Root River Fishing
Fillmore County and 3 other counties, Root River State Water Trail.
Pick for walleyePiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 Photo: A. E. Crane, U.S. Department of Transportation, Public domain
Getting to know the Root River
Across Fillmore County and 3 other counties, the Root River winds along as a river. GIS lines trace roughly 148 miles of it in the state. The nearest incorporated city is Chatfield, about 3 miles from its midpoint. The DNR maps it as the Root River State Water Trail.
There are 3 active gauges along it. Put-ins on file: 12 public accesses.
USGS gauges along the Root River
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Root River Near Pilot Mound, Mn | 490 cfs, 8.58 ft gage height | Nov 13 7:00 pm |
| Root River Above Rushford, Mn | 9.88 ft gage height | Nov 13 7:00 pm |
| Root River Near Houston, Mn | 926 cfs, 4.08 ft gage height | Nov 13 6:45 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 13, 2026 7:33 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
Accesses on the Root River
- Root River, Chatfield Access1 ramp, 2 trailer stalls, Fillmore County, river mile 86.4
- Root River, Parsley Bridge Access1 ramp, 8 trailer stalls, toilet, Fillmore County, river mile 78.4
- Root River, Moen's Bridge Access1 ramp, 2 trailer stalls, Fillmore County, river mile 65.3
- Root River, Lanesboro Shorefishing Access1 ramp, 2 trailer stalls, Fillmore County, river mile 56
- Root River, Hwy 16 Access1 ramp, 10 trailer stalls, toilet, Fillmore County, river mile 52.5
- Root River, Whalan Access1 ramp, toilet, Fillmore County, river mile 49.3
- Root River, Peterson Access1 ramp, 6 trailer stalls, Fillmore County, river mile 38.9
- Root River, Rushford Access1 ramp, 5 trailer stalls, Fillmore County, river mile 35.1
- Root River, Houston Access1 ramp, 4 trailer stalls, Houston County, river mile 18.7
- Root River, Mound Prairie Access1 ramp, 4 trailer stalls, Houston County, river mile 12
- Root River, Hokah Access1 ramp, 4 trailer stalls, Houston County, river mile 5.8
- Root River, Hwy 26 Access1 ramp, 4 trailer stalls, Houston County, river mile 3.2
Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites and Kittle route lines, USGS gauges.
DNR limits on the Root River
Nothing beyond statewide limits is posted for the Root 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 (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 Root River
- Lanesboro Mill Pond10 miles
- Bear Creek Reservoir15 miles
- Willow Reservoir 417 miles
- Silver Crk Reservoir SR-219 miles
Bait counters serving Root River
- The Driftless Fly Fishing Companyfly shop, Fillmore, 10 miles
- Root River Rod Cobait and tackle shop, Lanesboro, 10 miles
- Gamehaven Boat Dockmarina, Olmsted, 17 miles
- Fleet Farmsporting goods store, Rochester, 19 miles
- Rochester SCHEELSsporting goods store, Rochester, 22 miles
Places to bunk near Root River
- Chatfield3 miles
- Fountain5 miles
- Wykoff10 miles
- Preston10 miles
Creeks beside the Root River
- Rice Creek, Fillmore County4 miles
- Mill Creek5 miles
- Trout Run Creek5 miles
- Lost Creek7 miles
Minnesota counties sharing Root River
Spinning and baitcasting picks for the Root River
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Species in the nets at Root River
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: Ryan Somma, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, CC BY 2.0
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The Root River, questions with short answers
What part of Minnesota holds the Root River?
DNR route lines put it in Fillmore County, Olmsted County, Houston County and Mower County.
Is the Root River designated trout water?
Not designated for trout.
Is there a USGS gauge on the Root River?
USGS runs 3 USGS gauges; the table is above.
Where do I launch on the Root River?
12 public accesses; Root River, Whalan Access is one.
Which DNR rules apply on the Root River?
Statewide limits apply.
Can visitors fish the Root River?
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 Root River?
Drive 10 miles to reach The Driftless Fly Fishing Company.
What town makes a base on the Root River?
Chatfield, about 3 miles from the midpoint by air.
Which fish swim in the Root River?
LakeFinder carries no stream species for it.
Put the Root River on this season’s list
Check the gauge and the regulations before the trip.