Fishing Season: Spring and Fall

Root River - WI

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

50

Orvis Milwaukee's Tip of the Week

Salmon are dying off and the browns are coming in strong! CFS very low at 35. We would recommend a sink tip and weighted flies to fish deeper holes, if you happen to go out. Chartreuses/blues/pinks are the colors you need! Egg patterns to float or bright flashy streamers to swing.

Directions open in app

Map of Root River

Water Flow Data

5-Day Outlook as of 12/13/24

Check www.noaa.gov or your local weather for more updates. Warm pattern through mid-week with moderate pressure dominating.

Techniques & Tips as of 12/13/24

Swinging streamers and indicator fishing with eggs for salmon. Fishing for Pike you will need Predator leaders.

Local Species Available Spring and Fall

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    Chinook / Coho Salmon

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    Lake Run Brown Trout

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    Steelhead

Orvis Milwaukee's Recommended Fly Patterns

"Must-have" fly fishing patterns in descending order of importance:

Name: Colors: Size(s):
Bead Head Woolly Bugger Streamer All Colors 2
Muddler Minnow All Colors 4
Freshwater Clouser Black, Brown 8,10,12
Hot Cone Woolly Bugger Black, Olive 4,6,8
Mike's Meal Ticket White, Olive 4
Cheech Leech Orange/Purple/Pink 1/0
Trash Can Streamer White, Olive 6
GD SculpSnack Tan/Olive 8

Bead Head Woolly Bugger Streamer

Every angler needs an assortment of these weighted attractor Bead Head Woolly Bugger Streamer flies.

2.49

Item #0311

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Orvis Milwaukee's Recommended Gear

Description: About Root River

The headwaters of the Root originate in West Allis. Fishing is best south of the Horlick Dam near highway 38. The DNR run Root River Steelhead Facility collects eggs and is also a fish hatchery and located just south of Colonial Park. Seasonal runs of salmon, steelhead and brown trout in spring and fall from the mouth of the river up to the first dam. Low water in the summer Season by season: Spring: Beginning at ice out lake run browns and steelhead will begin entering the river. This annual run of fish is rain dependant. The most dependable fishing begins when the water temperature reaches 40 degrees, usually in March, and lasts until the end of April. Swung streamers and nymphed glo-bugs are solid producers. Summer: The river does have some pike and smallmouth fishing in summer, but the river mostly tends to run at very low levels. Fall: Around October 1st, big king salmon begin to ascend the river. These brutes will test the medal of any angler. Steelhead will follow when the water temps drop below 50 degrees. This run will last until ice up of the river.

Nearest Airport:

General Mitchell International Airport

Hatches:

N/A

Best Stretch:

Lincoln Park

Best Access:

Quarry Park, Colonial Park