Snake River Fishing
Kanabec County, Pine County and Aitkin County, Snake River State Water Trail.
Pick for muskellungePiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 Photo of Rum River: Tony Webster from Minneapolis, Minnesota, CC BY-SA 2.0
The Snake River in numbers
Minnesota anglers fish the Snake River, a river of Kanabec County, Pine County and Aitkin County. The DNR route line covers close to 99 miles. For minnows and gas, Mora is about 2 miles away. It carries the Snake River State Water Trail designation.
Muskellunge are managed in it, per the DNR layer. USGS runs 1 active gauge on it. The access list holds 11 public accesses.
For the muskellunge herePiscifun AlumiX spinning reel46% OFFSale $64.99 Discharge on the Snake River
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Snake River Near Pine City, Mn | 1,080 cfs, 4.16 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.
Reaching the Snake River by boat
- Snake River, Bear Creek Accesscarry-in access, Aitkin County, river mile 83.8
- Snake River, Silver Star Rd Access1 ramp, 4 trailer stalls, Aitkin County, river mile 79.1
- Snake River (S), Aitkin Co Park Access1 ramp, 5 trailer stalls, toilet, Aitkin County, river mile 76.6
- Snake River, Co Rd 3 Accesscarry-in access, Kanabec County, river mile 56.8
- Snake River, Mora Accesscarry-in access, Kanabec County, river mile 41.9
- Fish Lake (N) Access1 ramp, 8 trailer stalls, Kanabec County, river mile 38.3
- Snake River, Co Rd 11 Access1 ramp, 10 trailer stalls, Kanabec County, river mile 34.8
- Snake River, Little Walleye Landing Public Water Access Site (Pine County) Access1 ramp, 4 trailer stalls, Pine County, river mile 22.1
- Pokegama Lake (S) Access1 ramp, 12 trailer stalls, 1 dock, toilet, Pine County, river mile 17.4
- Cross Lake Access near Pine City2 ramps, 20 trailer stalls, 2 docks, toilet, Pine County, river mile 13.5
- Snake River, Cross Lake Access1 ramp, 20 trailer stalls, 1 dock, toilet, Pine County, river mile 11.9
Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites and Kittle route lines, USGS gauges.
Booklet rules for the Snake River
Every limit on the Snake 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 (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.
Beyond the shore of Snake River
More Minnesota lakes near Snake River
- Mora Lake, Kanabec County2 miles
- Knife Lake, Kanabec County4 miles
- Quamba Lake5 miles
- Fish Lake, Kanabec County5 miles
Minnow buckets filled near Snake River
- Jerry's Sport & Bait Shopbait and tackle shop, Mora, 2 miles
- 65 Bait Fish Farmbait and tackle shop, Braham, 13 miles
- Highway 65 Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Braham, 13 miles
- Red's Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Pine City, 17 miles
- Prince Bait & Marine Incbait and tackle shop, Milaca, 19 miles
Towns within an easy drive of Snake River
- Mora2 miles
- Quamba5 miles
- Henriette8 miles
- Ogilvie9 miles
Streams neighboring the Snake River
- Knife River, Kanabec County8 miles
- Rum River20 miles
- Kettle River24 miles
- St. Croix River near Hinckley, Pine County, 0.2 mi28 miles
Counties that Snake River reaches
- Kanabec County
- Pine County
- Aitkin County
Four Piscifun picks for the Snake River
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Fish to look for at Snake River
Photo: Fredlyfish4, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: USFWS Mountain Prairie, Public domain
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Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
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Photo: Rob Foster, CC BY 4.0
Reader questions on the Snake River
How do I drive to the Snake River?
Through Kanabec County, Pine County and Aitkin County.
May I keep trout from the Snake River?
No; it carries no trout designation.
Where can I check discharge on the Snake River?
There are 1 USGS gauge, listed above.
Which accesses reach the Snake River?
The DNR layer lists 11 public accesses; Snake River, Mora Access is one.
Are there special DNR rules on the Snake River?
Only statewide limits.
Is a stamp needed on the Snake 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 Snake River?
Jerry's Sport & Bait Shop, about 2 miles away.
Which Minnesota town makes a base for the Snake River?
Mora, some 2 miles off by air.
Which species does the Snake River hold?
Species are not on file for it.
Work the Snake River
Buy the license and stamp online before the trip.