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Brook trout
Photo: James Mann from Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada, CC BY 2.0 
Largemouth bass
Photo: USFWS Mountain Prairie, Public domain 
Bluegill
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain 
Channel catfish
Photo: USFWS Mountain Prairie, Public domain
Wisconsin trout streams
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South Fork Main Creek Fishing
Rusk County and Price County, classified trout water.
Pick for troutPiscifun Carbon X ultralight spinning reel28% OFFSale $57.99 Photo of Chippewa River: Tony Webster, CC BY 2.0
Wisconsin trout streams
The South Fork Main Creek, the essentials
Through Rusk County and Price County the South Fork Main Creek follows its channel as a stream. WDNR assessment units add up to about 32 miles of it. From the midpoint, Hawkins lies under a mile away.
Trout classes cover about 6.1 miles of it. State water rules designate reaches as 6.1 miles of Outstanding Resource Water.
32miles mapped
6.1trout miles
0USGS gauges
0landings
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Classified trout miles of the South Fork Main Creek
5.6class I miles
0.6class II miles
WDNR trout classes on the South Fork Main Creek: I means self-sustaining, II means some natural reproduction with stocking, III means stocked fish.
| Class | From mile | To mile | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| CLASS II | 12.18 | 12.73 | 0.55 |
| CLASS I | 12.73 | 18.32 | 5.58 |
The South Fork Main Creek in the trout regulations
| Water | Bag and size | Season | Early season and gear |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Fork Main Creek | 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. |
Trout anglers on the South Fork Main Creek need the $10 inland trout stamp along with a fishing license.
WDNR TROUT layer and trout regulation layer; 2026-2027 Guide to Wisconsin Trout Fishing Regulations. Wisconsin trout streams.
Fish
Fish the DNR lists for the South Fork Main Creek
The WDNR smallmouth bass stream layer lists the South Fork Main Creek under wadable nursery waters.
WDNR fisheries designation layers (musky, sturgeon, smallmouth bass and trout streams); not a full species survey.
Access
Landings along the South Fork Main Creek
Expect walk-in fishing on the South Fork Main Creek; no landing is mapped.
WDNR Boat Access and Shore Fishing layers, USGS gauges.
Regulations
Seasons and bag limits for the South Fork Main Creek
| 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 |
These are the statewide inland rows for the South Fork Main Creek by its position north of Hwy 10; county exceptions in the guide can change them.
2026-2027 Guide to Wisconsin Hook and Line Fishing Regulations. All Wisconsin limits.
Nearby
Next to the South Fork Main Creek
Nearby lakes to try after the South Fork Main Creek
- Hawkins Millpondunder a mile
- Shamrock Lake2 miles
- Lake La Verne4 miles
- Skinner Creek Flowage*9 miles
Bait counters near the South Fork Main Creek
- Northwoods Camping Suppliesbait and tackle shop, Phillips, 18 miles
- Ross Sport Shopsporting goods store, Phillips, 20 miles
- Baders Sports Centersporting goods store, Phillips, 20 miles
- Elk River Custom Rodsbait and tackle shop, Phillips, 20 miles
- Walmart Ladysmithfarm and general store with fishing gear, Ladysmith, 20 miles
Overnight towns handy to the South Fork Main Creek
- Hawkinsunder a mile
- Ingram5 miles
- Kennan6 miles
- Catawba9 miles
Neighboring streams of the South Fork Main Creek
- Middle Fork Main Creek5 miles
- North Fork Jump River9 miles
- Josie Creek11 miles
- Hackett Creek11 miles
Which counties the South Fork Main Creek touches
Piscifun
Reels and a scale grip to bring to the South Fork Main Creek
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Fish ID
Know the fish of South Fork Main Creek
Photo: James Mann from Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada, CC BY 2.0
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Photo: USFWS Mountain Prairie, Public domain
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Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
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Photo: USFWS Mountain Prairie, Public domain
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Answers
Short answers for a day on the South Fork Main Creek
Through which counties does the South Fork Main Creek flow?
Search the map of Rusk County and Price County for it.
May I keep trout from the South Fork Main Creek under WDNR rules?
Yes; about 6.1 miles carry a WDNR trout class (class i and class ii).
What does the gauge on the South Fork Main Creek read?
USGS has no live gauge tied to it.
Is there a boat landing on the South Fork Main Creek?
No access point names it.
What WDNR limits apply on the South Fork Main Creek?
Bag: 3 trout in total over 8". Season: First Saturday in April at 5:00 a.m. to Oct. 15.
Do I need a Wisconsin license for the South Fork Main Creek?
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.
Is there a tackle store near the South Fork Main Creek?
Northwoods Camping Supplies, roughly 18 miles from the midpoint.
Which fish does the WDNR list for the South Fork Main Creek?
WDNR designations name trout and smallmouth bass.
Which Wisconsin town neighbors the South Fork Main Creek?
Census data make Hawkins the closest place, under a mile away.
Spend a Wisconsin morning on the South Fork Main Creek
Check the gauge and the rules before you go.