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The "Kinni". A spring-fed Class I trout stream and Outstanding Resource Water flowing through River Falls to the St. Croix River, holding one of the highest-density brown-trout fisheries in the country plus brook trout in its headwaters and tributaries. The river tops out around 7 ft. Contours on this water are modeled from its actual shoreline and max depth. Good for finding likely water, never for navigation. Here's the year, species by species, as the scoring engine sees it.
The drawn water covers 859 acres wrapped in 63.2 miles of bank. That shoreline is heavily fingered (development index 15.4) — bays, points and pockets everywhere, which multiplies the fishable edge. Every acre of it sits shallower than ~15 ft: one big littoral zone, cover and forage throughout. Tip to tip the water measures near 22.4 mi with a 4.4-mi widest point. St. Croix County claims this one. Its nearest charted neighbour, Dry Dam Lake, is 6 mi to the north.
In spring, brown trout run shallow here, mostly 1 to 7 ft. Summer keeps them at 2 to 7 ft, and they winter in 1 to 7 ft. Current seam (mile 2.5) is the standout, a current seam at roughly 4 ft, rated prime for summer brown trout. Time it for after dark and early morning. You won't need more than a spoon at the thermocline or a deep stickbait (night) most summer days.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 1 to 7 ft | dawn & dusk | Riffle & run (mile 0.6) (3 ft) | Stickbait off planer boards (shallow), Small spoon along mud lines |
| Summer | 2 to 7 ft | night & dawn | Current seam (mile 2.5) (4 ft) | Spoon at the thermocline, Deep stickbait (night) |
| Fall | 1 to 7 ft | dusk & dawn | Riffle & run (mile 0.6) (3 ft) | Jerkbait over gravel, Casting spoon |
| Winter | 1 to 7 ft | dawn | Current seam (mile 2.5) (4 ft) | Jigging spoon, Small stickbait (slow) |
Early season brook trout use the shallows, holding in 1 to 7 ft. Even in summer they hold at 2 to 7 ft; winter keeps them in 1 to 7 ft. The chart's best answer is Current seam (mile 2.5) — current seam, 4 ft, prime for spring. Best bite is early morning and the evening. Tie on a small spoon fished deep or a trolled lake-clear wobbler + worm and you're in the game.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 1 to 7 ft | dawn & dusk | Current seam (mile 2.5) (4 ft) | Small inline spinner (gold), Tiny spoon |
| Summer | 2 to 7 ft | dawn & dusk | Current seam (mile 2.5) (4 ft) | Small spoon fished deep, Trolled lake-clear wobbler + worm |
| Fall | 1 to 7 ft | midday & dawn | Current seam (mile 2.5) (4 ft) | Small spoon (orange), Spinner |
| Winter | 1 to 7 ft | dawn | Current seam (mile 2.5) (4 ft) | Small jigging spoon, Tungsten jig + plastic |
The chart marks 14 structure features on Kinnickinnic River; the deepest is Outside-bend hole (mile 5.0) at about 5 ft.
| Date | Species | Count | Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025* | Rainbow Trout (yearling) | 5,119 | ~6.7" |
| 2025* | Coho Salmon (yearling) | 7,500 | ~6.3" |
| 2025* | Rainbow Trout (yearling) | 5,105 | ~6.7" |
| 2025* | Brown Trout (yearling) | 32,755 | ~6.2" |
| 2025* | Lake Sturgeon (large fingerling) | 790 | ~9" |
| 2025* | Brook Trout (large fingerling) | 26,273 | ~6.3" |
| 2025* | Lake Sturgeon (yearling) | 12 | ~12" |
| 2025* | Coho Salmon (large fingerling) | 14,333 | ~6.4" |
* Approximate date (agency reports month or season only). Source: Wisconsin DNR fish-stocking summary, retrieved 2026-08-18.
Season dates, license requirements, and size and bag limits for Wisconsin waters are set by the Wisconsin DNR — and special regulations can apply to Kinnickinnic River specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official Wisconsin fishing regulations →
Kinnickinnic River is about 7 ft (2 m) deep 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.
Anglers target brown trout, brook trout on Kinnickinnic River.
Current seam (mile 2.5) is the top-rated area: a current seam in about 4 ft of water that rates prime for brown trout in summer. Every other rated spot, per species and season, is on the map above.
For brown trout, the summer bite is best in after dark and early morning. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.
Yes — per Wisconsin DNR fish-stocking summary records, Kinnickinnic River was most recently stocked 2025 with 5,119 rainbow trout (yearling). The full stocking history is listed above.
Fishing on Kinnickinnic River is regulated by the Wisconsin DNR. Check the official Wisconsin regulations for current license requirements, season dates, and size and bag limits — special regulations can apply to this specific water.
Dry Dam Lake 6 mi · Kinnickinnic Pond, Upper 6 mi · Little Falls Lake 7 mi · Mallalieu Lake 8 mi · Bass Lake 9 mi · Perch Lake 9 mi · St. Croix River 9 mi, MN · Edith 10 mi, MN · St. Croix River 11 mi, WI/MN · Pine Lake 12 mi · New Richmond Flowage 13 mi · Horseshoe 13 mi, MN
See how Kinnickinnic River stacks up: best brown trout lakes in Wisconsin · best brook trout lakes in Wisconsin
More water nearby: St. Croix County fishing maps (11 charts). Browse all Wisconsin fishing maps or see every water on DepthScout. How we build these maps. Fish here with a sonar unit that logs? Send us your depth data and we'll improve this chart, credited to you. For fishing guidance only, never navigation.