Premium Smallmouth Bass and Pike Guided River Floats
Private Trip
River Fishing
Halfday river float targeting smallmouth bass and northern pikeProfessional instruction and gear provided for all skill levelsFlexible morning or afternoon start times accommodate two guests
Picture yourself drifting down one of Wisconsin's prime river systems in a spacious 14-foot raft, working the perfect spots where smallmouth bass and northern pike love to hang out. This four-hour guided float combines the best of Wisconsin's river fishing with professional instruction that'll have you reading water like a local by the end of the day. Whether you're a fly fishing fanatic or prefer spinning gear, you'll find yourself in the hands of guides who know these watersheds like the back of their hand. The intimate two-person setup means you get personalized attention and access to those sneaky spots that bigger boats just can't reach.
Your day kicks off at either 8 a.m. or 1 p.m., depending on what works better for your schedule and the fish's mood that particular day. You'll be floating through the St. Croix, Red Cedar, or Chippewa River watersheds – all top-rated smallmouth and pike destinations that consistently produce quality fish from mid-April straight through September. The 14-foot raft is your ticket to stealthy approaches that spook fewer fish and get you into tight cover where the big ones hide. Your guide handles all the rowing and positioning, so you can focus entirely on presenting your fly or lure to feeding fish. The relaxed pace gives you time to really learn the water, understand what you're seeing below the surface, and pick up techniques that'll make you a better angler long after the trip ends. Don't worry about skill level – these guides work with everyone from first-timers who've never held a rod to seasoned anglers looking to dial in their river game.
Your guide comes loaded with professional-grade fly fishing equipment, but they're equally comfortable rigging you up with light conventional tackle if that's more your speed. The fly fishing approach really shines on these rivers, especially when you're working streamers through deep pools or popping bugs along undercut banks. You'll learn to read current seams, identify feeding lanes, and present your offering with the kind of precision that turns follows into hook-ups. The raft's low profile and quiet movement let you get surprisingly close to fish without spooking them, which is huge when you're targeting pressured smallmouth in clear water. Your guide will show you how different techniques work throughout the float – maybe starting with topwater action in the morning shallows, then switching to subsurface presentations as you hit deeper runs. Light spinning gear works great too, especially for working jigs and soft plastics around structure where pike like to ambush prey. The key is matching your approach to the conditions and fish behavior you're seeing that day.
Smallmouth bass are the bread and butter of these river systems, and Wisconsin's populations are world-class. These bronze-backed fighters typically run 12 to 16 inches, with plenty of chunky 18-plus-inch fish mixed in to keep things interesting. They're most active during the warmer months, especially in late spring and early fall when they're feeding heavily before and after the spawn. What makes smallmouth so addictive is their attitude – they hit hard, jump high, and fight like fish twice their size. You'll find them relating to rocky structure, current breaks, and drop-offs where they can ambush crayfish and minnows.
Northern pike bring the teeth and attitude to this fishery, with most fish running 20 to 30 inches and the occasional monster pushing 40-plus. These apex predators love the weedy backwaters and slack current areas where they can lie in wait for unsuspecting prey. Pike fishing peaks in spring and fall when cooler water temperatures get them more active, but they're catchable all season if you know where to look. The visual strikes are what pike fishing is all about – seeing that torpedo shape rocket out of the weeds to crush your lure never gets old.
Largemouth bass round out the warm-water trio, typically holding in the slower, weedier sections of these river systems. Wisconsin's largemouth average 14 to 18 inches, with some real hawgs lurking in the best habitat. They're most active in summer when water temperatures climb, making them perfect targets during those hot July and August floats. Largemouth love cover – fallen trees, weed beds, and undercut banks are all prime real estate.
Muskellunge represent the holy grail of these watersheds, though they're more of a bonus fish than a primary target on these shorter trips. Wisconsin's musky fishing is renowned worldwide, and even the chance of hooking into one of these legendary fish adds extra excitement to every cast. Most musky encounters happen when you're targeting pike in similar habitat, and these fish can easily top 40 inches when you do connect.
This customer-favorite half-day format gives you a solid taste of Wisconsin's premier river fishing without eating up your entire day. The flexible scheduling works great whether you want to get on the water early and have afternoon free, or sleep in and enjoy an afternoon float. Remember to grab your Wisconsin fishing license ahead of time, pack some polarized sunglasses to help you spot fish, and dress for the weather since you'll be on the water for four hours. The personalized instruction and intimate group size make this a top-rated choice for anyone wanting to experience these watersheds with a guide who knows where the fish live. Contact Upriver Anglers to lock in your dates and get specific meeting location details – these trips book up fast during peak season, especially those prime spring and fall windows when the fishing is at its absolute best.
Our 14-foot Down River Equipment raft is built for serious anglers who want to get close to the action on Wisconsin's premier smallmouth bass and pike waters. This 2015 model moves silently through the current, letting you drift into prime fishing spots without spooking fish in the shallows. The unpowered design means you'll hear every surface strike and feel connected to the river's rhythm as your guide navigates the best holding water. With room for two anglers plus your guide, everyone gets plenty of casting space and personalized attention. The stable platform handles fly rods and conventional tackle equally well, whether you're working streamers through deep pools or pitching jigs to rocky structure. Perfect for covering water on the Wisconsin River system while staying quiet enough to surprise feeding bass in their favorite lies.
Micropterus SalmoidesLargemouth bass are the classic gamefish - aggressive, accessible, and always ready to eat. In our Wisconsin waters, they typically run 2-5 pounds with occasional bigger specimens lurking in deeper holes. These green machines prefer slower water with cover like fallen timber, weed beds, and undercut banks. Spring and early summer are peak times, especially around shallow spawning areas. Largemouths are popular because they hit hard, jump, and are willing biters on everything from topwater frogs to weighted plastics. The meat is decent eating from clean water. They're less spooky than smallmouths, so don't overthink your approach. Local secret: target the slack water pockets behind boulders and log jams - that's where they wait to ambush baitfish getting swept downstream.
Esox MasquinongyMuskies are the apex predator in our river system - true giants that can stretch over four feet and weigh 30+ pounds. These striped submarines patrol deeper pools and weed edges, especially around rocky structure and current breaks. Fall is prime time when they're feeding heavy before winter, though summer evenings can produce explosive surface strikes. What draws anglers is the trophy potential and legendary fight - muskies are called the "fish of 10,000 casts" for good reason. Their needle-sharp teeth and powerful runs will test every part of your gear. Most anglers practice catch and release due to their slow growth. Key tip: use barbless hooks and bring them boatside quickly. A proper figure-8 at the end of each retrieve often triggers follows into strikes.
Esox LuciusNorthern pike are ambush predators that lurk in weedy shallows waiting to hammer anything that moves. These toothy missiles average 24-30 inches but can push 40+ in our waters. Look for them around weed edges, drop-offs, and back bays during spring and fall when water temps are cool. Summer pushes them deeper, but they're still catchable if you work the thermocline. Pike are pure aggression - they'll absolutely crush your lure and give you heart-stopping runs. Their razor teeth mean you need a steel leader, no exceptions. The fight is what brings people back - sudden strikes and bulldogging runs. Pro tip: after the initial hit, give them a second to turn the bait before setting the hook. They like to grab prey sideways first.
Micropterus DolomieuSmallmouth bass are scrappy fighters that'll give you a real battle on light tackle. They average 12-18 inches in Wisconsin rivers, with females running bigger than males. These bronze-backed beauties love rocky bottoms, current breaks, and structure like fallen trees or boulders. Spring through early fall offers the best action, especially mornings and evenings when they're actively feeding on crayfish and minnows. What makes them special is their aggressive strikes and acrobatic jumps - they'll test your drag system for sure. The meat is firm and tasty if you decide to keep a few. Here's a local tip: cast tight to structure and let your lure sink before starting your retrieve. They often hit on the drop when you're not expecting it.
St. Croix River