Lake Chippewa Fishing
A 14,593-acre Wisconsin lake in Sawyer County, down to 92 feet.
Pick for muskyPiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 Photo: Jeff the quiet, CC0 1.0
Getting acquainted with Lake Chippewa
The WDNR lists Lake Chippewa at 14,593 acres, a lake in Sawyer County. Depths reach 92 feet at the deepest spot, with a mean of 15 feet. In a straight line, about 2 miles separates the lake from New Post. Fisheries work here comes out of the Northern Region. Lake class on the WDNR layer reads complex cool dark.
Musky are managed here, listed as natural reproduction plus stocking (cat. 2). Its walleye come from stocking plus natural reproduction, per the WDNR. It holds Outstanding Resource Water status under state water rules. Walleye rules here follow the ceded territory standard. Fish on its WDNR list include walleye, largemouth bass, muskellunge, northern pike, panfish and smallmouth bass. The WDNR access layer maps 6 public boat landings. WDNR satellite clarity is 5.7 feet for 2017.
For the musky herePiscifun AlumiX spinning reel46% OFFSale $64.99 How abundant the fish are in Lake Chippewa
The DNR sorts the Lake Chippewa fishery into abundant, common and present groups.
| Fish group | WDNR abundance |
|---|---|
| Walleye | Abundant |
| Largemouth Bass | Common |
| Musky | Common |
| Northern Pike | Common |
| Panfish | Common |
| Smallmouth Bass | Common |
| Catfish | Present |
| Sturgeon | Present |
Walleye at Lake Chippewa rely on stocking plus natural reproduction. The musky layer lists Lake Chippewa as natural reproduction plus stocking (cat. 2). The sturgeon layer tags Lake Chippewa: naturally reproducing – ansri.
The WDNR class note for Lake Chippewa
“Complex cool dark lakes can often support quality or action walleye fisheries, and can have great action fisheries for yellow perch, and have the potential to produce quality northern pike and muskellunge fisheries.”
WDNR Find a Lake fish list and abundance, WDNR lake classification and fisheries designation layers, checked October 2026.
Landings around Lake Chippewa
- Barker Lake Access1 lane, 6 to 10 trailer stalls, boarding dock, Town of Winter
- CC North Access1 lane, 16 to 20 trailer stalls, boarding dock, restroom, Park & Recreation Specialist
- CC South Access1 lane, 16 to 20 trailer stalls, boarding dock, restroom, Park & Recreation Specialist
- Chippewa Lake Access near Couderay1 lane, 1 to 5 trailer stalls, Town of Hayward
- Rice Lake Landing1 lane, 1 to 5 trailer stalls, LCO Tribal
- Winter Dam Access1 lane, 11 to 15 trailer stalls, boarding dock, restroom, Park & Recreation Specialist
Public landings near Lake Chippewa
- Hay Creek Boat LaunchHay Creek, 3 miles north
- Blueberry Lake Access near CouderayBlueberry Lake, 5 miles southwest
- Chief River Public AccessMud Lake, 6 miles northwest
- Osprey Lake Access near HaywardOsprey Lake, 6 miles northwest
- Tiger Cat AccessTiger Cat Flowage, 7 miles northwest
- Clear Lake Access near HaywardClear Lake, 7 miles northwest
WDNR Boat Access and Shore Fishing layers and Find a Lake landing table, checked October 2026.
Depth and bottom of Lake Chippewa
Under the water, Lake Chippewa is 60% sand, 20% gravel, 5% rock, 15% muck, per the DNR.
Hydrologically, Lake Chippewa is a drainage lake (a stream flows in and out).
Lake Chippewa has these invasive species on file: chinese mystery snail, eurasian water-milfoil and purple loosestrife. Rinse gear before the next lake.
WDNR Find a Lake page, WDNR Landsat lake clarity layer, checked October 2026.
The rule table for Lake Chippewa
WDNR lists these Lake Chippewa seasons and bag rules species by species.
| Species | Season | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Walleye, sauger and hybrids | May 2, 2026 to November 30, 2026 | Walleye, sauger, and hybrids from 15" to 20" may be kept, except one fish may be over 24". The daily bag limit is 3. |
| Muskellunge and hybrids | May 2, 2026 to December 31, 2026 on open water | The minimum length limit is 50" and the daily bag limit is 1. |
| Largemouth and smallmouth bass | June 20, 2026 to March 7, 2027 | No minimum length for largemouth bass. Minimum length for smallmouth bass is 14" and bag limit for largemouth bass and smallmouth bass is 5 in total. |
| Largemouth bass | May 2, 2026 to June 19, 2026 | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 5. |
| Smallmouth bass | May 2, 2026 to June 19, 2026 | Fish may not be harvested (catch and release only). |
| Panfish | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10. |
| Catfish | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10. |
| Lake sturgeon | September 5, 2026 to September 30, 2026 | All sturgeon taken with hook and line must be tagged and registered. The minimum length is 60" and season limit is 1 fish. |
| Shovelnose sturgeon | Closed | No fishing allowed. |
| Cisco and whitefish | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10. |
| Rock, yellow and white bass | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited. |
| Bullheads | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited. |
| Rough fish | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited. |
| Paddlefish | Closed | No fishing allowed. |
The WDNR record for Lake Chippewa adds: Bag limits are for fish caught in all lakes in the CHIPPEWA FLOWAGE including CRANE LAKE, CRYSTAL LAKE, JAMES LAKE, JAMES SLOUGH, MOONSHINE LAKE, SCOTT LAKE, TYNER LAKE Catch and release fishing for largemouth and smallmouth bass is open year round unless otherwise noted. Motor Trolling is allowed with up to 3 hooks, baits, or lures, per angler.
County text for Sawyer: Sawyer County is in the ceded territory (see page 13 for additional ceded territory information). For all lakes and flowages that are also partially within Washburn County, largemouth and smallmouth bass of any length may be kept. A portion of Sawyer County is in the Northern Bass Zone (see base regulations on page 12). Motor trolling is permitted countywide (three hooks, baits or lures per person).
Lake Chippewa is north of US Highway 10 for pike, and in the Northern or Southern Bass Zone (the county is split; see the guide map) for bass.
WDNR Lake Regulation search and the 2026-2027 Guide to Wisconsin Hook and Line Fishing Regulations, checked October 2026.
Lake Chippewa stocking history
Lake Chippewa received 7,038 fish over 3 stocking records between 2023 and 2024.
| Year | Species | Size | Avg length | Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Walleye | large fingerling | 7.6 in | 3,136 |
| 2023 | Muskellunge | large fingerling | 12.02 in | 3,103 |
| 2023 | Muskellunge | large fingerling | 11 in | 799 |
WDNR Fish Stocking Summary, stocking years 2023 to 2025. Wisconsin stocking.
Lake Chippewa on the WDNR tournament calendar
Permit dates and winners on Lake Chippewa are on its event page.
Lake Chippewa beside its neighbors
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Max depth ft | Landings | WDNR class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Chippewa | 14,593 | 92 | 6 | complex cool dark | |
| Bunker Lake | 1 mile south | 21 | 6 | 0 | simple harsh has fishery |
| James Lake, Sawyer County | 2 miles east | 15 | 48 | 0 | complex warm clear |
| Two Boys Lake | 3 miles southwest | 108 | 37 | 0 | complex warm dark |
| Glover Lake | 3 miles northwest | 25 | 14 | 0 | simple warm dark |
| Goose Lake, Sawyer County | 4 miles east | 41 | 5 | 0 | simple warm dark |
WDNR Find a Lake, lake classification and boat access layers.
In reach of Lake Chippewa
Other Wisconsin lakes close to Lake Chippewa
- Bunker Lake1 mile south
- James Lake, Sawyer County2 miles east
- Two Boys Lake3 miles southwest
- Glover Lake3 miles northwest
- Goose Lake, Sawyer County4 miles east
Tackle shops a short drive from Lake Chippewa
- Jenk's Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Hayward, 4 miles
- Round Lake Marinamarina, Hayward, 7 miles
- Happy Hooker Bait And Tacklebait and tackle shop, Hayward, 10 miles
- Bobber Down Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Hayward, 10 miles
- Timber Marine Servicesbait and tackle shop, Hayward, 11 miles
- Hayward Power Sportssporting goods store, Hayward, 11 miles
Nearby Wisconsin towns for Lake Chippewa
- New Post2 miles
- Chief Lake7 miles
- Little Round Lake9 miles
County pages for Lake Chippewa
- Sawyer Countyseat: Hayward
Gear from Piscifun for Lake Chippewa
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Shoreline scenes a drive from Lake Chippewa
Photo: John Thompson Johntwiki, Public domain
Photo: TimothyMN, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Jeff the quiet, CC0 1.0
Photo: Charlocharlie, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick facts people look up on Lake Chippewa
How far is Lake Chippewa from the nearest Wisconsin town?
In Sawyer County, WDNR Northern Region, about 2 miles from New Post.
How big is Lake Chippewa by the WDNR count?
About 14,593 acres and 92 feet at the deepest.
Which landing should I use to launch on Lake Chippewa?
Try Barker Lake Access, one of 6 mapped landings.
Does the WDNR list walleye in Lake Chippewa?
Find a Lake names walleye (abundant), largemouth bass (common), muskellunge (common), northern pike (common), panfish (common), smallmouth bass (common) and catfish (present).
What can I keep from Lake Chippewa?
Walleye, sauger and hybrids, per WDNR: Walleye, sauger, and hybrids from 15" to 20" may be kept, except one fish may be over 24". The daily bag limit is 3.
Is a stamp needed on Lake Chippewa?
Anglers 16 and older need a Wisconsin fishing license: $20 a year for residents and $55 for nonresidents, with a $5 first-time buyer rate for residents.
What lake class is Lake Chippewa?
Satellite clarity about 5.7 feet (2017). Bottom: 60% sand, 20% gravel, 5% rock, 15% muck. WDNR class: complex cool dark. Type: drainage.
Where can I buy bait on the way to Lake Chippewa?
Closest on our list: Jenk's Bait & Tackle, 4 miles.
What has been stocked in Lake Chippewa?
In 2024, 3,136 walleye.
Put Lake Chippewa on this year's Wisconsin list
Buy a Go Wild license before the drive.