Wolf River Fishing Guides and Conditions, Wisconsin
From the Nicolet National Forest whitewater down to the Winnebago system, a river known for its spring walleye and white bass runs and for the largest lake sturgeon population in the world.
Guides on the Wolf River
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About the Wolf River
The Wolf runs south from the Nicolet National Forest through the Menominee Reservation, Shawano, New London and Fremont into Lake Poygan and the Winnebago chain. The upper river is a whitewater and trout stream through forest and reservation land; the lower river, from Shawano down, is one of the great warm-water fisheries of the Midwest.
Spring is when the Wolf is famous. Walleye move up out of the Winnebago system by the hundreds of thousands to spawn on the marshes and river flats, and the run from New London to Shawano in April is a Wisconsin institution. White bass follow in May and June in numbers that make for nonstop action. Behind both of them, the lake sturgeon of the Winnebago system, the largest self-sustaining population in the world, run up the Wolf to spawn on the rocks at Shawano and Shiocton, and watching that is worth a trip on its own even if you never make a cast.
Through the summer the lower river holds smallmouth, pike, musky and catfish, and the marshes and bayous around Fremont and Poygan are a distinct fishery again.
The New London gauge sits in the heart of the spring run water. Flows here rise with snowmelt and spring rain and drive the timing of the runs; a warm, wet late March pulls the fish up early, a cold spring holds them back. Summer levels drop and the river clears.
New London, Shiocton, Fremont and Shawano have ramps, lodging and a strong local guide presence built on the spring runs. Book April dates early.
Access
Langlade and White Lake: upper river whitewater and trout access in the national forest.
Shawano: dam access at the top of the sturgeon spawning water.
Shiocton: a main spring ramp and sturgeon viewing site.
New London: town ramps near the gauge, the center of the spring walleye run.
Fremont: access at the head of Lake Poygan.
Winneconne and the Winnebago chain: downstream lake access.
Seasons
April: the spring walleye run, the busiest and best-known fishing of the year.
May and June: white bass runs, sturgeon spawning, warming water and excellent numbers.
July and August: smallmouth, pike and musky on the lower river and the marshes.
September through March: fall walleye, then ice fishing on the Winnebago system.
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Questions
What is the current flow on the Wolf River?
As of Sep 3, 11:00 pm, the USGS gauge WOLF RIVER AT NEW LONDON, WI reads 951 cfs, the 43rd percentile for this date, with water temperature 76.6 F. Conditions update every 15 minutes.
What species can you catch on the Wolf River?
Anglers target Lake Sturgeon, Muskellunge, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, White Bass on the Wolf River in Wisconsin.
Where are the fishing regulations for the Wolf River?
Regulations change by season and section. Read the current rules on the Wisconsin agency site: https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/fishing/regulations