Hayward Lake

Sawyer County, Wisconsin

191 acres 17 ft max depth 5 ft avg depth 7 fish species 1 boat landing Invasives present

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

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46.00810° N, 91.46980° W

WBIC 2725500 · Wisconsin DNR

Fish Species

Full table →

Largemouth Bass· CommonMuskyNorthern Pike· AbundantPanfish· CommonSmallmouth Bass· CommonTroutWalleye

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

Hayward Lake has limited visibility and a gravel and sand bottom, making it better suited for boating and fishing than swimming. The 191-acre lake offers a quieter, more intimate swimming experience.

Nearby Dining

Local dining recommendations for Hayward Lake are coming soon. Know a great spot near Hayward Lake? Share it at staynorthern.com/contact. Looking for restaurants near Sawyer County lakes? Visit staynorthern.com/eats for our full northwoods dining guide.

Insider Tips

Hayward Lake is one of Sawyer County's lesser-known gems — the kind of place locals return to year after year. Early mornings before 9am offer the calmest water and best fishing before boat traffic picks up. If you're visiting for the first time, check the DNR boat landing locations before you arrive — some are well-marked, others take a local to find. Know something about Hayward Lake that visitors should? Share a tip at staynorthern.com/contact — we add the best ones to this page.

Lake Conditions

Water Clarity

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No data

Trophic Status

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No data

Invasive Weeds

Present

Chinese Mystery Snail, Curly-Leaf Pondweed, Eurasian Water-Milfoil, Hybrid Eurasian / Northern Water-Milfoil

Seasonal Notes

See below

Ice-out dates, peak fishing windows

Ice typically goes out in late April to early May on northern Wisconsin lakes. Walleye and bass fishing peaks from late May through June and again in September and October. Summer brings warm water temps ideal for swimming from late June through August. Fall color peaks in late September — some of the most dramatic foliage in the state. Snowmobile and ice fishing season runs December through March, with hard ice typically forming by late December.

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.	—