Kinnickinnic River Fishing Report Updated 04/21/24
Fly and Gear ordering and delivery: We can get flies to you within two to three business days from the time you place your order via Priority Mail. If you provide a budget for flies, we will select them to match the budget and get them to you on time for your trip. Please see the bottom of this column for ordering options.
We also have custom Perfect Fly selections in 3 different price ranges for this stream that come with or without fly boxes. They make excellent gifts. Click Here To Order or Call us at 800 594 4726 or email us at sales@perfectflystore.com
Type of Stream
Spring Creek
Species
Brook Trout (native)
Brown Trout (wild)
Size
Small
Location
Southern Wisconsin
Nearest Towns
River Falls
Season
General season starts March 5 to
October 15th.
(early season Catch and Release
season first Sat. Jan through
March 4th)
Access:
Good
Non-Resident License
State of Wisconsin
Weather
National Weather Service Link
USGS Stream Data:
Near River Falls
Seasons:
March 5 through October 15th.
Spring:
Springtime is a very good time for fly fishing the Kinnickinnic River due to the numerous hatches
Summer:
Water stays generally cool throughout the Summer especially near the springs.
Fall:
Fall is probably the best time to fish the river. Brown trout spawn in the Fall and become aggressive in the pre-spawn stage.
Recommended Tackle & Gear
Fly Line:
4, 5 or 6 weight
Leaders:
Dry fly: 9 to 12 ft., 5 or 6X Nymphing:
71/2 ft., 3 or 4X, Streamers 0-2X
Tippets:
Dry fly: 5 or 6X, Nymphing: 3 or 4X,
Streamer 0-2X
Best Fly Rods:
Perfect Fly Supreme Four, Superb Five
or Ultimate Six
Fly Reels:
For 4/5/6 fly line
Fly Floatants and Misc Items:
Floatants, KISS Strike Indicators
Tools & Accessories:
Nippers, forceps, retractors, etc.
Fly and Gear ordering and delivery:
Email us at (sales@perfectflystore.com) with the dates you will be fishing and we will send you a list of our fly recommendations. We can get flies and gear to you within two to three business days from the time you place your order via Priority Mail. If you provide a budget for flies, we will select them to match the budget and get them to you on time for your trip. Your can also call us at 800-594-4726 and we will help you decide what flies and gear to use. All orders are shipped free in the U.S. If under a $100 order requiring Priority mail is a charge of only $8.10. Orders over a $100 are shipped free via Priority Mail.
Copyright 2016 James Marsh
Fly Fishing The Kinnickinnic River Wisconsin
The Kinnickinnic River is called the Kinni by the locals. Call it what you like or just call it one of Wisconsin’s best trout streams and you will be accurately describing the river. It is one of the few streams that has a good trout population without being stocked. Stocking was discontinued in 1973. Native brook trout and wild browns are plentiful.
The twenty-five mile long river gets its water from a series of springs, giving the stream a good pH level and water chemistry that sustains plenty of food for the trout. Many other springs add to its flow along its course including Parker Creek, South Fork, Kelly creek, and Rocky Branch. In addition, many springs along the riverbed itself contribute to the flow. The river terminates in the St. Croix River in Kinnickinnic State Park.
The upper Kinnickinnic River flows through farm land and great care has been taken to see that fences keep the cattle out of the water. It has a very high population of self-sustaining, stream-bred brown trout.
The lower section of the Kinnickinnic River is quite different. It flows through a wooded, 200 foot deep canyon like area. There’s less access and fewer trout in the lower section but they are generally larger in size.
Wisconsin DNR easements and road crossings at the stream provide good access for the upper section of the Kinnickinnic River. There are many points of entry between the spring ponds and Highway #35, several DNR easements, and plenty of access points where roads cross the stream.
Access to the lower river is limited. Glen Park in River Falls has access below the dam. Highway F crosses the river in Kinnickinnic State Park providing some access. The canyon section starts about a mile below the City of River Falls and runs about ten miles before its confluence with the St. Croix River.
Most of the upper section above River Falls takes on the characteristics of the typical mid-western spring creek with slower moving water flowing smoothly as it meanders its way across the hilly country. The water speeds up some where riffles connect its pools. It has a sandy bottom with some cobble and is fairly narrow in width.
The stream is protected from cattle with fences. In addition, there has been a lot of habitat improvements made to the stream. There are several small feeder streams that hold brook trout that fed the upper section of the spring creek. The upper section includes a good population of both brook trout and brown trout.
Below I-95, brown trout become more plentiful and seem to increase some in size the further downstream you go. The population is said to decrease some but keep in mind that Kinnickinnic River has one of the largest concentrations of trout in the mid-west, with populations ranging from 5000 to 10,000 trout per mile. The lower river is more like a freestone stream than a spring creek with locks of rocks and cobble. The limestone bottom helps maintains a good pH level for the stream. The river is wider and shaded with trees and bluffs that border the stream.
Kinnickinnic River Fishing Report:
02/26/2020 The river is flowing just a little
above normal and midges, little BWOs, and
Winter stoneflies are hatching. Send us an
email and let us help you plan your next trip.
sales@perfectflystore.com
03/22/20 Stream levels are just a little below
normal. Fish below the dam where the water
is slightly warmer. We are getting a few good
reports. Few anglers are fishing.
04/17/20 The stream levels are a little
above normal and the water lightly stained
in places. Midges, and little BWOs are the
main insects hatching.
05/12/20 The stream is just a little above
normal level. There are major hatches taking
place. Conditions are good.
05/29/20 Stream levels are a little above
normal and the water stained. Trout are being
caught. There are some very good hatches.
06/11/20 Stream levels ae still a little above
normal but trout are being caught in good
numbers. Good hatches are taking place.
06/24/20 The stream levels is just a little
above normal level and trout are still being
caught in good numbers on good hatches.
07/06/20 The stream levels are down to a
normal level and the water clear. There are
multiple hatches and terrestrials are starting
to work good.
07/20/20 The stream levels are just a little
above normal which is good. There are still
a lot of insects hatching and we are getting
good reports from customers.
08/01/20 The river is down to a good level
and trout are being caught by our customers
in all sections. Good hatches are taking place.
08/22/20 The river is at a normal level and
in good shape. We are getting some very
good reports from customers. There are still
a lot of hatching insects.
09/12/20 The stream level is a little high but
can be waded in places with caution. We are
getting good reports from customers. There
are some good hatches and our terrestrial
patterns are also working.
10/02/20 Stream levels are just a little above
normal levels and in good shape. Our
customers are sending in good reports.
Mahogany duns, BWOs, Cinnamon Caddis
and other insects are hatching.
10/23/20 We are getting good reports from
customers. The season ends at the end of
this month.
01/17/21 Catch and Release season is
underway. Fish below the dam or near the
springs for the best results.
02/03/21 One good report from customers
fishing tailwater. Midges,and winter
stoneflies are hatching good.
02/28/21 The river is still turning out trout
for the few anglers fishing. Fish the
tailwater as near the dam as legal using our
Cream and/or red midge lava and pupa.
03/17/21 Trout are still being caught below
the dam. Midges, little BWOs, winter
stoneflies, and little brown stoneflies.
04/16/21 Trout are still being caught on midges, sculpin streamers and little BWO nymphs below the dam where the discharged water is warmer.
05/05/21 The river is flowing at a normal level and clear. We continue to get good reports from customers. There are multiple hatches. Send us an email or call us for fly and gear recommendations.
05/16/21 The stream is in good shape flowing at a normal level. There are some very good hatches taking place and we are getting good reports from customers.
05/22/21 The river is in okay shape and we are getting some good reports. There are lots of insects hatching. Call or write us for a recommended fly and gear list.
05/30/21 The stream is near a normal level and in good shape. We continue to get good reports from customers. There are multiple hatches and dry fly fishing is beginning to get good.
06/08/21 The stream is in good shape with okay levels and clear water. There are lots of insects hatching and we are getting good reports. Email us at (sales@perfectflystore.com) with the dates you will be fishing and we will send you a list of our fly recommendations.
06/20/21 Stream levels are normal and we continue to get good reports from customers. There are multiple hatches taking place.
07/03/21 Good stream levels and good hatches have the stream as fishing as good as it gets. It should be supper after the 4th crowds leave.
07/14/21 The stream is above normal level but that isn’t all bad. We are still getting good reports from customers thanks to some very good hatches.
07/20/21 The stream is flowing just a little above normal level and with clear water. We continue to get good reports.
07/28/21 The stream is at a normal level and in excellent shape. We continue to get good reports from customers. This coming week should be a good one.
08/05/21 Conditions continue to be very good. We are getting good reports from customers thanks to good hatches continuing to take place.
08/15/21 The stream levels are very near normal level and in good shape. We continue to get some excellent reports from customers. Good hatches are taking place.
08/23/21 The stream is flowing just a little above normal level in good shape. We received several good reports from customers fishing this past week. Good hatches continue to take place.
08/31/21 The stream is still flowing just a little above normal allowing plenty of good wading water. We continue to get good customer reports. Good hatches continue to take place.
09/09/21 The stream is still flowing a little above normal but okay with wading areas. Good hatches continue. We received one good report from a customer recently.
09/18/21 The stream levels are in good shape and we are getting some very good reports. Good numbers of trout including some big browns are being caught.
09/27/21 More good reports are coming in. Some of the browns are in the pre-spawn mode and some nice ones are being caught. Stream levels are just a little above normal.
10/07/21 The stream level is normal and the river in great shape. We continue to get good reports from customers. Good fall hatches are taking place.
10/18/21 The stream is still flowing at a normal level with clear water. We received several more good reports of catches from our customers this past week. The season ended the 15th.
01/14/22 Early catch and release season started Jan. 1st. We didn’t receive any reports from anyone fishing this past week. Let us hear from you.
01/22/22 Still no reports from anyone fishing. Stream levels are okay and blood midges and winter stoneflies are hatching.
01/30/22 We received one good report from a customer. Conditions are okay and there are good hatches of midges and winter stoneflies.
02/07/22 The stream is turning out some good catches for customers during the c and r season. Cream and red or blood midges and winter stoneflies are hatching good.
02/15/22 We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week. Fish near the confluence of one of the spring fed tributaries and you should do good. Scuds are working as well as blood midges.
02/23/22 We didn’t receive any reports from anyone fishing this past week. The weather will be warmer the coming days this week and you should have some good opportunity.
03/03/22 We received one good report from a customer fishing this past week. Good Blood midge and Winter stonefly hatches continue to take place.
03/11/22 We received another good report from a customer fishing the past week. Good hatches continue.
03/19/22 The stream is flowing at a normal level and clear. The water is a tad warmer and that should help. Good hatches of cream and blood midges and blue-winged olives are taking place.
03/27/22 The stream is still flowing at a normal level and the river in good shape. There are good midge and BWO hatches taking place. We are getting good reports from customers.
04/04/22 Good conditions continue. Good water levels and clear water exist. Fish near the tailwater discharge as legal for the warmest water. Good hatches continue to take place.
04/20/22 Sorry for the missed report. The stream is flowing at a normal level and in good shape. We received two good reports very recently. Good hatches are taking place.
04/28/22 The stream is flowing at a normal level and clear. There are some very good hatches starting to take place. We received two good reports from the past week.
05/05/22 The stream levels are still in good shape with clear water and good hatches continue to take place. There are Quill gordons, Blue Quills, little Brown stoneflies, little Black caddis, and American March browns hatching.
05/14/22 The stream is flowing at a normal level and in good shape with clear water. Good hatches continue to take place and we continue to get good reports from customers.
05/22/22 Conditions remain very good. Stream levels are normal and the water clear. There are multiple hatches taking place and our customers are sending in good reports.
05/29/22 Conditions are very good. The stream level is normal and the water clear. There are multiple hatches taking place and we continue to get good reports from customers fishing for trout.
06/06/22 All sections are in good shape and turning out good catches. Lot of insects are hatching and dry fly fishing is good. Use our Perfect fly patterns that look like the real things and watch your success increase.
06/13/22 The river is still in good shape with multiple hatches taking place. We continue to get good reports from customers fishing the stream. All sections of the river are turning out good trout catches.
06/20/22 The river is flowing at a normal level and clear. There are good hatches of Light cahills, BWOs, Slate Drakes, little Yellow stoneflies and Sulphurs. We received three more good reports recently.
06/27/22 Stream levels are fine and the water clear. Trout are getting a good look at your fly. Our Perfect flies look like the real things and can increase your odds of success.
07/03/22 Excellent condition continue. There are multiple hatches taking place. Customers are sending in good reports of good numbers and sizes of trout being caught.
07/11/22 The good fishing opportunity continues. Good water levels and good hatches exist. Our terrestrial patterns, carpenter ants, Japanese beetles and sandwich hoppers are working good.
07/18/22 The stream is flowing at a normal level with clear water. Hatches continue to come off and our terrestrials are also working. This coming week should be a good one.
07/25/22 The stream is flowing at a normal level and mostly clear. We received four good reports from customers fishing this past week. Good hatches continue to take place.
08/08/22 The stream is flowing at a normal level and clear. We received three good reports this past week from customers fishing it. There are multiple hatches taking place.
08/15/22 The stream is flowing at a normal level and clear. Conditions are as good as they get. Good hatches are taking place.
08/29/22 Sorry for the missed report. Conditions are good. The stream is now down to a normal level. Good late season summer hatches are taking place. Scuds are also working.
09/06/22 The stream is in good shape with good numbers of trout being caught. All sections of the river are producing. Very good hatches continue to take place.
09/13/22 The stream is flowing at a normal level and clear. We received three good reports from customers this past week. This coming week should be even better.
09/20/22 The stream is still in very good shape. We received three more good reports from customers this past week.
09/27/22 Conditions remain very good. There are good stream levels and good hatches continue to take place. This coming week should be another good one.
10/09/22 Only a week left in the season. Good hatches are taking place and we continue to get some very good reports.
01/02/23 Stream conditions are not good due to ice, but good winter hatches continue.
02/05/23 The stream is in okay shape and the few anglers fishing, are catching some trout. There are good Cream and light Green MIdges hatching.
02/27/23 Fish below the dam where the water is slightly warmer. We are getting a few good reports. There are good Winter stonefly and Cream and Blood or red midge hatches taking place.
03/07/23 The stream is flowing near a normal level. There is a lot of slush ice in the lower sections of the river. We haven’t received any recent reports but you should be able to catch trout on scuds, aquatic worms, midges, and sculpin streamers.
03/17/23 We still haven’t received any report. You should be able to catch trout on midges.
03/25/23 The stream is flowing at a normal level and clear. There are good hatches taking place. We received one good report from customer recently.
04/05/23 The stream is flowing at a high level but should drop back down soon. We have been getting good reports from customers. Good hatches are taking place.
04/22/23 The stream is flowing at a high level due to recent rain. We have been getting great reports before the higher water levels. Very good hatches are taking place.
05/03/23 The stream is flowing at a normal level and clear. We received two good reports from customers fishing the past two days. Very good hatches are taking place.
05/13/23 The stream is still flowing at a normal level and clear. We received three good reports from customers this past week. Very good hatches are taking place.
05/24/23 The stream is flowing at a normal level with clear water. There are some very good hatches taking place. We received two more good reports from customers.
06/06/23 The stream is flowing at a normal level and clear. We received three good reports from customers. There are lots of insects hatching.
06/14/23 Two more good reports came in this past week. Very good hatches continue to take place. Dry fly fishing has been great this past two weeks.
06/25/23 The stream is flowing just a little above normal due to yesterday’s rain. Good hatches are taking place and good reports are still coming in.
07/02/23 The stream is at a normal level and clear. Good hatches continue to come off. We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week.
07/13/23 The stream is flowing at a normal level and clear. Very good hatches are taking place. We received three good reports this past week from customers.
07/22/23 The stream is flowing near a normal level with clear water. Good hatches continue to take place and our terrestrial imitations are also working good.
08/03/23 Excellent hatches are coming off and dry fly fishing is very good. We received three good reports from customers fishing this past week.
08/09/23 The stream is still in very good condition with normal flows and clear water. There are good hatches taking place and dry fly fishing continues to be good.
08/18/23 The stream is flowing at a normal level and clear. We are still getting some very good reports from customers. Good hatches continue and our terrestrial patterns are also working good.
08/26/23 Good conditions continue to exist. This coming few weeks will be a great time to get in on some good action from the spring creek. The trout get a good look at the fly in the clear spring water and matching the hatch with our Perfect Flies will definitely increase your odds of success.
09/02/23 The stream is in good shape with good levels and clear water. We continue to get good reports from customers.
09/09/23 Conditions are still very good. Good steam levels exist and good late season hatches continue to come off. Match them and you are in business.
09/16/23 The stream is still flowing near a normal level and clear. Good hatches continue to come off and we continue to get good reports from customers. It is best to match the hatch in the clear water and you can do that with Perfect flies which look like the real things.
09/23/23 Good conditions continue to take place. Good stream levels and good hatches are still coming off.
09/30/23 Stream levels are normal and good hatches continue to take place. You should be able to catch good numbers of trout.
10/07/23 We received two more good reports. The regular season ends the 15th of this month.
01/01/24 Catch and Release season is underway. Fish the tailwater below the dam or upstream near the springs for the best results. Red or blood midges and light Green midges are hatching. Scuds and aquatic worms are also working.
01/21/24 The stream is in good shape with good light green and red or blood midge hatches taking place. You should be able to catch and release good numbers of trout.
02/03/24 The stream is in good shape in its upper section near the springs. Lower sections of the have a lot of bank and slush ice. There are good light green and red or blood Midge hatches as well as Winter Stoneflies.
02/16/24 The stream is flowing a little high but okay. Getting to the water can be a problem with snow and ice but you should be able to catch and release trout in good numbers. Let us hear from you. Winter stoneflies and Midges are hatching.
02/25/24 The stream is flowing near a normal level and clear. We received a good report from a customer fishing yesterday. Fish as near a spring as you can. The warm spring water help keep the water temperature up some and the trout active.
03/16/24 Sorry for the missed reports. The regular season is now open. The stream is flowing below a normal level and clear. Good hatches of light green and cream midges, and Winter Stoneflies are taking place. Fish near the springs where the water is warmer.
03/23/24 The stream is in good shape with good hatches continuing to take place.
03/30/24 The stream is flowing near a normal level and clear. Good Midges and little Blue-winged olives are hatching. Scuds and Sculpin streamers are also working.
04/06/24 The regular season opened with some good catches as we did receive two good catch reports. Fish near the springs as you can for slightly warmer water. Good BWO hatches are taking place.
04/16/24 Good hatches are taking place – BWOs, Blue Quills, Little Brown stoneflies, Little Back caddis. The stream is flowing at a normal level and clear.
04/21/24 Conditions remain very good. We are getting good reports from customers.
Email us at (sales@perfectflystore.com) with the dates you will be fishing and we will send you a list of our fly recommendations.