Black Earth Creek Fishing Report Updated 11/20/24
(Bottom Of Page)
Fly and Gear ordering and delivery: We can get flies to you within two to three business days from the time you place your order via Priority Mail. If you provide a budget for flies, we will select them to match the budget and get them to you on time for your trip. Please see the bottom of this column for ordering options.
We also have custom Perfect Fly selections in 3 different price ranges for this stream that come with or without fly boxes. They make excellent gifts. Click Here To Order or Call us at 800 594 4726 or email us at sales@perfectflystore.com
Type of Stream
Spring Creek
Species
Brown Trout (mostly wild)
Rainbow Trout (stocked some wild)
Size
Small
Location
Southern Wisconsin
Nearest Towns
Madison
Black Earth
Mazomanie
Cross Plains
Season
General season starts March 5 to
October 15th.
Special Regulations
Yes, a catch and release section
Access:
Good
Non-Resident License
State of Wisconsin
Weather
National Weather Service Link
USGS Stream Flow Data:
Black Earth Creek
Seasons:
March 5 through October 15th.
Spring:
Springtime is a very good time for fly fishing Black Earth Creek due to the numerous hatches
Summer:
Water levels can get a little low and some areas a little warm but fishing is generally good all summer, especially near the springs.
Fall:
Regular Season ends Sept. 30th.
Recommended Tackle & Gear
Fly Line:
4, 5 or 6 weight
Leaders:
Dry fly: 9 to 12 ft., 5 or 6X Nymphing:
71/2 ft., 3 or 4X, Streamers 0-2X
Tippets:
Dry fly: 5 or 6X, Nymphing: 3 or 4X,
Streamer 0-2X
Best Fly Rods:
Perfect Fly Supreme Four, Superb Five
or Ultimate Six
Fly Reels:
For 4/5/6 fly line
Fly Floatants and Misc Items:
Floatants, KISS Strike Indicators
Tools & Accessories:
Nippers, forceps, retractors, etc.
Fly and Gear ordering and delivery:
Email us at (sales@perfectflystore.com) with the dates you will be fishing and we will send you a list of our fly recommendations. We can get flies and gear to you within two to three business days from the time you place your order via Priority Mail. If you provide a budget for flies, we will select them to match the budget and get them to you on time for your trip. Your can also call us at 800-594-4726 and we will help you decide what flies and gear to use. All orders are shipped free in the U.S. If under a $100 order requiring Priority mail is a charge of only $8.10. Orders over a $100 are shipped free via Priority Mail.
Copyright 2013 James Marsh
Fly Fishing Black Earth Creek Wisconsin
The only short coming to Black Earth Creek is its popularity. It is heavily fished but that’s for a very good reason – it supports lots of trout. It is true that it is located not far from the big city of Madison, Wisconsin, but if it wasn’t such a great little trout stream, it would be far less popular. Fly fishing Black Earth Creek during the none great weather days is probably your best bet. Trout love nasty weather days.
The stream has a good self-sustaining population of brown trout. The lower section is also stocked with rainbows. One disadvantage for the fish but probably an advantage for the fishers is the fact it is often dingy. That’s probably due to drainage from the local farmland. The stream also flows through meadows and some wooded areas. The Black Earth Creek Valley is surrounded with bluffs and a beautiful place to fly fish.
Black Earth Creek is a tributary of the Wisconsin River. It flows through open farmland and meadows along Highway #14 from Cross Plains to Black Earth. From there Black Earth Creek flows to Mazomanie and its final destination of the Wisconsin River.
There’s a “catch-and-release” – “artificial lures and flies” only section that runs from South Valley Road downstream to Park Street. This is the preferred section to fish for most fly anglers.
One reason the stream is capable of supporting a healthy population of trout is its diverse and plentiful aquatic insects. There’s also plenty of baitfish and crustaceans. Terrestrials help supplement the food supply during the summer months. Imitations of ants, beetles and grass hoppers work well on this stream.
Angie and I spent about a day and a half on this stream but most of our time was spent acquiring samples of the aquatic insect larvae to get data for hatches and for photos and video. We managed to catch a few rainbows and two brown trout during the short visit. Fly fishing Black Earth Creek deserved far more time than we were able to spend on it and we will be going back
Black Earth Creek Fishing Report:
02/26/2020 The early season opens
March 1st. Send us an email and let us
help you plan that next trip.
sales@perfectflystore.com
03/22/20 The creek is running a little high
and stained but still can be fished from the
bank in places. Trout are being caught.
04/17/20 The stream is high and stained
good, too high to wade safely, otherwise
okay.
05/12/20 The stream level is still high but
there are a good number of hatches and
trout can be caught from the bank in places.
05/29/20 The stream levels are a little
above normal. Trout are being caught and
there are some very good hatches.
06/11/20 The creek is in good shape with
good numbers of trout being caught by our
customers. Lots of hatching insects.
06/24/20 The creek is turning out trout for
our customers. Dry fly fishing is good.
07/06/20 The creek is in good shape.
Terrestrials are starting to work good and
we are getting good reports from customers.
07/20/20 The stream is a little high right
now but falling fast. Our customers have
been sending in good reports.
08/01/20 The stream is still a little high but
trout are still being caught where the
banks are clear and wading is possible.
08/22/20 The creek is just a little above
normal level and in good shape. we are
getting some good reports from customers.
There are good hatches taking place.
09/12/20 Stream levels are currently high
but it should fall back down fast. You can
fish from the bank in places.
10/02/20 The stream is still a little high,
too high to wade many places. We are
getting a few good reports.
10/23/20 The creek is very high right now
but should fall out fast. Catch and release
only as of the 15th of this month.
12/18/20 Stream levels are a little high but
we are getting a few good reports from
customers. Midges, little BWOs and winter
stoneflies are hatching.
12/29/20 Stream levels are still a little high
but you can fish from the banks in places.
01/17/21 Stream levels are still a little high
for wading. Midges are hatching. Scuds
and our sculpin streamers are working.
02/03/21 The stream is still high but turning
out trout for the few anglers fishing thanks
to the warmer spring water.
02/28/21 We received a good report from
a customer using our red or blood midge
larva and pupa.
03/17/21 The stream is in good shape
and the few anglers fishing are catching
some trout. Midges, little BWOs, scuds
and sculpin streamers are working.
04/16/21 The creek is a little high but trout are being caught on midges and little BWO nymphs in good numbers. New spring hatches should begin soon, so be prepared.
05/05/21 The creek is flowing just a little below normal levels and we are getting good reports from customers. There are some very good hatches taking place and our subsurface flies and dry flies are working.
05/16/21 We are still getting good reports. There are some very good hatches taking place. Call or email us for a recommended fly list.
05/22/21 The creek is still turning out some nice trout for the few anglers fishing it. There are good hatches and dry fly fishing is good.
05/30/21 The stream is still a little high and stained but there are still some anglers catching trout. You can fish from the banks and wade a few areas. Call or write us for a fly list.
06/08/21 There are good numbers of trout being caught. Email us at (sales@perfectflystore.com) with the dates you will be fishing and we will send you a list of our fly recommendations.
06/20/21 Thanks to the cool spring water the creek is in good shape in spite of the hot weather. We are still getting good reports thanks to good hatches. Email us at (sales@perfectflystore.com) with the dates you will be fishing and we will send you a list of our fly recommendations. Please allow up to 24 hours for a response.
07/03/21 The creek is in good shape and we are getting good reports from customers. Good hatches are taking place and terrestrials are also working.
07/14/21 The stream is a little high due to recent rain but should fall back down fast. The high water makes tough wading in places but the stain helps the “catching”.
07/20/21 Conditions are good. We are getting good reports again from customers. Email us at (sales@perfectflystore.com) with the dates you will be fishing and we will send you a list of our fly recommendations.
07/28/21 The stream levels are a little above normal and the creek in good shape. Good hatches continue to take place.
08/05/21 The stream is just a little above normal level and in good shape. We received some good reports from customers this past week. Good hatches continue to take place.
08/15/21 More good reports have come in from customers. Good hatches and our terrestrials, ants, Sandwich hoppers and Japanese beetles are working good.
08/23/21 Stream levels are just a little above normal levels and in good shape. We received two good reports from customers fishing this past weekend.
08/31/21 The stream is still just a little above normal and in good shape. There are still some good hatches taking place.
09/09/21 Stream levels are still just a little above normal and in okay shape. We received two good reports from customers this past week.
09/18/21 Conditions remain about the same. The stream is just a little above normal level and in good shape. We are still getting a few good reports.
09/27/21 Good hatches of BWOs, cinnamon caddis, slate drakes, and other insects are taking place. We are getting some good reports.
10/07/21 The stream is still turning out some good catches. Good hatches continue to take place.
10/18/21 More good reports have come in from customers. Conditions are good. Good BWO hatches as well as other insects are taking place. Catch and release only.
10/29/21 Conditions are okay and we continue to get some good reports. Midges, BWOs, and other insects are hatching.
11/23/21 The spring creek stream is still in good shape and relatively warm considering the cold weather.
12/04/21 The stream is a little above normal but still okay. We received one good report from a customer fishing this past week.
12/13/21 The stream is flowing at a normal level in good shape. It is a spring creek and stays relatively warm enough throughout the winter. We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week.
12/21/21 We received two more good reports from customers fishing this past week.
12/29/21 We received one good report this past week. Stream levels are normal and the spring water warm enough for good action.
01/07/22 We received two good reports this past week from customers. The stream is still at a normal level in good shape. our blood Midges, BWOs, scuds and aquatic worms are working good.
01/14/22 We received another good report this past week. The stream is still at a normal level in good shape.
01/22/22 We received one good report this past week. Winter stoneflies and blood midges are hatching.
01/30/22 We didn’t receive any reports from anyone fishing but conditions still remain okay.
02/07/22 We received one good report from a customer fishing this past week. It has been cold for anglers but the warmer spring water and the trout are just fine.
02/15/22 We didn’t receive any reports from anyone fishing but the stream is still in good condition with water around 37 degrees near the springs.
02/23/22 We still didn’t get any reports. The weather will be a little warmer this coming week. The water is okay in most places and you should be able to catch trout. Let us hear from you. Blood midge larva and pupa, Winter stoneflies and little BWO nymphs should work.
03/03/22 Still no reports came in this past week from anyone fishing. The stream is okay but the weather has been very cold.
03/11/22 We received one report from a customer fishing this past week. Good hatches of BWOs, Winter stoneflies, and Blood midges continue.
03/19/22 The stream is flowing at a normal level and clear. Trout are being caught in good numbers. There are good midge and Blue-winged olive hatches taking place.
03/27/22 Stream levels are normal and the water clear. There are good hatches of cream and blood or red midges and Blue-winged olives and our sculpin streamers are working good.
04/04/22 We received more good reports from the weekend. Good hatches continue to take place.
04/20/22 The creek is in very good shape and we continue to get good reports from customers. Good hatches are taking place. Sorry for the missed report last week.
04/28/22 The stream is at a normal level and clear. Good hatches continue to take place and we continue to get good reports from customers fishing.
05/06/22 The steam is still near a normal level in good shape. Lots of insects are hatching and we continue to get good reports.
05/14/22 The stream is flowing just a little below normal level and in good shape. Good hatches are taking place. We received another good report from a customer.
05/22/22 Conditions are very good. We continue to get some very good reports from customers. Lots of insects are hatching and dry fly fishing very good.
05/29/22 The stream is in good shape in all respects. We received several good reports recently. Lots of good hatches are taking place.
06/06/22 It helps to use our Perfect Fly patterns because they look like the real insects and other foods the trout are feeding on. Good hatches are coming off and we continue to get good reports from customers. We ship free.
06/13/22 We received two good reports from customers fishing the creek this past week. Good hatches continue to take place. Stream levels are normal and the water clear.
06/20/22 We received three good reports from customers fishing this past week. Good conditions exist.
06/27/22 The creek is still turning out some good catches for our customers. Green Sedge and Cinnamon Caddis are hatching along with BWOs, Sulphurs and others.
07/03/22 Good conditions continue. Good hatches continue and we continue to get good catch reports from customers.
07/11/22 The creek water is staying cool and the trout active. We received two good reports from customers fishing it this past week. Terrestrials like our Japanese beetle, carpenter ants and sandwich hoppers are also working.
07/18/22 The creek is still a little above normal levels and lightly stained but still turning out good catches for our customers.
07/25/22 The stream is in good shape flowing near a normal level and mostly clear. There are good hatches taking place and our terrestrial patterns are also working good.
08/08/22 The stream is a little high right now but will fall down fast. We have been getting good reports from customers. Good hatches continue to take place.
08/15/22 The stream is flowing at a normal level and clear. We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week.
08/29/22 The stream is high and stained but that often helps. We received another good report from a customers this past week.
09/06/22 The stream is down to a level just a little above normal and mostly clear. We received two good reports from customers fishing yesterday. Good hatches of BWOs, Mah Duns, Cin caddis and others are taking place.
09/13/22 The stream is still a little above normal level and lightly stained but we continue to get good reports from customers.
10/09/22 Conditions are good. Good hatches are taking place and we continue to get good reports from customers. Lots of BWOs hatching among other insects.
01/02/23 Stream levels are above normal and good winter hatches continue.
03/04/23 Sorry for the missed reports. Trout are being caught when anglers can get around the stream in the sometimes heavy snow and ice. The water, being spring water, is staying in the low forties and there are good midge hatches taking place.
03/17/23 We still haven’t received any reports. You should be able to catch trout. The water isn’t that cold or messed up.
04/05/23 We are getting a few good reports from customers. The water has been high and stained often but that doesn’t hurt the “catching” as much as you may think.
04/22/23 Stream levels are a little high but that shouldn’t be a big factor. We have been getting very good reports thanks to good hatches taking place.
05/03/23 The stream level is still a little high. It doesn’t affect the “catching” that much because we received two good reports from customers this past week.
05/13/23 The stream is still flowing above a normal level and stained. We received two more good reports from customers even though it isn’t in perfect condition. Good hatches are taking place.
05/24/23 Stream levels are near normal and the creek in good shape. We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week.
06/06/23 The stream is a little below normal level and clear. Very good hatches are taking place and dry fly fishing is very good.
06/14/23 We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week. Good hatches continue to take place and terrestrials are starting to work.
06/25/23 The stream is flowing a good bit above normal level but still can be fished from the banks in some places.
07/02/23 The stream is flowing at a normal level in good shape. Good hatches are taking place. We received two good reports from customers fishing yesterday.
07/13/23 The stream is in okay shape and turning out good catches of trout for our customers. There are good hatches coming off and dry fly fishing is very good.
07/22/23 The stream is still flowing at a normal level with clear water. We received two good reports this past week.
08/03/23 Two more good reports came in this past week from customers fishing it. There are still some hatches and our terrestrial insect imitations are working good.
08/09/23 The stream is still in good shape with good hatches taking place. We received two more good reports from customers.
08/18/23 The stream is turning out some good numbers of trout for our customers. Good hatches continue to take place.
08/26/23 The stream is red hot. Good catches are being reported by our customers. Good terrestrial and matching the hatch fishing.
09/02/23 The stream is still in great shape turning out good catches for our customers.
09/09/23 The stream is still in very good shape with good late season hatches. We received two good reports from customers fishing it this past week.
09/16/23 The stream is still flowing at a normal level and clear. We continue to get good catch report from customers.
09/23/23 It helps to match the hatch and you can do that with Perfect Flies. We are still getting good catch reports from customers. Blue-winged olives, mahogany duns, cinnamon sedge and green sedge caddis are hatching and terrestrials are working okay.
09/30/23 We received two more good reports from customers fishing this past week.
10/19/23 Stream is a little above normal with Great Autumn Brown hatches along with several others taking place.
10/27/23 Stream levels are still a little above normal but okay. Good BWO, Great Autumn Brown sedge caddis and Cream and Red (Blood) midges are working.
11/02/23 The stream is still in good shape and turning out good catches for our customers.
11/07/23 More good reports have come in on this one. Good BWO and Cream midge hatches are taking place.
11/14/23 The stream is near a normal level and clear. The spring water keeps the water temperature relatively warm during the cold months. Good hatches continue to come off.
11/21/23 Conditions remain good. We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week.
12/07/23 Two more good reports come in from local anglers and customers. Cream midges are hatching good.
01/01/24 Good conditions exist in spite of the cold air temperature. Most of the midges hatching a red (blood) midges or light Green midges.
01/21/24 We didn’t received any reports from anyone this past week. Stream levels are near normal and the water clear.
02/03/24 The stream is still a little high but turning out trout for the few anglers fishing. The warmer spring water keeps the trout active. There are good light green midge and red (blood) midge hatches as well as Winter stoneflies. Fish the midge larva and pupa rigged in tandem under an indicator.
02/16/24 We didn’t get any reports from the past week. The weather should be a little warmer this coming week. The water is okay in most places and you should be able to catch trout. Let us hear from you. Blood midge larva and pupa, Winter stoneflies and little BWO nymphs should work.
02/25/24 The stream is still in good shape and turning out some good catches. The flies mentioned above report will work.
03/03/24 The stream level is okay and the water mostly clear. Good light green midge hatches are taking place. Winter Stoneflies are also hatching.
03/16/24 The stream is turning out some good catches. Small sculpin streamers like our marabou sculpin streamers are working as well as tandem rigged light green midge larva and pupa.
03/23/24 The stream is still in good shape with good Midge hatches taking place.
03/30/24 The stream is still flowing at a normal level and clear. Good Cream MIdges and little Blue-winged olives are hatching.
04/06/24 The stream is still producing some good catches for at least one of our customers. Good BWO and Midge hatches continue to come off.
04/16/24 The stream is down to a normal level and clear. Good hatches are taking place.
04/21/24 The stream is still at a normal level with clear water. Good hatches are still taking place – BWO’s, Blue quills, Green sedge caddis, Little black caddis and scuds and sowbugs also work good.
04/27/24 We received a good report from a customer fishing yesterday. The stream has some very good hatches taking place and dry fly fishing is good as well as subsurface presentations.
05/04/24 We received a good report from a customer fishing yesterday. Conditions are good.
05/11/24 The stream is still in okay condition with good hatches taking place. We didn’t receive any reports from the past week. Let us hear from you.
05/18/24 Good conditions continue to exist. Stream levels are fine and the water is clear. Green sedge caddis, BWOs, and Blue Quills are hatching good.
05/25/24 The stream is flowing above a normal level and stained. It should drop and clear very soon. Good hatches are taking place.
06/01/24 The stream is still flowing well above normal and stained. Give it some more time to drop and clear.
06/08/24 The creek is still high and stained. Good hatches continue to take place. It should drop and clear very soon.
06/15/24 The stream is flowing near a normal level and mostly clear. We received a good report from a customer fishing yesterday.
06/22/24 The stream is flowing at a very high level and stained. It can be fished but would be better if you give it a little more time to drop and clear.
06/29/24 The stream is still flowing well above normal but it falling and still can be fished successfully. Good hatches continue to take place.
07/06/24 The stream is down to just a little above a normal level and lightly stained. Good hatches are taking place and you should be able to catch good numbers of trout.
07/15/24 The stream is very high and badly stained due to recent heavy rain. Give it some time to drop and clear.
07/21/24 The stream is down to a fishable level but still a good bit over normal level. The water is mostly clear. Good hatches are taking place.
07/31/24 The stream is high and stained. It will be better when it drops and clears some which should be very soon. Good hatches continue to take place.
08/05/24 The stream is on the way up again due to recent rain. Give is a little time to drop and clear and it will be very good again. Good hatches are taking place and our terrestrial patterns are working good here.
08/13/24 Good conditions exist. The stream is flowing at a normal level with clear water. Good hatches are taking place.
08/22/24 The stream is still high but it can be fished at the current level. Good late season hatches are taking place.
09/02/24 The stream is still flowing above a normal level but clear. We are getting good catch reports from customers. Good late season hatches continue to come off.
09/08/24 The stream is flowing above a normal level and lightly stained. Good hatches continue to take place. It should drop a little soon.
09/15/24 The stream is still a good bit above normal level but mostly clear. You should be able to catch trout. Good hatches continue to take place.
09/22/24 The stream is flowing at a very high level and highly stained. Give it some time to drop and clear.
09/29/24 We received a good report from a customer fishing yesterday. Good hatches continue to take place and our sculpin streamers are also working good.
10/06/24 The stream is flowing a little above a normal level and lightly stained. You should be able to catch good numbers of trout. Good late season hatches continue to take place.
10/13/24 The stream is still well above a normal level and lightly stained. You should still be able to catch trout. Good hatches continue to come off.
10/21/24 The stream is still flowing well above a normal level and lightly stained. Good hatches continue to take place.
10/28/24 The stream is still flowing above a normal level and lightly stained. We received a good report from a customer fishing this past week.
11/04/24 We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week. Good conditions exist and good hatches are still taking place.
11/11/24 We received another good report from a customer fishing this past week. Okay conditions exist and good hatches continue to take place.
11/20/24 Two more good catch reports have come in during the past week. Good hatches of Cream Midges, Blue-winged olives, Mahogany duns are taking place and our scuds and sowbug flies are also working good.
Perfect Flies are designed and tied to to imitate and behave like the natural foods the trout rely on to survive as much as possible. The more your fly looks like and moves through and on the surface of the water like the real things, the higher your odds of success.
Email us at (sales@perfectflystore.com) with the dates you will be fishing and we will send you a list of our fly recommendations.