Black Earth Creek
Fly fishing in Wisconsin · Intermediate · Best seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall
Target Species
Brown Trout
About This Water
Driftless Area stream near Madison. Wild brown trout with excellent hatches.
Fishing Recommendations
As an expert guide who has spent years navigating the spring-fed gems of the Midwest, I can tell you that Black Earth Creek (BEC) is the crown jewel of Wisconsin’s "Driftless Area." Located just west of Madison, it is a classic limestone spring creek that offers some of the most technical and rewarding trout fishing in the United States.
Here is your comprehensive guide to fly fishing Black Earth Creek.
🎣 Location Overview
Black Earth Creek is a fertile, spring-fed stream that flows through the rolling hills of Dane County. What makes it special is its limestone character—the water is rich in minerals, which supports a massive biomass of crustaceans and insects, leading to fast-growing, wild Brown Trout.
The creek is characterized by its cold, clear water, meandering "S" curves, deep undercut banks, and lush bank-side vegetation. While it flows through a mix of agricultural land and small towns (Cross Plains and Black Earth), it maintains a remarkably wild feel. It is a "Class 1" trout stream, meaning it features self-sustaining populations of wild fish.
🐟 Target Species & Behavior
The primary target here is the Wild Brown Trout. While you may occasionally find a stray Rainbow or Brook Trout, the Browns rule these waters.
- Behavior: BEC Browns are notorious for being "spooky." The water is often clear and the current can be glassy. They hold tightly against undercut banks and beneath overhanging grasses (reed canary grass).
- Feeding: Because it’s a limestone stream, the fish feed heavily sub-surface on Scuds (freshwater shrimp) and Sowbugs year-round. During hatches, they transition to the surface, but they are notorious for being "size-selective," often keyed in on very small insects.
📅 Best Times to Fish
Spring (Late March – May)
This is "Nymphing Season." As the water warms, activity picks up. You’ll see early season Blue Winged Olives (BWO) and Grannom Caddis.
- Window: Mid-day (11:00 AM – 3:00 PM) when the sun warms the water slightly.
Summer (June – August)
The season of the Trico Hatch and Terrestrials. This is technical dry-fly fishing at its finest.
- Window: Very early morning (6:00 AM – 10:00 AM) for the Trico spinner fall. Late evening for caddis. Mid-day is great for hopper fishing along the grassy banks.
Fall (September – October)
Brown Trout become aggressive as they prepare for the spawn. This is the best time to move a trophy fish with a streamer.
- Window: Overcast days are prime. The lower light encourages big Browns to leave their overhead cover.
🪰 Recommended Flies & Techniques
Top Fly Patterns
- Nymphs: Ray Charles (Grey/Tan, size 16-18), Pink Squirrel (the Driftless legend, size 14-16), Scuds (Olive/Orange, size 16-18), Zebra Midges (Black/Silver).
- Dry Flies: Trico Spinners (size 20-24), Blue Winged Olives (size 18-22), Elk Hair Caddis (Tan, size 16-18).
- Terrestrials: Hippie Stompers, Foam Ants (Black/Red), and Dave’s Hoppers (size 10-14).
- Streamers: Woolly Buggers (Black or Olive), Pine Squirrel Leeches.
Effective Techniques
- The "Tight-Line" Approach: Because BEC has many deep slots and undercut banks, European-style nymphing (no indicator) is incredibly effective for getting flies deep without spooking fish with a plastic bobber.
- Dry-Dropper: In the summer, fish a high-visibility hopper pattern with a small Scud or Sowbug tied 18 inches below it. This covers both bases.
- The Stealth Approach: This cannot be overstated. Stay low. If you can see the fish, they have likely already seen you. Crawl on your knees if you have to.
💡 Pro Tips & Local Knowledge
- Focus on the Reeds: The "Driftless" bank is often thick with tall grass. Instead of casting into the middle of the stream, try to drop your fly within inches of the grass on the far bank. Browns hover right under that edge.
- The Trico Challenge: If you fish the Trico hatch (July/August), use a long leader (9–12 feet) tapering to 6X or 7X tippet. The fish are incredibly picky about drag during this time.
- The "Salmo Pond" Stretch: The area near Salmo Pond (between Cross Plains and Black Earth) is a popular access point with great habitat work, but it gets pressured. For more solitude, explore the sections further downstream toward the town of Mazomanie.
- Mend Early: The current in BEC is deceptive. There are often multiple micro-currents between you and the fish. Perform a reach cast or an immediate mend to ensure a natural drift.
⚠️ Important Information
- Regulations: Black Earth Creek has specific regulations. Much of the best water is Catch and Release only with artificial lures/flies only. Always check the current Wisconsin DNR Trout Tool or regulations booklet before fishing.
- Access: Wisconsin has excellent "Fishing Easements." Look for the green "Public Hunting/Fishing" signs. Stay within the high-water mark when walking through private farmland.
- Biosecurity: New Zealand Mud Snails have been found in Black Earth Creek. Clean, drain, and dry your waders and boots thoroughly before moving to another stream to prevent the spread of these invasive species.
- Gear Recommendation: A 3-weight or 4-weight fly rod (8'6" to 9') is the ideal tool for this water. A 5-weight is better if you plan on throwing streamers in the fall.
Black Earth Creek is a "Ph.D. stream." It will frustrate you one day and reward you with the most beautiful wild trout of your life the next. Approach it with patience and stealth, and it will become one of your favorite pieces of water in the country.
Bug Hatches & Matching Flies
| Hatch | Type | Peak months | Time of day | Hook sizes | Matching flies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue-Winged Olive Baetis spp. | mayfly | April, May, September, October | Mid-day/Afternoon | #18-22 | RS2 #18-22, Sparkle Dun #18-20, Parachute BWO #18-22 |
| Grannom Caddis Brachycentrus | caddis | April, May | Afternoon/Evening | #14-16 | LaFontaine's Deep Sparkle Pupa #14-16, Elk Hair Caddis (Dark) #14-16, Peacock Caddis #14-16 |
| Sulphur Ephemerella invaria / rotunda | mayfly | May, June | Late Afternoon/Evening | #14-16 | Pheasant Tail Nymph #14-16, Sulphur Parachute #14-16, Snowshoe Rabbit Foot Emerger #14-16 |
| Trico Tricorythodes | mayfly | July, August, September | Early Morning | #20-24 | Trico Spinner #20-24, Sunken Trico Spinner #22-24, Griffith's Gnat #20-24 |
| Cranefly Tipulidae | terrestrial | August, September | All Day/Evening | #12-16 | Killer Bug #12-14, Daddy Long Legs #12-14, Crane Fly Larva #10-14 |
| Light Cahill Stenacron / Stenonema | mayfly | June, July | Evening | #12-14 | Light Cahill Dry #12-14, Hare's Ear Nymph #12-14, Cahill Emerger #14 |
| Terrestrials (Ants/Beetles/Hoppers) Formicidae / Coleoptera / Orthoptera | terrestrial | July, August, September | Late Morning/Afternoon | #10-18 | Black Foam Ant #14-18, Dave's Hopper #10-12, Coffee's Sparkle Beetle #14-16 |
| Zebra Midge Chironomidae | midge | January, February, March, December | Mid-day | #18-24 | Zebra Midge #18-22, Griffith's Gnat #18-22, Brassie #18-20 |