Best Lakes Near Hayward, WI
50 lakes within 50 miles of Hayward ranked by water quality grade.
Hayward sits in a lake-rich part of the upper Midwest: 50 graded lakes within reach, average grade B. Christner Lake (A) leads the cluster.
The lakes below are sorted by overall letter grade. If you have a specific activity in mind — swimming, kayaking, ice-fishing, family-fishing — the activity-specific sub-pages will filter further.
| Lake | Distance | County | Grade | Depth | Fish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christner Lake | 5.6 mi | Sawyer | A | 16 ft | 2 |
| Grindstone Lake | 6.6 mi | Sawyer | A | 60 ft | 6 |
| Durphee Lake | 7.6 mi | Sawyer | A | - | 0 |
| Round Lake | 7.9 mi | Sawyer | A | 74 ft | 6 |
| Little Round Lake | 8.2 mi | Sawyer | A | 38 ft | 6 |
| Lac Courte Oreilles Lake | 8.4 mi | Sawyer | A | 90 ft | 6 |
| Indian Lake | 9.1 mi | Sawyer | A | 9 ft | 3 |
| Osprey Lake | 9.3 mi | Sawyer | A | 32 ft | 6 |
| Little Lac Courte Oreilles Lake | 9.7 mi | Sawyer | A | 46 ft | 6 |
| Whitefish Lake | 10.6 mi | Sawyer | A | 105 ft | 7 |
| Sand Lake | 11.3 mi | Sawyer | A | 50 ft | 6 |
| Lost Lake | 11.3 mi | Sawyer | A | 13 ft | 2 |
| Ashegon Lake | 14.3 mi | Sawyer | A | 56 ft | 6 |
| Blueberry Lake | 14.5 mi | Sawyer | A | 29 ft | 5 |
| Gaslyn Lake | 31.3 mi | Burnett | A | 12 ft | 3 |
| Big Sand Lake | 38.2 mi | Burnett | A | 55 ft | 5 |
| Sand Lake | 41.9 mi | Barron | A | - | 0 |
| Nelson Lake | 5.7 mi | Sawyer | B | - | 0 |
| Windigo Lake | 5.8 mi | Sawyer | B | 51 ft | 5 |
| Bean Lake | 6.6 mi | Washburn | B | 35 ft | 4 |
| Lake Placid | 9.8 mi | Sawyer | B | 30 ft | 4 |
| Burns Lake | 10.3 mi | Sawyer | B | 9 ft | 4 |
| Billy Boy Flowage Lake | 10.4 mi | Sawyer | B | 46 ft | 6 |
| Clear Lake | 10.6 mi | Sawyer | B | 32 ft | 4 |
| Mud Lake | 11.4 mi | Sawyer | B | 15 ft | 4 |
| Tiger Cat Flowage Lake | 11.6 mi | Sawyer | B | 30 ft | 4 |
| Callahan Lake | 11.7 mi | Sawyer | B | 18 ft | 4 |
| Stone Lake | 12.5 mi | Washburn | B | 49 ft | 5 |
| Spider Lake | 13.9 mi | Sawyer | B | 64 ft | 5 |
| Slim Lake | 15.3 mi | Washburn | B | 42 ft | 5 |
| Sissabagama Lake | 15.5 mi | Sawyer | B | 48 ft | 6 |
| Cable Lake | 16.9 mi | Bayfield | B | - | 0 |
| Little Sissabagama Lake | 16.9 mi | Sawyer | B | 75 ft | 5 |
| Cranberry Lake | 17.6 mi | Bayfield | B | 12 ft | 5 |
| Red Lake | 17.7 mi | Douglas | B | 37 ft | 4 |
| Lost Land Lake | 17.7 mi | Sawyer | B | 21 ft | 6 |
| Lake Wilipyro | 18.5 mi | Bayfield | B | 25 ft | 3 |
| Lower Eau Claire Lake | 18.8 mi | Bayfield | B | 41 ft | 6 |
| Samoset Lake | 18.9 mi | Bayfield | B | 40 ft | 3 |
| Teal Lake | 19 mi | Sawyer | B | 31 ft | 6 |
| Hammil Lake | 19.3 mi | Bayfield | B | 47 ft | 4 |
| Tahkodah Lake | 20.2 mi | Bayfield | B | - | 0 |
| Middle Eau Claire Lake | 20.2 mi | Bayfield | B | 66 ft | 6 |
| Spooner Lake | 20.2 mi | Washburn | B | 17 ft | 4 |
| Upper Eau Claire Lake | 20.5 mi | Bayfield | B | 92 ft | 6 |
| Gilmore Lake | 20.9 mi | Washburn | B | 36 ft | 4 |
| Horseshoe Lake | 21.7 mi | Washburn | B | 21 ft | 4 |
| Robinson Lake | 21.7 mi | Bayfield | B | 36 ft | 4 |
| Deep Lake | 21.8 mi | Washburn | B | 25 ft | 4 |
| Leader Lake | 21.9 mi | Douglas | B | 56 ft | 4 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many lakes are near Hayward?
There are 50 graded lakes within 50 miles of Hayward, Wisconsin. 17 of these have an A water quality grade (excellent).
What are the best lakes near Hayward for fishing?
45 lakes near Hayward have documented fish species data. The best fishing lakes combine good water quality grades with diverse fish populations. 24 lakes within 50 miles have 5 or more documented fish species.
Where to stay near Hayward
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Hayward — book a place close to the best-rated lakes in the area.
Top-rated places to stay near Hayward
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Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.