Fish almost anywhere!
Free Fishing Weekend – June 1-2, 2019. Fish almost anywhere in Wisconsin without a license or trout stamp on Free Fishing Weekend. Most waters of the state are included, except for spring trout ponds (Review the trout regulations; wherever you see a season date listed for a specific body of water, you’d be fine, although some waters may be catch and release only.) All other inland waters and Wisconsin’s side of the Mississippi River are open for you to test your skills and try your luck.
Remember, all usual regulations and seasonal restrictions are in force. Please exercise caution before heading out on the ice.
- http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/
fishing/trout/streammaps.html – Maps by county of trout streams – notice how many are in the Driftless counties! - http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/
fishing/trout/trouT.html – Link to an interactive GIS map that shows trout waters as well as public access. One of the great things about fishing the Driftless area are the many miles of public fishing access easements landowners have granted the DNR to allow restoration & fishing along these streams. - https://dnr.wi.gov/topic/
lands/PAL/PDF.html – Maps by county of public access lands that show where the fishing easements are located.
- https://news.orvis.com/fly-
fishing/podcast-wonders- midwests-driftless-area-mat- wagner – The Orvis Fly Fishing Podcast interview with Mat Wagner of Driftless Angler fly shop in Viroqua (interview starts at 44:30) - https://soundcloud.com/
jeffroutmanmusic/episode-17- mat-wagner-and-the-driftless- angler – Another interview with Mat Wagner about fly fishing the Driftless region. - http://www.2guysandariver.com/
episode-33-fly-fishing-the- wisconsin-driftless/ – Two gentlemen from Chicago talking about fly fishing the Driftless area (they mention Timber Coulee & Coon Valley) and compare it to fly fishing the West (Montana). They also share a story of trying to get to their B&B.
Helpful Books for fly fishing the Driftless Area:
- https://www.amazon.com/
Improved-Waters-Wisconsin- Expanded-Second/dp/0980219426 – Shows where Trout Unlimited & other groups have done stream restoration projects as well as public access easement maps on those streams. - https://www.amazon.com/
Flyfishers-Guide-Wisconsin- Iowa/dp/1932098879 – Informative book that breaks down fly fishing opportunities all over the state with sections on many Driftless streams (including Timber Coulee, Rullands Coulee & Bohemian Valley Creek).
https://www.hatchmag.com/
Photograph: Early Trout Season Opener, Coon Valley, Wisconsin, 2018. Courtesy of Benjamin Honeck and Rachel Spek.
