Grindstone Lake
Grindstone Lake is a 3,176-acre lake in Sawyer County about six miles southeast of Hayward, with a maximum depth of 60 feet and a mean depth near 30 feet. The eastern portion lies within the Lac Courte Oreilles reservation; WDNR lists walleye as abundant.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Walleye
Listed as abundant by WDNR
Muskellunge
Listed as common by WDNR
Smallmouth Bass
Listed as common by WDNR
Northern Pike
Listed as common by WDNR
Largemouth Bass
Listed as present by WDNR
Bluegill
Panfish listed as present
Crappie
Panfish listed as present
Yellow Perch
Panfish listed as present
Boat launches
2 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- Grindstone Lake public boat landingsPublicWDNR and Wikipedia list 2 public landingsDirections ↗
- More public accessPublicSee the WDNR lake page for all landingsDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Special rules for this lake, confirmed from official state regulations. Minimum size and daily limit.
| Species | Min size | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|
| Walleye May 2, 2026-Mar 7, 2027 | None (14-18 in may not be kept) | 3 / day (1 over 18 in max) |
| Largemouth Bass May 2-June 19, 2026 | See Wisconsin rules book ↗ | 5 / day |
| Largemouth/Smallmouth Bass June 20, 2026-Mar 7, 2027 | See Wisconsin rules book ↗ | 5 / day total (1 smallmouth only, 18 in+) |
| Smallmouth Bass May 2-June 19, 2026; catch and release only | See Wisconsin rules book ↗ | 0 / day |
| Northern Pike May 2, 2026-Mar 7, 2027 | See Wisconsin rules book ↗ | 5 / day |
| Muskellunge May 2-Dec 31, 2026; open water only | 50 in | 1 / day |
| Panfish Open all year | See Wisconsin rules book ↗ | 25 / day |
| Catfish Open all year | See Wisconsin rules book ↗ | 10 / day |
| Lake Sturgeon Closed; no fishing allowed | See Wisconsin rules book ↗ | 0 / day |
Other species in this lake: look up the limits at Wisconsin DNR ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.
- Hayward Bait & Tackle ShopNearby15737 Davis Ave, Hayward, WIDirections ↗
- Minnow Jim's Bait ShopNearby14830 W Nelson Lake Rd, Hayward, WI715-934-3939Directions ↗
Local tips
- Sand, gravel and rock bottom (about 70% sand/gravel) suits walleye and smallmouth on points and humps
- Deep clear-to-moderate water: try leeches or jigs on rock edges
- Confirm reservation-specific rules for the eastern portion
View on interactive map
Zoom and pan on a street, satellite or terrain map. Red pins are boat launches; blue pins are bait shops nearby.
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Always wear a life jacket and check your state's current regulations before you fish.