Root River Report

This page contains the latest fishing information for the Root River and the DNR Root River Steelhead Facility in Racine County. Check back for updates on the number of fish processed at the facility, eggs collected and future processing dates. Please note that fish are typically processed on Mondays and Thursdays, depending on water conditions and the number of fish in the weir. 

Updates are posted at 4 p.m. every Tuesday or Wednesday from September through December and March through May. 

Check out the Lake Michigan Outdoor Report for the latest fishing information on Lake Michigan and the Bay of Green Bay. 

Root River Steelhead Facility

Lake Michigan trout and salmon are unable to reproduce successfully in Wisconsin streams. As a result, DNR fisheries crews collect eggs and milt from spawning fish to create the next generation of steelhead to challenge anglers.

Learn more about steelhead spawning at the Root River Steelhead Facility.

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Root River Fishing Report Oct. 27, 2025

Flows on the Root River are low and the water is clear. The water temperature is in the low to mid-50s. The Chinook run is tapering off, but there are still good numbers of coho throughout the river up to the Horlick dam.

Root River Steelhead Facility Report

The Root River Steelhead Facility was started for the fall season on Sept. 16, and our 12th fish processing day was Thursday, Oct. 30. Flows on the Root River are low at roughly 20 cubic feet per second. The number of fish moving into the facility has dropped off since last week, but anglers report large numbers of coho in the lower stretches of the river. The water temperature in the weir is 48 degrees Fahrenheit. Our next processing day will be Monday, Nov. 3.