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Kinnickinnic River Fishing Report

Updated Fri, Sep 4, 2026 from live gauge and weather data

The Kinni: a spring-fed brown trout stream running through River Falls to the St. Croix.

4/5
Good. Solid day ahead.Stable-to-falling pressure and workable wind line things up.
Flow
97 cfs
Air / High
86 / 88 F
Wind
NNW 9 mph

Sources: USGS gauge 05342000, Open-Meteo, solunar calculated for these coordinates.

Satellite view
Friday
4
September 2026

Today's Fishing Report

Generated this morning from live readings: gauge, weather model, sun and moon. A fresh report is published here every morning.

4/5Good. Solid day ahead.Stable-to-falling pressure and workable wind line things up.

Kinnickinnic River is in transition: bait on the move and predators following. The river is running 97 cfs, on the rise. Today brings clear skies, wind NNW around 9 mph, falling pressure near 1010 hPa and a high of 88. Water sits around 54 F for the season (estimated). With the last quarter, the solunar majors run 5:39 AM-7:39 AM and 5:39 PM-7:39 PM: the windows to build the day around.

The plan, species by species

Rainbow troutExcellent

Blue-winged olives and midges on soft seams; streamers on overcast days move the better fish.

Brown troutExcellent

Pre-spawn aggression: this is streamer season for the fish of the year.

Tomorrow: Similar at 87 F. The solunar majors shift about 50 minutes later.Next report: Sat, Sep 5, 6:30 AMHow this report is made →

Water and weather

Live readings from Kinnickinnic River near River Falls.

Flow, last 30 days

USGS gauge 05342000.

89939697 cfs08/0508/1508/2509/04

Right now

Latest readings

Air temp86 F
High / Low88 / 71 F
WindNNW 9-11 mph
Pressure1010.1 hPa, falling
Sky / Rain7% cloud, 13%
Sunrise / Sunset06:36 / 19:42
MoonLast Quarter, 50%
Water temp (seasonal)~54 F est.

Bite planner

Hour-by-hour bite forecast for today. Tap a bar to see why.

5 AM8 AM11 AM2 PM5 PM8 PMsunrisesunsetPRIMEPRIME

Next 7 days

Tap a day for the detailed outlook.

Fri Sep 4 · Showers, 88/71 F, wind 12 mph, rain 13%

Fair or better. A 12 mph breeze puts a working chop on the banks it hits: fish the wind-blown side.

Species guide

The species that matter on Kinnickinnic River: seasons, structure and how to fish each one. Today's ratings live in the report above.

Rainbow trout illustration

Rainbow trout

Best: Apr-Jun, Sep-Oct

The workhorse of western rivers: riffles, seams and dry-fly eats. Blue-winged olives and midges on soft seams; streamers on overcast days move the better fish.

Brown trout illustration

Brown trout

Best: Sep-Nov

Wary, predatory and nocturnal by preference. The big ones eat streamers. Pre-spawn aggression: this is streamer season for the fish of the year.

When to come: the Kinnickinnic River calendar

Activity by species and month, and how the water warms through the year. Tap any cell.

Species activity by month

1 = slow, 5 = peak. Current month highlighted.

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Rainbow trout
Brown trout
SlowPeak

Water temperature through the year

Typical surface temperature for this water type; today is around 54 F (estimated, not a reading).

30405060JanMarMayJulSepNovSep, ~54 F now

Angler reports

Real reports from real anglers, reviewed before publishing. The water log below tracks each day automatically.

No angler reports yet this weekBe the first: your report helps every angler who checks Kinnickinnic River today, and we feature the best catch of the week.

Water log, last days

Auto-logged from live data
Thu, Sep 3

4/5 Good. Solid day ahead. Stable-to-falling pressure and workable wind line things up. Rainbow trout led the card at excellent. High of 84 F, wind to 13 mph.

Wed, Sep 2

3/5 Fair. Fish the windows. A steady pattern: dawn and dusk carry the day. Rainbow trout led the card at good. High of 87 F, wind to 12 mph.

Tue, Sep 1

3/5 Fair. Fish the windows. A steady pattern: dawn and dusk carry the day. Rainbow trout led the card at good. High of 86 F, wind to 6 mph.

Where roughly, what depth, what bait. Skip anything you want to keep secret.
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Before you go

License

Wisconsin requires a valid fishing license for adults. Buy online from the state agency; one-day options exist for visitors.

Regulations

Wisconsin license plus trout stamp. Special regulations apply on some reaches: check current WDNR rules.

Access

Public stream easements, city access in River Falls and Kinnickinnic State Park at the St. Croix confluence.

About this water

A 22-mile spring-fed trout stream through River Falls to the St. Croix, Pierce and St. Croix counties, Wisconsin.

Fishing Kinnickinnic River: the full guide

A creek with a big reputation

The Kinnickinnic River flows about 22 miles through western Wisconsin to the St. Croix, and among Midwest trout anglers it needs no introduction: spring-fed, limestone-influenced water holding wild brown trout at densities among the highest in the region, with a canyon reach below River Falls that fishes like a small tailwater.

Wild browns

The upper river through the meadows holds fish in undercut banks and weed beds; the lower canyon below town runs faster over rock. Nymphs, small streamers and terrestrials all produce, with hatches through spring and summer and a genuinely good hopper season. Fish average modest with better ones present, and density is the draw.

Dam removals and the future

Two dams in River Falls have been slated for removal, which will reconnect the river and restore the reach the impoundments warmed. It is a significant project for the fishery and closely watched by anglers. Check current conditions, as construction affects access and flows during the work.

Pierce County logistics

Access is via public easements, the Kinnickinnic State Park at the mouth, and city access in River Falls. Extensive stream easements make this one of the more accessible quality trout streams in the Midwest. Minneapolis and St. Paul are an hour east, which brings weekend pressure: weekdays fish considerably better.

Common questions

Why is it famous?

Wild brown trout at densities among the highest in the Midwest, in accessible spring-fed water an hour from the Twin Cities.

What about the dams?

Two dams in River Falls are slated for removal, which will reconnect the river: check current construction status.

Is it crowded?

On weekends given the Twin Cities proximity: weekdays offer noticeably better fishing.

Is fishing good at Kinnickinnic River right now?

Check the daily report at the top of this page: it is regenerated every morning from live data. Today's read: Good. Solid day ahead. Stable-to-falling pressure and workable wind line things up.

Nearby waters

Lake Pepin36 miSaint Croix River38 miLake Minnetonka47 miLake Waconia56 miLeech Lake59 miChippewa River60 mi
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