Historical Willow River Falls Dam : St. Croix County

Near and dear to the Great Lakes Angler, due to their proximity to my childhood home in Hudson, Wisconsin, stand the Willow Falls. Below the falls here on the Willow River is where I caught my first Wisconsin Brook Trout, Rainbow Trout, and Brown Trout. I stumbled upon these photographs of the Willow Falls Dam before it was removed in 1992 as well as this photograph of the falls before the dam went in.

The falls before 1992 while the dam was fully functional.

The falls pre-dam in the 1800's.

The falls and cliffs that surround them are one of Wisconsin's treasures, a place all Great Lakes Anglers should feel right at home.

Willow River State Park : Fall 2009

The trout fishing season is over, but it is easy to see why this river is so good for trout year round. I'd recommend grabbing the fly rod (or spinning reel) and heading out for the barbless catch and release season that happens before stocking. It is, in my opinion, the best time of the year to hit the willow river.

Thanks for letting me borrow the photograph Alex.

Wisconsin Inland Trout Season Now Closed

A reminder to all who love to pursue trout on the thousands of beautiful miles of trout streams in Wisconsin. The trout season closed yesterday, September 30th. Early catch and release barbless season will re-open on the first Saturday in May. Early season trout fishing is, in my opinion, some of the best trout fishing you will experience in Wisconsin. The trout are eager, the bugs are non existent, and the spring sun on your back for the first time can certainly make you forget those winter blues.

My favorite spring fishing rivers include the Kinnickinnic River in River Falls, Wisconsin. The trout in this river are largely naturally reproducing, and have great color. The fly rod and small elk hair caddis flies will take fish, such as the one photographed above.

Another favorite is the Willow River in Hudson Wisconsin, I have taken large Brown trout, large Rainbow Trout, and brook trout up to 12" long all in one fishing trip before on this river. This great state is an angler's paradise, it really is.