Hooked on Hayward’s Frozen Fun
Few winter activities invite as much peace, joy and solitude as ice fishing. Fortunately for anyone living in or heading to northern Wisconsin in winter, the Hayward area abounds with excellent ice fishing, great food and other cold-weather activities to fill out your trip.
For a quiet escape and fabulous fishing up north, we’ve rounded up some of the best ice fishing in the Hayward area. As a general rule of thumb, periods of low-light tend to result in more catches. Because of this, many anglers aim for an hour after sunrise and an hour before sunset for prime fishing times.
Whether you’re going alone, with a buddy or the entire family, here’s where to find early morning ice fishing, stunning sunsets and delicious drinks and dining afterward.
Nelson Lake
Just a few miles north of Hayward, Nelson Lake is a year-round star of the Northwoods. With a maximum depth of 33 feet and an average of about 12 feet, its shallows and abundant weed beds create an ideal habitat for fish and other aquatic life that remains accessible even in hard water. Though you’ll find everything from walleye and musky to largemouth and smallmouth bass, ice anglers often pursue panfish and northern pike.
Nelson Lake and its nearby trails also make it popular with snowmobilers and cross-country skiers.
Warmup stop: Slip into either Park Island Resort or Revelle’s Resort, both on Nelson Lake and open year-round, for hearty food and a hot drink. Nelson Lake Landing is another great spot to warm up or even stay overnight, as it has a bar, restaurant and on-site snowmobiling that connects over 500 miles of groomed trails.
Round Lake
Spanning nearly 3,300 acres with a maximum depth of about 74 feet, Round Lake is home to many of the same sporting species as Nelson Lake but is also known for its trophy-size walleye. Round Lake also hosts a strong smallmouth fishery (and bass are often cited as being “world class” in this region), ice anglers seeking something beyond the usual walleye or panfish tend to target smallmouth bass here in winter.
The lake’s public beach and three boat landings that serve swimmers and sunbathers in summer work equally well for ice fishing access in winter.
Warmup stop: After you pull the sled off the ice, drop into Powell’s on Round Lake, a year-round lakeside restaurant and bar that’s also accessible by snowmobile. You’ll thaw out with a comforting meal (from tacos and gyros to fish frys and steaks) and expansive winter views.
Chippewa Flowage
About 20 minutes east of Hayward lies the vast wilderness lake, Chippewa Flowage, affectionately referred to as “The Chip.” About 14,593 acres in size and plunging to 92 feet in places, it’s Wisconsin’s third largest lake and bears more than 200 undeveloped islands and miles of untouched shoreline.
In winter the Flowage truly becomes a wild ice fishing canvas: walleye, muskellunge, northern pike and panfish all roam its freezing expanse. During snowy months, the Chippewa Flowage is a prime place for snowmobiling, as its marked trail system takes riders from one side of the lake to the other, connecting them not just to great fishing, but also to the gas, food and lodging required for a great trip.
Warmup stop: Choose any of the many lakeside lodges that stay open through winter and bask in warming drinks while sharing fish stories. Some top options are: Deerfoot Resort, Pat’s Landing, Musky Tale Resort, Johnson’s Resort and Deer Run Resort.
There’s a reason why anglers flock to the Hayward area. While summer draws many fishing enthusiasts, winter is often seen as offering the best experiences. No matter what lake you set up your shanty on, nothing beats drilling a few holes, enjoying the solitude, and connecting with your crew on the ice.
