The Driftless Area lies in the Western area of Wisconsin, and spreads into Southeastern Minnesota, Northeastern Iowa, and Northwestern Illinois. It is an area where glaciers did not flatten the terrain millions of years ago, leading to rolling hills, high bluffs, and many natural springs, rivers, and creeks.
Wisconsin holds 13,000 miles of wild and stocked spring-fed trout streams that border wilderness areas, state parks, and private lands. In this first exploratory trip, I decided to take and share notes from a first-timer to the area.
Location 1 Mount Vernon Creek
This was an impromptu stop about 2 hours from Chicago on what I believe to be Mount Vernon Creek outside of New Glarus, Wi.
There were brookies and browns in the water. And the spring was fed by a strong, crystal-clear aquifer. We did not have much luck here, the fishing was of very small water and very technical, and the largest trout spotted were barely 6 inches, but it was still a nice spot to break up the drive.
Location 2 Otter Creek, La Farge, WI
Easy bridge access led to the first small brookie of the day.
There are many more holes on this creek and I would revisit it! Fishing under the bridge would be productive as well, but the water was a bit muddy from a recent rain.
Location 3 Bishop Branch
Skunked here, lots of small trout pooled up under the bridge, but lots of small shallow water aside from a small pool.
Location 4 Tainter Creek
Some luck here. At one of the public turnouts and a miles walk in brings you to a pool against a small cliff. Brookies and browns.
Good fishing and would return.
Location 5 Camp Creek Viola, WI
This was where I camped. Very nice creek that had fish rising, but nothing willing to take the hook. Would return though, lots of pools and fish activity.
Location 6 Blue River
A nice brown caught on the way home. Small water, but easy access and a nice hike.
Location 7 Timber Coulee Creek
Skunked here too, but lots of fish activity, wasnt throwing the right bugs. Would return.
That about sums up my notes on an exploratory trip to try flyfshing the Driftless Area of Wisconsin for the first time of the season. If you’re interested in reading about more of my trips this season, feel welcome to subscribe below. Any and all tips are welcome!
