Trout Angling

Wisconsin`s Trout season begins the first Saturday in March and runs through September 31. March-June is the peak of the hatching season, while Aug-Sept. brings on the big terrestials and the Sulphur hatch.

The first 12 miles in Langlade County contain wild brook and brown trout, but access above the village of Parrish requires that you put one foot ahead of the other. Above the village of Dudley on Hwy. 17, where the river has been improved with riprap and bank covers by the DNR with the help of Trout Unlimited, brook trout predominate.  From Dudley down, brown trout come to hand more often.  Access is easy at many bridges and across public lands and easements.  It is all catergory 4 with the exception of the stretch of river between R&H Rd. and Hackbarth Drive which is artificials only/catch and release.

Gleason can be looked at as the dividing point between the upper and lower Prairie River. The upper Prairie hold mostly wild Brookies but some are planted in spots. This area is narrower and has more streamside brush than the lower section. The lower river has some nice and some nasty rapids which can be fun to fish. Yankee Rapids is a little milder and a fun area to fish through.  The Prairie Dells Dam was removed about 7 years ago, what is left is a nasty looking set of rapids.

Hatches: The Prairie is home to some incredible hatches and the fish seem to rise freely but this doesn't mean they will be easy.

• Ephoron leukon-The White Fly is a nice break for the fly fisherman who is looking for a larger fly after all the small hatches of summer. It hatches in the late evening and is a size 12 to 14. It is matched by a Blonde Wulff or a Close Carpet Fly tied in white which is especially good for selective fish.
• BWO-A consistent hatch on most rivers in Wisconsin is also important on the Prairie.
• Brown Drake-The Ephemera simulans is a large Mayfly that is important on a few Northern Wisconsin Fishing. This hatch will draw bigger fish up to the surface. The Adams Hairwing and Close Carpet Fly are the standard fare for this hatch.
• Trico-A great hatch for the angler to test his skills on. These tiny flies hatch early in the morning during the middle of the summer. It requires light tippets, quiet approaches, and well placed casts. Spinners are the most important stage for the Tricos.
• Other Mayflies-Some other mayflies of interest are March Browns, Light Cahills, White-Gloved Howdy's, and sulfurs.
• Caddis-Caddis are important especially in the upper stretches. Look for the Black Dancer Caddis, a black Caddis with incredibly long antennae.
• Terrestrials-Try them, especially in the upper reaches that are surrounded by trees. Look for ants, beetles, inchworms, and crickets.