Cedar River Fishing
Mower County and Dodge County, Cedar River State Water Trail.
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The Cedar River in numbers
Minnesota anglers fish the Cedar River, a river of Mower County and Dodge County. The DNR route line covers close to 65 miles. For minnows and gas, Blooming Prairie is about 4 miles away. It carries the Cedar River State Water Trail designation.
USGS runs 1 active gauge on it. The access list holds 5 public accesses.
Discharge on the Cedar River
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Cedar River Near Austin, Mn | 438 cfs, 3.89 ft gage height | Nov 13 4:00 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 13, 2026 4:33 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
Reaching the Cedar River by boat
- Cedar River, Ramsey Mill Pond Access1 ramp, 5 trailer stalls, Mower County, river mile 21.2
- Austin Mill Pond Access1 ramp, 5 trailer stalls, Mower County, river mile 17.5
- Cedar River, Dreisner Park Accesscarry-in access, Mower County, river mile 16.5
- Cedar River, Marcusen Park Access1 ramp, Mower County, river mile 15.6
- Cedar River, Riverwood Landing Accesscarry-in access, Mower County, river mile 11.8
Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites and Kittle route lines, USGS gauges.
Booklet rules for the Cedar River
Every limit on the Cedar River is in the table below.
| 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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More Minnesota lakes near Cedar River
- Ramsey Mill Pond9 miles
- Mill Pond, Mower County12 miles
- East Side Lake12 miles
- Geneva Lake, Freeborn County14 miles
Minnow buckets filled near Cedar River
- Runningsfarm and general store with fishing supplies, Austin, 10 miles
- Full Moon Tackle Cobait and tackle shop, Mantorville, 20 miles
- Fleet Farmsporting goods store, Owatonna, 21 miles
- The Dam Bait Shopbait and tackle shop, Albert Lea, 22 miles
- Johns Tackle Servicebait and tackle shop, Byron, 23 miles
Towns within an easy drive of Cedar River
- Blooming Prairie3 miles
- Waltham6 miles
- Hayfield8 miles
- Brownsdale9 miles
Streams neighboring the Cedar River
- Turtle Creek11 miles
- Orchard Creek15 miles
- Straight River, Steele County19 miles
- Shell Rock River23 miles
Counties that Cedar River reaches
Four Piscifun picks for the Cedar River
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Fish to look for at Cedar River
Photo: USFWS Mountain Prairie, Public domain
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Photo: USFWS Mountain Prairie, Public domain
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Photo: Engbretson, Eric / U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain
Photo: USFWS Mountain Prairie, Public domain
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Reader questions on the Cedar River
How do I drive to the Cedar River?
Through Mower County and Dodge County.
May I keep trout from the Cedar River?
No; it carries no trout designation.
Where can I check discharge on the Cedar River?
There are 1 USGS gauge, listed above.
Which accesses reach the Cedar River?
The DNR layer lists 5 public accesses; Cedar River, Riverwood Landing Access is one.
Are there special DNR rules on the Cedar River?
Only statewide limits.
Is a stamp needed on the Cedar River?
Minnesota residents 16 to 89 need an angling license ($25 for the year); nonresidents 16 and older pay $51.
Who sells leeches near the Cedar River?
Runnings, about 10 miles away.
Which Minnesota town makes a base for the Cedar River?
Blooming Prairie, some 4 miles off by air.
Which species does the Cedar River hold?
Species are not on file for it.
Work the Cedar River
Buy the license and stamp online before the trip.