Grindstone Lake

About Grindstone Lake

Grindstone Lake, named after the Chippewa word gajigwanabikokag, is a lake in the US state of Wisconsin, about 30 miles south of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It is the largest of the Hayward Lakes, which include Hayward Lake and Hayward Reservoir, and the second largest lake of its kind in North America after Lake Superior.

With over 50,000 acres of water, recreational opportunities in Sawyer County exceed all expectations. The lake has a total area of 6,800 square kilometers and 1.2 million hectares. Over 3,000 hectares of water are located in Grindstone Lake, the rest in Hayward Lake and Hayward Reservoir.

The lake has some very large fish, but there is also an abundant population of smaller mules. Fishermen will find plenty of space for bees, fishing and boating, as well as a variety of other recreational activities. The lake can be challenging, but anglers with a good sense of humor and a keen eye for detail will quickly find their way around the lake.

In winter, Walleye is exceptionally icy, and fishermen pull dozens of pounds of fish out of the lake every year. In fact, Grindstone Lake has one of the best ice surfaces in the Hayward region - fishing, and some fishermen pull ten pounds of fish out of the lake every year!

The eastern half of Grindstone Lake is located in Lac Court - Oreille Reserve and is part of a 48,000 hectare reserve signed in 1854.

The LCO band has lived in the area since 1754, believed to have immigrated from Canada via the St. Lawrence Waterway. The Wisconsin DNR manages Grindstone Lake and its fish stocks, as well as other lakes and rivers.

Besides exceptional water fishing, the Grindstone Lake area offers a variety of other recreational activities such as hiking, canoeing and kayaking. This beautiful stretch of the Northwoods of Wisconsin is bordered by the Chequamegon - Nicolet National Forest. By the end of the 19th century, the Great North Forest no longer existed and Sawyer County was heavily deforested. The "Chequamesgon" side of this forest covered over 800,000 hectares and was home to the forest barons who moved in the late 18th and early 20th centuries.

Hayward is just a short drive from Grindstone Lake and offers everything a visitor could wish for, from hiking, camping, fishing, kayaking, canoeing, hiking and more.

Accommodation ranges from tents to cabins to resorts, and there are also a number of restaurants, bars, shops, hotels and even a museum building. At Christmas, Santa Claus is often seen peeking out of the mouth of the musk and waving to museum visitors.

The museum buildings are full of artifacts from Grindstone Lake and its history, as well as other sites in the area.

Grindstone Lake is a great trip to the North Forest, which has something for everyone, and the 250 miles of rivers and roads are great ways to explore the area by canoe or kayak. Hayward Lake offers beautiful views of the lake and Great Lakes National Park, as well as a number of hiking trails and trails.