Still open water in the mid-50s: musky improving, docks coming out

Musky Good, improving

Pre-winter feeding on shallow green weeds, points, edges and bars holding baitfish. Suckers on quick-strikes, bucktails, hard baits — slow it down.

Walleye Fair

Overcast/low light best. Weed and shoreline edges, rock transitions into deeper water; some fish moving shallow, basins still worth a look.

Northern pike Good

Same spots as musky; work mid-column, roughly 2–8 ft, with suckers, spinnerbaits, spoons, cranks.

Largemouth Fair to good

Green weeds and weedlines, cribs, near panfish and baitfish.

Smallmouth Good

Rocky shorelines, weedlines and cribs near walleye spots, about 8–20 ft.

Crappie Fair to good

As shallow as 5–7 ft but starting toward basins; minnows and plastics, bigger baits for bigger fish.

Bluegill / perch Shallow weeds & cribs

Gills with crappies in green weeds and mid-depth cribs; perch heading to basins and wintering areas.

Chippewa Flowage Area report · Nov 2

Conditions: Open water · water Mid-50s °F (area)

Notes: DNR biologist Max Wolter's 2026 survey handled 173 muskies: about 44% untagged (mostly wild), 43% stocked, with strong 2016 and 2019 year classes — the 2016 fish are now ~10 years old and females run about 40–45 in. Walleye season on the Flowage closes Nov 30.

Source: DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter via Visitors Bureau Outdoor Report.

Lost Land Lake Area report · Nov 2

Conditions: Open water · water Mid-50s °F · Most public docks coming out

Notes: Quiet Lakes area: wet week, water still mid-50s and slow to cool. Musky good and improving on green weeds, points and bars — slow presentations and live bait. Walleye setting up on weed edges and rocky drop-offs.

Source: Happy Hooker via Visitors Bureau Outdoor Report (Nov 2).

Teal Lake Area report · Nov 2

Conditions: Open water · water Mid-50s °F · Most public docks coming out

Notes: Quiet Lakes area: wet week, water still mid-50s and slow to cool. Musky good and improving on green weeds, points and bars — slow presentations and live bait. Walleye setting up on weed edges and rocky drop-offs.

Source: Happy Hooker via Visitors Bureau Outdoor Report (Nov 2).

Spider Lake / Spider Chain Area report · Nov 2

Conditions: Open water · water Mid-50s °F · Most public docks coming out

Notes: Quiet Lakes area: wet week, water still mid-50s and slow to cool. Musky good and improving on green weeds, points and bars — slow presentations and live bait. Walleye setting up on weed edges and rocky drop-offs.

Source: Happy Hooker via Visitors Bureau Outdoor Report (Nov 2).

Sissabagama Lake Area report · Nov 2

Notes: DNR survey note: roughly 18% of bluegill topped 8 in. in 2025, up from under 1% in earlier surveys.

Source: DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter via Visitors Bureau Outdoor Report (Oct 26).

Spring Lake Area report · Nov 2

Notes: DNR survey note: about 11% of bluegill hit 8 in. in spring 2026, up from 0–1% in 2012/2019.

Source: DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter via Visitors Bureau Outdoor Report (Oct 26).

ATV/UTV Open

Sawyer County ATV/UTV trails generally open for fall riding. Seasonal closures: Forest Rd 203 (Town of Spider Lake) closed 10/24–4/30; Trail 31 north of Tuscobia (#10) near Edgewater closed until Memorial weekend; Tuscobia #10 closed 11/15–12/15 for hunting; Flambeau Forest trails 24, 1 and 36 closed 11/15–5/15; recently added LCO road sections closed 11/1–4/30 (regular county roads stay open). Non-resident trail pass required, headlights on; side-by-sides allowed on all ATV trails incl. Chequamegon NF.

Source: Hayward Lakes Visitors Bureau — ATV/UTV trail conditions · as of Oct 27.

Snowmobile Closed

Officially closed for the season; awaiting snow and next winter's opening. Day-of updates: Sawyer County Snowmobile & ATV Alliance (Facebook is their primary channel).

Source: Hayward Lakes Visitors Bureau — Snowmobile trail conditions; Sawyer County Snowmobile & ATV Alliance · more · as of Nov 3.

Mountain bike (CAMBA) Open

Hayward, Cable, Seeley and Namakagon clusters open in fall conditions; leaf-blowing done on many trails. Esker trail south of Cable closed Nov 1–15 (private hunting camp).

Source: CAMBA (Chequamegon Area Mountain Bike Association) via TrailBot · more · as of Nov 3.

Nordic ski (Birkie) Closed

Birkie ski trails closed for the season until there's snow and grooming.

Source: American Birkebeiner — trail maps & conditions · as of Nov 3.