Jenks Bait & Tackle
Jenk’s Bait & Tackle has been serving the Hayward Area for over 75 years! We are your One Stop Shop in the Chippewa Flowage Area! Located conveniently between the Chippewa Flowage, Round Lake, Callahan Lake, Moose Lake, and the Quiet Lakes, our knowledge of the surrounding waters and woods has been invaluable to our guests and community for many years.
We are a full service One Stop Shop as we offer a variety of products and services from Live Bait, a full line of name brand fishing tackle, ice, cold beer & soda, propane cylinders, firewood, rod & reel repair, line winding services, special order firearms, and firearm transfers!
Jenk’s Bait and Tackle is more than a local tackle shop. It is an experience, and more importantly–a tradition. We are very passionate about the Hayward Lakes Area, and we love bringing you the best quality and up-to-date products while still maintaining that nostalgic and rustic mom & pop bait shop feel like back in the old days. We thank you for choosing Jenk’s Bait and Tackle as your One Stop Shop for all your fishing needs in the Chippewa Flowage Area!
Complete Line of Fishing Tackle and Live Bait
13 Miles East of Hayward on County Hwy “B”
Our rod and reel prices are competitive with, and often priced lower than the discounters and catalogues. Give us a call at 715-462-3055 for more information, or stop by and see for yourself.
Located conveniently between the Chippewa Flowage, Round Lake and Callahan Lake, our knowledge of the surrounding waters have been a help to visitors for many years.
Whether you seek hunting and fishing information, want to hire a guide to fish the Chippewa Flowage or surrounding Hayward Lakes, or if you simply want to chat about the Hayward area, we’re here 7 days a week to help make your stay a pleasant one.
Open Water, and Ice Fishing Guide Services through Hayward Guide Service which is headquartered at Jenk’s
Fishing Report / News
2026-08-08
Walleye
The Walleye bite has gotten better from previous weeks but the best bite has been in the evenings starting around 7:30 pm or so. Target shallow weed bars that are adjacent to deeper water and river channels. Fish the drop offs around the weed edges in that 6-15 foot zone. Leeches and Crawlers are your go-to's for live bait, while Flicker Shads should be your go-to for artificials.
Musky
The Musky bite has definitely improved this week. During the day, there has been a decent amount of action reported on blades. Offset double bladed bucktails have been the popular choice this week. During the early morning and later evening, consider switching to surface baits and throwing a Hawg Wobbler or a Creeper. Slower moving surface baits in the early and later hours of the day have been producing some good results.
Northern
Pike have been very active although there have been a lot of small ones. Tinseltails have been the hot bait this week. Fish the thick weeds with a Tinseltail spinner and you should catch some pike.
Crappie
The Crappie bite has been very good this week! During the day you can certainly fish the cribs, but make sure you do not ignore the deeper timber or brush. That deeper cover off the Northeast corner of Birch Island has been a great spot this past week for bringing in some Crappies. In the evening, not much has changed. You are still targeting the floating bogs. Crappie Minnows, Bobby Garland Mayflies, and Gulp! 1-inch Minnows are the ticket.
Panfish
Bluegills continue to be just as active as the Crappies. Redworms or Voodoo Bugger Jigs with a Waxie are solid choices for bait. Fish good weed cover, brush piles, and sunken timber.
Bass
Largemouth and Smallmouth have both been fairly active this week. Largemouth are sitting in weedbeds and lily pads while the Smallmouth are sitting around rocks and stumps. Frogs have been very productive this week in catching the Largemouth, while Neds and other plastics have been the ticket for the Smallies.
Weather
This week will be farily warm in the beginning of the week with highs ranging from the high 70s to the low 80s through Wednesday. During that same period lows are forecasted to be in the mid to high 50s. The latter part of the upcoming week is expected to cooldown very slightly with temps from Thursday forward being in the mid to high 70s and lows still remaining int he mid to high 50s. Currently there is no rain forecasted for this week.
Water Temp at time of this report
76 Degrees
General
Leech Availability Report: Leeches are definitely starting to get scarce. We do not expect to have leeches much longer this season. However, don't fret! Jenk's Bait always comes through when things get tough and we were able to scrounge a few more pounds up so we were able to extend leech season a little bit! Stop on in at Jenk's Bait and stock up while supplies last!