Sturgeon River Fishing
St. Louis County and Itasca County.
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Key facts on the Sturgeon River
The DNR maps the Sturgeon River as a river running through St. Louis County and Itasca County. Roughly 52 miles of channel are mapped. Census points put Cook closest, around 11 miles off.
Boaters and paddlers have 1 public access.
For the sturgeon herePiscifun Chaos XS round baitcaster36% OFFSale $57.99 Landings on the Sturgeon River
- Sturgeon River, Co Rd 73 Accesscarry-in access, St. Louis County, river mile 25.4
Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites and Kittle route lines, USGS gauges.
Possession limits on the Sturgeon River
The statewide inland rows are the rule set on the Sturgeon 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 (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.
What sits close to Sturgeon River
Lakes one stop past Sturgeon River
- Leander Lake6 miles
- Dark Lake near Kinney, St. Louis County7 miles
- Fourteen Lake7 miles
- Deepwater Lake7 miles
Bait shops an easy drive from Sturgeon River
- Virginia Surplus Storesporting goods store, Virginia, 20 miles
- Timbuktu Marinamarina, Cook, 22 miles
- Norman's One Stopfarm and general store with fishing supplies, Orr, 23 miles
- Shamrock Resortmarina, Tower, 24 miles
- Aronson Boat Works Inc.marina, Tower, 25 miles
Towns to stay in near Sturgeon River
- Cook11 miles
- Kinney15 miles
- Buhl15 miles
- Chisholm16 miles
More Minnesota streams near the Sturgeon River
- Rice River, St. Louis County9 miles
- Johnson Creek9 miles
- Stony Brook11 miles
- Valley River22 miles
Sturgeon River and its counties
Reels and a weigh grip for the Sturgeon River
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Catches common at Sturgeon River
Photo: USFWS Mountain Prairie, Public domain
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Photo: USFWS Mountain Prairie, Public domain
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Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
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Photo: Unknown, CC BY-SA 3.0
What people ask about the Sturgeon River
Which Minnesota counties does the Sturgeon River cross?
Counties: St. Louis County and Itasca County.
How does the DNR list the Sturgeon River for trout?
No trout designation applies to it.
Is the Sturgeon River running high today?
USGS has no active gauge tied to it.
Can I paddle a kayak on the Sturgeon River?
1 public access on file, led by Sturgeon River, Co Rd 73 Access.
What are the limits on the Sturgeon River?
Nothing beyond statewide limits.
What does a license for the Sturgeon River cost?
Minnesota residents 16 to 89 need an angling license ($25 for the year); nonresidents 16 and older pay $51.
Where can I buy minnows near the Sturgeon River?
The nearest listing is Virginia Surplus Store, 20 miles off.
Which city is nearest the Sturgeon River?
Cook is the closest Census city, around 11 miles.
Which fish bite in the Sturgeon River?
The DNR publishes no stream survey list for it in LakeFinder.
Drive to the Sturgeon River
Trout rules change by season; read them first.