Kickapoo Area Fishing

Trout Angling in the Kickapoo Valley

The Driftless Area has the greatest concentration of cold, spring creeks in the world and Avalanche is in the middle of it all. Trout angling is the primary focus of the WSFC and its members. Avalanche, located about 7 miles east of Viroqua, which has long been “Trout Central” for Driftless trout anglers. Brown Trout are the most common trout but native Brook Trout are found in colder headwater streams and elsewhere. 

The region offers something for everyone – from small, headwater streams to some of the largest trout streams of the Driftless Area like the West Fork and the mainstem of the Kickapoo River. Within a 30 minute drive, there are hundreds of miles of trout streams, within an hour there are over a thousand miles.

Coulee Region Trout Unlimited is the local TU chapter and provides resources such as “Getting Started on Trout Fishing in the Driftless” and “Around the Heart of the Driftless: Links to Online Resources“. Our local fly shop is the Driftless Angler in Viroqua. Consult the Wisconsin DNR trout regulations for details and maps of trout streams. You can get a copy at your local license retailer.

Catch and release is always encouraged as is minding water temperatures during the warmest parts of the year.