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Fishing Kinnickinnic River: what the data says
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. 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. What follows comes from the same scoring engine that paints the spots above.
Brown Trout fishing at Kinnickinnic River
In spring, brown trout run shallow here, mostly 1 to 7 ft. Summer fish stay in 2 to 7 ft, and winter fish hold in 1 to 7 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Current seam (mile 2.5): a current seam around 4 ft that scores prime in summer. Plan around after dark and early morning in the warm months. Summer baits: a spoon at the thermocline or a deep stickbait (night) gets it done.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 1 to 7 ft | dawn & dusk | Stickbait off planer boards (shallow), Small spoon along mud lines |
| Summer | 2 to 7 ft | night & dawn | Spoon at the thermocline, Deep stickbait (night) |
| Fall | 1 to 7 ft | dusk & dawn | Jerkbait over gravel, Casting spoon |
| Winter | 1 to 7 ft | dawn | Jigging spoon, Small stickbait (slow) |
Brook Trout fishing at Kinnickinnic River
Start shallow in spring: brook trout sit in 1 to 7 ft that time of year. Summer fish stay in 2 to 7 ft, and winter fish hold in 1 to 7 ft. The spot to know is Current seam (mile 2.5), a current seam in about 4 ft of water that rates prime for brook trout in 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 | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 1 to 7 ft | dawn & dusk | Small inline spinner (gold), Tiny spoon |
| Summer | 2 to 7 ft | dawn & dusk | Small spoon fished deep, Trolled lake-clear wobbler + worm |
| Fall | 1 to 7 ft | midday & dawn | Small spoon (orange), Spinner |
| Winter | 1 to 7 ft | dawn | Small jigging spoon, Tungsten jig + plastic |
Notable structure
- Outside-bend hole (mile 5.0): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 6.9): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 9.4): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 11.9): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 14.7): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 19.4): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 21.5): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 23.7): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 25.9): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 28.4): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Current seam (mile 2.5): current seam, around 4 ft
- Current seam (mile 30.6): current seam, around 4 ft
- Riffle & run (mile 0.6): rock pile, around 3 ft
- Riffle & run (mile 16.9): rock pile, around 3 ft
Common questions
How deep is Kinnickinnic River?
Kinnickinnic River is about 7 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 Kinnickinnic River?
Anglers target brown trout, brook trout on Kinnickinnic River.
Where is the best fishing spot 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. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.
When is the best time to fish Kinnickinnic River?
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.
Nearby waters
St. Croix River · Mississippi River Pool 4 (Red Wing) · Chippewa River · Lake Chetek · Namekagon River · Lac Courte Oreilles
See how Kinnickinnic River stacks up: best brown trout lakes in Wisconsin
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