Hayward Lake
Hayward Lake is a dammed stretch of the Namekagon River at Hayward in Sawyer County. It is known for a very strong northern pike population.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Northern Pike
Catch rates in the 99th percentile in 2022
Bluegill
Good sizes
Yellow Perch
Schools on mud and sand flats. Great through the ice.
Largemouth Bass
Weeds, docks and wood in the shallows.
Crappie
Brush piles, docks and standing timber. Minnows or small jigs.
Walleye
Stocked, low numbers
Boat launches
2 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- Hayward Lake AccessRampCity of Hayward ramp behind the National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame. One concrete lane, 6 to 10 trailer stalls. Phone 715-634-4612.Directions ↗
- More public accessPublicSee the WDNR or lake website for all ramps and feesDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Minimum size and daily limit for each species in Hayward Lake are published by the state. Look up the current size and creel limits for this lake directly: Wisconsin DNR ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.
- Hayward Bait and Bottle ShoppeNearby15737 Davis Ave, Hayward, WI715-634-2921Directions ↗
- Jenk's Bait & TackleNearby11050 W County Rd B, Hayward, WI715-462-3055Directions ↗
Local tips
- Most pike are under 21 inches, but trophies exist.
- Fish move between lake and river, so try the river channel too.
- Restrooms are at the beach and picnic area north of the ramp.
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.
More Wisconsin lakes
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Always wear a life jacket and check your state's current regulations before you fish.