Crawfish River, North Branch Fishing
Columbia County.
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The Crawfish River, North Branch at a glance for anglers
The Crawfish River, North Branch is a river whose course crosses Columbia County. Roughly 28 miles of channel are in the WDNR units. About 1 mile separates the midpoint from Doylestown.
Fish recorded for the Crawfish River, North Branch
The Crawfish River, North Branch appears in the smallmouth layer as wadable nursery waters.
WDNR fisheries designation layers (musky, sturgeon, smallmouth bass and trout streams); not a full species survey.
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The boat access layer holds no point on the Crawfish River, North Branch.
WDNR Boat Access and Shore Fishing layers, USGS gauges.
The Crawfish River, North Branch rule table
| 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 |
On the Crawfish River, North Branch the statewide inland table applies, with pike rules for the area south of Hwy 10.
2026-2027 Guide to Wisconsin Hook and Line Fishing Regulations. All Wisconsin limits.
Close to the Crawfish River, North Branch
More water to try near the Crawfish River, North Branch
- Grassy Lake, Columbia County2 miles
- Lazy Lake (Fall R Millpond)5 miles
- Mud Lake near Rio, Columbia County7 miles
- Lost Lake, Dodge County9 miles
Shops that serve the Crawfish River, North Branch anglers
- Hwy Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Pardeeville, 12 miles
- Fish Tales Bait And Liquor LLCbait and tackle shop, Fox Lake, 16 miles
- Heckel's Sun Prairie/Madison Marinamarina, Sun Prairie, 17 miles
- Fleet Farm Beaver Damfarm and general store with fishing gear, Beaver Dam, 17 miles
- Walmart Sun Prairiefarm and general store with fishing gear, Sun Prairie, 17 miles
Communities around the Crawfish River, North Branch
- Doylestown1 mile
- Fall River5 miles
- Rio6 miles
- Columbus8 miles
More streams around the Crawfish River, North Branch
- Jennings Creek4 miles
- Rocky Run, Columbia County9 miles
- Maunesha River13 miles
- Hinkson Creek13 miles
Counties holding the Crawfish River, North Branch
- Columbia County
Piscifun reels sized for the Crawfish River, North Branch
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Species you may hook at Crawfish River, North Branch
Photo: TMDSA, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: USFWS Mountain Prairie, Public domain
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Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
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Photo: Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, CC BY 2.0
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Common questions about fishing the Crawfish River, North Branch
Where does the Crawfish River, North Branch run in Wisconsin?
WDNR lines run it through Columbia County.
Do I need the inland trout stamp on the Crawfish River, North Branch?
It is outside the TROUT layer.
Does the Crawfish River, North Branch have a flow gauge?
No gauge; nearby river pages carry USGS data.
How many landings does the Crawfish River, North Branch have?
None is mapped; walk in from crossings.
Is there an early season on the Crawfish River, North Branch?
The statewide inland table covers it.
Which Wisconsin license do I need on the Crawfish River, North Branch?
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.
Which bait counter sits closest to the Crawfish River, North Branch?
Hwy Bait & Tackle sits about 12 miles away.
Which species does the Crawfish River, North Branch hold, per WDNR layers?
The DNR lists smallmouth bass.
What is a good base for the Crawfish River, North Branch?
By air, Doylestown is about 1 mile from the river.
Float the Crawfish River, North Branch
WDNR limits and live flow sit on this page.