Ash River Fishing
St. Louis County, designated trout stream.
Pick for troutPiscifun Carbon X ultralight spinning reel28% OFFSale $57.99 Photo of International Falls: Chris Light, CC BY-SA 4.0
Getting to know the Ash River
Across St. Louis County, the Ash River winds along as a river. GIS lines trace roughly 26 miles of it in the state. The nearest incorporated city is Orr, about 20 miles from its midpoint.
26.4 miles or so are designated trout water. Put-ins on file: 1 public access.
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| Rule | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Channel catfish | 5 (only 1 over 24") | Continuous |
| Rock bass | 30 | Continuous |
| Cisco (tullibee) | 15 (over 7") | Continuous |
| Burbot (eelpout) | 4 | Continuous |
| Stream trout | 5 combined total (only 1 over 16") | April 11 – Sept. 30, 2026 |
Expect stamp and one-line rules on the Ash River. Statewide stream trout seasons apply.
DNR designated trout stream layer and special regulations layer; 2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations. All trout streams.
Accesses on the Ash River
- Ash River (S) Access1 ramp, 15 trailer stalls, 1 dock, toilet, St. Louis County, river mile 1.3
Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites and Kittle route lines, USGS gauges.
DNR limits on the Ash River
Nothing beyond statewide limits is posted for the Ash River.
| Species | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Walleye and sauger | 6 combined total (only 1 walleye over 20" in possession) | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Northern pike (Northeast Zone) | 2 (only 1 over 40" in possession, all from 30-40" must be immediately released) | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Northern pike (Northeast Zone) | 2 (only 1 northern pike over 26") | Nov. 15, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 except where prohibited |
| Largemouth bass | Catch-and-release only | March 1 – May 22, 2026 |
| Largemouth bass | 6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth bass (when smallmouth season is open) | May 23, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Smallmouth bass | Catch-and-release only | March 1 – May 22, 2026 |
| Smallmouth bass | 6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth bass | May 23 – Sept. 13, 2026 |
| Smallmouth bass | Catch-and-release only | Sept. 14, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Largemouth and smallmouth bass | Catch-and-release only | March 1 – May 8, 2026 |
| Largemouth and smallmouth bass | 6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth bass | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Crappie | 10 combined total | Continuous |
| Sunfish | 20 combined total | Continuous |
| Yellow perch | 20 daily, 40 in possession | Continuous |
| Muskellunge | 1 (minimum size 54") | June 6 – Nov. 30, 2026 |
| Channel catfish | 5 (only 1 over 24") | Continuous |
| Rock bass | 30 | Continuous |
| Cisco (tullibee) | 15 (over 7") | Continuous |
| Burbot (eelpout) | 4 | Continuous |
| Stream trout | 5 combined total (only 1 over 16") | April 11 – Sept. 30, 2026 |
2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations. All Minnesota limits.
Close by Ash River
Lakes a short haul from Ash River
- Gannon Lake8 miles
- Ash Lake, St. Louis County9 miles
- Chub Lake, St. Louis County9 miles
- Long Lake near Orr, St. Louis County9 miles
Bait counters serving Ash River
- Cold Springs Incfarm and general store with fishing supplies, Orr, 2 miles
- Kab Outdoorsbait and tackle shop, Kabetogama, 9 miles
- Norman's One Stopfarm and general store with fishing supplies, Orr, 20 miles
- Handberg's Marinemarine supply store, Crane Lake, 21 miles
- Voyageur Tacklebait and tackle shop, St. Louis, 21 miles
Places to bunk near Ash River
- Nett Lake17 miles
- Orr20 miles
- Ranier27 miles
- International Falls28 miles
Creeks beside the Ash River
- Black Duck River4 miles
- Ninemile Creek6 miles
- Rat Root River14 miles
- Pelican River, St. Louis County15 miles
Minnesota counties sharing Ash River
Spinning and baitcasting picks for the Ash River
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Species in the nets at Ash River
Photo: Cliff from Arlington, Virginia, USA, CC BY 2.0
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Photo: Rob Foster, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Unknown, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Eric Engbretson for U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain
The Ash River, questions with short answers
What part of Minnesota holds the Ash River?
DNR route lines put it in St. Louis County.
Is the Ash River designated trout water?
It carries the trout designation over about 26.4 miles.
Is there a USGS gauge on the Ash River?
No USGS gauge matches it.
Where do I launch on the Ash River?
1 public access; Ash River (S) Access is one.
Which DNR rules apply on the Ash River?
Statewide limits apply.
Can visitors fish the Ash River?
Designated trout water takes a Minnesota angling license ($25 resident, $51 nonresident) and the $10 trout and salmon stamp validation for ages 18 to 64.
Where are minnows sold near the Ash River?
Drive 2 miles to reach Cold Springs Inc.
What town makes a base on the Ash River?
Orr, about 20 miles from the midpoint by air.
Which fish swim in the Ash River?
Records point to rainbow trout, brook trout and brown trout.
Put the Ash River on this season’s list
Check the gauge and the regulations before the trip.