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For the trout herePiscifun Carbon XT ultralight spinning reel25% OFFSale $59.99 $79.99
Sauk County 2.4 mi
Photo: Joshua Mayer, CC BY-SA 2.0 
Lake Wisconsin 12 mi
Photo: Awkwafaba, CC BY-SA 4.0 
Crystal Lake, Dane County 15 mi
Photo: Awkwafaba, CC BY-SA 3.0 
Lake Mendota 32 mi
Photo: Michael Barera, CC BY-SA 4.0
Wisconsin rivers
Pick for troutPiscifun Carbon X ultralight spinning reel28% OFFSale $57.99 $79.99
Baraboo River Fishing
Sauk County and 3 other counties, classified trout water.
Pick for troutPiscifun Carbon X ultralight spinning reel28% OFFSale $57.99 Photo: Joshua Mayer, CC BY-SA 2.0
Wisconsin rivers
The basics of the Baraboo River for anglers
Across Sauk County and 3 other counties, the Baraboo River runs as a river. DNR mapping covers close to 116 miles. Census points put West Baraboo closest, under a mile out.
Classified trout reaches total about 15.1 miles. It is sturgeon water, naturally reproducing – ansri. USGS operates 3 active gauges on it. Boaters and paddlers can use 7 public landings.
116miles mapped
15.1trout miles
3USGS gauges
7landings
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WDNR trout classes on the Baraboo River
10.3class II miles
4.8class III miles
Trout classes describe the Baraboo River: class I wild, class II mixed, class III stocked.
| Class | From mile | To mile | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| CLASS III | 101.35 | 106.16 | 4.81 |
| CLASS II | 108.6 | 118.93 | 10.33 |
WDNR trout rules for the Baraboo River
| Water | Bag and size | Season | Early season and gear |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baraboo River | 5 trout in total of any length. | First Saturday in April at 5:00 a.m. to Oct. 15. | First Saturday in January to First Saturday in April all trout shall be immediately released. Only artificial lures may be used. |
| Baraboo River | 3 trout in total over 8". | First Saturday in April at 5:00 a.m. to Oct. 15. | First Saturday in January to First Saturday in April all trout shall be immediately released. Only artificial lures may be used. |
A Wisconsin license plus the inland trout stamp covers trout on the Baraboo River.
WDNR TROUT layer and trout regulation layer; 2026-2027 Guide to Wisconsin Trout Fishing Regulations. Wisconsin trout streams.
Fish
Species in the Baraboo River
WDNR smallmouth stream types on the Baraboo River are non-wadable coarse substrate, non-wadable fine substrate, wadable cool water and wadable warm water.
WDNR fisheries designation layers (musky, sturgeon, smallmouth bass and trout streams); not a full species survey.
Flow
How much water the Baraboo River is carrying
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Baraboo River Near Baraboo, Wi | 314 cfs, 7.61 ft gage height | Nov 12 12:00 pm |
| Baraboo River At Main Street At Reedsburg, Wi | 207 cfs, 5.70 ft gage height | Nov 12 12:00 pm |
| Baraboo River At La Valle, Wi | 6.02 ft gage height | Nov 12 12:00 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 12, 2026 12:33 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
Access
Getting onto the Baraboo River
- Baraboo River Access1 lane, 1 to 5 trailer stalls, Sauk County
- Granite Avenue Ramp1 lane, 6 to 10 trailer stalls, Sauk County
- Canoe Launch on Baraboo River1 lane, 11 to 15 trailer stalls, Sauk County
- Giese Park1 lane, 1 to 5 trailer stalls, boarding dock, Sauk County
- Luebke Public Access1 lane, 1 to 5 trailer stalls, Sauk County
- Glenville Access1 lane, 1 to 5 trailer stalls, Sauk County
- North Freedom Boat Launch1 lane, 1 to 5 trailer stalls, restroom, Sauk County
WDNR Boat Access and Shore Fishing layers, USGS gauges.
Regulations
Limits by species on the Baraboo River
| Species | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Walleye and sauger | 3 in total; minimum length 15 inches | May 2, 2026 – March 7, 2027 |
| Northern pike (south of Hwy 10) | 2; minimum length 26 inches | May 2, 2026 – March 7, 2027 |
| Largemouth bass | 5; minimum length 14 inches | May 2, 2026 – March 7, 2027 |
| Smallmouth bass (Southern Bass Zone) | 5 in total with largemouth bass; minimum length 14 inches | May 2, 2026 – March 7, 2027 |
| Muskellunge | 1; minimum length 40 inches | May 2, 2026 – Dec. 31, 2026 (open water only) |
| Panfish | 25 in total; no minimum length | Open all year |
| Catfish | 10 in total; no minimum length | Open all year |
| Cisco and whitefish | 10 in total; no minimum length | Open all year |
| Rock, yellow and white bass | No bag limit; no minimum length | Open all year |
| Bullheads and rough fish | No bag limit; no minimum length | Open all year |
For the Baraboo River, the table shows statewide inland limits for the zone south of Hwy 10.
2026-2027 Guide to Wisconsin Hook and Line Fishing Regulations. All Wisconsin limits.
Nearby
Around the area of the Baraboo River
Lakes next door to the Baraboo River
- Devils Lake, Sauk County5 miles
- Seeley Lake5 miles
- Mirror Lake, Sauk County7 miles
- Virginia Lake8 miles
Minnows and tackle close to the Baraboo River
- Walmart West Baraboofarm and general store with fishing gear, West Baraboo, 1 mile
- Farm & Fleet Of Baraboofarm and general store with fishing gear, Baraboo, 2 miles
- Sleazy Steve's Plug Cuttersbait and tackle shop, Reedsburg, 7 miles
- Walmart Lake Deltonfarm and general store with fishing gear, Lake Delton, 8 miles
- Dells Watersports: Full Service Marina & Boat Rentalsmarina, Wisconsin Dells, 8 miles
Towns within reach of the Baraboo River
- West Baraboounder a mile
- Baraboo2 miles
- North Freedom4 miles
- Rock Springs7 miles
Other Wisconsin rivers near the Baraboo River
- Leech Creek6 miles
- Manley Creek7 miles
- Boulder Creek8 miles
- Parfrey's Glen Creek8 miles
the Baraboo River by county
- Sauk County
- Juneau County
- Columbia County
- Monroe County
Piscifun
Piscifun spinning and casting reels for the Baraboo River
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Photographs
Photographs from waters near Baraboo River
Photo: Joshua Mayer, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Awkwafaba, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Awkwafaba, CC BY-SA 3.0
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Photo: Michael Barera, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Answers
Questions anglers bring up about the Baraboo River
Which Wisconsin counties does the Baraboo River cross?
The WDNR places it in Sauk County, Juneau County, Columbia County and Monroe County.
Is the Baraboo River classified trout water?
It has about 15.1 trout miles, classed class ii and class iii.
Where can I check current flow for the Baraboo River?
The river has 3 USGS gauges, listed in the flow band above.
Is the Baraboo River a river I can paddle and fish?
7 public landings on file, including North Freedom Boat Launch.
Which WDNR rules cover the Baraboo River?
Bag: 5 trout in total of any length. Season: First Saturday in April at 5:00 a.m. to Oct. 15.
What does a nonresident pay to fish the Baraboo River?
Classified trout water calls for a Wisconsin fishing license ($20 resident, $55 nonresident a year) and the $10 inland trout stamp when you fish for trout.
Where can I buy bait on the way to the Baraboo River?
Nearest listing: Walmart West Baraboo, 1 mile off.
What can a Wisconsin angler catch in the Baraboo River?
Expect trout, lake sturgeon and smallmouth bass.
Which Census place sits near the Baraboo River?
The closest Wisconsin place is West Baraboo, under a mile out.
Point the truck toward the Baraboo River
Look at flow and regulations before the trip.