Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report

Following the sunny 65 degrees we enjoyed this past Sunday, and 56 degrees Monday, the forecast for this week is somewhat disappointing. Look for highs ranging from 37 to 45 degrees, lows from 31 to 22 degrees, and rain and/or snow chances throughout the week, including the possibility of up to two inches of snow Wednesday. Do not intend to rain on your Easter Sunday parade (so to speak), but blame the National Weather Service!

The Full Pink Moon should be visible Wednesday, April 1, if the sky is clear. Do not expect it to be pink, however, as the name refers to spring flowers, moss, and other growth, though this full moon goes by other names as well.

Wednesday, April 1, is of course April Fools’ Day, so be on guard for jokesters!

Finally, April 1 also marks the annual, though relatively unknown, spaghetti harvest in southern Switzerland.

Travelers can check current road conditions at 511wi.gov for Wisconsin and 511mn.org for Minnesota.

“It looks like the Quiet Lakes’ area could see some rain Wednesday and Saturday,” says Greg at Happy Hooker. “That should take care of ice season for this spring, as we are definitely getting into transition time.

“Anglers who feel the need to be the ‘last ones out’ chasing fish on the hardwater should use great caution. Some shorelines have become quite sketchy, and the main sheets are starting to get thin in spots. One couple who fish on a smaller area pothole lake said they still had about 15 inches on the sheet, but with the north shoreline completely open. An angler friend fishing a larger lake a bit north of us says that while he can still get to his spot, the ice thickness is about 8 inches and very honeycombed.

“Panfish should be in slightly shallower water feeding on small offerings stirred up off the bottom near river and creek inlets, or on weed beds where smaller organisms are starting to come to life. Waxies and plastics on small jigs are the best bet for late ice panfish, as they closely match what is coming up off the bottoms.

“Anglers should start thinking about going through their open water tackle and equipment. The open water season is fast approaching and just a little more than a month away! Now is a good time to go through rods and reels, lures, and other tackle to make sure everything is in good shape from last season and get it ready for this season!”

This week, DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter scores fishing opportunities on Windfall 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 the species receives that score.

“This week, we look at Windfall Lake near Exeland, and you can see the entire 104-acre lake from County Road D. Windfall certainly does not look like much at first glance, but this little lake has always punched above its weight class when it comes to fishing quality.

“Right now, I rate walleye on Windfall as a 7, but the lake has been even higher in the past. Walleye are relatively abundant and have size that is appealing to anglers. On top of that, there are not many places for them to hide in this simple system.

“Northern pike get a rating of 9. Pike are moderately abundant, but have excellent top end size. Shockingly, this little unassuming waterbody produces 40-inch pike, defying many of our usual rules about where we expect to find ‘gators’ of that size.

“Bass in Windfall get a score of 6. Largemouth bass are abundant and provide a lot of angling action, though currently most of the population is small-bodied.

“Panfish in Windfall get a score of 4. Bluegills have fluctuated over the years, at times producing very large fish. Right now, bluegill abundance is down, but showing signs of a recovery. Crappies are catchable and have decent size. Perch are present, but mostly small.

“For those looking to experience this odd and remarkable little gem in southern Sawyer County, Windfall Lake has a single boat ramp off County Road D on the north end of lake.”

Sales of bonus harvest authorizations for the 2026 spring turkey season continue through Go Wild and license sales agents on a first come, first served basis, at one per day, until the zone and period sell out or the season closes. Check the zone map and available bonus authorizations. The cost is $10/resident and $15/nonresident. Purchases do not affect preference point status for future spring drawings. Spring turkey season runs from April 15-May 26 in seven zones, comprised of six, seven-day periods running from Wednesday through the following Tuesday. The 2026 Youth Spring Hunt runs April 11-12.

For more information, visit turkey hunting on the DNR website.

Hunters

The 2025-26 hunting licenses expire March 31; 2026-27 licenses are available and valid upon purchase. If you plan to turkey hunt this spring, you will need to possess a 2026-27 hunting license.

The Wisconsin Spring Turkey Youth Hunt is the weekend of April 11-12.

The application period for the 2026 elk season drawing is open through May 31.

Crow season closed March 25.

Anglers

Regulation changes effective this year includes the early inland catch-and-release, artificials only trout season closing April 3. Immediately following, the general inland trout season on inland streams, springs, and spring ponds then opens April 4. In addition, Wisconsin’s musky fishing season will open with the May 2 opening of the regular gamefish season.

The 2025-26 fishing licenses expire March 31; 2026-27 licenses are available and valid upon purchase. If you are fishing on the ice or on open water after March 31, you will need a new, 2027-27 fishing license.

Brule River fishing opened March 28 for fishing downstream of Highway 2. It is illegal to fish the river from a half-hour after sunset to a half-hour before sunrise from March 28-May 1 and from October 1-November 15, and to fish 500 feet upstream and downstream from the sea lamprey barrier. See page 6 of the trout fishing regulations.

The Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame opens for the season April 15, barring snow- or ice-covered sidewalks. Daily hours are 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. For more information, visit www.freshwater-fishing.org or call (715) 634-4440.

The DNR is now accepting artwork for the 2027 Turkey, Pheasant, and Waterfowl stamp contests. The winning designs will appear on the 2027 collection of stamps.

Each year, local artists from across Wisconsin compete for the opportunity to showcase their talents, commemorate their work, and promote wildlife conservation across the state.

Hunters must purchase a species-specific stamp to harvest any of these game birds legally in the state. Sales generate hundreds of thousands of dollars annually for species management, including habitat management, restoration, education, and research projects.

The contest must receive entries postmarked by Aug. 1, 2026. Judging takes place Aug. 22 at the Waterfowl Hunters Expo in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

Applicants should review contest rules carefully to ensure eligibility of their entries. Artwork must meet technical requirements for proper processing and preparation for judging and display. The DNR strongly encourages applicants to obtain insurance if shipping their artwork and directly confirm submission delivery with the stamp contest coordinator.

For registration, rules, entry information, and reproduction rights agreements, visit Wildlife Stamp Funding and Stamp Design Contest.

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 ATV/UTV trails in Sawyer County Forest (715-634-4846); Chequamegon National Forest (715-634-4821); and Flambeau State Forest (715-332-5271).

Visit the HLVCB ATV/UTV trail conditions report and Sawyer County Alliance.com for trail updates and closures.

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).

Fishing Report

Despite significant shifts in high and low temperatures, the ice cover is slowly submitting to reality, shrinking in thickness and pulling away from the shorelines. As such, if you attempt to find and get on decent ice, the advice from all corners is to use extreme caution. This is for you safety, as well as that of those who might have to risk attempting your rescue should things go south. In addition, take all (hopefully unnecessary) rescue gear “just in case.”

Panfish:

Panfish fishing is good in and around shallow to mid-depth weeds, flats, and areas where stream and river runoff enters the lake. Those are also areas to use extreme caution and check the ice as you go ‑ IF you choose to go on it. Crappie minnows, waxies, spikes, plastics, and Gulp! baits on small jigs work well, especially if you can mimic what the fish are finding to eat on and rising from the bottom.