Brown Trout Fishing in Wisconsin

Brown Trout are a prized Wisconsin quarry, thriving in the cold spring creeks of the Driftless Region and the Lake Michigan tributaries. They grow larger and warier than brook trout, with big lake-run browns pushing double digits in the fall spawning runs.

Browns are ambush predators that feed on insects, baitfish and crustaceans. They're most active in low light — dawn, dusk and overnight — and they're notoriously selective, making them a challenging, rewarding fish to pursue. Stream browns are typically caught on flies; lake and tributary fish will take small soft plastics.

Country Cave Baits' 3 Inch Split Tail Minnow and micro panfish baits can tempt lake and tributary brown trout. Injection-poured in Fall River, Wisconsin, their small, natural profiles are a change-of-pace offering for selective browns.