Wednesday, May 30, 2012

wisconsin's northwoods brook trout streams

In the land of monster musky, slab smallmouth, and mouthwatering walleye it’s quite possible that the trout streams of Northern Wisconsin are often overlooked. Tourism promotes the plethora of lakes and flowages so heavy that finding information on the trout fishing is near impossible. Internet searches result in nothing concrete and it just may be that the best source of information could be the local fly shop or tavern.

northern wisconsin brook trout water
With hundreds of miles of classified trout water in the area the best bet is to put tire to pavement and come up with your our own hot spots. It’s quite possible to go through a couple “duds” before stumbling across a “stud” but the scenery alone is well worth all the effort.

northwoods brook trout
The streams of the Northwoods are much more temperamental when it comes to weather. Many of these aren't spring fed so summer’s temperatures will impact the fishery tremendously causing the water to become hot enough to shut the bite down. The best bet is the spring and fall. Harsh winters and summers also impact the fish numbers tremendously so look for best fishing after years with more mild seasons.

scenic water to say the least...

25 comments:

  1. Want to make sure...the fish are not native, correct?

    Because I'm pretty sure they are only native to the Eastern coast states from Georgia to Maine.

    Pretty looking fish!

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    1. Troutmagee answered it for me a few comments below. My fish probably weren't native but most likely natural reproduction. No stocking in that section.

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    2. Brook Trout are absolutely native to Wisconsin. Granted, there are some brookies stocked into certain streams, but there are many streams that have reproducing populations of native brookies that have been around for a very long time.

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  2. Beautiful country the northwoods. And you're probably right, besides the local bar or fly shop, the best way to find out about the place is lacing up the boots and going exploring...

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    1. Getting there is half the fun. Just was talking about that with someone else.

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  3. I have vague memories of the Wisconsin north woods. I guess my father was just a "lake" fisherman. Can't remember fishing any streams.

    Mark

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    1. River or lake fishing is fishing. I appreciate it all

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  4. Northern Wisconsin seems like such a distant place for me. I have no clue why. I'd love to go after some brookies

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    1. I'm a road tripper for sure. Distance is relative

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  5. Devin A,
    Pretty sure the Brook Trout is the only stream trout native to Wisconsin.

    dnr.wi.gov/fish/pubs/brooktrout.pdf

    Tight lines.

    Great post, those streams look sweet :)

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    1. Agreed on the first part and thanks on the second!

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    2. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    3. Trout MaGee,

      hat I said above was wrong...the Brook Trout in Wisconsin are all stocked but may reproduce, they aren't native strain, and not native to Wisconsin.

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  6. Looks like some good water to fish.

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    1. I have one more post from my last trip from mini vacation great trip

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  7. Sweet lookin streams! Reminds me of the streams in Vermont just a little smaller. Colorful looking Brookie as well!

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    1. Scenery was a change from the norm for sure.

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  8. I didn't know that Wisconsin had an abundance of trout streams. I have fished the Brule River if that counts? Great post!

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    1. You should Google Wisconsin driftless trout, you'd be amazed, thanks for comment!

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  9. Nice Pictures. It makes me want to head up North and fish for brookies.

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  10. Blake
    Streams like that have got to hold some amazing trout------Just curious, do you ever come in connect with other fishermen in those remote areas? I have come across individuals who are not fishing sometimes. From the looks of some I have seen in the woods it kind of makes you feel uneasy sometimes??? Thanks for sharing some great looking streams.

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  11. I still remember how excited we were to get that first 3 incher :) Awesome trip in an awesome place.

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    1. Its amazing what that first fish does for the mind, good times, the smallmouth post should be tuesday. Got some writing to do ;)

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