Minnesota

Minnesota Overview

Minnesota boasts more than 6,500 natural rivers and streams comprising more than 69,000 miles. Many of these rivers and streams are also home to the smallmouth bass in large quantity and quality. From small streams that can be waded, to the wide and powerful Mississippi River, there are a wide variety of rivers to choose from.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR) has created an awesome interactive water trail map which offers river anglers a lot of information about the major river systems within the state. Along each major water trail, dams, trailer access, carry in access, watercraft campsites, campgrounds, rest areas, major rapids, hazards, and mile mileage along the river are shown. This allows anglers to easily plan their next fishing adventure.

In addition, river gauge locations are shown and access to up to date river flow information can be gathered from many of the USGS data gathering stations located along these river trails.

The American Whitewater Association also publishes information on their website, such as water flows, descriptions of rapids, and suggested paddling routes, about many rivers throughout the state of Minnesota. However, many of their suggested trips are geared toward whitewater enthusiasts. Some of their suggested trips may not be suitable for river angling. It is important to know your paddling experience and be comfortable with fishing a river safely.

The MNDNR also has a Minnesota topo website that shows contours throughout most of the state at 2 foot intervals. This information can be helpful in determining a rivers gradient line when scoping river courses and pre-determining anticipated river flows.

The MNDNR also offers geoPDF maps for many of the major river trails within the state. Links for these maps will be on the river's web page on this site when available. These maps give information about the river using your smartphone via a free app available for iOS and Android mobile devices that reads GeoPDF maps and displays your current location, even if you have no cell phone service. Click here to learn more about geoPDF maps and the downloadable app.

While this Midwest River Angling website focuses on river angling, it should also be pointed out that the MNDNR also has created a recreation compass website that offers a wide variety of information about lakes within Minnesota. Just zoom into the area you are interested in, click on the lake name, and you will be directed to more information about that particular lake. This can be very useful if the river you are fishing on becomes part of a reservoir system. Information may include recent fishing surveys, lake depth maps, water clarity of the lake, and other information.

Minnesota also have some of the best smallmouth lakes in the United States. The large Mille Lacs Lake in central Minnesota and Lake Vermilion and Kabetogama Lake in northern Minnesota are all trophy smallmouth bass fisheries.

Anglers should be aware of Minnesota Lake and River Use Restrictions, have a current Minnesota fishing license, and be aware of the latest fishing regulations. The online version of the Minnesota fishing regulations contains the latest corrections to the printed version. You may have to refresh your browser's cache for changes in the PDF file to appear.

For angling information about various river systems in Minnesota that may offer smallmouth bass angling opportunities click on the drop down list under the Minnesota heading and select the river system you are interested in. If you know of other rivers that should be featured please let me know!