What flies are hatching on the Prairie River right now?

Current and seasonal hatches on the Prairie River include Blue-Winged Olive, Hendrickson, Sulphur. Use the AI Hatch Advisor on this page for a live, temperature-aware recommendation.

What's the current flow on the Prairie River?

The Prairie River is running at 102 CFS at the Prairie River near Merrill, WI gauge. Readings update every 15 minutes from the USGS Water Services API.

Is the Prairie River fishable today?

Yes — Prairie River is rated fishable right now. Current flow is 102 CFS at the Prairie River near Merrill, WI gauge.

Great Lakes

Prairie River

Fishable102 CFSIntermediate

Live Conditions

Prairie River — Prairie River near Merrill, WI

Fishable

102CFS

Discharge

2.22ft

Gauge Height

—

Water Temp

Updated 31 min agoView on USGS ↗

7-Day Flow

↓ Falling

RisingFallingStable

24-Hr Pressure

28.6 inHg · → High/stable

Falling (good)RisingHigh/stable

Local Weather

79°FClear sky

Wind 4 mph28.6 inHg Low & stable

Tough conditions — fish deep

Today

🌤️

Partly cloudy

77° / 43°

Tomorrow

☁️

Overcast

80° / 46°

Tue

☁️

Overcast

77° / 53°

Wed

☁️

Overcast

73° / 52°

Cold front incoming — go deep with nymphs, surface activity likely slow.

Weather by Open-Meteo · No API key · Updated every 30 min

What should I fish today?

One call. Specific to today's exact conditions on the Prairie River.

Time of Day

What should I pack?

Rod, flies, tippet, and safety gear specific to today's Prairie River conditions.

🪰 Hatch Calendar

Prairie River · June · Early Summer

Full calendar →

Showing typical dates — water temperature data unavailable for live hatch predictions.

Select month

JanDec

SULPHURS at peak (size 16-18) evenings. Caddis all day. Trico spinner falls beginning late month.

TricoCaddis

River Map

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USGS Gauge (click for site ID)Fishing Access / SectionScroll to zoom disabled — use map controls

About Prairie River

The Prairie River in Lincoln County, central Wisconsin, is a productive medium-sized trout stream with wild brown trout and brook trout in the cold headwaters. The river flows through a mix of state forest and private land with strong public-access easements. A reliable central-WI alternative when the Driftless and northern rivers are pressured or off-color.

Blue-Winged OliveHendricksonSulphurCaddisTrico

Regulations

Wisconsin Fishing License required ($20 resident + $10 trout/salmon stamp = $30). Season opens first Saturday in May. Verify Lincoln County special-regulation sections in current Wisconsin DNR trout regulations.