Straight River, Steele County Fishing
Steele County and Rice County, Straight River State Water Trail.
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First look at the Straight River, Steele County
Through Steele County and Rice County, the Straight River, Steele County cuts its way as a river. Its Minnesota length on the map is about 59 miles. Measured from the route midpoint, Owatonna sits about 3 miles off. Its route is the Straight River State Water Trail.
1 active gauge report from the channel. 5 public accesses give boat access.
Discharge on the Straight River, Steele County
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Straight River Near Faribault, Mn | 411 cfs, 4.95 ft gage height | Nov 13 3:15 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 13, 2026 4:33 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
Canoe put-ins along the Straight River, Steele County
- Straight River, Morehouse Access1 ramp, 3 trailer stalls, Steele County, river mile 27.1
- Straight River, Co Rd 45 Accesscarry-in access, 5 trailer stalls, Steele County, river mile 20.8
- Straight River, Medford Access1 ramp, 5 trailer stalls, Steele County, river mile 17.2
- Straight River, Kroghs Landing Access1 ramp, 5 trailer stalls, Rice County, river mile 10.1
- Straight River, Teepee Tonka Access1 ramp, 5 trailer stalls, Rice County, river mile 1.8
Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites and Kittle route lines, USGS gauges.
Harvest rules on the Straight River, Steele County
No special regulation names the Straight River, Steele County, 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 (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 worth a look near Straight River, Steele County
- Kohlmeier Lake1 mile
- Clear Lake near Waseca, Waseca County, 649 acres12 miles
- Beaver Lake, Steele County12 miles
- St. Olaf Lake13 miles
Tackle stops on the way to Straight River, Steele County
- Fleet Farmsporting goods store, Owatonna, 2 miles
- Bass Pro Shops Owatonnasporting goods store, Owatonna, 6 miles
- Nagel's Live Baitbait and tackle shop, Faribault, 17 miles
- Johns Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Faribault, 17 miles
- Mac's Shacksfarm and general store with fishing supplies, Faribault, 19 miles
Overnight bases for Straight River, Steele County
- Owatonna3 miles
- Medford8 miles
- Claremont13 miles
- Ellendale13 miles
Rivers surrounding the Straight River, Steele County
- Le Sueur River17 miles
- Cannon River18 miles
- Cedar River19 miles
- Turtle Creek24 miles
Counties surrounding Straight River, Steele County
- Steele County
- Rice County
Piscifun reels to pack for the Straight River, Steele County
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The Straight River, Steele County, asked by anglers
Which Minnesota county holds the Straight River, Steele County?
It crosses Steele County and Rice County.
Which stream trout rules cover the Straight River, Steele County?
It is not a designated trout stream.
Does a USGS gauge sit on the Straight River, Steele County?
Readings from 1 USGS gauge are shown above.
Can I put a canoe in the Straight River, Steele County?
Try Straight River, Kroghs Landing Access, one of 5 public accesses.
Are statewide limits in force on the Straight River, Steele County?
The statewide table covers it.
Which license do I need on the Straight River, Steele County?
Minnesota residents 16 to 89 need an angling license ($25 for the year); nonresidents 16 and older pay $51.
Which shop is nearest the Straight River, Steele County?
Try Fleet Farm (2 miles).
How far is the Straight River, Steele County from a Minnesota city?
Owatonna, about 3 miles from the mapped midpoint.
Does the Straight River, Steele County have walleye?
No DNR species list is published.
Plan a river day on the Straight River, Steele County
Check the flow and the rules before you drive.