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LakeQuality

La Crosse River

Wisconsin. Classified Class I (wild, self-sustaining) by the state across 2.48 miles. Running 378 cfs as of Aug 1, 2026, 6:00 PM UTC.

Latest Reading

378
cubic feet / second
62.6°F
water temperature (17°C)
3
USGS gauges

Flow measured Aug 1, 2026, 6:00 PM UTC at gauge 05383075. Temperature measured Aug 1, 2026, 6:05 PM UTC at gauge 05382267. These are build-time snapshots, not a live feed — check the USGS gauge before relying on them.

Water temperature and trout

La Crosse River read 62.6°F as of Aug 1, 2026, 6:05 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.

This reading sat below the stress threshold. Temperatures swing through the day and peak in late afternoon, so a morning reading can understate the daily maximum.

State Trout Classification

ClassificationClass I (wild, self-sustaining)
Classified length2.48 miles

Source: Wisconsin DNR Classified Trout Streams.

USGS Gauges on La Crosse River

GaugeStationWater temp?
05382267LA CROSSE RIVER @ CNTY TRUNK HIGHWY BB NR TOMAH,WIYes
05382325LA CROSSE RIVER AT SPARTA, WI
05383075LA CROSSE RIVER NEAR LA CROSSE, WI

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