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Smallmouth bass
Photo: James Mann from Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada, CC BY 2.0 
Largemouth bass
Photo: United States Fish and Wildlife Services, Public domain 
Muskellunge
Photo: Engbretson, Eric / U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain 
Bluegill
Photo: Fredlyfish4, CC BY-SA 3.0
Wisconsin rivers
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Pigeon River Fishing
Sheboygan County and Manitowoc County.
Pick for smallmouthPiscifun Chaos Pro CNC baitcasting reel25% OFFSale $97.99 Photo of Sheboygan River: Dan Perry, CC BY 2.0
Wisconsin rivers
The Pigeon River at a glance for anglers
The Pigeon River is a river whose course crosses Sheboygan County and Manitowoc County. Roughly 30 miles of channel are in the WDNR units. About 2 miles separates the midpoint from Howards Grove.
30miles mapped
2counties
0USGS gauges
0landings
Fish
Fish recorded for the Pigeon River
The Pigeon River 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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Boat and canoe access on the Pigeon River
The boat access layer holds no point on the Pigeon River.
WDNR Boat Access and Shore Fishing layers, USGS gauges.
Regulations
The Pigeon River 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 Pigeon River 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.
Nearby
Close to the Pigeon River
More water to try near the Pigeon River
- Jetzers Lake3 miles
- Sheboygan Quarry6 miles
- Horseshoe Lake, Manitowoc County6 miles
- Cedar Lake, Manitowoc County8 miles
Shops that serve the Pigeon River anglers
- Norb's Gun Shopbait and tackle shop, Sheboygan Falls, 3 miles
- Walmart Sheboygan, 4433 Van Guard Drfarm and general store with fishing gear, Sheboygan, 5 miles
- Boat Doctorsmarina, Sheboygan, 8 miles
- Terry's Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Plymouth, 9 miles
- Harbor Centre Marinamarina, Sheboygan, 9 miles
Communities around the Pigeon River
- Howards Grove2 miles
- Cleveland5 miles
- Kohler8 miles
- Sheboygan Falls9 miles
More streams around the Pigeon River
- Sevenmile Creek, Sheboygan County3 miles
- Fischer Creek near Cleveland, Manitowoc County6 miles
- Fischer Creek near Cleveland, Manitowoc County, 2.8 mi7 miles
- Sheboygan River8 miles
Counties holding the Pigeon River
Piscifun
Piscifun reels sized for the Pigeon River
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Fish ID
Species you may hook at Pigeon River
Photo: James Mann from Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada, CC BY 2.0
.jpg){kind=link}
Photo: United States Fish and Wildlife Services, Public domain
Photo: Engbretson, Eric / U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain
Photo: Fredlyfish4, CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers
Common questions about fishing the Pigeon River
Where does the Pigeon River run in Wisconsin?
WDNR lines run it through Sheboygan County and Manitowoc County.
Do I need the inland trout stamp on the Pigeon River?
It is outside the TROUT layer.
Does the Pigeon River have a flow gauge?
No gauge; nearby river pages carry USGS data.
How many landings does the Pigeon River have?
None is mapped; walk in from crossings.
Is there an early season on the Pigeon River?
Bag: 5 trout and salmon in total; minimum length limit 10" Season: Open all year
Which Wisconsin license do I need on the Pigeon River?
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 Pigeon River?
Norb's Gun Shop sits about 3 miles away.
Which species does the Pigeon River hold, per WDNR layers?
The DNR lists smallmouth bass.
What is a good base for the Pigeon River?
By air, Howards Grove is about 2 miles from the river.