Some of the best stream trout fishing in the midwest is found in the Driftless Area of Southwest Wisconsin. The topography here is one of repeated bluffs and valleys, with an underlying porous rock structure consisting of limestone and sandstone. As a result the Driftless Area is dotted with hundreds of cold water springs that emerge at the bottoms of the bluffs, flow together, and create perfect trout streams. The Driftless Area streams are home to four types of trout: brook, rainbow, brown, and tiger.

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photo courtesy of Len Harris

On March 7, 2009 the catch and release trout season opens in Wisconsin. For those who are not aware of the great streams in Southwest Wisconsin, you are in for a sweet surprise. Brook, brown, and rainbow trout abound in the hundreds of coldwater streams that course through the Driftless Area, most of which are found in Wisconsin. The 300 to 600 ft hills (some call them the Ocooch Mountains) create elevated water tables that literally “spring” out of the ground all over and meld together into cold water streams that flow into the Mississippi, Wisconsin, or Kickapoo rivers. If you come to the Kickapoo Valley, you will find yourself in a 1200 square mile subset of the Driftless Area that is known for its peace, seclusion, and incredible scenery.

The Inn at Lonesome Hollow, www.lonesomehollow.com, is located smack dab in the middle of the

photo courtesy of Len Harris

Kickapoo Valley. We offer B&B rooms, a cabin, and two large suites that constitute some of the best lodging available in this part of the state. When you’re not on the streams you will relax in style on 160 acres of wooded hills. We can direct you to some great restaurants, or you can grill your catch right on the cabin deck.

The pictures on this page are courtesy of Len Harris, who will be here in May with folks from the Simply Fishing TV show, filming a day of trout fishing on our local streams.