South Branch Oconto River
A river in Wisconsin
About South Branch Oconto River
The South Branch of the Oconto runs 21 miles through Oconto County, near Suring, Breed and Hayes. The survey puts 126 acres of surface and 38 miles of bank on it.
Fifty-four miles across its system are classified as Class I and Class II trout water, with an Exceptional Resource Water listing. That is more than twice the river's own length, because the classification follows its feeder streams as well as the main branch. Smallmouth habitat is classified as wadable cool and warm water.
No public boat landing is on record. Between this branch and the North Branch, Oconto County holds a great deal of classified trout water in a small area, and almost none of it is boat water.
Trout regulations vary by reach and by season. Check the current DNR trout regulations and access maps.
Written from Wisconsin DNR hydrography and fisheries data. State water ID WBIC 480900.
How the state manages it
- smallmouth · Wadable Cool Water; Wadable Warm Water
- trout · CLASS I; CLASS II
Wisconsin DNR fisheries designations. These describe how the water is managed, not what is in it on any given day.
Fishing license
Wisconsin sells them online. Buy one from the state. We don’t know whether you need one — that depends on your age, where you live, the water, and what your guide’s own license covers.