Best Lakes for Kayaking Near Hayward
Wisconsin
30 kayaking lakes within driving distance of Hayward, Wisconsin, ranked by water quality and kayaking-specific filters. Filtered for grade A, B, or C water quality, public access, and ideal paddling size (30-3,000 acres).
Within reasonable driving distance of Hayward sit 30 graded lakes — a lake-dense area that gives residents real choice on any given weekend. The average grade across the nearby set is B.
Filtered for kayaking, the nearby-lake list narrows further. kayaking-specific signals — fish species, public access, depth profile, motor-boat congestion — interact with the letter grade in different ways depending on the use case.
| # | Lake | County | Grade | Distance | Clarity | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Christner Lake | Sawyer | A | 5.6 mi | 12 ft | 16 ft |
| 2 | Little Round Lake | Sawyer | A | 8.2 mi | 17.3 ft | 38 ft |
| 3 | Indian Lake | Sawyer | A | 9.1 mi | 6.5 ft | 9 ft |
| 4 | Osprey Lake | Sawyer | A | 9.3 mi | 16 ft | 32 ft |
| 5 | Whitefish Lake | Sawyer | A | 10.6 mi | 13.5 ft | 105 ft |
| 6 | Sand Lake | Sawyer | A | 11.3 mi | 10 ft | 50 ft |
| 7 | Lost Lake | Sawyer | A | 11.3 mi | 10.6 ft | 13 ft |
| 8 | Ashegon Lake | Sawyer | A | 14.3 mi | 10.5 ft | 56 ft |
| 9 | Blueberry Lake | Sawyer | A | 14.5 mi | 14.8 ft | 29 ft |
| 10 | Gaslyn Lake | Burnett | A | 31.3 mi | 4.5 ft | 12 ft |
| 11 | Big Sand Lake | Burnett | A | 38.2 mi | 11 ft | 55 ft |
| 12 | Nelson Lake | Sawyer | B | 5.7 mi | 5 ft | - |
| 13 | Windigo Lake | Sawyer | B | 5.8 mi | 11 ft | 51 ft |
| 14 | Bean Lake | Washburn | B | 6.6 mi | 10 ft | 35 ft |
| 15 | Lake Placid | Sawyer | B | 9.8 mi | 15 ft | 30 ft |
| 16 | Burns Lake | Sawyer | B | 10.3 mi | 11.5 ft | 9 ft |
| 17 | Billy Boy Flowage Lake | Sawyer | B | 10.4 mi | - | 46 ft |
| 18 | Clear Lake | Sawyer | B | 10.6 mi | 17.3 ft | 32 ft |
| 19 | Mud Lake | Sawyer | B | 11.4 mi | 10 ft | 15 ft |
| 20 | Tiger Cat Flowage Lake | Sawyer | B | 11.6 mi | 10.8 ft | 30 ft |
| 21 | Callahan Lake | Sawyer | B | 11.7 mi | 10.6 ft | 18 ft |
| 22 | Stone Lake | Washburn | B | 12.5 mi | 23 ft | 49 ft |
| 23 | Spider Lake | Sawyer | B | 13.9 mi | 10.5 ft | 64 ft |
| 24 | Slim Lake | Washburn | B | 15.3 mi | 15.7 ft | 42 ft |
| 25 | Sissabagama Lake | Sawyer | B | 15.5 mi | 8 ft | 48 ft |
| 26 | Little Sissabagama Lake | Sawyer | B | 16.9 mi | 12.2 ft | 75 ft |
| 27 | Cranberry Lake | Bayfield | B | 17.6 mi | 9 ft | 12 ft |
| 28 | Red Lake | Douglas | B | 17.7 mi | 12 ft | 37 ft |
| 29 | Lost Land Lake | Sawyer | B | 17.7 mi | 10 ft | 21 ft |
| 30 | Lake Wilipyro | Bayfield | B | 18.5 mi | 10.5 ft | 25 ft |
Other activities near Hayward
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
Prices for Sep 18–20, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Planning a trip to Hayward?
Get lake water-quality report cards plus the best cabin & lodging deals near Hayward — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.