Hayward Lake
Sawyer County, Wisconsin
About Hayward Lake
Hayward Lake is a serious fishing destination in Sawyer County, known for both its musky and walleye populations, a mid-sized lake at 191 acres and up to 17 feet deep. The lake has public boat landing access, making it easy to launch for a day on the water. The fishery includes Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Panfish, and Smallmouth Bass. Note that invasive species (Chinese Mystery Snail, Curly-Leaf Pondweed, Eurasian Water-Milfoil, Hybrid Eurasian / Northern Water-Milfoil) have been documented here — clean your boat before leaving.
Bottom composition: 60% sand, 8% gravel, 0% rock, 32% muck
Type: flowage · Hydrology: DRAINAGE
Lake Location
46.00810° N, 91.46980° W
WBIC 2725500 · Wisconsin DNRFish Species
Full table →Fishing Tips
- ·Musky fishing is best in early morning and evening. Work weedlines and structural transitions with large bucktails or soft swimbaits.
- ·Wisconsin musky season typically opens the first Saturday in May. The fall bite (September–October) is peak for trophy fish.
- ·Walleye feed most actively at dawn and dusk. Jig along deep structural breaks or troll crankbaits along weedlines at 6–8 ft depth.
- ·Night fishing under a full moon can produce excellent walleye results from late June through August.
- ·Trout hold in the deepest, coolest water during summer. Early morning stillwater fishing or bottom rigs near spring seeps is productive.
- ·Northern pike are ambush predators — target weed edges, fallen timber, and points with large spoons or swimbaits.
- ·Spring pike fishing (ice-out through June) can be outstanding as they move into shallow, warming bays to spawn.
- ·Largemouth bass relate to shallow structure. Work topwater lures at dawn in summer, then switch to soft plastics rigged weedless around lily pads and fallen wood.
- ·Bluegill and crappie stack up in 8–15 ft of water near weedlines. Small jigs tipped with a waxworm are hard to beat.
- ·Panfish are often excellent for kids and beginners — look for them around any dock or submerged brush piles.
Local's Guide
Fishing
Species-specific tips above. Wisconsin fishing license required for ages 16+. See current season regulations below.
View fishing regulations ↓Swimming
Sandy bottom sections make for good swimming. No lifeguard on duty — swim at your own risk.
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Nearby Dining
Looking for supper clubs and bait shops near Hayward Lake? Local dining recommendations coming soon.
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Insider Tips
Local knowledge about Hayward Lake — best times to visit, quiet spots, and what the regulars know. Contributed tips coming soon.
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Lake Conditions
Water Clarity
—
No data
Trophic Status
—
No data
Invasive Weeds
Present
Chinese Mystery Snail, Curly-Leaf Pondweed, Eurasian Water-Milfoil, Hybrid Eurasian / Northern Water-Milfoil
Seasonal Notes
Coming soon
Ice-out dates, peak fishing windows
Condition data sourced from Wisconsin DNR surveys. Real-time weed and clarity reports coming soon.
Invasive Species Present
Chinese Mystery Snail and Curly-Leaf Pondweed and Eurasian Water-Milfoil and Hybrid Eurasian / Northern Water-Milfoil have been documented in Hayward Lake. Clean, drain, and dry all watercraft and equipment before leaving.
Report sightings to the Wisconsin DNR invasive species hotline.Frequently Asked Questions
What fish can you catch in Hayward Lake?
Hayward Lake is home to Largemouth Bass (Common), Musky, Northern Pike (Abundant), Panfish (Common), Smallmouth Bass (Common), Trout, and Walleye. Wisconsin fishing regulations apply — check current seasons and size limits before heading out.
Is there a public boat launch on Hayward Lake?
Yes — Hayward Lake has a public boat landing providing watercraft access. Check for posted local ordinances at the landing before launching.
How big is Hayward Lake?
Hayward Lake has 191 acres in surface area, a maximum depth of 17 feet, a mean depth of 5 feet.
What is the bottom of Hayward Lake like?
The lake bottom is composed of 60% sand, 8% gravel, 0% rock, 32% muck. Sandy and gravel bottoms typically support good swimming and healthy fish habitat.
Are there invasive species in Hayward Lake?
Yes — Chinese Mystery Snail and Curly-Leaf Pondweed and Eurasian Water-Milfoil and Hybrid Eurasian / Northern Water-Milfoil have been documented in Hayward Lake. Please clean, drain, and dry your watercraft and all equipment before leaving any Wisconsin water body to prevent the spread of invasive species.
Where is Hayward Lake located?
Hayward Lake is located in Sawyer County, Wisconsin. GPS coordinates: 46.0081° N, 91.4698° W.
Are there vacation rentals on Hayward Lake?
Stay Northern is building the most complete rental directory for Sawyer County lakes. Check our Hayward Lake vacation rentals listing — if none are available yet, check back soon or browse nearby Sawyer County lake rentals.
Fishing Regulations
Current season regulations for Hayward Lake
| Species | Season | Min. Length | Daily Bag |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullheads | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited. | — |
| Catfish | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10. | — |
| Cisco And Whitefish | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10. | — |
| Lake Sturgeon | Closed | No fishing allowed. | — |
| Largemouth Bass And Smallmouth Bass | May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027 | The minimum length limit is 14" and the daily bag limit is 5. | — |
| Muskellunge And Hybrids | May 2, 2026 to December 31, 2026 on open water | The minimum length limit is 40" and the daily bag limit is 1. | — |
| Northern Pike | May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027 | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 5. | — |
| Paddlefish | Closed | No fishing allowed. | — |
| Panfish | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 25. | — |
| Rock, Yellow, And White Bass | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited. | — |
| Rough Fish | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited. | — |
| Round Goby | Open All Year | The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office. | — |
| Ruffe | Open All Year | The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office. | — |
| Shovelnose Sturgeon | Closed | No fishing allowed. | — |
| Trout | See specific regulations | https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/fishing/trout/ . | — |
| Walleye, Sauger, And Hybrids | May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027 | The minimum length is 15", but walleye, sauger, and hybrids from 20" to 24" may not be kept, and only 1 fish over 24" is allowed. The daily bag limit is 3. | — |
| White Perch | Open All Year | The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office. | — |
Regulations sourced from Wisconsin DNR fisheries data. Always verify current regulations before fishing.
Lake Details
- WBIC
- 2725500
- County
- Sawyer County
- Surface Area
- 191 acres
- Max Depth
- 17 ft
- Mean Depth
- 5 ft
- Bottom
- 60% sand, 8% gravel, 0% rock, 32% muck
- Lake Type
- flowage
- Coordinates
- 46.0081, -91.4698
Nearby Trails
Sawyer County ATV/UTV Trails
250 mi · Sawyer County
Sawyer County Snowmobile Trails
600 mi · Sawyer County
Boat Rentals Nearby
Pontoon
Listing soonFishing Boat + Motor
Listing soonKayak / Canoe
Listing soonKnow a local boat rental operator near Hayward Lake? Let us know.
Boat Landings (1)
Public Boat Landing
Lake data sourced from the Wisconsin DNR. Last updated 3/24/2026.