Bois Brule River
river in Wisconsin
The Bois Brule (Brule) supports year-round trout fishing and strong steelhead/salmon runs in season; a mix of pocket water and broader runs with excellent dry-fly and streamer opportunities.
Conditions right now
No USGS gauge is linked to this water yet, so we can't chart flows.
Steelhead runs are expected to be underway
- 01Steelhead runs are expected to be underway, presenting opportunities for chrome-bright fish.
- 02Resident whitefish and grayling will be actively feeding on subsurface nymphs and occasionally rising to fall hatches.
- 03Egg patterns are crucial as spawning activity begins or continues for various salmonids.
- 04Smaller mayfly hatches, such as PMDs and Mahogany Duns, may provide dry fly opportunities on warmer, overcast days.
- 05Focus on deeper runs and pools for migratory fish, and slower seams for resident species.
Past reports week by week
11 weeksWhat to tie on
Picked from reports, hatches and the season. Tap a fly for the recipe and where else it works.
PMD (Pale Morning Duns)
Pale Morning Duns are actively hatching in fall, providing a key food source for opportunistic Whitefish and Grayling.
Mahogany Dun
Late summer and fall often see hatches of Paraleptophlebia (Mahogany Duns), providing dry fly opportunities for Grayling and Whitefish.
Buy at AmazonSoft Hackle Wet (Partridge & Orange)
A versatile wet fly that imitates caddis pupae and emergers, which can be active from spring through fall, attracting all target species.
Buy at AmazonZebra Midge
Midges are a primary and consistent food source year-round, and especially effective as a subsurface searching pattern in colder fall waters for all target species.
Buy at AmazonFlashback Pheasant Tail
An excellent general searching nymph, mimicking various aquatic insects active year-round, effective for Steelhead, Whitefish, and Grayling.
Comet
Excellent fall streamer pattern for migratory steelhead entering the river.
Buy at AmazonBlood Dot Egg
Mimics salmon and trout eggs, a primary food source for all target species in the fall.
Buy at AmazonGlo Bug
Crucial imitation for salmon and trout eggs, highly effective during fall spawning runs for Steelhead, Whitefish, and Grayling.
Buy at AmazonWhere to fish and who to ask
Brule River State Forest Access
Primary state forest access with multiple pullouts and miles of stocked and wild trout water.
South Fork Confluence
Confluence area where the South Fork adds flow and creates productive holding water.
Upper Falls
Upper-region waterfalls and riffles concentrate trout and are a go-to for dry-fly fishing in summer.
Fly shops within 40 miles
Great Lakes Fly Shop
Hayward Fly Fishing Company
Get Bois Brule River reports by email
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Wisconsin season by season
What changes on the water through the year, with the flies for each season.
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Quick answers
Common questions about Bois Brule River.
What flies work best on Bois Brule River?
Our top scored fly patterns for Bois Brule River right now are Intruder (Steelhead) (80% confidence), Hendrickson (80% confidence), Tungsten Bead Pat's Rubber Legs (80% confidence). These picks are scored from recent fishing reports, hatch data, and seasonal patterns.
What fish species are in Bois Brule River?
Bois Brule River holds Steelhead, Whitefish, Grayling. See the species links on this page for fly recommendations and seasonal behavior for each.
Is Bois Brule River fishing well right now?
We publish a fresh bite report for Bois Brule River each week based on recent on-the-water intel. The current report — with conditions, hatches, and what's producing — is on this page.