Hayward WI

Hayward is a popular fishing destination because of the many lakes in the area including Lac Courte Oreilles, Grindstone Lake, Round Lake, Moose Lake, Spider Lake, Windigo Lake, and the Chippewa Flowage, which are known for yielding trophy-sized muskellunge ("muskie" or "musky"), northern pike, walleye, and smallmouth bass. It is also home to the "Quiet Lakes" (Teal, Ghost and Lost Land Lakes), which do not allow water sports as do the larger lakes.

The National Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame is located in Hayward. It contains a 143-foot (44 m) fiberglass musky, the world's largest fiberglass structure. Tourists can climb up into the mouth of the fish, and look over the town, as well as Lake Hayward. During the Christmas season, Santa Claus can often be found peering over the town from the musky's mouth. In addition to fishing, Hayward is also a hot spot for deer hunting, golfing, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, canoeing, kayaking, horseback riding, and road and mountain biking.

The annual Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival is the largest mass start mountain bike race in the United States. The first Fat Tire Festival was held in 1983 with 27 riders, and in 2008 the race was capped at 2500 competitors. The two main races include the 40-mile “Chequamegon 40”, and the 16-mile “Short and Fat.”

Participants in the annual Lumberjack World Championships compete in a variety of lumberjack games such as log rolling, chopping, sawing, and chainsaw events.

Hayward hosts the American Birkebeiner cross-country skiing race, the largest cross country ski marathon in North America.The American Birkebeiner first started in 1973. No U.S. Ski Team members were in it, or any foreign skiers. It was unknown then. But today over 13,000 skiers will come to ski this race every year. It is one of Haywards largest and most popular tourist attractions. The Birkebeiner remains the largest ski race in Northern America.

The Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Ojibwe host several powwows throughout the year. The largest Pow-wow in North America is held in Hayward yearly. The Honor the Earth Pow-wow is a celebration honoring mother Earth and the Creator. The celebration brings together all tribes the third weekend of July annually.

Hayward is home to Tremblay's Sweet Shop. Established in 1963 by Denis and Marlene Tremblay it is famous for its homemade fudges, truffles, and gourmet chocolates. Tremblay's has two additional shops located in Stillwater and in Eagle River.

Hayward was "named for Anthony Judson Hayward, a lumberman who located the site for building a saw-mill, around which the town grew."

As of the census of 2010, there were 2,318 people, 1,048 households, and 550 families residing in the city.