Wisconsin

Kickapoo River at La Farge

Current River Rating

Poor · 37

Conditions are unfavorable based on the available readings.

Scores are model-specific and are not directly comparable across water types.

Partial water evidence · Low confidence

Should I Go?

Wait

Limited opportunity

Timing Outlook

No reliable fishing window is recommended while current river conditions remain Poor.

Why

  • Very clear skies may make trout more cautious in shallow water.
  • Water temperature is unavailable.

Favorable Factors

  • Recent precipitation has been light.
  • Light wind should make casting and boat control easier.

Cautions

  • Recent observed air temperature suggests unfavorable river water temperature for trout. Verify with a stream thermometer; this is not a measured water temperature.

Timing Evidence

Dawn low light is favorable.

Current Readings

Flow
187 CFS
Gage Height
3.14 ft
Water Temperature
Not available
Observation Time
Sep 5, 2026, 7:00 AM

Updated recently · USGS station 05408000 · Direct monitoring location

Readings from past 7 Days

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Historical readings are provided for context. Readings outside the current freshness window are not used to rate current conditions.

Better Nearby Options

Checking nearby StrikeTracks waters…

Preliminary guidance only. Always assess current weather, access, water depth, current speed, and your own ability before entering the river.

Changing Conditions Advisory

Short-term rainfall and flow-change signals

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Weather Near Gauge

Current Weather

Clear

Temperature

72°F

Feels like

79°F

Wind

1 mph S

Wind gust

5 mph

Current precipitation

0.00 in

Updated

Sep 5, 2026, 12:15 AM

Recent Rainfall

Estimated precipitation near this gauge

Last 6 hours

0.00 in

Last 24 hours

0.00 in

Last 48 hours

0.07 in

Little recent rainfall near this river.

Next 24 Hours

  • Sat 3 AM

    Fog

    Temp 69°F

    Chance 1%

    Precip 0.00 in

    Wind 4 mph

  • Sat 7 AM

    Overcast

    Temp 71°F

    Chance 1%

    Precip 0.00 in

    Wind 5 mph

  • Sat 11 AM

    Overcast

    Temp 76°F

    Chance 1%

    Precip 0.00 in

    Wind 6 mph

  • Sat 3 PM

    Clear

    Temp 81°F

    Chance 1%

    Precip 0.00 in

    Wind 8 mph

  • Sat 7 PM

    Clear

    Temp 77°F

    Chance 2%

    Precip 0.00 in

    Wind 8 mph

  • Sat 11 PM

    Overcast

    Temp 68°F

    Chance 2%

    Precip 0.00 in

    Wind 3 mph

Four-Day Forecast

  • Sat, Sep 5

    Fog

    High 83°F / Low 68°F

    Chance 2%

    Precip 0.00 in

    Max gust 19 mph

  • Sun, Sep 6

    Overcast

    High 82°F / Low 61°F

    Chance 6%

    Precip 0.00 in

    Max gust 23 mph

  • Mon, Sep 7

    Overcast

    High 81°F / Low 64°F

    Chance 7%

    Precip 0.00 in

    Max gust 30 mph

  • Tue, Sep 8

    Drizzle

    High 87°F / Low 66°F

    Chance 58%

    Precip 0.02 in

    Max gust 37 mph

Weather and rainfall are estimated for this river's coordinates. Local conditions can vary, especially in mountainous terrain and during isolated storms.

Recent rainfall can influence river flow, but the timing and magnitude depend on watershed size, soil conditions, upstream reservoirs, and dam releases.

Weather data: Open-Meteo

Historical Flow

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Fishing Overview

Kickapoo River at La Farge, Wisconsin. Monitoring-Backed via accepted air-derived river-trout path: USGS reports live 00060 and 00065 without water temperature.

Fishery Profile

Documented species you may encounter at Kickapoo River.

High confidenceLast verified: Aug 22, 2026

Species images are AI-generated illustrations for visual reference and may simplify natural variation. Fishery records are based on the cited agency sources. About fish illustrations

Fishery overview

The Kickapoo at La Farge is the Vernon County Driftless trout and mixed fishing reach at the USGS pin. StrikeTracks publishes Monitoring-Backed conditions from USGS 05408000 (live discharge and stage). Live 00010 is not present; thermal uses the accepted air-derived river-trout path. Distinct from Wisconsin River at Wisconsin Dells 05404000. Flow Context remains default-deny. Hatch Match publishes general fly suggestions only.

Target species

  • Brown Trout

    Salmo trutta

    Expectation
    Primary
    Population
    Wild
    Native status
    introduced
    Confidence
    High confidence

    WDNR Kickapoo La Farge brown trout. USGS 05408000.

    Source: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

  • Brook Trout

    Salvelinus fontinalis

    Expectation
    Common
    Population
    Wild
    Native status
    native
    Confidence
    High confidence

    WDNR Kickapoo brook trout in colder tributaries and upper water.

    Source: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

  • Smallmouth Bass

    Micropterus dolomieu

    Expectation
    Present
    Population
    Wild
    Native status
    native
    Confidence
    High confidence

    WDNR Kickapoo smallmouth in warmer water.

    Source: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

Fishery characteristics

Composition
Mixed wild and stocked
Great Lakes tributary
No
Flow regime
Natural flow

Driftless Kickapoo River at La Farge, Vernon County.

Best seasons

  • Spring
  • Summer
  • Fall

Common techniques

  • Dry flies
  • Fly fishing
  • Nymphing
  • Spinning
  • Streamers

Access and Public Fishing Rights

Public fishing is documented by WDNR Kickapoo Valley / La Farge access. Catalog coordinates are USGS 05408000.

Stocking information

WDNR manages Kickapoo trout. Confirm current official stocking separately.

WDNR Kickapoo / Driftless trout rules change. Distinct from Wisconsin Dells 05404000. Confirm current WDNR regulations.

Hatch Match

No destination-specific hatch data is currently available.

General fly suggestions

  • Parachute-style dryGeneral attractor dry family — not a claim that a named mayfly is hatching.
  • Pheasant-tail-style nymphGeneral nymph family for trout rivers without destination hatch timing.
  • Elk-hair-style dryGeneral dry/attractor family. Pattern choice only — not a report that caddis are hatching.
  • Woolly-bugger-style streamerGeneral streamer family. Not a forage or insect Hatch event.

These are general fishing suggestions, not a report of insects currently hatching at this destination.

Location and Access

USGS monitoring location

Vernon, Wisconsin

Loading map…

The map marker represents the cataloged waterbody or monitoring location and may not indicate legal parking or public access. Confirm access through the official information before visiting.

River Details

County

Vernon

Management Category

Driftless trout river

Regulation Scope

Kickapoo River at La Farge

Regulation Summary

Kickapoo at La Farge: WDNR inland trout stream rules. Confirm current official regulations.

Target Species

brown-trout, brook-trout, smallmouth-bass

Access, Parking, and Regulations

Verified access notes and official resources for Kickapoo River at La Farge. This is StrikeTracks guidance — always confirm with official sources.

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