and hitting minnows and plastics.
May 24: Musky season opened in Northern Zone.
June 3: Hayward Lakes Chapter-Muskies Inc. meeting at 7 p.m., Flat Creek Lodge (715-634-4543).
June 7-8: Free Fishing and Free Fun Weekend ‑ fish without a fishing license, trout stamp, or salmon stamp!
June 7: Free Kids Fishing Derby, 8am-Noon, Lake Hayward Park, youth 1-15 yrs., fish from shore. (715-699-1015).
June 11: Full Strawberry Moon.
June 19-22: 75th Annual Musky Fest (715-634-8662).
June 19-21: Hayward Bass Club/Hayward Lakes Chapter-Muskies Inc. - Musky Fest fishing contest (715-558-2835).
June 20: Summer Solstice ‑ first day of summer!
June 21: Smallmouth bass harvest season opens in the Northern Bass Zone.
June 21: Sawyer County Dairy Breakfast at Sawyer County Fairgrounds,·6:30-11 a.m. (715-699-2022).
June 29: Hayward Bass Club - Round Lake Open, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., (405-227-1789).
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.