Minnesota rivers
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Crow Wing River Fishing
Wadena County and 4 other counties, Crow Wing River State Water Trail.
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Minnesota rivers
First look at the Crow Wing River
Through Wadena County and 4 other counties, the Crow Wing River cuts its way as a river. Its Minnesota length on the map is about 117 miles. Measured from the route midpoint, Nevis sits about 9 miles off. Its route is the Crow Wing River State Water Trail.
2 active gauges report from the channel. 32 public accesses give boat access.
117miles mapped
5counties
2USGS gauges
32public accesses
Flow
Discharge on the Crow Wing River
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Crow Wing River At Nimrod, Mn | 605 cfs, 3.20 ft gage height | Nov 11 1:00 am |
| Crow Wing River Near Pillager, Mn | 3,450 cfs, 5.36 ft gage height | Nov 11 12:45 am |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 11, 2026 1:32 am ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
Access
Canoe put-ins along the Crow Wing River
- 11th Crow Wing Lake Access1 ramp, 12 trailer stalls, 1 dock, toilet, Hubbard County, river mile 118
- 10th Crow Wing Lake Access1 ramp, 10 trailer stalls, 1 dock, Hubbard County, river mile 115.9
- 8th Crow Wing Lake Access1 ramp, 8 trailer stalls, 1 dock, Hubbard County, river mile 114.1
- Crow Wing River, 7th Crow Wing Lake Access1 ramp, Hubbard County, river mile 109.5
- 6th Crow Wing Lake Access1 ramp, 8 trailer stalls, 1 dock, Hubbard County, river mile 107.6
- 3rd Crow Wing Lake Access1 ramp, 6 trailer stalls, 1 dock, Hubbard County, river mile 98.2
- 4th Crow Wing Lake Access1 ramp, 5 trailer stalls, 1 dock, Hubbard County, river mile 98.2
- Crow Wing River, 1st Crow Wing Lake Access1 ramp, 8 trailer stalls, 2 docks, Hubbard County, river mile 89.7
- Crow Wing River, Tree Farm Landing, #1 Accesscarry-in access, Wadena County, river mile 85
- Crow Wing River, Huntersville (N) Access1 ramp, toilet, Wadena County, river mile 82.6
- Crow Wing River, Huntersville #2 Accesscarry-in access, Wadena County, river mile 81.1
- Crow Wing River, Casey's Landing, #3 Access1 ramp, 6 trailer stalls, Wadena County, river mile 78.7
- Crow Wing River, State Forest Campground, #4 Accesscarry-in access, Wadena County, river mile 77.7
- Crow Wing River, Mary Brown, #5 Access1 ramp, Wadena County, river mile 75.3
- Crow Wing River, Anderson's Crossing, #6 Accesscarry-in access, Wadena County, river mile 71.3
- Crow Wing River, Stigman's Mound, #7 Access1 ramp, toilet, Wadena County, river mile 65.5
- Crow Wing River, Frame's Landing Accesscarry-in access, Wadena County, river mile 64.4
- Crow Wing River, Little White Dog, #9 Accesscarry-in access, Wadena County, river mile 59.3
- Crow Wing River, Knob Hill Landing, #10 Access1 ramp, Wadena County, river mile 53.2
- Crow Wing River, Cottingham Co. Park, #11 Accesscarry-in access, Wadena County, river mile 49.4
- Crow Wing River, Bullard Bluff, #12 Accesscarry-in access, Wadena County, river mile 42.8
- Crow Wing River, Old Wadena County Park, #13 Accesscarry-in access, Wadena County, river mile 38.9
- Crow Wing River, Orville's landing Access1 ramp, 4 trailer stalls, Wadena County, river mile 37.2
- Crow Wing River, McGivern County Park, #15 Access1 ramp, 7 trailer stalls, Wadena County, river mile 33.7
- Crow Wing River, Marsh's Landing, #16 Access1 ramp, 10 trailer stalls, Cass County, river mile 29.5
- Crow Wing River, Green Oak Landing Access1 ramp, 5 trailer stalls, Todd County, river mile 26.4
- Crow Wing River, Truck Station Landing Access1 ramp, 10 trailer stalls, Morrison County, river mile 21.6
- Crow Wing River, Al Vah's Access1 ramp, 8 trailer stalls, Morrison County, river mile 15.4
- Crow Wing River, Lake Placid Reservoir, #3 Access1 ramp, 12 trailer stalls, 1 dock, Cass County, river mile 11.8
- Crow Wing River, #2, Wilder Landing Access1 ramp, 8 trailer stalls, Cass County, river mile 7
- Crow Wing River, #3, Sylvan Reservoir Access2 ramps, 14 trailer stalls, 1 dock, Cass County, river mile 5.2
- Crow Wing River, #4, Fisherman's Bank Access1 ramp, 10 trailer stalls, Cass County, river mile 3.9
Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites and Kittle route lines, USGS gauges.
Limits
Harvest rules on the Crow Wing River
No special regulation names the Crow Wing 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 (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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Around Crow Wing River, up close
Lakes worth a look near Crow Wing River
- First Crow Wing Lakeunder a mile
- Second Crow Wing Lakeunder a mile
- Third Crow Wing Lake2 miles
- Palmer Lake2 miles
Tackle stops on the way to Crow Wing River
- Delaney's Sporting Goodssporting goods store, Park Rapids, 10 miles
- Northern Bait Cobait and tackle shop, Park Rapids, 11 miles
- Smokey Hills Outdoor Storesporting goods store, Park Rapids, 12 miles
- Shell Sport & Baitbait and tackle shop, Menahga, 13 miles
- North Country Baitbait and tackle shop, Park Rapids, 17 miles
Overnight bases for Crow Wing River
- Nevis9 miles
- Park Rapids11 miles
- Akeley13 miles
- Menahga13 miles
Rivers surrounding the Crow Wing River
- Straight River, Hubbard County15 miles
- Farnham Creek19 miles
- Pine River24 miles
- Kabekona River27 miles
Counties surrounding Crow Wing River
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Answers
The Crow Wing River, asked by anglers
Which Minnesota county holds the Crow Wing River?
It crosses Wadena County, Hubbard County, Cass County, Morrison County and Todd County.
Which stream trout rules cover the Crow Wing River?
It is not a designated trout stream.
Does a USGS gauge sit on the Crow Wing River?
Readings from 2 USGS gauges are shown above.
Can I put a canoe in the Crow Wing River?
Try Crow Wing River, Lake Placid Reservoir, #3 Access, one of 32 public accesses.
Are statewide limits in force on the Crow Wing River?
The statewide table covers it.
Which license do I need on the Crow Wing 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 Crow Wing River?
Try Delaney's Sporting Goods (10 miles).
How far is the Crow Wing River from a Minnesota city?
Nevis, about 9 miles from the mapped midpoint.
Does the Crow Wing River have walleye?
No DNR species list is published.
Plan a river day on the Crow Wing River
Check the flow and the rules before you drive.