Trout Streams

Nearly 500 miles of scenic rivers and streams flow through Taylor County with many recreational uses, but it takes something very special to make a trout stream. Among these many waters, there are about 60 miles that are just right for fly fishing. In these secluded spots, you’ll find the essential ingredients for satisfaction: bubbling waters, the tranquility of the woods, and the space to sink deep into the focused concentration of the craft. With a little luck, you may go home with a fine catch of the county’s brown trout, brook trout, or rainbow trout.
Taylor County Trout Stream Map

Trout streams fall into three classes based on whether they hold wild, stocked, or a combination of trout populations:

  • Class I: Natural reproduction provides a healthy population of wild trout for sport fishing. These streams are known for small and slow-growing trout.
  • Class II: Some natural reproduction occurs, but additional fish are stocked to keep the population vibrant enough for sport fishing. You may see larger than average fish resulting from good survival rates over the winter.
  • Class III: No natural reproduction occurs, but annual stocking by fisheries supplies a viable sport trout population each year.

DNR Stream Maps: Click Here

The Wisconsin DNR’s trout fishing regulations are updated each year. Find the latest information on season dates, limits, bait, catch & release, and other fly fishing regulations through the DNR at WI Trout Regulations

A license is required for those 16 and older. Buy a Wisconsin fishing license and trout stamp easily and conveniently at gowild.wi.gov.

Local Waterbody Name
Big Rib River
Big Rib River
Big Rib River
Black River
Black River (Near Medford Flowage)
Camp Eleven Creek
Fisher Creek
Mink Creek
Mink Creek
Sheep Ranch Creek
Silver Creek
Silver Creek
Spring Creek
Unnamed Cr 17-6
Unnamed Creek 21-14
Unnamed Creek 5-12
Wood Creek

Start Mile
37.00
42.36
46.62
175.35
168.83
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.71
11.44
16.81
0.00
0.00
3.15
0.00
0.00

End Mile
42.44
46.62
51.72
190.87
175.35
4.17
4.00
2.12
5.78
5.24
16.82
21.27
5.06
3.90
5.54
3.71
10.05

Trout Class
CLASS III
CLASS II
CLASS I
CLASS II
CLASS III
CLASS II
CLASS III
CLASS II
CLASS III
CLASS II
CLASS III
CLASS III
CLASS II
CLASS II
CLASS I
CLASS II
CLASS II

fishing-on-stream-edge

fishing-on-stream-edge

Upper Big Rib River
The Upper Big Rib River near the town of Rib Lake has portions rated as Class I, II, and III with excellent water quality and trout fishing opportunity. The river is also known for small-mouth bass and walleye and has a Class A musky rating.

Black River
The Black River is has portions of Class II and III trout stream . About half of its length winds through natural wildlife areas (Van Loon State Wildlife Area and the Upper Mississippi River Fish & Wildlife Refuge).

Camp 11 Creek
Camp 11 Creek is a managed Class II trout stream that flows for about 4.17 miles off of the Upper South Fork Jump River.

Fisher Creek
Fisher Creek is a Class III trout stream that flows from Chelsea Lake near Westboro.

Mink Creek
Mink Creek is a managed Class II trout stream about 2.12 miles in length. It flows from the South Fork Jump River.

Sheep Ranch Creek
Sheep Ranch Creek is a Class II trout stream north of Rib Lake.

Silver Creek
Silver Creek is a tributary of Fisher Creek and has a Class I rating at the headwaters and Class III rating downstream.

Spring Creek
Spring Creek is a Class II trout stream 5 miles in length. It is a tributary to the Big Rib River.

Unnamed Black Creek Watershed
This unnamed Black Creek Watershed area is a Class II trout stream. The 3.9-mile waterway travels through Taylor and Marathon counties.

Wood Creek
Wood Creek is a Class II waterway 10 miles in length. It joins the Big Rib River southeast of the town of Rib Lake.