Orchard Creek Fishing
Mower County and Freeborn County.
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Getting to know the Orchard Creek
Across Mower County and Freeborn County, the Orchard Creek winds along as a creek. GIS lines trace roughly 9 miles of it in the state. The nearest incorporated city is Austin, about 5 miles from its midpoint.
Put-ins on file: 1 public access.
Accesses on the Orchard Creek
- Orchard Creek Accesstrailer launch, Mower County
Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites and Kittle route lines, USGS gauges.
DNR limits on the Orchard Creek
Nothing beyond statewide limits is posted for the Orchard Creek.
| 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 a short haul from Orchard Creek
- Mill Pond, Mower County5 miles
- East Side Lake5 miles
- Ramsey Mill Pond8 miles
- Albert Lea Lake14 miles
Bait counters serving Orchard Creek
- Runningsfarm and general store with fishing supplies, Austin, 5 miles
- The Dam Bait Shopbait and tackle shop, Albert Lea, 16 miles
Places to bunk near Orchard Creek
- Austin5 miles
- Mapleview6 miles
- Myrtle8 miles
- Lyle9 miles
Creeks beside the Orchard Creek
- Turtle Creek8 miles
- Shell Rock River13 miles
- Cedar River15 miles
- Straight River, Steele County32 miles
Minnesota counties sharing Orchard Creek
Spinning and baitcasting picks for the Orchard Creek
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Species in the nets at Orchard Creek
Photo: USFWS Mountain Prairie, Public domain
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Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
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Photo: Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, CC BY-SA 2.0
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Photo: USFWS Mountain Prairie, Public domain
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The Orchard Creek, questions with short answers
What part of Minnesota holds the Orchard Creek?
DNR route lines put it in Mower County and Freeborn County.
Is the Orchard Creek designated trout water?
Not designated for trout.
Is there a USGS gauge on the Orchard Creek?
No USGS gauge matches it.
Where do I launch on the Orchard Creek?
1 public access; Orchard Creek Access is one.
Which DNR rules apply on the Orchard Creek?
Statewide limits apply.
Can visitors fish the Orchard Creek?
Minnesota residents 16 to 89 need an angling license ($25 for the year); nonresidents 16 and older pay $51.
Where are minnows sold near the Orchard Creek?
Drive 5 miles to reach Runnings.
What town makes a base on the Orchard Creek?
Austin, about 5 miles from the midpoint by air.
Which fish swim in the Orchard Creek?
LakeFinder carries no stream species for it.
Put the Orchard Creek on this season’s list
Check the gauge and the regulations before the trip.