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 for Oct. 12, 2026

Flows on the Root River are just over 100 cubic feet/second and are slowly dropping. There is rain in the forecast for this Thursday, and if the forecast holds, the rain should draw in some fresh fish. The water temperature in the river has been in the low 60s the last several days. Chinook and coho salmon have been seen throughout the river up to the Horlick dam.

Root River Steelhead Facility Report for Oct. 15, 2026

The Root River Steelhead Facility was started for the fall season on Monday, Sept. 28. Our fifth fish processing day was Thursday, Oct. 15. The water temperature in the weir was 62 degrees Fahrenheit. The river flow dropped to just under 80 cubic feet/second, although it started raining in the afternoon. Since Tuesday, just over 300 fish moved into the facility. Our next processing day is scheduled for Monday, Oct. 19.