Wisconsin
Milwaukee River at Milwaukee
Current River Rating
Excellent · 93
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
Saturday, 5:00 PM–8:00 PM
Why
- Cloud cover is generally suitable for fishing.
- 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
- 637 CFS
- Gage Height
- 1.32 ft
- Water Temperature
- 73.9 °F
- Observation Time
- Sep 5, 2026, 7:00 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
Overcast
Temperature
70°F
Feels like
76°F
Wind
3 mph N
Wind gust
7 mph
Current precipitation
0.00 in
Updated
Sep 5, 2026, 2:45 AM
Recent Rainfall
Estimated precipitation near this gauge
Last 6 hours
0.00 in
Last 24 hours
0.05 in
Last 48 hours
0.20 in
Little recent rainfall near this river.
Next 24 Hours
Sat 3 AM
Overcast
Temp 69°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Sat 7 AM
Fog
Temp 69°F
Chance 2%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 5 mph
Sat 11 AM
Partly cloudy
Temp 73°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 7 mph
Sat 3 PM
Overcast
Temp 70°F
Chance 7%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 10 mph
Sat 7 PM
Clear
Temp 67°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 9 mph
Sat 11 PM
Clear
Temp 64°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 6 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Sat, Sep 5
Drizzle
High 73°F / Low 64°F
Chance 7%
Precip 0.03 in
Max gust 18 mph
Sun, Sep 6
Overcast
High 72°F / Low 62°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 12 mph
Mon, Sep 7
Overcast
High 72°F / Low 67°F
Chance 2%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 18 mph
Tue, Sep 8
Drizzle
High 79°F / Low 66°F
Chance 12%
Precip 0.01 in
Max gust 38 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
Milwaukee River at Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Monitoring-Backed from USGS (live 00010, 00060, 00065).
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
Fishery overview
The Milwaukee at Milwaukee is the urban Lake Michigan tributary fishing reach at the USGS pin. StrikeTracks publishes Monitoring-Backed conditions from USGS 04087000 (live discharge, stage, and water temperature). Distinct from Kinnickinnic near River Falls 05342000 and from the Milwaukee KK estuary. Salmon and steelhead runs are fishery context, not condition ratings. Flow Context remains default-deny. Hatch Match publishes general fly suggestions only.
Target species
Smallmouth Bass
Micropterus dolomieu
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
WDNR Milwaukee River smallmouth. USGS 04087000. Not River Falls KK 05342000.
Walleye
Sander vitreus
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Unknown
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
WDNR Milwaukee River walleye.
Chinook Salmon
Oncorhynchus tshawytscha
- Expectation
- Present
- Population
- Migratory
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
Seasonal WDNR Chinook. WDNR weir, fish-ladder, creel, and stocking counts are fishery context. They are not StrikeTracks river condition ratings.
Northern Pike
Esox lucius
- Expectation
- Present
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
WDNR Milwaukee River pike.
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Mixed wild and stocked
- Great Lakes tributary
- Yes
- Flow regime
- Mixed flow regime
Urban Milwaukee River at Milwaukee, a Lake Michigan tributary distinct from the Driftless Kinnickinnic.
Best seasons
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
Common techniques
- Boat fishing
- Fly fishing
- Shore fishing
- Spinning
- Trolling
Access and Public Fishing Rights
Public fishing is documented by WDNR and City of Milwaukee riverwalk / park access. Catalog coordinates are USGS 04087000.
Stocking information
WDNR Great Lakes tributary salmon and steelhead programs use the Milwaukee. Confirm current official notices. WDNR weir, fish-ladder, creel, and stocking counts are fishery context. They are not StrikeTracks river condition ratings.
Official sources
WDNR Milwaukee River / Great Lakes tributary rules change. Migratory steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) are not a StrikeTracks species-selector ID; they are described in overview and regulation caution only. Distinct from River Falls KK 05342000. Confirm current WDNR regulations.
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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