Out Fishing in Trempealeau County, WI

Out Fishing in Trempealeau County, WI!

Trempealeau County, Wisconsin

Bordered by the Mississippi River and in the unglaciated region of Western Wisconsin, Trempealeau County offers bass to walleye, catfish to trout.  The open spaces of the county offer a wealth of opportunities to get outdoors and enjoy activities without crowds.  Fishing is a fun social distancing pastime that can be enjoyed year-round, and Trempealeau County has so many choices within its unique and beautiful landscape.

Brookies, browns, and rainbows amid gorgeous Wisconsin scenery. Many people don’t realize that Wisconsin is a Mecca of trout streams. The Driftless region of Western Wisconsin was missed by the last ice age and crystal clear trout streams spring up amid the valleys. Trempealeau County has stocked and unstocked trout streams, with a plethora of class 1 streams to choose from which have enough natural wild trout to be at or near capacity in the highest quality of water. One good choice is the Buffalo River that flows in the northern region of the county and through Osseo, WI. It’s a class 2 stream and holds a good number of big brown trout. You’ll find good access at bridge crossings.

While the lakes of Trempealeau County offer year-round fishing opportunities, it’s in winter that they really take on personality and shanties spring up on the ice. Small communities of ice fishermen gathered around holes in the ice and looking to pull out a monster northern, or maybe the bag limit of panfish for an evening’s fry. Ice fishing derbies are a Wisconsin staple and are a fun way to experience winter fishing. Bugle Lake by Independence, WI has an annual Ice Fishing Contest & Jamboree that has been going strong for over 60 years. Try your luck at catching “Old Bugler”, if caught during the event, he’s worth $20,000!

The Upper Mississippi River along Trempealeau County starts seeing some fishing action increase as the temperatures begin to drop. Fall fishing is fantastic, especially for smallmouth bass who have a natural inclination to fatten up for the winter and are biting this time of year. Look along the shorelines for wood and wing dams to put your bait in. With 119 species of fish in the Upper Mississippi opportunities for some fun fishing action is year-round. The Tremplo Fishing Float will get you out by lock and dam 6, where you’ll also find some great advice from the owner and staff as to what to fish for and what they’re biting on.

Sometimes getting out into unfamiliar waters is a better experience with a professional guide who knows all the ins and outs of the area and can lead you to where the locals know the fishing is best. Captain Jon’s Guide Service offers guided fishing trips, bow fishing trips (all equipment and training provided and the bow fishing takes place after dark), and even scenic backwater pontoon trips.