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Grindstone Lake, Wisconsin, USA

Also known as:  Hayward Lakes

Named for the Chippewa word “gajigwanabikokag” meaning grindstone, Grindstone Lake has beautiful, clean water and some exceptionally large fish. Near Hayward and the Town of Bass in Sawyer County Wisconsin, Grindstone Lake is part of the Hayward Lakes that includes Lac Court Oreilles, Round Lake, and nearby Lake Chippewa. With over 50,000 acres of water, the recreation opportunities in Sawyer County exceed expectations. Over 3,000 acres of…
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Welcome to the ultimate guide to Grindstone Lake! Article topics include:

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    • All About Grindstone Lake, WI

    Lake Locations: USA - US Midwest Region - Wisconsin - Lake Superior Northwoods Region, WI -

    Named for the Chippewa word “gajigwanabikokag” meaning grindstone, Grindstone Lake has beautiful, clean water and some exceptionally large fish. Near Hayward and the Town of Bass in Sawyer County Wisconsin, Grindstone Lake is part of the Hayward Lakes that includes Lac Court Oreilles, Round Lake, and nearby Lake Chippewa. With over 50,000 acres of water, the recreation opportunities in Sawyer County exceed expectations.

    Over 3,000 acres of that water is held in Grindstone Lake. Water flows into the lake from Grindstone Creek and out into Lac Court Oreilles. The lake has exceptional water clarity and very good water quality. There is plenty of room for boating, and anglers will find healthy populations of bluegill, muskie, northern pike, and largemouth bass. The lake can be challenging to fish, but it has some very large fish. There is also an abundant population of smallmouth bass. In the winter there is exceptional ice fishing for walleye. Anglers pull several ten pound fish out of the lake every year. In fact, Grindstone Lake has the best ice fishing in the Hayward area.

    The eastern half of Grindstone Lake is on the Lac Court Oreilles Reservation. Created by a treaty signed in 1854, the 48,000 acre reservation is the home of the Lac Court Oreilles Band of the Lake Superior Chippewa. One of six bands believed to have migrated from Canada along the St. Lawrence Waterway, the LCO Band has lived in the area continually since 1754. The LCO Band, along with the Wisconsin DNR, are responsible for the water quality on Grindstone Lake, and the Wisconsin DNR manages the fish populations.

    In addition to the exceptional water and fishing, the area around Grindstone Lake has trails for hiking, biking, cross country skiing, ATV’s, and snowmobiles. Nearby the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest is a beautiful section of the Wisconsin Northwoods. The Chequamegon side of the forest is over 800,000 acres, and it’s a great example of the restoration of the Great North Woods after the timber barons moved through. Sawyer County was heavily logged, and by the late 1800’s the Great North Woods were nonexistent. Thanks to restoration efforts by the Civilian Conservation Corps, the forest can be enjoyed today.

    An easy drive from Grindstone Lake, Hayward has excellent restaurants, shopping, lodging and any amenities a visitor could want. Accommodations range from camping to cabins and resorts. It is also home to the National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame and Museum. The museum building is a 143 foot long and 41 foot tall muskie, and museum visitors can stand in the muskie’s mouth. At Christmas Santa Claus can often be seen peeking out and waving from the muskie’s mouth. The Namakagon section of the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway runs past Hayward. The 252 mile riverway is a great way to explore the area by canoe or kayak.

    With its beautiful water, exceptional fishing and all that the Hayward Lake area has to offer, Grindstone Lake is a great Northwoods getaway with something to please everyone.

    Top Vacation Rental Booking Links

    Explore available vacation properties at Grindstone Lake on VRBO:

  • All Lake Rentals
  • Waterfront Properties
  • Lake Cabins & Cottages
  • Pet Friendly Units
  • Homes for Large Groups
  • Luxury Rentals
  • Hot Tub or Pool On-Site

    • Explore Area Hotels

    Nearby Hayward, WI offer more hotel accommodations:

  • Check TripAdvisor
  • Check Expedia
  • Check Hotels.com
  • Check Booking.com

    • Things to Do at Grindstone Lake

    These are some activities in the Grindstone Lake, WI area visitors can enjoy:

    • Fishing
    • Ice Fishing
    • Boating
    • Canoeing
    • Kayaking
    • Camping
    • Cabin Rentals
    • Hiking
    • Biking
    • Cross-Country Skiing
    • Snowmobiling
    • National Forest
    • Museum
    • Shopping

    What Kind of Fish Are in Grindstone Lake?

    Grindstone Lake has been known to have the following fish species:

    • Bass
    • Black Bass
    • Bluegill
    • Largemouth Bass
    • Muskellunge
    • Northern Pike
    • Perch
    • Pike
    • Smallmouth Bass
    • Sunfish
    • Walleye

    Top Tours & Attractions Near Grindstone Lake, WI

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    Find Places to Stay at Grindstone Lake

    If you’re considering a Grindstone Lake lake house rental or hotel, we’ve made it super easy to find the best rates and compare vacation accommodations at a glance. Save time using this interactive map below.

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    More Sites to Book a Grindstone Lake Vacation

    Our interactive Grindstone Lake lodging map above is an easy tool for comparing VRBO rental homes and nearby hotels with Booking.com, but there could be times when you need to expand your search for different types of accommodations. Here are some other lake lodging partners we recommend:

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    Grindstone Lake Statistics & Helpful Links

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    Lake Type: Natural Freshwater Lake, Not Dammed

    Water Level Control: WDNR & LCO Band

    Surface Area: 3,111 acres

    Normal Elevation (Full Pond): 1,287 feet

    Minimum Elevation (Min Pond): 0 feet

    Maximum Elevation (Max Pond): 1,289 feet

    Average Depth: 30 feet

    Maximum Depth: 61 feet

    Lake Area-Population: 2,129

    Trophic State: Mesotrophic

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