Hayward, WI area lake guide
Every lake has a personality.
An introductory look at some of the lakes around Hayward. Use it as a starting point for a conversation, not a final word.
Large, clear and well known
Lac Courte Oreilles
One of the area's best-known big lakes, with bays and points that give it varied character. Part of the lake borders the Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe reservation.
A smaller lake with variety
Little Lac Courte Oreilles
A smaller Sawyer County lake with a fishery that includes musky, bass, northern pike, walleye and panfish. Compare each property’s shoreline, legal access and setting when considering how it fits your lake-home plans.
Big, clear water
Grindstone Lake
A large lake south of Hayward, valued for clear water and open views.
Popular recreational lake
Round Lake
East of Hayward, a well-loved lake for boating and summer recreation, connected to neighboring water.
Smaller water, varied fishing
Little Round Lake
A Sawyer County lake with musky, bass, northern pike, walleye and panfish. Look closely at frontage, water depth near the dock and access rights rather than assuming a home here offers the same waterfront experience as one on Round Lake.
Wild, island-dotted reservoir
Chippewa Flowage
A sprawling flowage with many islands, bays and largely undeveloped shoreline. Known for its wild feel and fishing.
Connected lakes
Spider Lake chain
A chain of connected lakes northeast of Hayward, appealing to those who enjoy exploring by boat.
Large flowage
Nelson Lake
A sizable flowage north of Hayward with a more natural, fishing-oriented character.
Northwoods seclusion
Lost Land and Teal Lakes
Connected lakes further into the forest, with a remote Northwoods atmosphere.
In-town water
Lake Hayward
A smaller lake right in Hayward, close to shops, restaurants and services.
Fishing and lake living
Smith Lake
A Sawyer County lake with a public boat landing and a fishery that includes bass, northern pike, walleye and panfish. Compare individual shorelines and access when considering a home here.
A smaller-water option
Spring Lake
A smaller Sawyer County lake with public boat access and a mix of bass, northern pike, walleye and panfish. A useful option to compare with the area’s larger lakes as you define your lake-home priorities.
Your waterfront priorities
Windigo Lake
Include Windigo in your Hayward-area lake-home search. Jeremy can help you evaluate the individual property’s frontage, road access and setting alongside the way you want to use your home.
Shallow Northwoods water
Ghost Lake
A relatively shallow Sawyer County lake with public boat access and a fishery that includes musky, bass, walleye and panfish. Look closely at shoreline vegetation, water depth and dock access at each property.
Six lakes, one area to explore
Tiger Cat Flowage
The Tiger Cat Flowage includes McClaine, Upper Twin, Lower Twin, Burns, Placid and Tiger Cat lakes. East of Hayward, this chain is known for musky and bass fishing. Evaluate each lake and shoreline individually, and verify current water levels and passage between lakes rather than assuming unrestricted boat access throughout.
Look beyond the name
Clear Lake
Add Clear Lake to your waterfront shortlist, with a close look at the specific property and its surroundings. Sawyer County has more than one lake with this name, so confirm the location and lake identity before comparing access, water characteristics or nearby homes.
Smaller-lake perspective
Reed Lake
A smaller Sawyer County lake with panfish, largemouth bass and northern pike. For a property here, consider how the shoreline, legal access and usable waterfront fit your plans for time at the lake.
Connected waters
Callahan and Mud Lake
Callahan and Mud lakes are connected waters on the North Fork Chief River in Sawyer County. Consider the particular shoreline, vegetation and current water conditions when evaluating a cabin, a dock or a route between the lakes.
A varied fishery
Osprey Lake
A Sawyer County lake with a public boat landing and a fishery that includes musky, bass, northern pike, walleye and panfish. Compare frontage, exposure and access as carefully as the home itself.
A smaller lake to consider
Gurno Lake
A smaller Sawyer County lake with a mix of musky, bass, northern pike and panfish. Look at the individual property’s waterfront and legal access rather than assuming every lake home offers the same experience.
Small-water living
Lake Twenty-Seven
A small Sawyer County lake with bass, northern pike and panfish. Shoreline usability, access rights and the home’s seasonal or year-round setup are useful starting points for a property conversation.
Shallow-water character
Durphee Lake
A relatively shallow Sawyer County lake with public boat access and a mix of bass, northern pike, walleye and panfish. Review water depth and vegetation along the actual frontage to understand how you would use the waterfront.
A compact lake setting
Schoolhouse Lake
A small, shallow Sawyer County lake with bass, northern pike and panfish. Evaluate each home’s shoreline, access and surroundings to decide whether its setting fits your plans.
Deep-water perspective
Whitefish Lake
A deep Sawyer County lake with public boat access and a varied fishery. Lake-wide depth does not tell the whole story: compare the slope, bottom and water depth along each property’s own shoreline.
A compact waterfront setting
Johnson Lake
A smaller Sawyer County lake with panfish, largemouth bass and northern pike. When comparing homes, consider usable shoreline, legal access and whether the property is set up for seasonal visits or year-round living.
Small-water perspective
Lovejoy Lake
A smaller Sawyer County lake with panfish, largemouth bass, northern pike and walleye. Compare individual properties for waterfront usability, road access and the features that matter most to your time at the lake.
More water to explore
Moose Lake
A large Sawyer County lake with public boat access and a fishery that includes musky, bass, walleye and panfish. Evaluate shoreline exposure, water depth and the route from each property to the parts of the lake you want to enjoy.
Lake characteristics described generally. Water clarity, regulations, access and development vary; verify specifics with Wisconsin DNR, Sawyer County and Jeremy.
Big lake or small?
Big water brings views and boating range, plus wind and traffic. Smaller lakes trade range for quiet.
Chain or standalone?
Chains add room to explore. Standalone lakes can feel more private and contained.
Near town or deep woods?
Proximity to Hayward services matters more for year-round living than for a weekend getaway.
