Fly Fishing in Wisconsin
Cold Driftless spring creeks full of wild brown and brook trout, Lake Superior steelhead runs, and some of the best smallmouth water in the Midwest: Wisconsin is a fly angler's state.
- 1,719River guides
- 26Game fish
- MayPrime season
Flows right now in Wisconsin
1 of 5 top rivers are flowing normal for today
- Wolf River(USGS gage page, opens in a new tab) 243 cfs Below normal 10th–24th percentile updated 1 hour ago
- White River(USGS gage page, opens in a new tab) 190 cfs Normal 25th–75th percentile updated 45 minutes ago
- Bois Brule River(USGS gage page, opens in a new tab) 110 cfs Much below normal Below the 10th percentile updated 1 hour ago
- Black Earth Creek(USGS gage page, opens in a new tab) 8 cfs Below normal 10th–24th percentile updated 1 hour ago
- Sheboygan River(USGS gage page, opens in a new tab) 276 cfs Above normal 76th–90th percentile updated 1 hour ago
USGS readings compared with each gage's daily flow percentiles (historical record for today's date).
Check the water before you go
Live flows, hatches and fishability ratings for every one of these rivers, in the free FlyFishFinder app.
When to go
How busy the hatches are each month across Wisconsin, from the watershed hatch charts.
- Fewer to more hatches
- Prime season
- Runoff
- This month
Typical hatches in Wisconsin in October
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Blue-Winged Olive PeakMayfly
Wolf River(USGS gage page, opens in a new tab), Kickapoo River(USGS gage page, opens in a new tab), White River(USGS gage page, opens in a new tab)
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Fall BWO PeakOther
Wolf River(USGS gage page, opens in a new tab), Kickapoo River(USGS gage page, opens in a new tab), White River(USGS gage page, opens in a new tab)
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IsonychiaMayfly
Wolf River(USGS gage page, opens in a new tab), White River(USGS gage page, opens in a new tab), Bois Brule River(USGS gage page, opens in a new tab)
Starting next month: Midge
Smaller streams often see lighter or later hatches; check local reports.
Fish in Wisconsin
Tap a fish to see every Wisconsin river that holds it.
Brook Trout
In 91 river guides
Brown Trout
In 49 river guides
Common Carp
In 9 river guides
18 more game fish
Fly fishing in Wisconsin
Wisconsin's fly fishing starts in the Driftless Area, the corner of the southwest the glaciers missed. Limestone springs feed hundreds of small, cold creeks that run through farm valleys and coulees, and most hold wild brown trout, with brook trout in the headwaters. The state has bought public fishing easements along a lot of this water, so you can walk in from the road and fish miles of meadow stream.
Up north the rivers get bigger. The Bois Brule runs to Lake Superior and gets runs of steelhead and salmon in spring and fall, and the Namekagon, Wolf, Peshtigo and Oconto hold trout in their upper reaches. In the central sands, rivers like the Mecan and the Tomorrow are known for the Hex hatch on early summer nights.
When the trout water gets warm in July and August, switch to smallmouth bass. Wisconsin's larger rivers are some of the best places in the Midwest to throw poppers and streamers from a canoe or while wading.
Tips for fishing Wisconsin
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Start in the Driftless
Pick a coulee creek with a public easement and walk upstream. The fish are wild and spooky, so stay low and make your first cast count.
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Go light and long
A 3 to 5 weight rod and a 9 foot leader to 5X or 6X covers most spring creek fishing. Clear, slow water calls for a quiet drop.
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Fish the hatches
Hendricksons in late April and May, sulphurs in June, and Hex mayflies after dark on the sand-bottom rivers. Late summer means tricos in the morning and hoppers along the grassy banks.
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Swing for steelhead
On the Brule and the other Lake Superior rivers, swing or nymph the runs in fall and spring with a 7 or 8 weight. Expect cold water and bring a wading staff.
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Chase smallmouth in summer
When the trout water warms, float a bigger river with poppers and crayfish streamers. Early mornings and evenings are best.
Find the right Wisconsin river for today.
- Top Waters Today ranks the rivers near you on live conditions
- Every access point and parking area on one map
- Live flows from every USGS gauge in the state
Wisconsin fly fishing FAQ
Where is the best trout fishing in Wisconsin?
The Driftless Area in the southwest has the most trout water: spring creeks like the Kickapoo, Coon Creek and the La Crosse River hold wild browns and brookies. Up north, the Bois Brule, Namekagon and Wolf are the big names.
When can you fly fish for trout in Wisconsin?
Most inland streams have an early catch-and-release season in winter and spring, then the regular season from early May into October. Dates and rules vary by stream, so check the DNR's current regulations.
Do I need a trout stamp in Wisconsin?
Yes. You need an Inland Trout Stamp for trout in streams and a Great Lakes Salmon and Trout Stamp for the Great Lakes and their tributaries, on top of your fishing license.
What flies work in the Driftless?
Small mayfly and caddis patterns during hatches, scuds and sowbugs below springs, and hoppers and beetles along the banks in summer. A small streamer works well on overcast days.
Can you fly fish for steelhead in Wisconsin?
Yes. Lake Superior rivers like the Bois Brule get steelhead in fall and spring, and Lake Michigan tributaries get steelhead and salmon too. Swinging or nymphing with a 7 or 8 weight is the usual approach.
Is Wisconsin good for smallmouth on the fly?
Very. Smallmouth bass are in more Wisconsin rivers than any other game fish, and the bigger rivers fish well with poppers and streamers through the summer.
