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. 19, 2026

Flows on the Root River are just over 100 cubic feet/second and are dropping. The water clarity is normal for the Root, and the temperature in the river has been in the mid-50s 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. 19, 2026

The Root River Steelhead Facility was started for the fall season on Monday, Sept. 28. Our sixth fish processing day was Monday, Oct. 19. The water temperature in the weir has dropped down to 53 degrees Fahrenheit. The river flow dropped from a high of about 200 cubic feet/second on Saturday to 115 cubic feet/second Monday morning. Over 550 fish moved into the facility since last Thursday. Our next processing day is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 22.