In the small town of Viroqua, the exterior wall of Driftless Cafe features a large painted trout that extends across much of the building. The mural was created by Wisconsin artist Ryan Rothweiler and depicts a trout, a fish species commonly found in the Driftless region. This area is known for its cold, spring-fed streams and is widely recognized for trout fishing, particularly for brook trout, which are native to these waters.

The fish is painted at a scale larger than life, stretching horizontally across the wall and immediately visible from the street. Its body includes reds, deep greens, and golden tones that stand out the building's exterior. The style is not strictly realistic. Instead, the trout is rendered with emphasized features such as pronounced spots, defined fins, and layered color transitions. The brushwork appears loose and visible, creating texture across the surface. These shifts in color and line give the impression of movement, similar to light shifting beneath the surface of water.

Positioned on the outside of Driftless Cafe, the mural contributes to the building’s identity and serves as a recognizable visual marker within the downtown area. The cafe itself is known for using locally sourced ingredients and is part of the region’s farm-to-table food culture, which emphasizes connection between local farms, seasonal ingredients, and regional cuisine.

The image of the trout alights with the surrounding environment, where fishing and freshwater ecosystems are a visible part of daily life. As a piece of public art, the mural adds to the visual character of downtown Viroqua and reflects a subject that is directly connected to the local landscape and the natural resources of the Driftless region.