Onion River (Sheboygan River tributary) facts for kids

The Onion River is a cool river in eastern Wisconsin, United States. It's about 36.8 miles (59.2 km) long. This river flows into the Sheboygan River. Together, they are part of the larger watershed that drains into Lake Michigan.

Where Does the Onion River Flow?

The Onion River stays completely within Sheboygan County. It starts in the town of Lyndon. Here, two smaller streams, Mill Creek and Ben Nutt Creek, join to form the river.

At first, the river flows towards the southeast. It passes by the village of Waldo. Near Cedar Grove, the river changes direction. It then flows north-northeast for the rest of its journey. The Onion River finally joins the Sheboygan River in the city of Sheboygan Falls.

Fishing for Trout in the Onion River

The Onion River is a special place for fishing. Over the last ten years, many groups have worked hard to make the river better. Their goal is to help the natural population of trout grow again.

Why is the Onion River Special for Trout?

The Onion River is the only "Class I" trout stream in southern Wisconsin. A Class I stream means it has wild trout that reproduce naturally. This is very important for a healthy river. Years ago, the number of trout in the Onion River had dropped a lot.

Helping Trout Populations Grow

In 2008, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) made a big change. They officially said that the upper part of the Onion River is a Class I trout stream. This means it has wild trout that are born and grow there on their own.

A study by the DNR showed great results. From 1997 to 2006, the number of wild trout in this part of the river grew ten times! This happened because of all the hard work to restore the river. Experts believe the trout population will keep growing with more effort.

Building Homes for Fish

In 2011, several groups teamed up to help the river even more. These groups included the Lakeshore Chapter of Trout Unlimited, the Wisconsin DNR, and Michels Corp. They installed special "lunker structures" in six spots along the river.

Lunker structures are like underwater shelters for fish. They are designed to help stop the riverbanks from washing away (erosion). They also create stable homes for trout and other river animals. These efforts help make the river a better place for fish to live and thrive.