Wisconsin
Root River at Racine
Current River Rating
Poor · 40
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
- Recent observed air temperature suggests unfavorable river water temperature for trout.
- 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
- 52.3 CFS
- Gage Height
- 2.62 ft
- Water Temperature
- Not available
- Observation Time
- Sep 5, 2026, 7:00 AM
Updated recently · USGS station 04087240 · 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
Mostly clear
Temperature
70°F
Feels like
76°F
Wind
4 mph N
Wind gust
7 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
0.01 in
Last 48 hours
1.00 in
Little recent rainfall near this river.
Next 24 Hours
Sat 3 AM
Partly cloudy
Temp 69°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Sat 7 AM
Fog
Temp 67°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 10 mph
Sat 11 AM
Overcast
Temp 70°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 12 mph
Sat 3 PM
Overcast
Temp 72°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 9 mph
Sat 7 PM
Clear
Temp 68°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 9 mph
Sat 11 PM
Clear
Temp 66°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 7 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Sat, Sep 5
Fog
High 72°F / Low 66°F
Chance 7%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 20 mph
Sun, Sep 6
Overcast
High 73°F / Low 64°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 14 mph
Mon, Sep 7
Overcast
High 73°F / Low 67°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 18 mph
Tue, Sep 8
Overcast
High 80°F / Low 68°F
Chance 7%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 41 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
Root River at Racine, 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 Root 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 Root at Racine is the Racine County Lake Michigan steelhead and salmon tributary at the USGS pin. StrikeTracks publishes Monitoring-Backed conditions from USGS 04087240 (live discharge and stage). Live 00010 is not present; thermal uses the accepted air-derived river-trout path. Distinct from Minnesota Root River near Houston 05385000. Weir and run counts are not condition ratings. Flow Context remains default-deny. Hatch Match publishes general fly suggestions only.
Target species
Rainbow Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Migratory
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
WDNR Root River Racine rainbow trout. USGS 04087240. Not Minnesota Root 05385000.
Brown Trout
Salmo trutta
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Unknown
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
WDNR Root River Racine brown trout.
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.
Coho Salmon
Oncorhynchus kisutch
- Expectation
- Present
- Population
- Migratory
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
Seasonal WDNR Coho. WDNR weir, fish-ladder, creel, and stocking counts are fishery context. They are not StrikeTracks river condition ratings.
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Mixed wild and stocked
- Great Lakes tributary
- Yes
- Flow regime
- Natural flow
Urban-wild Root River at Racine, a Lake Michigan tributary distinct from Minnesota's Root River.
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 Racine Root River Steelhead Facility / park access. Catalog coordinates are USGS 04087240.
Stocking information
WDNR Root River Steelhead Facility programs. 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 Root River Racine migratory rules change. Migratory steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) are not a StrikeTracks species-selector ID; they are described in overview and regulation caution only. Distinct from Minnesota Root 05385000. Confirm current WDNR regulations.
Hatch Match
General fly suggestions
- Woolly-bugger-style streamerGeneral anadromous streamer family. Not a salmonfly Hatch calendar.
- Pheasant-tail-style nymphGeneral nymph family for fly-presented salmon/steelhead water.
- Soft hackleGeneral swing-style family. Not an insect emergence claim.
These are general fishing suggestions, not a report of insects currently hatching at this destination.
Location and Access
USGS monitoring location
Racine, 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
Racine
Management Category
Lake Michigan steelhead tributary
Regulation Scope
Root River at Racine
Regulation Summary
Root at Racine: WDNR Great Lakes tributary rules. Confirm current official regulations.
Target Species
rainbow-trout, brown-trout, coho-salmon, chinook-salmon
Access, Parking, and Regulations
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