Wisconsin
Milwaukee River at Milwaukee
Location Snapshot
Milwaukee River at Milwaukee is a lower Wisconsin river reach connected directly to Lake Michigan and influenced by both resident warmwater fish and migratory salmonids. Smallmouth bass are the primary supported target, with walleye, Chinook salmon, and northern pike adding substantial variety.
Current River Rating
Good · 84
Conditions look favorable based on the available readings.
Scores are model-specific and are not directly comparable across water types.
Medium confidence
Should I Go?
Go
Recommended Window
Tuesday, 9:00 AM–12:00 PM
Why
- Water temperature is within a broad fishable range.
- Air temperature is comfortable for fishing.
Favorable Factors
- Light to moderate wind should make casting and boat control easier.
- Recent precipitation has been light.
Timing Evidence
Window confidence: Medium
Current Readings
- Flow
- 548 CFS
- Gage Height
- 1.2 ft
- Water Temperature
- 53.4 °F
- Observation Time
- Oct 20, 2026, 9:00 AM
Updated recently · USGS station 04087000 · 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
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Weather Near Gauge
Current Weather
Clear
Temperature
43°F
Feels like
38°F
Wind
5 mph N
Wind gust
10 mph
Current precipitation
0.00 in
Updated
Oct 20, 2026, 3:15 AM
Recent Rainfall
Estimated precipitation near this gauge
Last 6 hours
0.00 in
Last 24 hours
0.00 in
Last 48 hours
0.00 in
Little recent rainfall near this river.
Next 24 Hours
Tue 5 AM
Clear
Temp 43°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 5 mph
Tue 9 AM
Fog
Temp 48°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 3 mph
Tue 1 PM
Clear
Temp 59°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 5 mph
Tue 5 PM
Clear
Temp 58°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 5 mph
Tue 9 PM
Clear
Temp 49°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 5 mph
Wed 1 AM
Clear
Temp 44°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 5 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Tue, Oct 20
Fog
High 59°F / Low 41°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 10 mph
Wed, Oct 21
Overcast
High 65°F / Low 40°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 10 mph
Thu, Oct 22
Overcast
High 63°F / Low 53°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 7 mph
Fri, Oct 23
Overcast
High 63°F / Low 56°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 20 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
Smallmouth bass are in the mixed fishery on the Milwaukee River at Milwaukee, a Great Lakes tributary.
Fishery Profile
Documented species you may encounter at Milwaukee River.
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
Target species
Smallmouth Bass
Micropterus dolomieu
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
Walleye
Sander vitreus
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Unknown
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
Chinook Salmon
Oncorhynchus tshawytscha
- Expectation
- Present
- Population
- Migratory
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
Northern Pike
Esox lucius
- Expectation
- Present
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Mixed wild and stocked
- Great Lakes tributary
- Yes
- Flow regime
- Mixed flow regime
Best seasons
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
Common techniques
- Boat fishing
- Fly fishing
- Shore fishing
- Spinning
- Trolling
Official sources
Hatch Match
General fly suggestions
- Woolly-bugger-style streamerConservative overlap streamer family. Not an insect Hatch claim.
- Parachute-style dryOne general surface family appropriate to mixed fisheries — not a Hatch report.
- Pheasant-tail-style nymphOne general subsurface family. Not destination entomology.
These are general fishing suggestions, not a report of insects currently hatching at this destination.
Location and Access
USGS monitoring location
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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
Milwaukee
Management Category
Urban Great Lakes tributary
Regulation Scope
Milwaukee River at Milwaukee.
Regulation Summary
Milwaukee at Milwaukee: WDNR urban Milwaukee River and Great Lakes tributary rules. Confirm current official regulations.
Target Species
smallmouth-bass, walleye, chinook-salmon, northern-pike
Access, Parking, and Regulations
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