Shoreline Restoration Around Hayward, Wisconsin: Stop Erosion & Start Enjoying Your Property

Do you live by one of the beautiful lakes near Hayward? If so, many people would consider you lucky for getting to enjoy the woods and waters right from your doorstep. But whether you have a vacation home or are a full-time resident, you know that lakeshore property comes with a downside that isn’t so enviable: Erosion, muskrat burrows, and water weeds. Left unchecked, they can turn a dream location into a soggy mess.

The good news is that you can stop these problems and start enjoying your lakeside again. Since 1996, Lakeshore Guys® has helped Wisconsinites protect their waterfront properties. With our best-in-industry riprap installation and other solutions, we can end erosion and build the infrastructure you need to more fully enjoy your part of the water. Contact us to discuss your situation and to schedule an on-site consultation, or read on to find out more.

Lakes Near Hayward, WI

There are over 50 lakes within 10 miles of Hayward. That’s a lot of shoreline. We’ll cover eight of the bigger bodies of water here. Don’t worry – if you live on a nearby lake that isn’t listed here, and the water is getting too close for comfort, we can stop erosion on your property as well.

The Chippewa Flowage is one of the biggest water bodies near Hayward, covering over 15,000 acres. Created in 1923 by damming the Chippewa River, this area is known for its fishing, hundreds of islands, and largely undeveloped shoreline.

In case you’re wondering, the difference between a “lake” and a “flowage” is that the lake is natural, while the flowage is created through damming or some other artificial process.

The Chippewa Flowage is a fishing destination, especially for musky, which thrive in its waters. Its numerous bays, channels, and hidden coves makes it great for kayaking, canoeing, and exploration.

Lac Courte Oreilles means “Short Ears Lake” in French and is about 5,000 acres. This lake was an important navigational landmark for fur traders and settlers in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Formed during the last glacial period, Lac Courte Oreilles has clear waters and deep basins. It has become popular for outdoor activities like boating, fishing, and swimming.

In recent decades, there’s been a concerted effort to preserve the lake’s ecological health. Local organizations and property owners have focused on addressing shoreline erosion, maintaining water quality, and controlling invasive species. These efforts help keep the lake clean and safe.

Round Lake isn’t all that round, but has many other appealing qualities. It’s spring-fed, with a surface area of 3,200 acres and a maximum depth of 74 feet. Healthy populations of bass, walleye, and panfish attract anglers throughout the year. Round Lake’s tranquil waters make it pleasant for kayaking and canoeing, offering paddlers a peaceful place to explore the natural beauty of the area.

Grindstone Lake covers around 3,000 acres and has long been a popular spot for both seasonal and year-round residents. Its clear waters are great for swimming, snorkeling, and boating during the summer months, and ice fishing in the winter.

The lake’s name is believed to reflect use of the area’s stones by Native Americans and early settlers for making grinding tools. Spring-fed waters help support a wide variety of fish and wildlife. Musky, walleye, northern pike, bass, and other animals like loons, beavers, and otters call the lake home.

Spider Lake spans 1,400 acres and is named for its distinctive shape, having multiple bays and channels that resemble a spider’s legs (if you squint a bit). This complex shoreline makes Spider Lake a favorite among those who enjoy exploring by kayak or canoe, offering a mix of scenic beauty and tranquility.

Fishing is a popular activity here, with species like musky, bass, and panfish commonly found. The network of bays also gives great opportunities for wildlife viewing, including frequent sightings of loons, beavers, and otters.

Tiger Cat Flowage is a chain of interconnected lakes and flowages that covers over 1,000 acres, with a complicated shoreline stretching 30 miles. The flowage is made up of several smaller lakes and is named after Tiger Cat Creek, which feeds into the system. The area’s mix of islands, and shallow and deeper waters, provides excellent habitats for fish and makes it a favorite spot to reel some in. Healthy loon populations and dense forests help to create a peaceful atmosphere.

Teal Lake is named for the many teal ducks that frequent its waters in spring and fall. It’s about 1,000 acres. 

The lake has a no-wake policy. So, while the fish might be early risers, the lake prefers to keep things calm and peaceful—no loud power boats allowed. These calm waters are great for kayaking, canoeing, and paddleboarding, and are a relaxed setting for non-motorized boating. Low boat traffic contributes to excellent fishing conditions year-round. Fishers can expect to haul up musky, walleye, northern pike, bass, and panfish.

Teal Lake has six islands of varying sizes. The surrounding area is heavily forested, helping to give the waters a secluded feel.

Whitefish Lake is the deepest lake in the Hayward area with a maximum depth of 105 feet, and covers over 900 acres.

The lake is named after the whitefish that were once abundant in its waters. Today, the fishing is still excellent, with species including musky, smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye, and largemouth bass.

Whitefish Lake is surrounded by a mix of upscale homes and seasonal cottages. The area is largely residential, with a strong focus on maintaining the lake’s natural environment and protecting water quality.

Whitefish Lake’s combination of depth, clarity, and serene surroundings makes it one of the more sought-after lakes in the Hayward area for those looking to invest in lakefront property.

Shoreline Problems

Every lake and shoreline is unique, but their erosion problems tend to fall into similar categories:

• High water levels from rainfall or snowmelt saturate the soil, making it more susceptible to breakup or being washed away.
• As ice forms and expands, it pushes against the shoreline, loosening soil and displacing vegetation. This is called ice heave or ice push, and has chewed up many shorelines.
• Waves generated by boats repeatedly impacting the shoreline gradually wear it down.
• Muskrats dig into the banks, creating tunnel networks that later collapse, destabilizing the soil and leading to more erosion.
• Undesirable vegetation, such as purple loosestrife, eurasian watermilfoil, and reed canary grass can make the shoreline unusable, swampy, and block views of the water. 

Stop Erosion

We’ve seen just about every riverbank and shoreline problem imaginable. We have tested, proven methods of managing them, so you can enjoy your waterfront property to the fullest.

Only a properly installed riprap shoreline can stop erosion. Riprap consists of large stones strategically placed along the shore, on top of a special layer of geotextile filter fabric. Riprap not only protects your land, but also blocks weed growth, while still blending in with your surroundings.

Your local landscaper is unable to build a riprap shoreline that’s sturdy enough to stand the test of time, let alone to halt erosion on your part of the lake. Technically they can build one, and they’ll say it’s easy, and it might even look nice – for a season or two. Before long, it will start to disintegrate, and you’ll have to replace it. Our shorelines are built to last.

Also, we have a way to keep muskrats and similar mischief makers away, so as to preserve the safety and beauty of your land. We use a 72″ proprietary galvanized muskrat-resistant fabric, called Muskrat Mesh™. This fabric covers several feet of your shoreline above water, as well as extending into the water a few more feet, which helps prevent muskrats from being able to burrow into the shore at, above, and below the water’s edge. Hardening this area with thick fabric and steel wire makes it much harder for the muskrats to dig into your shoreline, and much easier to swim away and try it somewhere else. It also discourages weed growth.

Need a Staircase Down to the Water?

Whether you prefer the durability of metal, the ease and efficiency of lumber, or the rough-hewn charm of stone, our custom-designed staircases and steps provide safe and attractive access to your part of the shore. We can build you a staircase out of a wide range of materials, including:

• Lumber
• Prefabricated concrete
• Metal
• Stone (e.g., flagstone)
• Sawn boulders

Once you can get down to the water more easily, you can start to enjoy it more. Then you may also want a boat ramp, sand beach, patio, or other amenities.

Check out photos of some of the waterfront staircases we’ve designed and installed.

Contact Lakeshore Guys® to Give Your Stretch of Lake New Life

If enjoying your part of the lake requires you to stop erosion and make your shoreline more solid, then you’re in luck. Our DNR-approved practices, shoreline innovations, in-depth explanations of our processes, photos, videos, and best-in-industry reviews make your next step a clear and easy one. Contact Lakeshore Guys® today for a consultation.