Live wading and fishing conditions for 46 Minnesota rivers
Every river below is monitored through its USGS streamflow gauges, refreshed every 15 minutes and rated in plain language for wading safety. Select a river for the live dashboard with current flow, trend, weather and community reports.
Mississippi River
Minnesota's great river, born at Lake Itasca and running the length of the state — a different fishery every hundred miles. Smallmouth and walleye in the clear headwaters and Brainerd reaches, walleye and smallmouth through the metro pools, and a big walleye, sauger, catfish, and sturgeon fishery in the locked-and-dammed lower river toward Winona. Treat the lower pools as big boat-and-bank water, not a wade stream.
Region: Mississippi & Headwaters · Fish for: Walleye, Smallmouth Bass · USGS gauges: Mississippi River Near Bemidji, Mn, Mississippi River At Grand Rapids, Mn, Mississippi River At Brainerd, Mn, Mississippi River At St. Cloud, Mn
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St. Croix River
A National Scenic Riverway on the Wisconsin border and one of America's great river fisheries — legendary for trophy muskie and smallmouth, with strong walleye, sturgeon, pike, and catfish through its long clear reaches. Above Taylors Falls it's an intimate rock river; below, it widens into the big, deep Lower St. Croix toward Stillwater and Prescott.
Region: St. Croix Valley · Fish for: Smallmouth Bass, Muskellunge · USGS gauges: St. Croix River At Stillwater, Mn
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Knife River
The marquee North Shore steelhead stream — a small, steep, cold river dropping to Lake Superior at Knife River village, home to the state's flagship steelhead run and the French River hatchery program nearby. It's a small stream that lives and dies by flow: steelhead push in on the spring snowmelt freshet, and it drops to a trickle in summer.
Region: North Shore / Superior · Fish for: Steelhead (Lake Superior) · USGS gauges: Knife River Near Two Harbors, Mn
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Rainy River
The great US–Canada border river running west from International Falls to Lake of the Woods — a world-class walleye, sauger, and sturgeon fishery. The spring catch-and-release sturgeon season and the walleye run draw anglers from across the country; this is big boat water, not a wade stream.
Region: Northeast / Rainy & BWCA · Fish for: Walleye, Lake Sturgeon · USGS gauges: Rainy R At Boat Landing Blw International Falls,Mn, Rainy River At Manitou Rapids, Mn
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St. Louis River
Minnesota's largest Lake Superior tributary — a big river draining the Arrowhead to the Duluth–Superior harbor, with a famous lower estuary walleye, smallmouth, musky, and sturgeon fishery and steelhead running the tributaries. The upper river near Skibo is smaller freestone water; the lower river below Scanlon and Fond du Lac is big-water and generation-influenced.
Region: North Shore / Superior · Fish for: Walleye, Smallmouth Bass · USGS gauges: St. Louis River Near Skibo, Mn, St. Louis River At Scanlon, Mn
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Root River
The heart of Minnesota's Driftless country — a scenic limestone-valley river winding through Lanesboro and Houston, with smallmouth and catfish in the main stem and wild brown and brook trout in its cold spring-fed tributaries. The paved Root River State Trail follows it; the South Fork adds trout water and flow.
Region: Southeast / Driftless · Fish for: Smallmouth Bass, Brown Trout · USGS gauges: Root River Near Pilot Mound, Mn, Root River Near Houston, Mn, South Fork Root River Near Houston, Mn
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Minnesota River
The great prairie river carving a broad glacial valley from Ortonville on the South Dakota line to the Mississippi at Fort Snelling — a big, turbid, warmwater river and one of the state's premier flathead and channel catfish fisheries, with strong walleye and smallmouth below the dams and in the current. This is a boat-and-bank river, not a wade stream; frame conditions as bank and boat safety.
Region: Minnesota River Valley · Fish for: Channel Catfish, Flathead Catfish · USGS gauges: Minnesota River At Ortonville, Mn, Minnesota River At Montevideo, Mn, Minnesota River At New Ulm, Mn, Minnesota River At Mankato, Mn
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Kawishiwi River
A classic Boundary Waters smallmouth, walleye, and pike river winding through lakes and rapids east of Ely, joined by its South Fork. Cold, clear, canoe-country water — the fishing is best in summer around the drops between lakes and the boulder shorelines.
Region: Northeast / Rainy & BWCA · Fish for: Smallmouth Bass, Walleye · USGS gauges: Kawishiwi River Near Ely, Mn, South Kawishiwi River Near Ely, Mn
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Rum River
A designated State Water Trail running clear from Mille Lacs Lake south through Princeton and Anoka to the Mississippi — one of the metro's best smallmouth and walleye rivers, with long gravel-and-rock reaches. A popular paddle-and-wade river close to the Twin Cities.
Region: Central Rivers · Fish for: Smallmouth Bass, Walleye · USGS gauges: Rum River Near St. Francis, Mn
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Basswood River
A legendary Boundary Waters smallmouth and walleye river on the Canadian border below Basswood Lake, tumbling through a chain of falls and rapids toward Crooked Lake. Wilderness water reached by canoe — the smallmouth fishing below the rapids is among the best in the North.
Region: Northeast / Rainy & BWCA · Fish for: Smallmouth Bass, Walleye · USGS gauges: Basswood River Near Winton, Mn
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Crow Wing River
A beloved central-Minnesota canoe river running clear over sand and gravel through the chain of Crow Wing Lakes to the Mississippi near Brainerd — smallmouth, walleye, and pike in a scenic, easy-floating river. One of the state's classic paddle-and-fish streams.
Region: Mississippi & Headwaters · Fish for: Smallmouth Bass, Walleye · USGS gauges: Crow Wing River At Nimrod, Mn, Crow Wing River Near Pillager, Mn
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Straight River (Park Rapids)
A rare and precious spring-fed trout stream near Park Rapids — one of central Minnesota's few cold, sand-bottomed brown-trout rivers, its groundwater flow keeping it cool and fishable through summer. Not to be confused with the Straight River near Faribault; this is a designated trout water fished with a fly rod.
Region: Mississippi & Headwaters · Fish for: Brown Trout · USGS gauges: Straight River Near Park Rapids, Mn
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Kettle River
A wild, tea-stained St. Croix tributary tumbling through Banning State Park's rapids near Sandstone — smallmouth, walleye, sturgeon, and pike in a scenic river famous for whitewater and its rock gorge. A paddle-and-wade river with strong public access through the state parks.
Region: St. Croix Valley · Fish for: Smallmouth Bass, Walleye · USGS gauges: Kettle River Below Sandstone, Mn
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Vermilion River
The northern Vermilion River (not the metro Vermillion) draining Lake Vermilion toward Crane Lake and the Rainy system — a walleye, pike, and smallmouth river running through rapids and pools in the northeast. Remote, rocky, and lightly pressured.
Region: Northeast / Rainy & BWCA · Fish for: Walleye, Smallmouth Bass · USGS gauges: Vermilion River Nr Crane Lake, Mn
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Otter Tail River
A clear lake-country river winding through the Otter Tail chain to the Red near Fergus Falls — smallmouth, walleye, and pike in its river reaches, with the flow below Orwell Dam controlled by releases. A quiet, pretty river with good access through the lakes region.
Region: Red River Basin · Fish for: Smallmouth Bass, Walleye · USGS gauges: Otter Tail River Near Elizabeth, Mn, Otter Tail River Bl Orwell D Nr Fergus Falls, Mn
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Cannon River
A designated Wild & Scenic State Water Trail draining through Faribault, Northfield, and Cannon Falls to the Mississippi at Red Wing — smallmouth and walleye in the rockier reaches, catfish and pike below. A popular paddle-and-wade river with strong access and a rail-trail alongside.
Region: Southeast / Driftless · Fish for: Smallmouth Bass, Walleye · USGS gauges: Cannon River At Co. Hwy. 29 Below Faribault, Mn, Cannon River At Northfield Mn, Cannon River At Welch, Mn
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Pigeon River
The US–Canada border river at the tip of the Arrowhead, tumbling over High Falls in Grand Portage State Park to Lake Superior. Below the falls the short lower reach draws a modest steelhead and salmon run; the falls block fish from the upper river.
Region: North Shore / Superior · Fish for: Steelhead (Lake Superior) · USGS gauges: Pigeon River At Middle Falls Nr Grand Portage Mn
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Red Lake River
The major Red River tributary draining Lower Red Lake through Crookston to the Red at East Grand Forks — a genuinely good walleye, smallmouth, catfish, and pike river with rocky rapids around Crookston and Red Lake Falls. A popular paddle-and-fish river with strong public access.
Region: Red River Basin · Fish for: Walleye, Smallmouth Bass · USGS gauges: Red Lake River At High Landing Nr Goodridge, Mn, Red Lake River At Crookston, Mn, Red Lake River At Fisher, Mn
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Zumbro River
A southeastern Driftless-edge river draining through Rochester and Zumbro Falls to the Mississippi at Kellogg — smallmouth and walleye in the rockier reaches, catfish and pike in the slower bends. The South Fork runs through Rochester; a popular paddle-and-wade river.
Region: Southeast / Driftless · Fish for: Smallmouth Bass, Walleye · USGS gauges: South Fork Zumbro River At Rochester, Mn
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Big Fork River
A designated canoe-and-fish river draining north to the Rainy at Big Falls — walleye, smallmouth, muskie, sturgeon, and pike in long rapids and deep pools. One of the state's wildest big rivers, running through forest and peatland with excellent public access.
Region: Northeast / Rainy & BWCA · Fish for: Walleye, Smallmouth Bass · USGS gauges: Big Fork River At Big Falls, Mn
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Vermillion River
The Twin Cities' hidden trout stream — a spring-fed brown-trout river running through Dakota County near Farmington and Hastings before dropping over Vermillion Falls to the Mississippi. Cold groundwater keeps the upper reaches fishable through summer; this metro Vermillion (two L's) is a designated trout water, distinct from the northern Vermilion.
Region: Southeast / Driftless · Fish for: Brown Trout · USGS gauges: Vermillion River Near Empire, Mn
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Little Fork River
A long, wild river draining the northern peatlands to the Rainy near Littlefork — a walleye, smallmouth, sturgeon, and pike river with long rapids and remote canoe reaches. Lightly fished and scenic, it runs tea-stained over rock and gravel.
Region: Northeast / Rainy & BWCA · Fish for: Walleye, Smallmouth Bass · USGS gauges: Little Fork River At Littlefork, Mn
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Crow River
A slower, warmer metro-area river draining west-central Minnesota through Rockford to the Mississippi at Dayton — smallmouth and walleye in the rockier reaches, catfish and pike in the slower bends. A quiet paddle-and-bank river with good access.
Region: Central Rivers · Fish for: Smallmouth Bass, Walleye · USGS gauges: Crow River At Rockford, Mn
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Snake River
A St. Croix tributary (not the northern Red-basin Snake) running clear over rock through Pine City to the St. Croix — smallmouth, walleye, sturgeon, and pike in a scenic paddle-and-wade river. A designated State Water Trail with long gravel-and-rock reaches.
Region: St. Croix Valley · Fish for: Smallmouth Bass, Walleye · USGS gauges: Snake River Near Pine City, Mn
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Buffalo River
A prairie-and-woods river draining west to the Red near Dilworth — smallmouth and pike up in the clearer Hawley reaches, catfish and pike down low near the Red. Buffalo River State Park protects a scenic wadeable stretch over gravel.
Region: Red River Basin · Fish for: Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike · USGS gauges: Buffalo River Near Hawley, Mn, Buffalo River Near Dilworth, Mn
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Blue Earth River
A major Minnesota River tributary draining the southern prairie to Mankato — a turbid, catfish-rich river with walleye and smallmouth in the current below Rapidan Dam. A boat-and-bank river through farm country, best known for its channel and flathead cats.
Region: Minnesota River Valley · Fish for: Channel Catfish, Walleye · USGS gauges: Blue Earth River Near Rapidan, Mn
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Wild Rice River
A long Red River tributary draining the northwest to the Red near Hendrum — pike, walleye, catfish, and smallmouth in a tea-stained prairie river. Lightly fished, with a South Branch adding flow; a quiet float-and-bank fishery.
Region: Red River Basin · Fish for: Northern Pike, Walleye · USGS gauges: Wild Rice River At Twin Valley, Mn, Wild Rice River At Hendrum, Mn
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Rapid River
A remote far-north river draining the peatlands to the Rainy near Baudette — pike, walleye, and a run of Rainy-system sturgeon in its lower reaches. Tea-stained and lightly fished, a quiet boat-and-bank river.
Region: Northeast / Rainy & BWCA · Fish for: Northern Pike, Walleye · USGS gauges: Rapid River Near Baudette, Mn
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Sauk River
A central-Minnesota river winding through the Sauk chain of lakes to the Mississippi at St. Cloud — smallmouth, walleye, pike, and panfish in a mixed lake-and-river system. A quiet paddle-and-bank fishery close to St. Cloud.
Region: Central Rivers · Fish for: Smallmouth Bass, Walleye · USGS gauges: Sauk River Near St. Cloud, Mn
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Grand Portage River
A small far-northeast North Shore stream reaching Lake Superior at Grand Portage — one of the little snowmelt-fed creeks that draws a light run of steelhead and brook trout in its lowest reaches. Intimate, cold, and flow-dependent.
Region: North Shore / Superior · Fish for: Steelhead (Lake Superior), Brook Trout · USGS gauges: Grand Portage River At Grand Portage Mn
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Clearwater River
A Red Lake River tributary draining northwest through Plummer to Red Lake Falls — pike, walleye, smallmouth, and catfish in a tea-stained prairie-and-woods river. A quiet paddle-and-bank fishery joining the Red Lake at Red Lake Falls.
Region: Red River Basin · Fish for: Northern Pike, Walleye · USGS gauges: Clearwater River At Plummer, Mn, Clearwater River At Red Lake Falls, Mn
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Thief River
A far-northwest river draining the Agassiz peatlands through Thief River Falls to the Red Lake River — pike, walleye, and catfish in a slow, tea-stained prairie river. Lightly pressured, a quiet bank-and-float fishery.
Region: Red River Basin · Fish for: Northern Pike, Walleye · USGS gauges: Thief River Near Thief River Falls, Mn
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Le Sueur River
A Blue Earth tributary draining the south-central prairie to the Blue Earth near Mankato — a turbid, catfish-and-smallmouth river with pike and walleye in the current. A quiet boat-and-bank river through farm country.
Region: Minnesota River Valley · Fish for: Channel Catfish, Smallmouth Bass · USGS gauges: Le Sueur River Near Rapidan, Mn
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Des Moines River
The upper Des Moines River draining the southwest-Minnesota prairie through Windom and Jackson toward Iowa — walleye, channel catfish, and pike in a modest turbid farm-country river with reservoir reaches. A quiet boat-and-bank fishery on the state's far southwest edge.
Region: Southwest Prairie · Fish for: Walleye, Channel Catfish · USGS gauges: Des Moines River Above Windom, Mn, Des Moines River At Jackson, Mn
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Roseau River
A far-northern border-country river winding through Roseau toward the Red in Manitoba — pike, walleye, and catfish in a slow, marshy prairie river. Remote and lightly fished, a quiet bank-and-float fishery through wildlife-management land.
Region: Red River Basin · Fish for: Northern Pike, Walleye · USGS gauges: Roseau River At Ross, Mn
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Long Prairie River
A central-Minnesota river winding north through Long Prairie to the Crow Wing — walleye, pike, and smallmouth in a modest prairie-and-woods river. A quiet paddle-and-bank fishery with good town access.
Region: Mississippi & Headwaters · Fish for: Walleye, Northern Pike · USGS gauges: Long Prairie River At Long Prairie, Mn
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Cottonwood River
A southern-prairie Minnesota River tributary draining to the Minnesota at New Ulm — channel catfish, smallmouth, and walleye in a turbid farm-country river with rockier reaches up top. A quiet paddle-and-bank fishery.
Region: Minnesota River Valley · Fish for: Channel Catfish, Smallmouth Bass · USGS gauges: Cottonwood River Near New Ulm, Mn
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Elk River
A small central-Minnesota river draining to the Mississippi at the town of Elk River — smallmouth, pike, and walleye in a modest gravel-and-sand stream. A quiet, lightly fished paddle-and-bank river near the metro.
Region: Central Rivers · Fish for: Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike · USGS gauges: Elk River Near Big Lake, Mn
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Redwood River
A southwestern-prairie Minnesota River tributary draining through Marshall to the Minnesota near Redwood Falls — smallmouth and channel catfish in a modest river with rocky reaches and small falls near Redwood Falls. A quiet paddle-and-bank fishery.
Region: Minnesota River Valley · Fish for: Smallmouth Bass, Channel Catfish · USGS gauges: Redwood River Near Marshall, Mn, Redwood River Near Redwood Falls, Mn
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Sand Hill River
A small northwest Red River tributary draining through Fertile to the Red at Climax — pike, catfish, and some walleye in a modest prairie stream. A quiet, lightly fished bank-and-float creek.
Region: Red River Basin · Fish for: Northern Pike, Channel Catfish · USGS gauges: Sand Hill River At Climax, Mn
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Chippewa River
A west-central Minnesota River tributary draining through Benson to the Minnesota near Montevideo — channel catfish, walleye, and pike in a turbid prairie river, with a tailwater reach near Watson. A quiet boat-and-bank fishery through farm country.
Region: Minnesota River Valley · Fish for: Channel Catfish, Walleye · USGS gauges: Chippewa River Near Milan, Mn, Chippewa River (Tw) Near Watson, Mn
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Straight River (Faribault)
A southern-Minnesota river draining through Owatonna to join the Cannon at Faribault — smallmouth, walleye, and pike in a modest prairie-and-woods river. Not the spring-fed Park Rapids trout stream of the same name; this is a warmwater paddle-and-bank river.
Region: Southeast / Driftless · Fish for: Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike · USGS gauges: Straight River Near Faribault, Mn
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Yellow Medicine River
A southwestern-prairie Minnesota River tributary draining to the Minnesota near Granite Falls — channel catfish, smallmouth, and walleye in a small, turbid farm-country river with rocky reaches near the confluence. A quiet, lightly fished creek.
Region: Minnesota River Valley · Fish for: Channel Catfish, Smallmouth Bass · USGS gauges: Yellow Medicine River Near Granite Falls, Mn
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Pomme de Terre River
A west-central Minnesota River tributary draining a chain of lakes through Appleton to the Minnesota near Marsh Lake — walleye, pike, and channel catfish in a lake-and-river system. A quiet paddle-and-bank fishery through prairie country.
Region: Minnesota River Valley · Fish for: Walleye, Northern Pike · USGS gauges: Pomme De Terre River At Appleton, Mn
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Cedar River
A southeastern-prairie river draining through Austin toward Iowa — channel catfish, smallmouth, and walleye in a modest farm-country river with rockier reaches near town. A quiet paddle-and-bank fishery with good city access.
Region: Southeast / Driftless · Fish for: Channel Catfish, Smallmouth Bass · USGS gauges: Cedar River Near Austin, Mn
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Watonwan River
A Blue Earth tributary draining the south-central prairie to the Blue Earth near Garden City — channel catfish, smallmouth, and walleye in a small, turbid farm-country river. A quiet paddle-and-bank creek.
Region: Minnesota River Valley · Fish for: Channel Catfish, Smallmouth Bass · USGS gauges: Watonwan River Near Garden City, Mn
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