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Fishing Namekagon River: what the data says
National Scenic Riverway smallmouth and musky water. 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.
Smallmouth Bass fishing at Namekagon River
In spring, smallmouth bass run shallow here, mostly 2 to 7 ft. Summer fish stay in 2 to 7 ft, and winter fish hold in 2 to 7 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Riffle & run (mile 26.1): a rock pile around 3 ft that scores prime in spring. In summer the feeding windows fall in 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 | 2 to 7 ft | dawn & dusk | Ned rig, Tube jig |
| Summer | 2 to 7 ft | dawn & dusk | Drop shot (goby/minnow), Ned rig |
| Fall | 2 to 7 ft | midday & dawn | Jerkbait, Blade bait |
| Winter | 2 to 7 ft | midday | Blade bait, Hair jig |
Muskellunge fishing at Namekagon River
Start shallow in spring: muskellunge sit in 2 to 7 ft that time of year. Summer fish stay in 2 to 7 ft, and winter fish hold in 2 to 7 ft. The spot to know is Riffle & run (mile 26.1), a rock pile in about 3 ft of water that rates prime for muskellunge in fall. Best bite is the evening and early morning. Summer baits: a double-10 bucktail or a topwater (walk-the-dog / creeper) gets it done.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 7 ft | dusk | Smaller bucktail (#8 blades), 6" glide bait |
| Summer | 2 to 7 ft | dusk & dawn | Double-10 bucktail, Topwater (walk-the-dog / creeper) |
| Fall | 2 to 7 ft | midday & dusk | Big rubber (Bull Dawg style), 10"+ glide bait |
| Winter | 2 to 7 ft | midday | Large rubber, crawled slow |
Walleye fishing at Namekagon River
In spring, walleye run shallow here, mostly 2 to 7 ft. Summer fish stay in 2 to 7 ft, and winter fish hold in 2 to 7 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Hayward WP119 Dam tailrace: a dam tailrace around 6 ft that scores prime 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 7 ft | dusk & dawn | 1/8 oz jig + minnow, Hair jig |
| Summer | 2 to 7 ft | dusk & dawn | Crawler harness on bottom bouncer, Deep crankbait (trolled) |
| Fall | 2 to 7 ft | dusk & night | Jigging rap, Jig + big minnow |
| Winter | 2 to 7 ft | dusk & dawn | Jigging spoon + minnow head, Rattle bait |
Rainbow Trout fishing at Namekagon River
Start shallow in spring: rainbow trout sit in 2 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 24.3), a current seam in about 4 ft of water that rates prime for rainbow trout in spring. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. Tie on a dodger + spoon (deep troll) or a flutter spoon and you're in the game.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 7 ft | dawn & dusk | Inline spinner (silver), Small spoon |
| Summer | 2 to 7 ft | dawn & dusk | Dodger + spoon (deep troll), Flutter spoon |
| Fall | 2 to 7 ft | dawn & dusk | Casting spoon, Jerkbait over shoals |
| Winter | 1 to 7 ft | dawn | Jigging spoon, Tube jig (white) |
Notable structure
- Hayward WP119 Dam tailrace: dam tailrace, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 2.8): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 5.6): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 7.5): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 9.3): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 11.5): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 13.7): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 15.5): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 17.4): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 21.8): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 29.8): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 31.7): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 34.2): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 38.2): creek channel, around 5 ft
Common questions
How deep is Namekagon River?
Namekagon 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 Namekagon River?
Anglers target smallmouth bass, walleye, rainbow trout, muskellunge on Namekagon River.
Where is the best fishing spot on Namekagon River?
Riffle & run (mile 26.1) is the top-rated area: a rock pile in about 3 ft of water that rates prime for smallmouth bass in spring. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.
When is the best time to fish Namekagon 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
Lac Courte Oreilles · Grindstone Lake · Round Lake · Bois Brule River · Chippewa Flowage · Lake Chetek
See how Namekagon River stacks up: best smallmouth bass lakes in Wisconsin · best walleye lakes in Wisconsin · best rainbow trout lakes in Wisconsin · best muskellunge lakes in Wisconsin
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