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LakeQuality

Bad River

Wisconsin. Classified Class II (some natural reproduction) by the state across 7.86 miles. Running 759 cfs as of Aug 1, 2026, 6:03 PM UTC.

Latest Reading

759
cubic feet / second
74.1°F
water temperature (23.4°C)
4
USGS gauges

Flow measured Aug 1, 2026, 6:03 PM UTC at gauge 04027655. Temperature measured Aug 1, 2026, 5:45 PM UTC at gauge 04027000. These are build-time snapshots, not a live feed — check the USGS gauge before relying on them.

This water was above the trout-stress threshold

Bad River read 74.1°F as of Aug 1, 2026, 5:45 PM UTC. Trout come under thermal stress above roughly 68°F, and mortality after catch-and-release rises sharply in warm water. Montana FWP restricts angling when max daily water temperature reaches 73F for 3 consecutive days.

At or above that threshold many anglers stop fishing for the day, fish early morning only, or move to colder water. We are reporting a measurement, not issuing an advisory — check your state agency for any restriction actually in force.

State Trout Classification

ClassificationClass II (some natural reproduction)
Classified length7.86 miles

Source: Wisconsin DNR Classified Trout Streams.

USGS Gauges on Bad River

GaugeStationWater temp?
04026511BAD RIVER AT US HIGHWAY 169 NEAR MELLEN, WI
04027000BAD RIVER NEAR ODANAH, WIYes
04027595BAD RIVER AT ODANAH, WI
04027655BAD RIVER AT THE MOUTH NEAR ODANAH, WI

Conditions: USGS NWIS (public domain). Classification: Wisconsin DNR Classified Trout Streams.