Crow River Fishing
Wright County and 5 other counties, Crow River North Fork State Water Trail.
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The Crow River, the Minnesota rundown
Kittle route lines carry the Crow River, a Minnesota river, through Wright County and 5 other counties. Its mapped line inside Minnesota runs about 185 miles. Roughly 5 miles of road lie between it and Howard Lake. Paddlers know it as the Crow River North Fork State Water Trail.
The river has 1 active gauge. The DNR access layer lists 15 public accesses.
Current readings, Crow River
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Crow River At Rockford, Mn | 1,770 cfs, 4.64 ft gage height | Nov 10 12:00 am |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 10, 2026 12:33 am ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
Where boats go in on the Crow River
- North Fork Crow River, Highway 4 Accesscarry-in access, Meeker County, river mile 128.5
- North Fork Crow River, Manannah Access1 ramp, 6 trailer stalls, Meeker County, river mile 122.8
- North Fork Crow River, Highway 22 Access1 ramp, 5 trailer stalls, Meeker County, river mile 116.9
- North Fork Crow River, Forest City Access1 ramp, 6 trailer stalls, Meeker County, river mile 106.2
- North Fork Crow River, Kingston Access1 ramp, 10 trailer stalls, toilet, Meeker County, river mile 94.2
- North Fork Crow River, Betty T Mason Accesscarry-in access, Wright County, river mile 79.3
- Crow River, Wildlife Park Access1 ramp, Wright County, river mile 68.9
- North Fork Crow River, Albright's Mill Access1 ramp, Wright County, river mile 62.7
- Crow River, Bill Anderson Park Access1 ramp, Wright County, river mile 55.3
- North Fork Crow River, Humphrey Arends Access1 ramp, Wright County, river mile 45.1
- Crow River, Crow Springs Park Access1 ramp, toilet, Wright County, river mile 35.6
- Crow River, Lake Rebecca Regional Park Access1 ramp, Hennepin County, river mile 24.7
- North Fork Crow River, Rockford Access1 ramp, 9 trailer stalls, Wright County, river mile 22.8
- Crow River, Riverside Park Access1 ramp, Wright County, river mile 15.4
- North Fork Crow River, Crow Hassen Park Reserve N Accesscarry-in access, Wright County, river mile 9.4
Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites and Kittle route lines, USGS gauges.
Pools and reservoirs on the Crow River
- Crow River Mill Pond (East)
- Crow River Mill Pond(Middle)
DNR rules on the Crow River
The statewide table below governs the Crow 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 (North-central Zone) | 10 (not more than 2 over 26", all from 22-26" must be immediately released) | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Northern pike (North-central Zone) | 10 (either 2 northern pike over 26" and none from 22 to 26" or 1 from 22 to 26" and 1 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 |
| 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 neighboring Crow River
- Camp Lake, Wright County2 miles
- Mud Lake near Cokato, Wright County3 miles
- Cokato Lake4 miles
- Howard Lake, Wright County4 miles
Where to grab leeches near Crow River
- Joe's Sport Shopsporting goods store, Howard Lake, 5 miles
- Grumpy's Outdoorssporting goods store, Maple Lake, 8 miles
- Otter Outdoorssporting goods store, Maple Lake, 8 miles
- H&H Sports Shopsporting goods store, Maple Lake, 9 miles
- Little Jim's Sportssporting goods store, Annandale, 9 miles
Lodging towns close to Crow River
- Howard Lake5 miles
- Cokato6 miles
- Waverly7 miles
- Maple Lake8 miles
Other rivers near the Crow River
- Clearwater River, Wright County15 miles
- Crow River, South Fork22 miles
- Robinson Hill Creek26 miles
- Minnehaha Creek30 miles
Crow River county pages
- Wright County
- Meeker County
- Stearns County
- Hennepin County
- Pope County
- Kandiyohi County
Piscifun tackle for a day on the Crow River
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Answers before you wade the Crow River
Which way does the Crow River run?
The DNR route line runs through Wright County and 5 other counties.
Is the Crow River a trout stream?
The DNR does not list it as trout water.
What is the latest gauge reading on the Crow River?
See the 1 USGS gauge on this page.
How many accesses does the Crow River have?
15 public accesses on the map, Crow River, Lake Rebecca Regional Park Access among them.
Is there a catch-and-release reach on the Crow River?
Statewide limits only.
Do I need a Minnesota license for the Crow River?
Minnesota residents 16 to 89 need an angling license ($25 for the year); nonresidents 16 and older pay $51.
Which bait shop is closest to the Crow River?
Joe's Sport Shop sits about 5 miles away.
Which Minnesota town lies closest to the Crow River?
Base out of Howard Lake, roughly 5 miles away.
Which fish has the DNR found in the Crow River?
No species list is published for it.
Drift a bait through the Crow River
Flow and limits first, then the drive.