Milwaukee River
About
From the Kettle Moraine through Milwaukee and Ozaukee counties, the Milwaukee River runs 104 miles of Class I water before entering Lake Michigan. The 2018 removal of Estabrook Dam opened the lower river to anadromous runs, creating an urban steelhead and salmon fishery that draws anglers to Estabrook Park and the downtown reaches. Above Thiensville, the middle section holds walleye, while the upper stretch from Kettle Moraine to Grafton supports smallmouth bass and northern pike. At 240 CFS average with an optimal range of 80–500, the Milwaukee stays paddleable through most of the season. The Wisconsin DNR manages it as an anadromous fishery, and the Milwaukee Riverwalk provides downtown access. Fontana Sports outfits trips along the system. Before European contact, this was Potawatomi, Menominee, and Ho-Chunk territory. USGS gauge 04087000 tracks conditions for the lower reaches.
River conditions are community-verified. CFS ranges, difficulty ratings, and access points may not reflect every flow level or seasonal change. Always check current conditions, scout unfamiliar rapids, and paddle within your skill level.