Would you like to know streamflow conditions before you go fishing in Wisconsin or in more distant locations? Real-time streamflow data throughout Wisconsin and the United States are available on the Internet from the U.S. Geological Survey. You can see if the stream you are interested in fishing is high due to recent rain or low because of an extended dry spell. Flow conditions at more than 100 stream-gaging stations located throughout Wisconsin can be viewed by accessing the Wisconsin District Home Page at:
After reaching the Home Page, you can view hydrographs (graphs of streamflow during the week) of any of more than 100 stations. To view the hydrographs, simply:
(1) select streamflow data under Water Data heading; and(2) select Station Number (with reference to "Station Name").
For example, the Black Earth Creek hydrograph shows streamflow for the week of June 4. The streamflow on June 5 was 43 cubic feet per second, which is greater than the long-term average flow for that day. Rain on June 6 increased the flow to about 75 cubic feet per second, which may make fishing conditions poor. Additional rain on June 6 and 7 increased the streamflow to a peak flow of about 110 cubic feet per second. This is about three times greater than the long-term mean daily streamflow based on 41 years of record. The increase in streamflow may cause sediment to be transported, which could cause poor fishing conditions. After June 7, streamflow receded to about 55 cubic feet per second by June 11. By June 10 or 11, the streamflow had decreased to near the long-term average, which should mean improved fishing conditions.
A few of the trout or steelhead streams listed on the Wisconsin District Home Page are North Fish Creek, Black Earth Creek, the Bois Brule, St. Croix, Wolf, Oconto, Peshtigo, Kewaunee, East Twin, Sheboygan, Root, Trempealeau, and La Crosse Rivers. Click to see a map of all stations for which real-time streamflow data are available. While your stream may not have a gaging station, a nearby stream may have a gaging station that can be used as an indicator of flow on the stream you want to fish.
The U.S. Geological Survey operates streamflow-gaging stations in Wisconsin in cooperation with Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission, Dane County Regional Planning Commission, Wisconsin Valley Improvement Company, Northern States Power, Wisconsin Electric Power Company, Wisconsin Power and Light, Indian Tribes, and many other local agencies and municipalities.
Text: David J. Graczyk and Warren A. Gebert
