Wisconsin
Namekagon River at Leonards
Current River Rating
Fair · 67
Conditions are mixed. Review the details below before heading out.
Scores are model-specific and are not directly comparable across water types.
Partial water evidence · Medium confidence
Should I Go?
Consider
Recommended Window
Saturday, 6:00 AM–9:00 AM
Why
- Water temperature is within the preferred trout range.
- Light wind should make casting and boat control easier.
Favorable Factors
- Recent precipitation has been light.
Timing Evidence
Window confidence: High
Current Readings
- Flow
- 41.6 CFS
- Gage Height
- 1.37 ft
- Water Temperature
- 61.3 °F
- Observation Time
- Sep 5, 2026, 7:00 AM
Updated recently · USGS station 05331833 · 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
65°F
Feels like
68°F
Wind
5 mph N
Wind gust
11 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
0.15 in
Little recent rainfall near this river.
Next 24 Hours
Sat 3 AM
Fog
Temp 64°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Sat 7 AM
Fog
Temp 63°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 3 mph
Sat 11 AM
Overcast
Temp 70°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 3 mph
Sat 3 PM
Clear
Temp 80°F
Chance 2%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Sat 7 PM
Overcast
Temp 74°F
Chance 3%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 8 mph
Sat 11 PM
Mostly clear
Temp 64°F
Chance 4%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 7 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Sat, Sep 5
Fog
High 81°F / Low 62°F
Chance 4%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 19 mph
Sun, Sep 6
Overcast
High 81°F / Low 63°F
Chance 4%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 23 mph
Mon, Sep 7
Drizzle
High 82°F / Low 65°F
Chance 43%
Precip 0.01 in
Max gust 37 mph
Tue, Sep 8
Showers
High 86°F / Low 62°F
Chance 83%
Precip 0.22 in
Max gust 46 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
Namekagon River at Leonards, Wisconsin. Monitoring-Backed from USGS (live 00010, 00060, 00065).
Fishery Profile
Documented species you may encounter at Namekagon 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 Namekagon at Leonards is the National Scenic Riverway trout reach at the USGS pin. StrikeTracks publishes Monitoring-Backed conditions from USGS 05331833 (live discharge, stage, and water temperature). Distinct from St. Croix at St. Croix Falls 05340500 and from St. Croix near Danbury 05333500. Flow Context remains default-deny. Hatch Match publishes general fly suggestions only.
Target species
Brook Trout
Salvelinus fontinalis
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
WDNR Namekagon brook trout. USGS 05331833. Not St. Croix Danbury 05333500.
Brown Trout
Salmo trutta
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
WDNR Namekagon brown trout.
Smallmouth Bass
Micropterus dolomieu
- Expectation
- Present
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
WDNR Namekagon smallmouth in warmer water.
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Mixed wild and stocked
- Great Lakes tributary
- No
- Flow regime
- Natural flow
Namekagon River at Leonards, Bayfield County, upstream of the St. Croix confluence.
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 and National Park Service St. Croix National Scenic Riverway access. Catalog coordinates are USGS 05331833.
Stocking information
WDNR / NPS manage Namekagon trout and smallmouth. Confirm current official notices.
Official sources
WDNR and NPS Namekagon / St. Croix Riverway rules change. Distinct from St. Croix Falls 05340500. Confirm current official regulations.
Hatch Match
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
Bayfield, 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
Bayfield
Management Category
Scenic Riverway trout river
Regulation Scope
Namekagon River at Leonards
Regulation Summary
Namekagon at Leonards: WDNR and NPS St. Croix Riverway rules. Confirm current official regulations.
Target Species
brook-trout, brown-trout, smallmouth-bass
Access, Parking, and Regulations
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