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For the trout herePiscifun Carbon XT ultralight spinning reel25% OFFSale $59.99 $79.99
Lake Mendota 57 mi
Photo: Michael Barera, CC BY-SA 4.0 
Lake Wisconsin 41 mi
Photo: Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0 
Lake Monona 60 mi
Photo: Michael Barera, CC BY-SA 4.0 
Baraboo River 39 mi
Photo: James St. John, CC BY 2.0
Wisconsin rivers
Pick for troutPiscifun Carbon X ultralight spinning reel28% OFFSale $57.99 $79.99
Mecan River Fishing
Marquette County and Waushara County, classified trout water.
Pick for troutPiscifun Carbon X ultralight spinning reel28% OFFSale $57.99 Photo of Fox River: Royal Broil, CC BY-SA 2.0
Wisconsin rivers
About the Mecan River
Wisconsin anglers know the Mecan River as a river of Marquette County and Waushara County. The mapped course measures about 37 miles. Neshkoro is the closest Census place, about 6 miles from the mapped midpoint.
WDNR classes roughly 24.6 miles for trout. Parts of it are 24.6 miles of Outstanding Resource Water. Launch points on file: 3 public landings.
37miles mapped
24.6trout miles
0USGS gauges
3landings
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Trout regulations for the Mecan River
8.5class I miles
16.1class II miles
Class I water on the Mecan River holds trout that reproduce on their own; class II holds some wild trout plus stocked fish; class III depends on stocking.
| Class | From mile | To mile | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| CLASS II | 12.84 | 28.97 | 16.13 |
| CLASS I | 28.97 | 37.44 | 8.47 |
Trout limits on the Mecan River by reach
| Water | Bag and size | Season | Early season and gear |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mecan 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. Only artificial lures may be used. |
| Mecan River | 2 trout over 12". | 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. Only artificial lures may be used. |
| Mecan 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. |
For trout on the Mecan River, the inland stamp goes with the license.
WDNR TROUT layer and trout regulation layer; 2026-2027 Guide to Wisconsin Trout Fishing Regulations. Wisconsin trout streams.
Fish
Fisheries designations on the Mecan River
Smallmouth habitat on the Mecan River: wadable warm water.
WDNR fisheries designation layers (musky, sturgeon, smallmouth bass and trout streams); not a full species survey.
Access
Putting a boat in on the Mecan River
- North Upper Dike Landingcarry-in, 1 to 5 trailer stalls, Marquette County
- Upper Dike Mecan River Fish Barrier Bypass Landing1 lane, Marquette County
- Main Dam Downstream Carry-In Landing1 lane, 1 to 5 trailer stalls, Marquette County
WDNR Boat Access and Shore Fishing layers, USGS gauges.
Regulations
Fishing regulations on the Mecan 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 |
Statewide limits govern the Mecan River (south 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 Mecan River
Lakes a few miles from the Mecan River
- Tuttle Lake, Marquette County1 mile
- Crystal Lake, Marquette County3 miles
- Mud Lake near Harrisville, Marquette County4 miles
- Comstock Lake4 miles
Bait and gear stops around the Mecan River
- D & R Luresbait and tackle shop, Neshkoro, 5 miles
- Norton's Dry Dockmarina, Princeton, 14 miles
- The Minnow Bucket, 321 S Franklin Avebait and tackle shop, Oxford, 17 miles
- Green Lake Marinamarina, Green Lake, 17 miles
- Walmart Berlinfarm and general store with fishing gear, Berlin, 17 miles
Towns close to the Mecan River
- Neshkoro6 miles
- Harrisville6 miles
- Westfield9 miles
- Montello9 miles
More moving water near the Mecan River
- Lunch Creek2 miles
- Little Pine Creek5 miles
- White River, Green Lake County6 miles
- Chaffee Creek7 miles
The county side of the Mecan River
- Marquette County
- Waushara County
Piscifun
A Piscifun kit for the Mecan River
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Photographs
Shoreline scenes a drive from Mecan River
Photo: Michael Barera, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Photo: Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0
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Photo: Michael Barera, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Photo: James St. John, CC BY 2.0
Answers
The Mecan River: what anglers want to know
What part of Wisconsin holds the Mecan River?
It flows across Marquette County and Waushara County.
What WDNR trout class does the Mecan River carry?
Classified for trout over about 24.6 miles: class i and class ii.
Is the Mecan River running high or low today?
No active USGS gauge on our Wisconsin list matches it.
Where do anglers put in on the Mecan River?
3 public landings; Main Dam Downstream Carry-In Landing is one.
What are the trout rules on the Mecan River?
Bag: 3 trout in total over 8". Season: First Saturday in April at 5:00 a.m. to Oct. 15.
What does a Wisconsin license for the Mecan River cost?
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 are minnows sold on the drive to the Mecan River?
Drive 5 miles to reach D & R Lures.
Is the Mecan River musky water?
On file: trout and smallmouth bass.
How far is the Mecan River from the nearest Wisconsin town?
Neshkoro lies about 6 miles from the WDNR midpoint.
Add the Mecan River to this season
Buy the Go Wild license and stamp before the trip.