Cannon River
Cannon River Overview
The Cannon River, is located in southeast Minnesota and flows 112 miles from Lake Tetonka near Waterville to Red Wing where it joins the Mississippi River. It drains a watershed approximately 1460 square miles in size. Bounded by rolling hills, high bluffs, farmland and woods in its upper reaches, this river enters a broad gorge below Cannon Falls. The Cannon is designated as a wild and scenic river. There are few rapids; none are difficult (Class I). The river is host to many fine smallmouth bass, walleye, trout, and channel catfish and rough fish like suckers, redhorse, carp and sheepshead.
cannon River Character
Stream flow usually peaks in early April. Very heavy rains can cause the river to flood. Because there are few rapids to cause canoeists or kayakers problems in low water, the level is usually sufficient for floating or paddling. The dam at Lake Byllesby, affects water levels and watercraft activities downstream. From Faribault to its mouth, the Cannon falls 280 feet, an average of 4.8 feet per mile, making this an above average river gradient.
cannon river Landscape
Surrounded by rolling hills, bluffs, farmland and woods in the rivers upper reaches, the Cannon River enters a broad gorge below the City of Cannon Falls, where the river is flanked by bluffs over 250 feet high. The Cannon River is underlaid with a variety of sedimentary rocks. The river valley created by cutting through these rocks produced rock outcrops of St. Peter Sandstone, the Prairie du Chein Group of dolomites and sandstone, and near the river's mouth, Jordan Sandstone and the St. Lawrence and Franconia formations.
cannon river Fish and Wildlife
In the reservoirs and slow stretches above Faribault the most common game fish are northern pike, black crappies, bluegills and bullheads. Downstream from Faribault the most common species are smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye and, in the stretch below Cannon Falls, channel catfish. Wildlife seen in the river valley includes white-tailed deer, beavers, otters, raccoons, bobcats, red fox, gray fox and coyotes. Bald eagles are sighted near the Mississippi River.
cannon river History
By 1000 A.D. the Mississippian Culture, a tradition heavily dependent on agriculture, was established in southern Minnesota. The mouth of the Cannon River was a major center of this culture. In historic times Indians and traders frequently hid their canoes near the river's mouth, and so French fur traders called the stream La Riviere aux Canots, "the river of canoes." In 1877 there were 15 flour mills along the stretch of river between Faribault and Northfield alone. At Dundas river travelers can still see the aging limestone walls of the Archbald Mill
cannon river Map
geoPDF map of the Cannon River
Virtual Tour
Take a virtual tour. It's a great tool to help you plan your next visit! Panoramic tour | Snapshot tour
cannon River Gauges
Site Report - River Mile 13.9 - Cannon River at Welch (39004002)
USGS ID - (05355200)
Site Report -River Mile 42.1 - Cannon River at Northfield, 2nd St. West (39069002)
USGS ID - (05355024)
Site Report - River Mile 52.8 - Cannon River at County Hwy 29 below Fairbault (39077002)
USGS ID (05354500)
cannon river Shuttle and Rental Services
Cannon Falls Canoe and Bike Rental 615 North 5th Street, Cannon Falls, MN 55009; 507-407-4111. Just north of the bridge over the Cannon River. Canoe, kayak, raft & bicycle rental. Offers shuttle services for 8 mile float from Cannon Falls to Miesville Ravine Park, a 13 mile float to Welch, and an 18 mile river float to US Hwy 61. See map.
Gear ReSource Outfitters - 201 Railway St. N, Dundas, MN 55019; 507-407-GEAR or 507-407-4327. Kayak and stand-up paddleboard, tents and other camping gear rental, shuttle service and guided trips on the Cannon River between Faribault and the West edge of Lake Byllesby.
Pilgrim Paddles - 507-281-9516; Jeff@pilgrimpaddles.com. Serving the Zumbro, Root, and Cannon River watersheds and adjacent Mississippi River since 2005. Offers instruction in canoe, kayak, and standup paddleboard (SUP) as well as guided tours. All sessions run by ACA certified instructor. Also serves Mississippi, Root, and Zumbro Rivers.
Welch Mill Canoeing & Tubing - 26389 County 7 Boulevard, Welch, MN 55089; 800-657-6760 or 651-388-9857. Canoe, kayak, and tubing rental available. Shuttles available when renting.
cannon River trips
Start a float down the Cannon River at the carry in access off of US Hwy 61 (RM 6.8) down to the Mississippi River (RM 0). From there float the Mississippi River downstream for 4 miles to the Red Wing Marina, a 10.9 total mile float. A 7.0 bike shuttle along roads and bike trails should take you about 36 minutes. This is a rather slow part of the river as it meanders through the lowland areas and has an average river gradient of 1.4 feet per mile.
From the County Road 7 bridge in the village of Welch (RM 13.6) down to the US Hwy 61 take out access (RM 6.8) is a 6.8 mile river float. A 7.7 mile bike shuttle using the Cannon Valley Trail will give you a flat ride of about 36 minutes. It is suggested that this float be done on a weekday to avoid the large number of "tubers" that tend to float down the Cannon River during the weekends. The river has a gradient of 3 feet per mile for this float.
The above float could also be extended to 12.3 miles by starting the float at Sunset Trail carry in access point (RM 19.1) and floating down to the US Hwy 61 bridge (RM 6.8). A 12.6 bike shuttle, again using the Cannon Valley Trail, would be a 1 hour and 12 minute bike ride. Again, this float is best done during the weekdays to avoid the "tubers". The river has an average gradient of 3 feet per mile.
A popular float for canoeist, kayakers, and tubers is the 11.9 mile float from Riverside Park (RM 25.5) in the City of Cannon Falls to the County Road 7 bridge in Welch (RM 13.6). A 10.6 mile long bike shuttle utilizing the Cannon Valley Trail for most of the shuttle would take about 53 minutes. The river in this area is surrounded by high bluffs overlooking the river below. The river drops 72 feet during this 12 mile float giving it a fast flow with a river gradient of 6 feet per mile. It may be difficult to fish with flows this fast, especially during times of high water levels.
Lake Byllesby which is a reservoir on the Cannon River is located just west of the City of Cannon Falls but it does not have good smallmouth fishing. Instead, a river float starting at the Canada Avenue Bridge (RM 40.8) just east of the village of Waterford to the Hwy 56 bridge (RM 31.8) which is at the tailwaters of Lake Byllesby is a 9 mile float and should give you more fishing action. A bicycle shuttle of 7.0 miles should take about 35 minutes. The river gradient along this stretch of river is about 2.9 feet per mile.
This 8.9 mile long float starts off in the Cannon River Wilderness Area (RM 50.8) and ends up right in downtown Northfield at the 5th Street bridge (RM 41.9). Don't go any farther otherwise you'll find yourself going over a 10 foot high dam! A 8.2 mile long bike shuttle takes about 45 minutes. Other options for take out points include a 7.4 mile float to Sechler City Park (RM 43.4) or a 5.6 mile float to Dundas City Park (RM 45.2). Both of these parks provide carry in access to the river. The river drops 3.8 feet per mile during these floats.
An extension of this float includes a bit more fast water between the Cannon River Wilderness Area and the City of Fairbault mostly due to a more narrow river channel but gives you a 13.2 mile float to fish and enjoy. The float starts at the Two Rivers Park in Fairbuault near where the Straight River joins the Cannon River. The recommended take out is at the Dundas City Park (RM 45.2) which gives you a 9.8 mile bicycle shuttle taking about 50 minutes. The river gradient along this float is 3.3 feet per mile. Water levels for this area can be checked by clicking here to determine when it might be the best time to float this river. A detailed description of this float can be found here.