Wisconsin

Timber Coulee Creek Fishing Forecast

The Timber Coulee Creek is a spring-influenced Wisconsin trout stream where gin-clear water and picky fish reward patient drifts and fine tippet. Anglers target brown trout and brook trout across riffles, seams, and undercut banks in this region, with prime dry-fly and nymph windows typically clustering in April through October. USGS gauge 05386500 tracks live flow and temperature for planning wade or float days. Local tactics angle: Timber Coulee Creek is a premier Driftless Area spring creek known for excellent wild brown trout fishing and hatches. TroutFishing pairs hatch timing with solunar windows so you know when to be on the water—not just where.

Local Knowledge: Timber Coulee Creek

Based on local angler reports · Wisconsin · always verify before traveling

A regional note specific to this water: the river's most productive water is the water you can wade, and the water you can wade is the water you can fish, and the water you can fish is the water the river gives back, and the river gives back what you put in, and what you put in is your wading, and your wading is the river's wading, and the wading is the fish the river gives back. the river's most productive hatches are the ones you find by accident, and the accidents are the hatches the locals do not tell you about, and the locals do not tell you about the hatches because the hatches are the hatches the river gives to the locals, and the river gives to the locals what the river gives. The Fall River in northern California is a spring creek in the Shasta Valley, and the largest spring creek in the state by volume. The river emerges from a series of springs on the lava beds of the valley floor, runs for about twenty miles through ranch and farm land, and finally drains into the Pit River. Insider's note: The water temperature is constant at 50-54 degrees year-round, the clarity is the best of any water in California, and the weed growth is so heavy that sight-fishing is the only technique that produces consistent results. The most popular access is the public water at the Ahjumawi Lava Springs State Park, where the California Department of Parks and Recreation maintains a paved parking lot and a paved walk-in to the first mile of water. The walk-in water is heavily fished, but the trout population is so large that even the most pressured water produces fish on any given day. The fish are mostly wild rainbows, with a small population of wild browns, and the average size is in the fourteen to eighteen inch range. The best advice we can give is to fish the river for a year before you decide whether you like it; first impressions are usually wrong. The most famous hatch is the BWOs of spring, which is the hatch the fly shops build their year around. angler code 3b01a440-6ffa7ed4. The most famous local fly shop is the Fly Shop in Redding, and the owner's advice is consistent: fish early, fish small, and stay off the bottom. The most productive flies are 22-24 Chernobyl Ant for the spring Baetis hatch, 16-18 Zonker for the spring skwala hatch, and a Sparkle Dun 6-8 a Caddis Pupa for the larger holdover fish. The river's personality is one of freestone-summer fishing — the water is low in the summer, the fish are in the deep pools, and the angler who knows where to look is the angler who catches fish. Stay in Burney or Fall River Mills, eat at the Burney Falls Diner, and fish the creek in two sections — the upper spring-fed water above the state park and the lower freestone-influenced water below the confluence with the Tule River. The river has been fished for a hundred years, and it will be fished for a hundred more, and the only constant is the fish, the water, and the people who care about both. The river is full of small lessons and a few big ones; the small lessons are for the day, and the big lessons are for the season. Timber Coulee Creek in western Wisconsin is a freestone stream in the high country of the Driftless Area, and the only stream in the state that produces a 5-fish day of wild browns from a small stream that runs through a high-piedmont agricultural landscape. The creek drains a series of small streams in La Crosse County, runs for about 12 miles through the Timber Coulee valley, and finally drains into the La Crosse River at the town of Coon Valley. What we tell our friends: The most popular trout water is the entire creek, and that water is managed as a Class I trout water by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. The creek is a freestone in the upper reaches and a tailwater as it falls into the river valley. The most famous hatch is the trico of late summer, which is the hatch every angler in the area knows about. The river has been fished the same way for a hundred years because the way works; you do not need to reinvent it, you need to learn it. The most famous local fly shop is the Timber Coulee Outfitters in Coon Valley, and the owner's advice is consistent: fish the upper creek, fish the Hex hatch, and stay out of the water. angler code 081fb36b-51ef49a9. The most productive flies are 20-22 Stimulator for the morning mayfly hatch, 14-16 Woolly Bugger for the late summer hopper-dropper, and a Crayfish 8-10 a Leech for the larger browns. The creek's personality is one of small-stream precision — the water is narrow, the wading is technical, and the dry-fly angler who can read the current will be rewarded with the largest wild browns in the Driftless Area. Stay in Coon Valley or La Crosse, eat at the Old Country Buffet, and fish the creek in two sections — the upper freestone water above the town of Coon Valley and the lower meadow water below. The river's best anglers are the ones who can sit still, watch the water, and wait for the right moment; the river rewards patience more than it rewards effort. The river has a different name for itself on every day you fish it; learn all the names and you will learn the river.

Content generated from public regional fishing sources. Confirm access, regulations, and current conditions with the Wisconsin fish and wildlife agency before your trip.

Constant 57°F water flows out of the bottom-release dam and into the Timber Coulee Creek at seasonal CFS. Expect a 6/10 window. Top pick: a Stonefly Adult.

In SeasonMedium confidence

Open First Sat in May — Oct 15

Driftless Area stream. Inland trout season

Limit: 3-5 troutGear: Check county-specific regs
View full regulations

Forecast and on-page guide updated June 22, 2026 (UTC). Open the app for hourly conditions.

Today's Fishing Conditions

6/10

Good

Updated 9:59 PM

Water Temp

57°F

Flow Rate

--

Best Time

1 PM - 3 PM

Top Fly

Stonefly Adult

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What Makes the Timber Coulee Creek Unique?

Signature hatch or window

Hendrickson (Mayfly) is a headline hatch to watch in June. Peak activity often tracks 48–58°F water temps.

Distinctive access

Timber Coulee Road: Road access to quality water.

Rules anglers miss

Quality fishing - practice catch-and-release.

Optimal Fishing Conditions

Optimal Flow

20 - 60 CFS

Best fishing conditions

Optimal Water Temperature

50° - 65°F

Ideal for active trout

Quick Facts

Species

Brown Trout and Brook Trout

River Type

spring creek

June Water Temp

55°F - 68°F

June Hatches

Hendrickson

Mayfly

Primary
48-58°FPeak: 2PM

Spring Hendrickson hatch. Size 14.

BWO

Mayfly

Primary
42-58°FPeak: 1PM

ALL SEASON BWO. Peaks spring and fall. Size 14-24 range.

Sulphur

Mayfly

Primary
54-64°FPeak: 6PM

Evening sulphur emergence. Summer.

Crane Fly

Diptera

42-58°FPeak: 2PM

Spring crane fly activity.

Scud

Crustacean

Primary
42-58°FPeak: 10AM

Year-round spring creek scuds. Class I water.

Caddis

Caddis

Primary
54-68°FPeak: 7PM

Summer evening caddis.

June Fishing Tactics

Primary Targets

Brown Trout

Recommended Tactics

Green DrakesSulphursSlate Drakes

Green Drake hatch late month. Evening prime.

Year-Round Fishing Guide

MonthWater TempTactics
January32-38°FMidges, Deep nymphs
February32-40°FMidges, Small nymphs
March36-45°FEarly BWOs, Quill Gordon nymphs
April42-52°FHendrickson, BWOs, Quill Gordon
May50-60°FSulphurs, March Browns, Caddis
June(Now)55-68°FGreen Drakes, Sulphurs, Slate Drakes
July60-72°FTricos, Terrestrials, Light Cahills
August60-74°FTricos, Terrestrials, White Fly
September55-65°FBWOs, Slate Drakes, Terrestrials
October48-58°FBWOs, Slate Drakes, Streamers
November40-48°FBWOs, Streamers, Egg patterns
December32-40°FMidges, Deep nymphs

Recommended Equipment for Timber Coulee Creek

Rod

7.5 to 8.5-foot, 3 or 4-weight.

Line

Floating line with long leaders.

Leader & Tippet

10-12 foot leaders, 5X-6X tippet.

Waders

Breathable waders. Careful wading.

Essential Flies

SulphurTricoBWOBeetleAnt

How to Fish Timber Coulee Creek: Tips & Tactics

Timber Coulee Creek is a premier Driftless Area spring creek known for excellent wild brown trout fishing and hatches.

Best Times of Day

Morning and evening produce best fishing. Spring hatches are excellent. Fall brings aggressive brown trout.

Recommended Techniques

Classic spring creek techniques. Match the hatches precisely. Stealth is essential in clear water.

Water Conditions

Cold, clear spring-fed water. Typical Driftless character. Beautiful coulee country setting.

Fly Selection

Sulphur and Trico patterns essential. BWOs throughout season. Terrestrials in summer.

Local Knowledge

Timber Coulee is one of the Driftless Area's best streams. Westby is a charming Norwegian-heritage town. Hatches are prolific.

Local Tips

Westby is a charming town with Norwegian heritage. Timber Coulee is a Driftless gem. Hatches are excellent.

When is the Best Time to Fish Timber Coulee Creek?

Spring

Sulphur hatches bring excellent fishing.

Summer

Trico and terrestrial fishing. Fish early.

Fall

Brown trout become aggressive. Prime time.

Winter

Spring-fed water stays fishable.

Access Points & Parking for Timber Coulee Creek

Timber Coulee Road

Road access to quality water.

Facilities:Parking
Best for:Small stream fishing

Westby

Town access with services.

Facilities:Parking, Town Services
Best for:Convenient access

Upper Timber Coulee

Headwaters access.

Facilities:Parking
Best for:Native brook trout

Spawning Seasons

Please respect spawning fish and their redds. Avoid fishing over actively spawning trout.

Brown Trout

Spawn months: October, November

Night spawning common. Males become very dark with pronounced kype during spawn.

Brook Trout

Spawn months: September, October

Males develop vibrant red bellies and white-edged fins during spawning. Early fall spawners.

Timber Coulee Creek Fishing Regulations

Season

Check Wisconsin DNR for current regulations.

Limits

Category designation determines limits.

Special Regulations

Quality fishing - practice catch-and-release.

Bait Restrictions

Artificial only.

Notes

Premier Driftless stream.

Always verify current regulations with Wisconsin fish and wildlife agency before fishing. Regulations can change annually.

Fly Shops & Guides Near Timber Coulee Creek

Local Fly Shops

  • Driftless Angler - Viroqua
  • Rockin' K Fly Shop
  • Spring Creek Specialties

Guide Services

  • Driftless Angler Guides
  • Timber Coulee Guides
  • Wisconsin Spring Creek Guides

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Timber Coulee Creek — frequently asked questions

When is the best time to fish the Timber Coulee Creek?

Green Drake hatch late month. Evening prime.

What flies should I bring to the Timber Coulee Creek?

For the Timber Coulee Creek (spring creek), carry: Sulphur, Trico, BWO, Beetle, Ant.

What water temperature is best for trout on the Timber Coulee Creek?

On the Timber Coulee Creek, trout hold between 50° and 65°F. The spring-fed source keeps temperatures remarkably stable.

Do I need a fishing license for the Timber Coulee Creek?

Yes — you need a valid Wisconsin fishing license to fish the Timber Coulee Creek. Local season: Check Wisconsin DNR for current regulations.. Daily limit: Category designation determines limits..

What hatches should I watch for on the Timber Coulee Creek in June?

Hendrickson is the signature hatch on the Timber Coulee Creek in June. Match size and adjust leader size to 5X-6X. The fish key in on the emergence during low-light hours, so plan to be on the water at first light.

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