The Driftless region of Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa (near the Mississippi River) is blessed with incredible fishing opportunities and getting active with the Gary Borger Chapter is one of the best ways to meet passionate anglers eager to share their knowledge on where to go, how to improve your skills and what to use to find success fishing the rivers and streams we work together to restore. The coldwater rivers that are tributaries of Lake Michigan, from Indiana to northern Michigan, are also wonderful resources with trout, steelhead and salmon that our chapter members enjoy!
Listed below are some of our best local and nearby waters with information on the fishing opportunities all around the area. Always be sure to check the state fishing regulations and never hesitate to attend a Gary Borger Chapter event to meet people who can answer your questions.
WISCONSIN DRIFTLESS AREA
Located 3 to 4 hours from Chicago, this area west of Madison, WI is prolific for its coldwater trout streams, featuring idyllic scenery in a geologically significant area. There are many streams to choose from near towns such as Viroqua, Westby, and Fennimore. They are all renowned for their brown, rainbow and brook trout. Best of all, the decades of restoration work by the many local chapters of Trout Unlimited, including Gary Borger Chapter, help to improve the river health through tree plantings and other volunteer projects.
Lake Michigan Tributaries
You can drive an hour north to Wisconsin and experience some amazing fishing on rivers that feature seasonal migrating runs of trout, steelhead and salmon. Or you can venture to Niles, Michigan (Dowagiac River), or further north to the Grand, Manistee, Pere Marquette or Au Sable rivers to name a few more! Each of these rivers feature resident trout, and seasonal migrations of steelhead and salmon as well.
The Gary Borger Chapter of Trout Unlimited is proud to partner with many local organizations doing amazing restoration work on these important rivers! To learn more about these rivers, feel free to attend one of our meet-ups and talk with other passionate fly fishers about the opportunities available within a short drive of our homes.