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. 21, 2025

Flows on the Root River were rising throughout the day on Monday, and by Tuesday morning were about 100 cubic feet per second. The water temperature is in the mid- to upper-50s. Good numbers of coho and Chinook can be found 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 ninth fish processing day was Monday, Oct. 20. Flows on the Root River have risen after rain in the area over the weekend. Both Chinook and coho salmon continue to move upstream in large numbers, and we captured over 800 fish within about 24 hours. Our next processing day will be Thursday, Oct. 23.