Cannon River Fishing
Rice County and 3 other counties, Cannon River State Water Trail.
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First look at the Cannon River
Through Rice County and 3 other counties, the Cannon River cuts its way as a river. Its Minnesota length on the map is about 113 miles. Measured from the route midpoint, Waterville sits about 2 miles off. Its route is the Cannon River State Water Trail.
4 active gauges report from the channel. 20 public accesses give boat access.
Discharge on the Cannon River
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Cannon River At Co. Hwy. 29 Below Faribault, Mn | 847 cfs, 11.70 ft gage height | Nov 13 3:00 pm |
| Cannon River At Northfield Mn | 844 cfs, 891.44 ft gage height | Nov 13 3:15 pm |
| Cannon River At 9th St. Bridge In Cannon Falls, Mn | 962 cfs, 8.93 ft gage height | Nov 13 3:20 pm |
| Cannon River At Welch, Mn | 1,110 cfs, 5.10 ft gage height | Nov 13 3:00 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 13, 2026 3:33 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
Canoe put-ins along the Cannon River
- Tetonka Lake Access2 ramps, 20 trailer stalls, 1 dock, toilet, Le Sueur County, river mile 82.8
- Cannon River, Sakatah Lake, Waterville Access2 ramps, 6 trailer stalls, 1 dock, Le Sueur County, river mile 81
- Upper Sakatah Lake Access1 ramp, 7 trailer stalls, 1 dock, toilet, Rice County, river mile 78.4
- Cannon River, Morristown Accesscarry-in access, Rice County, river mile 72.4
- Cannon Lake Access2 ramps, 20 trailer stalls, 2 docks, Rice County, river mile 64.8
- Cannon River, South Alexander Park Access1 ramp, 6 trailer stalls, Rice County, river mile 59.3
- Cannon River, Two Rivers Access Access1 ramp, 5 trailer stalls, Rice County, river mile 58.5
- Cannon River, Wildeness Area Access1 ramp, toilet, Rice County, river mile 50.8
- Cannon River, Dundas Access Accesscarry-in access, Rice County, river mile 45.2
- Cannon River, Dundas Island Access1 ramp, Rice County, river mile 45
- Cannon River, Sechler City Park Accesscarry-in access, Rice County, river mile 43.5
- Cannon River, Riverside City Park, Hwy 3 Accesscarry-in access, Rice County, river mile 42.1
- Cannon River, Lake Byllesby (W) Access1 ramp, 10 trailer stalls, Goodhue County, river mile 30.3
- Cannon River, Lake Byllesby (E) Access2 ramps, 40 trailer stalls, 2 docks, toilet, Goodhue County, river mile 27.9
- Cannon River, Lake Byllesby Regional Park, Dam Public Water Access Access1 ramp, 1 trailer stalls, 1 dock, toilet, Goodhue County, river mile 27.5
- Cannon River, Hannah's Bend Park Access1 ramp, 5 trailer stalls, Goodhue County, river mile 25.8
- Cannon River, Riverside Park Access1 ramp, Goodhue County, river mile 25.5
- Cannon River, Sunset Trail Access1 ramp, Goodhue County, river mile 19.1
- Cannon River, Miesville Ravine Co Park Access1 ramp, DNR alert posted, Dakota County, river mile 18.5
- Cannon River, Highway 61 Access1 ramp, 5 trailer stalls, Goodhue County, river mile 6.8
Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites and Kittle route lines, USGS gauges.
Harvest rules on the Cannon River
No special regulation names the Cannon River, so statewide rows apply.
| Species | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Walleye and sauger | 6 combined total (only 1 walleye over 20" in possession) | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Northern pike (Southern Zone) | 2 (minimum size 24") | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Northern pike (Southern Zone) | 2 (minimum size 24") | 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 |
| 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 |
2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations. All Minnesota limits.
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Lakes worth a look near Cannon River
- Upper Sakatah Lakeunder a mile
- Lower Sakatah Lake1 mile
- Horseshoe Lake, Le Sueur County2 miles
- Tetonka Lake4 miles
Tackle stops on the way to Cannon River
- Jt's Hooked Up Bait And Tacklebait and tackle shop, Elysian, 7 miles
- Lake Country Convenience & Baitbait and tackle shop, Faribault, 11 miles
- Johns Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Faribault, 12 miles
- Nagel's Live Baitbait and tackle shop, Faribault, 12 miles
- Mac's Shacksfarm and general store with fishing supplies, Faribault, 13 miles
Overnight bases for Cannon River
- Waterville2 miles
- Morristown4 miles
- Kilkenny6 miles
- Elysian8 miles
Rivers surrounding the Cannon River
- Straight River, Steele County18 miles
- Le Sueur River19 miles
- Little Cobb River22 miles
- Cobb River28 miles
Counties surrounding Cannon River
Piscifun reels to pack for the Cannon River
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The Cannon River, asked by anglers
Which Minnesota county holds the Cannon River?
It crosses Rice County, Le Sueur County, Goodhue County and Dakota County.
Which stream trout rules cover the Cannon River?
It is not a designated trout stream.
Does a USGS gauge sit on the Cannon River?
Readings from 4 USGS gauges are shown above.
Can I put a canoe in the Cannon River?
Try Upper Sakatah Lake Access, one of 20 public accesses.
Are statewide limits in force on the Cannon River?
The statewide table covers it.
Which license do I need on the Cannon River?
Minnesota residents 16 to 89 need an angling license ($25 for the year); nonresidents 16 and older pay $51.
Which shop is nearest the Cannon River?
Try Jt's Hooked Up Bait And Tackle (7 miles).
How far is the Cannon River from a Minnesota city?
Waterville, about 2 miles from the mapped midpoint.
Does the Cannon River have walleye?
No DNR species list is published.
Plan a river day on the Cannon River
Check the flow and the rules before you drive.