The Kinnickinnic River is one of the most famous trout streams in the upper Mississippi River basin. It hasn’t been stocked by humans since the 1970s, but is today home to thousands of wild trout per mile. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has classified it as a Class I trout stream.

In their book Wisconsin and Minnesota Trout Streams, Humphrey and Shogren have this to say about the Kinni as a trout stream:

These marvelous miles are the precious jewels of the fly-fisher’s memory. We’ll give 2 hours of our lives, anytime, to fish our separate 100 yards of the Kinni on a sultry summer evening with rising expectations when the bats begin to play.”

Jim Humphrey ranks the Kinni “among his baker’s dozen of the best trout streams anywhere.”

Doug Swisher, author of Selective Trout, on the Kinni:

The Kinnickinnic is one of my favorite spring creeks. It has everything you could ask for: it is challenging, scenic, productive, and easily accessible. It was the home of my early fly fishing schools.

It is frightening to think how dramatically it will change if development continues unchecked. I encourage you to support the effort to keep the Kinni undeveloped and a haven for trout and wildlife.”

Paragraph on KRLT Conservation & Protection role in the fishery – 20% of shoreline protected, conservation and access. 

Water quality 

Integrating activities to add to and complement designated fisheries area

Help keep the Kinni healthy – support the Kinnickinnic River Land Trust.