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For the smallmouth herePiscifun AlinoX 300 low profile baitcaster34% OFFSale $104.99 $159.99
Manitowoc County 11 mi
Photo: Tony Webster, CC BY-SA 2.0 
Sheboygan County 32 mi
Photo: Dan Perry, CC BY 2.0 
Lake Michigan 18 mi
Photo: Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0 
Sheboygan River 30 mi
Photo: Dan Perry, CC BY 2.0
Wisconsin rivers
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Branch River Fishing
Manitowoc County and Brown County.
Pick for smallmouthPiscifun Chaos Pro CNC baitcasting reel25% OFFSale $97.99 Photo of Manitowoc: William Alden, CC BY-SA 2.0
Wisconsin rivers
About the Branch River
Wisconsin anglers know the Branch River as a river of Manitowoc County and Brown County. The mapped course measures about 37 miles. Kellnersville is the closest Census place, about 3 miles from the mapped midpoint.
Parts of it are 20.2 miles of Exceptional Resource Water.
37miles mapped
2counties
0USGS gauges
0landings
Fish
Fisheries designations on the Branch River
Smallmouth habitat on the Branch River: wadable nursery waters.
WDNR fisheries designation layers (musky, sturgeon, smallmouth bass and trout streams); not a full species survey.
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Putting a boat in on the Branch River
Bridge crossings and public land are the way onto the Branch River.
WDNR Boat Access and Shore Fishing layers, USGS gauges.
Regulations
Fishing regulations on the Branch River
| Species | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Walleye and sauger | 3 in total; minimum length 15 inches | May 2, 2026 – March 7, 2027 |
| Northern pike (north of Hwy 10) | 5; no minimum length | May 2, 2026 – March 7, 2027 |
| Largemouth bass | 5; minimum length 14 inches | May 2, 2026 – March 7, 2027 |
| Smallmouth bass (Northern Bass Zone) | 5 in total with largemouth bass; minimum length 14 inches | June 20, 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 |
Statewide limits govern the Branch River (north of Hwy 10) except where the guide names it.
2026-2027 Guide to Wisconsin Hook and Line Fishing Regulations. All Wisconsin limits.
Nearby
Around the Branch River
Lakes a few miles from the Branch River
- Clarks Mills Pond7 miles
- Tuma Lake8 miles
- Harpt Lake9 miles
- Silver Lake, Manitowoc County10 miles
Bait and gear stops around the Branch River
- Harbor Petroleum LLCmarina, Manitowoc, 9 miles
- Fleet Farm Manitowocfarm and general store with fishing gear, Manitowoc, 10 miles
- Popps Harbortown Incmarina, Manitowoc, 11 miles
- Walmart Manitowocfarm and general store with fishing gear, Manitowoc, 11 miles
- Manitowoc Marinamarina, Manitowoc, 12 miles
Towns close to the Branch River
- Kellnersville3 miles
- Whitelaw4 miles
- Maribel6 miles
- Francis Creek6 miles
More moving water near the Branch River
- Manitowoc River7 miles
- Devil's River9 miles
- West Twin River9 miles
- Silver Creek, Manitowoc County10 miles
The county side of the Branch River
Piscifun
A Piscifun kit for the Branch River
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Photographs
Shoreline scenes a drive from Branch River
Photo: Tony Webster, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Dan Perry, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Dan Perry, CC BY 2.0
Answers
The Branch River: what anglers want to know
What part of Wisconsin holds the Branch River?
It flows across Manitowoc County and Brown County.
What WDNR trout class does the Branch River carry?
No; it has no trout classification.
Is the Branch River running high or low today?
No active USGS gauge on our Wisconsin list matches it.
Where do anglers put in on the Branch River?
No landing is mapped.
What are the trout rules on the Branch 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 Wisconsin license for the Branch River cost?
Anglers 16 and older need a Wisconsin fishing license: $20 a year for residents and $55 for nonresidents, with a $5 first-time buyer rate for residents.
Where are minnows sold on the drive to the Branch River?
Drive 9 miles to reach Harbor Petroleum LLC.
Is the Branch River musky water?
On file: smallmouth bass.
How far is the Branch River from the nearest Wisconsin town?
Kellnersville lies about 3 miles from the WDNR midpoint.
Add the Branch River to this season
Buy the Go Wild license and stamp before the trip.