Introduction: This Is Home
* Reader Tip: All points of interest and entities are hyperlinked.
There’s something about getting to share the place you love most with other people, especially when it comes to Sawyer County fishing and everything that surrounds it.
I found out last year at the Governor’s Fishing Opener in Barron County that the next stop would be Sawyer County. My county. And I don’t think I’ve ever left one of those events more excited than I did that day.
I’ve been to a few of these now. Price County, Burnett County, Barron County. Each one has its own feel, its own community behind it. But knowing it was coming here felt different in a way I can’t really compare. This is home turf. This is where I grew up, where I came back to after college, where I’ve built my life.
So when it was our turn, it wasn’t just another event I was covering or attending. I felt like I was representing something I care deeply about.
There was a little bit of pressure that came with that too. Not in a bad way, just in a “I want to get this right” kind of way. This was my fourth opener, and I knew I didn’t want to show up the same way I had before. I’ve grown a lot in what I do, and this felt like the right moment to make it more personal and more intentional.
Because when people think about Hayward and Sawyer County, they usually think about a place to visit. A weekend trip, a fishing destination, a summer getaway. And that’s all true. But it’s also a place people live their entire lives. It’s a place that has something going on year-round, not just when the weather is perfect.
Having the Governor’s Fishing Opener here felt like a full circle moment. Not just to experience it, but to share what this place actually is with people who might only know one side of it.
What the Governor’s Fishing Opener Means
The Wisconsin Governor’s Fishing Opener is one of those events that means a lot more than people might realize at first glance.
It’s been a tradition in Wisconsin for decades, dating back to the late 1960s, and this year marked the 60th annual event. What started as a way to celebrate the start of the fishing season has grown into something much bigger.
Every year, it moves to a different county across the northwest region of Wisconsin. It brings in anglers, media, local businesses, and people from all over Wisconsin to highlight not just the fishing, but the community behind it. It’s a chance for each host location to show what makes their area special, both on and off the water.
And this year, it was our turn.
Sawyer County got to be the one welcoming people in, showing them around, and giving them a real look at what life is like up here. Not just for a weekend, but in the day-to-day. The lakes, the small businesses, the places you end up at after a long day outside. All of it.
Getting to experience that as someone who lives here felt completely different than attending in other counties. I wasn’t just passing through or taking it all in for the first time. I was watching other people see it for the first time, and that part stuck with me more than anything.
Read my previous WiGFO Blogs: Barron County 2025 Recap || Price and Burnett County Recap
It Started the Night Before: Business After 5
It actually started the night before.
Thursday evening was Business After 5, one of the Hayward Area Chamber of Commerce events, and this month it was hosted at Weber’s Northwoods Tavern. It’s one of those places that just feels like it belongs here. Good food, good people, right on the lake, the kind of spot you end up at more than you plan to.
Jay and I went like we usually do, just to show up and support, and it ended up being one of those moments where everything kind of clicked.
The room was full of local business owners, people who care deeply about what they do and about this area. It didn’t feel like networking. It felt like community. People talking, catching up, supporting each other. The kind of environment that’s hard to explain unless you’ve experienced it.
At one point, Chris Ruckdaschel, Hayward’s Chamber’s Executive Director, got up and started talking about the weekend ahead. The Governor’s Fishing Opener was here. In Sawyer County. And you could feel it in the room. That sense of pride, excitement, and just appreciation for what this area is and what it represents.
That was the moment it really hit me.
Not when I found out months ago. Not when I started planning content. Right there, standing in a room full of people who live and work here, hearing it out loud. This wasn’t just another event coming through. This was ours.
And it felt like the start of something bigger than just a weekend.
Friday: Showcase Tour Across Sawyer County
Friday started with the showcase tour, which is something they do each year to highlight a few standout places around the host county.
One thing I really appreciated this year was how they spread it out beyond just Hayward. We started up in Winter, Wisconsin, which gave people a chance to see a different part of the county right away. Winter is also a place that’s near to me personally, as I work with the Winter Area Chamber of Commerce, so it was fun to see that community represented as part of the weekend.
Our first stop was Winter Greenhouse, a place I’ve been to several times and one that always stands out to me. Jay and I have easily spent a few hundred dollars here over the years, and that says a lot. The quality is always there, the selection is incredible, and it’s just one of those places you keep coming back to.
We were greeted by Jim Wilson, who is very much the face of the greenhouse, and you can tell right away how much pride goes into the operation. Everything is taken care of at a high level. The plants, the trees, the layout of the grounds. It’s the kind of place you can wander for a couple of hours without even realizing it.
They had their bare root sale going on that weekend, so there was a lot of activity beyond just our group. Locals, visitors, people loading up carts, walking through the greenhouses, checking out the koi pond.
There’s also a really unique background to the place. What started as more of a yoga-centered gathering space built around a shared love for plants has grown into something much bigger. Now it’s not only a destination, but a really strong example of the kind of small business you’ll find throughout Sawyer County.
From there, we made our way to the Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame, which is one of those places I always recommend when people ask what they should do in Hayward.
I’ve been there more times than I can count, but this was the first time I’ve ever had a guided tour, and that made a huge difference. We were led by John Dettloff, a local resort owner, author, and someone deeply connected to the fishing history of this area. Having that kind of perspective brought everything to life in a way that you just don’t get walking through on your own.
There’s a lot to take in there. Multiple buildings, different exhibits, stories from all over. It’s easy to overlook how much history is actually inside those walls if you don’t slow down and hear it from someone who knows it.
Of course, the giant musky is always a highlight. Being able to walk through it never really gets old, no matter how many times you’ve done it. It’s one of those things that sticks with people. I recently made a business membership donation to support the Hall of Fame and help keep it going for future visitors, which felt especially fitting during a weekend centered around fishing and the history behind it.
The overall vibe of the group felt really good throughout the tour. People were engaged, asking questions, taking their time. It didn’t feel rushed or like we were just moving from stop to stop. It felt like people genuinely wanted to learn more about the area and what makes it special.
A Stop That Matters: Terry Peterson Fishing Foundation
One stop that mattered to me, even though it wasn’t part of the official showcase tour, was the Terry Peterson Fishing Foundation.
This is something I’ve been involved with for the past year, both personally and through my work, and it’s an organization that means a lot to this community. The foundation was created in memory of Terry Peterson, a local fishing guide who was deeply passionate about getting kids outdoors, teaching them how to fish, and making sure those opportunities were accessible to everyone.
That mission continues through the work they do today. From building and maintaining fishing docks at places like Shues Pond, to creating lure libraries and hosting youth fishing events, it’s all centered around making fishing something that anyone can experience, regardless of background or resources.
Each year, the night before the opener, they host a memorial fundraiser (this year at the McCormick House in Hayward, right next to Shues Pond). It’s become a meaningful part of the weekend, even if it’s not on the official schedule.
The evening itself is a mix of celebration and support. There’s live music, raffles, door prizes, and a lot of familiar faces. It’s one of those events where you can feel how much people care, not just about fishing, but about what it represents and who it’s for.
It’s also a reminder that weekends like this aren’t just about big events or tourism. They’re about the local efforts happening year-round that keep traditions going and create opportunities for the next generation.
It felt like a fitting stop in the middle of everything else going on. A little bit off the main path, but very much a part of what makes this area what it is.
You can donate to the Terry Peterson Fishing Foundation by clicking here.
VIP Dinner & the Official Kickoff
Friday night brings everyone together for what really feels like the official kickoff to the opening weekend.
This year, the dinner was held at Sevenwinds Casino, operated by the Lac Courte Oreilles Tribe right here in Sawyer County. It’s a great space for something like this. Large enough to host the crowd, but still grounded in the community it represents.
Walking in, you immediately see how many moving parts go into an event like this. Tables lined with silent auction baskets from counties across Wisconsin, people catching up during the social hour, and a mix of local and state involvement all in one room.
The evening was kicked off by Mindy Simons with the Hayward Lakes and Visitors Bureau, setting the tone for the weekend and welcoming everyone to the area. From there, the program moved through a series of speakers, including DNR representatives, local leaders, and state officials, tourism directors, all tying into the bigger picture of what this event represents.
We also heard some incredible statewide numbers throughout the evening that really put into perspective just how big outdoor recreation is in Wisconsin (these are cliff notes, I don’t know the notable years specifically):
- 114,000,000 visitors each year
- 84,000 miles of shoreline and streams
- 15,000 lakes across the state
- $12 billion generated annually from outdoor recreation (and growing)
- Over $1 billion tied specifically to boating and fishing
- Ranked 23rd in the country for tourism
One of the standout recognitions of the night was John Myhre receiving the Warren Knowles Award. It’s a prestigious Wisconsin honor named after former Governor Warren P. Knowles, recognizing individuals who have made significant contributions to the state’s outdoor heritage, tourism, and conservation efforts. Between his work as a fishing guide, his presence in the local outdoor community, and everything he’s done to support and promote this area, it felt like a really fitting moment to highlight someone so connected to Sawyer County.
You can listen to my podcast with John here – Wisconsin Northland Outdoors.
There were also a few moments that stood out in a quieter but meaningful way. A Lac Courte Oreilles tribal artist presented Governor Tony Evers with a custom jacket, which was a really special gesture and a reflection of the local culture being part of the weekend. Long-time photography company James Netz Photography also presented (alongside Captain Barb Carey an Co-Captain Rikki Pardun) Governor Evers with a photo from a previous fishing opener.
Of course, the Governor and Lieutenant Governor kept up their tradition of a friendly competition heading into the next day, seeing who could come out on top on the water. It’s a small thing, but it always adds a little personality to the night.
The silent auction wrapped things up, and I stuck with my unofficial goal of winning a basket. This year it was one from the Mercer area, which worked out perfectly since we already have a trip planned there next month.
After that, the night wound down the way you’d expect. A little time at the casino, some live music, and then calling it early knowing the next morning was going to come fast.
Saturday: Opening Day on Nelson Lake
Saturday morning started on Nelson Lake, the host fishery for this year’s opener.
It’s a really well-rounded system and one that offers a little bit of everything. Largemouth bass are abundant, northern pike have some really solid quality, and there’s no shortage of panfish. There are walleyes in there too. Not overly abundant, but definitely quality fish if you can find them. There are also muskies in the system, and as we learned later from the DNR, even some suckers mixed in, which was news to me.
Jay and I launched at Gerlach Landing, which ended up being the right move. The main launch near the dam was packed with boats, media, and officials, and it was clear pretty quickly that it was going to be a slower process getting in and out of there. Having another access point saved us time and made the morning a lot smoother. It’s something we already knew, but it’s also a good reminder that tools like onX Fish can help you find alternate launches and avoid some of that congestion. If you use it, my code KOZ is a good place to start.
Once we got out there, it became pretty clear that it wasn’t going to be an easy bite. Water temps were still colder than expected, and the fish just weren’t where we thought they would be. We couldn’t find bass shallow like we typically would this time of year, and it turned into more of a grind than anything.
I managed one largemouth on a drop shot and picked up a panfish, but overall it was a pretty slow morning for us. One of those days where you know the fish are there, but you just can’t quite dial it in. Not every opener is lights out fishing, and honestly, that’s part of it.
Mid-morning, we took a break for the grab-and-go breakfast, which has kind of become a staple at these events. This year it was breakfast burritos from Park Island Resort, along with coffee and juice. Simple, but really well done, and something about getting a hot meal right on the water just hits, especially after a slow morning.
Family Fun Day in Hayward
By late morning, we wrapped up fishing and headed into town for the afternoon portion of the event at the Hayward city beach for Family Fun Day.
This part of the weekend shifts gears and focuses on getting people involved, especially kids, and it showed. Papa Saletris food truck was on site, plenty of space for families to hang out, and a strong presence from local organizations that all play a role in getting people outdoors.
Sawyer County Outdoor Projects and Education was there doing casting demos and handing out prizes, Travel Northwest Wisconsin had activities and giveaways for kids, and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources had their Take Me Fishing setup with gear and instruction available right from shore.
One of the biggest additions was the set of portable docks placed along the shoreline for the day, making it easy for families to get out and fish. These were generously donated by Markus and Kayla Armstrong of MJ Dock & Lift Services for the Governor’s Opener, and it made a huge impact. Seeing kids actually able to step onto a dock, cast a line, and be part of it instead of watching from the sidelines was a really cool thing to see. Good people, doing good things for the community.
One of my favorite parts of the afternoon was the fisheries trailer set up by local DNR staff, including our area biologist, Max Wolters. Inside was a large viewing tank filled with fish collected using fyke nets from local lakes. Big bluegills, northern pike, walleye, even a muskie.
We got to watch a muskie get tagged before being released, along with a few turtles that made their way through as well. It’s not something you get to see every day, and it gave people a really hands-on look at what actually lives in these waters.
After spending some time at the beach, catching up with friends and hearing how everyone else’s morning went, we headed home for a quick reset before the evening.
Saturday Night: Hayward’s Main Street Fun
Saturday night slowed things down in the best way.
We met up with Krysten and Trevor and started at the Moccasin Bar, which is just a staple if you’re visiting Hayward. It’s the big seafoam green building right on the corner of Highway 63 and 27, and you really can’t miss it.
Inside, it’s exactly what you’d expect from a place like that. A little bit of everything. Pool tables, dartboards, music, pull tabs, and a bar full of people having a good time. It’s also home to the world record muskie from Cal Johnson, which comes with its own bit of local debate, but I’m firmly on team Cal Johnson.
The taxidermy alone is worth the stop. Singing squirrels, chipmunks fighting, an albino deer. It’s one of those places where you keep looking around and noticing something new every time.
From there, we walked down Main Street to Angler’s Bar and Grill for dinner, which is another go-to for me whenever I have friends in town. It happened to be prime rib night, which made the decision pretty easy.
Angler’s has a great atmosphere, a lot of neat taxidermy throughout, and just feels like a classic Northwoods spot that’s been well taken care of. Pat and Billy Jo Sabin have done a really nice job keeping the place updated while still holding onto what makes it what it is. I actually worked there back in 2015, so it’s always fun going back!
We caught part of the Kentucky Derby while we were there, had a great meal, and just took our time with it.
After dinner, we kept it simple and walked up the street to Sundae’s Ice Cream Shop for ice cream. I went with the “me want cookie,” which is basically cookie dough, chocolate chips, and blue ice cream that tastes like a sugar cookie. It’s as good as it sounds.
Nothing fancy, just a good night in town. The kind of night that reminds you why people enjoy coming here in the first place.
Sunday: One More Day on the Water
Sunday was simple. Jay and I got back out on the Chippewa Flowage to do a little pre-fishing for an upcoming tournament. We were hoping to dial in a bass bite, but it started off a pretty slow.
Krysten and Trevor texted us that they had found a bunch of panfish, so we made a quick move over to them and had a lot of fun with that. Crappies, bluegills, pumpkin seeds. One of those stretches where you’re just catching fish and enjoying it.
After they headed out, Jay and I kept working for bass and eventually found them and they kept us busy all afternoon. We bounced around a bit, moving from one side of the flowage to the other, and ended up having a really solid afternoon once things clicked.
We stopped for lunch at The Landing, which hit the spot. The walleye sandwich for me, Landing Burger for Jay and curds for us both. Pretty hard to beat that paired with a beautiful sunshine day and 70 degree temps!
It was one of those easy days on the water to wrap up the weekend. Nothing over the top, just good fishing, good weather, and a nice way to close everything out.
Beyond the Opener: A Local’s Guide to Sawyer County
If you’re making the trip here, these are the places I’d point you to every single time.
Where to Eat
- Angler’s Bar and Grill (prime rib or wings)
- The Steakhouse & Lodge (salmon, tuna, poke bowl favorite, excellent steaks)
- Reel Livin’ Resort & Campground (best garlic parmesan wings in the county, no debate)
- The Social Kitchen & Cocktails (more upscale, different menu, consistently good)
- The Riverdeck Restaurant (open seasonally, great food, unbeatable atmosphere on the water)
- Weber’s Northwoods Tavern (best prime rib in the area, in my opinion)
- Eddys on Third (best spot for burgers and sandwiches)
Bars & Nightlife
- Twin Lakes Tap (my #1, Fireball Friday, great owner, events, prices, close to home)
- River’s Edge Saloon (live music, darts, pool, try pickle pizza or wings)
- Louie’s Bar and Bites (sports bar feel, great food, chicken caesar wrap)
- Moccasin Bar (Hayward staple, must-see)
- Angry Minnow Brewery (local brewery, cool downtown taproom)
Breakfast
- The Robins’s Nest (my personal favorite breakfast around, Bs & Gs, Irish Benedict)
- R & R Bayview (great scenery on the flowage, excellent options for food)
Coffee & Quick Stops
- Backroads Coffee (coffee, food, dirty sodas, baked goods from Vibes Bakery)
Places to Stay
- Airbnb: Redhead Retreats Modern Monoslope, The Red Walleye
- Resorts: Treeland Resorts, Pat’s Landing, Deerfoot Lodge, Grand Pines Resort, Callahan Lake Resort, Shady Nook Resort (classic Northwoods stays)
- Campgrounds: KOA, Lake Chippewa Campground (easy access to outdoors)
Rentals & Recreation
- Hayward Power Sports (boats, UTVs, snowmobiles, outdoor gear)
- Deerfoot / Pat’s Landing / Treeland Resorts (pontoon rentals on the flowage, linked above)
- M and M Rentals (recreation equipment)
Fishing in the Area
- Chippewa Flowage (top recommendation, massive fishery, endless structure, events like poker runs)
- Guides: Kyle Tyree (multi-species), Noah Glitto (multi), Pete Rich (musky), Jeff Evans (multi)
Things to Do (Year-Round)
- Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame (iconic stop)
- Winter Greenhouse (plants, grounds, koi pond)
- Riverside Lanes (bowling, bar, classic local hangout)
- Namekagon River tubing (Log Cabin out of Trego is actually my go-to fave start point/service)
- Musky Festival, Fall Festival, Lumberjack World Championships, Oktoberfest, American Birkebeiner
- Wilderness Walk, Scheer’s Lumberjack Shows, Lumberjack Mini Golf (family-friendly activities)
- The Lot (live music, activites, food truck lot, etc.)
Favorite Shops in Town
- Outdoor Ventures (gear and apparel)
- Sweetgrass & Sage (local goods)
- Lynn Marie’s Candies (homemade sweets)
- Tremblay’s Sweet Shop (classic candy stop)
- West’s Dairy (local ice cream staple)
- Wilde Gifts (unique finds)
- Silver Star Market (local flower shop, fun clothing)
Why Sawyer County Is Worth the Trip
At the end of it all, this is home for me.
I moved back here in 2015, and I’ve built my life here ever since. My family is here, my work is here, and it’s a place that continues to give back in more ways than one. The people, the access to the outdoors, the fishing, the small businesses. It all adds up to something that’s hard to replicate.
What I don’t think people always realize is that this isn’t just a place to visit. It’s a place people live full, everyday lives. It’s slower, simpler, and more connected. You get to know people, you run into familiar faces, and you start to feel like part of something instead of just passing through.
And for visitors, that’s what I hope you feel when you’re here.
Not just that you had a good trip, but that you felt a little more relaxed, a little more grounded, and maybe even like you want to come back and experience it again in a different season.
Because this area does thrive on visitors, and we genuinely enjoy sharing it. There’s something here for everyone, no matter what kind of trip you’re looking for. Fishing, relaxing, exploring, or just slowing down for a few days.
You don’t have to experience it the same way anyone else does. You just have to show up!
Thank you so much for reading, friend!
