Root River
river in Wisconsin
Accessible from the Milwaukee-Racine metro area, the Root offers seasonal steelhead and brown trout fishing with good shore and wade access near the mouth.
Conditions right now
No USGS gauge is linked to this water yet, so we can't chart flows.
Clear skies and cool fall temperatures on the Root River
- 01Clear skies and cool fall temperatures on the Root River.
- 02USGS flow data is currently unavailable, but expect typical fall conditions for steelhead.
- 03Expect intermittent Blue-Winged Olive (BWO) activity, particularly on overcast days.
- 04Midges and tiny winter stoneflies (Little Snowflies, Winter Black Stoneflies, Tiny Winter Black Stoneflies) may be active.
- 05Focus on deeper runs, pools, and areas below current breaks, especially near Horlick Dam.
- 06Use a slower retrieve for streamers and a thorough dead-drift for nymphs in cooler water.
Past reports week by week
8 weeksWhat to tie on
Picked from reports, hatches and the season. Tap a fly for the recipe and where else it works.
Comet
A classic attractor streamer, the Comet is consistently effective for migratory steelhead in the fall and winter, especially in varied water conditions.
Buy at AmazonBlue-Winged Olive Comparadun (BWO)
For opportunistic steelhead looking up during intermittent BWO hatches, this low-profile dry fly is a great option.
Tungsten Bead Pat's Rubber Legs
A large, weighted stonefly nymph is excellent for getting down to steelhead in faster, deeper runs, mimicking a substantial meal.
Buy at AmazonZebra Midge (Black)
Midges are a consistent food source year-round, and this small, weighted nymph can be highly effective for finicky steelhead in colder fall water.
Egg Sucking Leech
Mimics leeches and loose eggs, a critical food source for opportunistic steelhead during fall spawning migrations.
Buy at AmazonBlood Dot Egg
With salmon and trout spawning in the fall, egg patterns like the Blood Dot Egg are highly effective for steelhead feeding on drifting eggs.
Buy at AmazonIntruder (Steelhead)
Intruder patterns are classic steelhead attractors, effective for provoking aggressive strikes from migratory fish in the Root River's varied runs.
Buy at AmazonSoft Hackle Wet (Partridge & Orange)
Imitates caddis pupae and emergers, which can still be active in the fall, making it a versatile pattern to swing through steelhead holding water.
Buy at AmazonWhere to fish and who to ask
Ives Grove Park Access
Public park access upriver from the mouth with good shore fishing and parking for wade anglers.
Racine Harbor / Mouth
The river mouth and harbor area concentrate migrating steelhead and salmon in the fall and winter.
Fly shops within 40 miles
The Fly Fishers
Get Root 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.
Read before you go
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Quick answers
Common questions about Root River.
What flies work best on Root River?
Our top scored fly patterns for Root River right now are San Juan Worm (80% confidence), Mother's Day Caddis (80% confidence), Woolly Bugger (Black) (80% confidence). These picks are scored from recent fishing reports, hatch data, and seasonal patterns.
What fish species are in Root River?
Root River holds Steelhead. See the species links on this page for fly recommendations and seasonal behavior for each.
Is Root River fishing well right now?
We publish a fresh bite report for Root River each week based on recent on-the-water intel. The current report — with conditions, hatches, and what's producing — is on this page.