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Fishing Kickapoo River: what the data says
Driftless-country paddle through Wildcat Mountain. The river tops out around 5 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. Here is how the season plays out for each species, straight from the data behind the map.
Rainbow Trout fishing at Kickapoo River
Start shallow in spring: rainbow trout sit in 1 to 5 ft that time of year. Summer fish stay in 1 to 5 ft, and winter fish hold in 1 to 5 ft. Current seam (mile 9.4) is the standout, a current seam at roughly 3 ft, rated prime for spring rainbow trout. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months. A dodger + spoon (deep troll) or a flutter spoon covers the summer program.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 1 to 5 ft | dawn & dusk | Inline spinner (silver), Small spoon |
| Summer | 1 to 5 ft | dawn & dusk | Dodger + spoon (deep troll), Flutter spoon |
| Fall | 1 to 5 ft | dawn & dusk | Casting spoon, Jerkbait over shoals |
| Winter | 1 to 5 ft | dawn | Jigging spoon, Tube jig (white) |
Smallmouth Bass fishing at Kickapoo River
Spring smallmouth bass on Kickapoo River hold shallow, usually 1 to 5 ft. Summer fish stay in 2 to 5 ft, and winter fish hold in 2 to 5 ft. Current seam (mile 9.4) is the standout, a current seam at roughly 3 ft, rated prime for spring smallmouth bass. Best bite is early morning and the evening. A drop shot (goby/minnow) or a ned rig covers the summer program.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 1 to 5 ft | dawn & dusk | Ned rig, Tube jig |
| Summer | 2 to 5 ft | dawn & dusk | Drop shot (goby/minnow), Ned rig |
| Fall | 2 to 5 ft | midday & dawn | Jerkbait, Blade bait |
| Winter | 2 to 5 ft | midday | Blade bait, Hair jig |
Notable structure
- Outside-bend hole (mile 0.6): creek channel, around 4 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 4.4): creek channel, around 4 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 7.2): creek channel, around 4 ft
- Current seam (mile 9.4): current seam, around 3 ft
- Current seam (mile 12.5): current seam, around 3 ft
Common questions
How deep is Kickapoo River?
Kickapoo River is about 5 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 Kickapoo River?
Anglers target smallmouth bass, rainbow trout on Kickapoo River.
Where is the best fishing spot on Kickapoo River?
Current seam (mile 9.4) is the top-rated area: a current seam in about 3 ft of water that rates prime for rainbow trout in spring. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.
When is the best time to fish Kickapoo River?
For rainbow trout, 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
Black River · Mississippi River Pool 8 (La Crosse) · Castle Rock Flowage · Petenwell Flowage · Lower Wisconsin River · Wisconsin River (Dells)
See how Kickapoo River stacks up: best smallmouth bass lakes in Wisconsin · best rainbow trout lakes in Wisconsin
Browse all Wisconsin fishing maps or every water on DepthScout. How we build these maps. For fishing guidance only, never navigation.