This water was also featured in Trout magazine in 1995. The word is out. Although some older, outdated publications show the entire upper Kickapoo River as marginal trout water, this upper stretch is currently one of the most popular and productive trophy-regulated sections in Wisconsin. Habitat work and a catch and release regulation have improved the West Fork so much that it is being considered for Class II status and expected to eventually be a Class I trout Stream. This water has a mix of wild and stocked trout, many of them sizable.
Browns dominate the river.
A few rainbows and even fewer brookies are present. Good fishing can be had above and below the no-kill section as well. The farther downstream one goes, the more marginal the water becomes. It holds wild browns and offers limited access. Much of the trout habitiat restoration on Bishop Branch is from the days when wingdam deflectors were used.