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Fishing Black River: what the data says
Sandstone-ledge smallmouth float below Black River Falls. The river tops out around 9 ft. The contours are modeled from the water's real shoreline and maximum depth. Treat them as a rough guide, and never use them for navigation. Below is the species-by-species picture, pulled from the same data the map uses.
Smallmouth Bass fishing at Black River
Spring smallmouth bass on Black River hold shallow, usually 2 to 9 ft. Summer fish stay in 3 to 9 ft, and winter fish hold in 3 to 9 ft. The spot to know is Current seam (mile 11.1), a current seam in about 5 ft of water that rates prime for smallmouth bass in spring. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months. Summer baits: a drop shot (goby/minnow) or a ned rig gets it done.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 9 ft | dawn & dusk | Ned rig, Tube jig |
| Summer | 3 to 9 ft | dawn & dusk | Drop shot (goby/minnow), Ned rig |
| Fall | 3 to 9 ft | midday & dawn | Jerkbait, Blade bait |
| Winter | 3 to 9 ft | midday | Blade bait, Hair jig |
Walleye fishing at Black River
Spring walleye on Black River hold shallow, usually 2 to 9 ft. Summer fish stay in 3 to 9 ft, and winter fish hold in 3 to 9 ft. The spot to know is Black River Falls Dam tailrace, a dam tailrace in about 8 ft of water that rates prime for walleye in spring. Best bite is the evening and early morning. Summer baits: a crawler harness on bottom bouncer or a deep crankbait (trolled) gets it done.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 9 ft | dusk & dawn | 1/8 oz jig + minnow, Hair jig |
| Summer | 3 to 9 ft | dusk & dawn | Crawler harness on bottom bouncer, Deep crankbait (trolled) |
| Fall | 3 to 9 ft | dusk & night | Jigging rap, Jig + big minnow |
| Winter | 3 to 9 ft | dusk & dawn | Jigging spoon + minnow head, Rattle bait |
Channel Catfish fishing at Black River
Spring channel catfish on Black River hold shallow, usually 2 to 9 ft. Summer fish stay in 3 to 9 ft, and winter fish hold in 3 to 9 ft. The spot to know is Outside-bend hole (mile 2.8), a creek channel in about 7 ft of water that rates prime for channel catfish in summer. Plan around after dark and the evening in the warm months.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 9 ft | dusk | |
| Summer | 3 to 9 ft | night & dusk | |
| Fall | 3 to 9 ft | dusk | |
| Winter | 3 to 9 ft | midday |
Flathead Catfish fishing at Black River
Spring flathead catfish on Black River hold shallow, usually 2 to 9 ft. Summer fish stay in 2 to 9 ft, and winter fish hold in 3 to 9 ft. The spot to know is Tailout eddy (mile 0.3), a eddy pocket in about 5 ft of water that rates prime for flathead catfish in spring. Plan around after dark and the evening in the warm months.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 9 ft | night & dusk | |
| Summer | 2 to 9 ft | night & dusk | |
| Fall | 3 to 9 ft | night & dusk | |
| Winter | 3 to 9 ft | midday |
Freshwater Drum fishing at Black River
Spring freshwater drum on Black River hold shallow, usually 2 to 9 ft. Summer fish stay in 2 to 9 ft, and winter fish hold in 3 to 9 ft. The spot to know is Outside-bend hole (mile 2.8), a creek channel in about 7 ft of water that rates prime for freshwater drum in summer. Plan around the evening in the warm months. Summer baits: a jig + crawler combo or a small crankbait (slow) gets it done.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 9 ft | midday & dawn | Jig + curly tail (bounced), Small blade bait |
| Summer | 2 to 9 ft | dusk | Jig + crawler combo, Small crankbait (slow) |
| Fall | 3 to 9 ft | midday | Blade bait (vertical), Jigging spoon |
| Winter | 3 to 9 ft | midday | Jigging spoon (slow) |
Notable structure
- Black River Falls Dam tailrace: dam tailrace, around 8 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 2.8): creek channel, around 7 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 4.6): creek channel, around 7 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 7.1): creek channel, around 7 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 13.6): creek channel, around 7 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 17.0): creek channel, around 7 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 21.4): creek channel, around 7 ft
- Tailout eddy (mile 0.3): eddy pocket, around 5 ft
- Current seam (mile 11.1): current seam, around 5 ft
- Current seam (mile 19.2): current seam, around 5 ft
Common questions
How deep is Black River?
Black River is about 9 ft at its deepest point. The contours here are modeled from the water's real shape and maximum depth, so treat them as a rough guide.
What fish are in Black River?
Anglers target smallmouth bass, walleye, channel catfish, flathead catfish, freshwater drum on Black River.
Where is the best fishing spot on Black River?
Outside-bend hole (mile 2.8) is the top-rated area: a creek channel in about 7 ft of water that rates prime for channel catfish in summer. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.
When is the best time to fish Black River?
For smallmouth bass, the summer bite is best in early morning and the evening. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.
Nearby waters
Mississippi River Pool 8 (La Crosse) · Kickapoo River · Castle Rock Flowage · Petenwell Flowage · Chippewa River · Big Eau Pleine Reservoir
See how Black River stacks up: best smallmouth bass lakes in Wisconsin · best walleye lakes in Wisconsin · best channel catfish lakes in Wisconsin · best flathead catfish lakes in Wisconsin
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