GREAT OUTDOORS Root River RIVER FISHING Popular Fishing Rivers & Streams in Minnesota By Lisa Meyers McClintick Minnesota boasts more than 6,500 natural rivers and streams. Anglers in boats, canoes, fi shing kayaks and shoreline parks embrace the challenge of casting along the scenic stretch of the Mississippi River that fl ows around St. Cloud’s Beaver Islands, one of the top river smallmouth bass fi sheries in the country. And the southern stretches of the Mississippi appeal to paddlers and anglers who fi nd the bluff country’s quiet backwaters rich in northern pike, walleye, muskie, largemouth bass, crappies and catfi sh. The following rivers are also popular among anglers. CANNON RIVER Flowing through the rolling hills and woods south of Minneapolis-St. Paul, this river yields northern pike, black crappies, catfi sh and smallmouth bass. ROOT RIVER Smallmouth bass, catfi sh, rock bass and more can be found in this gentle river that fl ows through southeast Minnesota. Some spots may harbor brown trout, which thrive in the region’s smaller streams. Preston offers walk-in river access. MINNESOTA RIVER From its confl uence with the Mississippi River below Historic Fort Snelling in St. Paul, this placid river fl ows 370 miles south to Mankato and west to Big Stone Lake at Ortonville. It’s possible to reel in channel and fl athead catfi sh, walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass and sauger. RUM RIVER Running from Mille Lacs Lake in central Minnesota to the Mississippi River in Anoka, the Rum River offers numerous shore fi shing sites and boat accesses for catching walleye, smallmouth bass, bluegill, crappies and northern pike. RED RIVER Flowing north along Minnesota’s northwest border, this muddy river harbors channel catfi sh, smallmouth bass, walleye, northern pike, sauger and lake sturgeon. Find campsites along the shore at East Grand Forks’ Red River State Recreation Area. ST. CROIX RIVER With the Dalles rocky bluffs and glacial potholes at Interstate State Park, this river delivers dramatic scenery along with smallmouth bass, catfi sh, walleye, sauger and lake sturgeon among its 60-plus species of fi sh. Other state parks along its shores: Afton, St. Croix and Wild River. 68 | EXPLORE MINNESOTA .COM
Explore Minnesota Travel Guide 2025 Explore Minnesota Travel Guide: Page 68
