Brown Trout

While not typically known as a trout mecca, the Rio area in Wisconsin does offer some surprisingly good brown trout fishing, particularly in the smaller, spring-fed creeks that feed into the Crawfish River. These creeks, though often overlooked, can hold some decent-sized browns, especially if you're willing to do some hiking and explore the less-pressured areas. Early spring and late fall are your best bets, when water temperatures are cooler and the trout are more active. Fly fishing with nymphs or small streamers is effective, but even a simple worm and bobber can produce results. Be mindful of private property and always obtain permission before fishing on private land. Many of these streams are small and fragile, so practice catch and release to help maintain the trout population. A Wisconsin trout stamp is required to fish for trout in these waters.