Watonwan River Fishing
Watonwan County, Cottonwood County and Blue Earth County, Watonwan River State Water Trail.
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Key facts on the Watonwan River
The DNR maps the Watonwan River as a river running through Watonwan County, Cottonwood County and Blue Earth County. Roughly 103 miles of channel are mapped. Census points put La Salle closest, around under a mile off. It is part of the Watonwan River State Water Trail.
Live numbers come from 1 active gauge. Boaters and paddlers have 6 public accesses.
USGS readings on the Watonwan River
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Watonwan River Near Garden City, Mn | 261 cfs, 1.78 ft gage height | Nov 13 12:30 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 13, 2026 1:33 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
Landings on the Watonwan River
- Watonwan River, Medelia Access1 ramp, 10 trailer stalls, Watonwan County, river mile 47.6
- Watonwan River, Co Rd 32 Access1 ramp, 4 trailer stalls, Blue Earth County, river mile 35
- Watonwan River, Co Rd 20 Access1 ramp, 10 trailer stalls, Blue Earth County, river mile 29.5
- Watonwan River, Hwy #169 Accesscarry-in access, Blue Earth County, river mile 21.2
- Watonwan River, Garden City Access1 ramp, Blue Earth County, river mile 20.4
- Watonwan River, Blue Earth County Fair Accesscarry-in access, 6 trailer stalls, Blue Earth County, river mile 19.9
Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites and Kittle route lines, USGS gauges.
Possession limits on the Watonwan River
The statewide inland rows are the rule set on the Watonwan 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 one stop past Watonwan River
- Hanska Lake5 miles
- St. James Lake7 miles
- Fedji Lake10 miles
- Wood Lake, Watonwan County10 miles
Bait shops an easy drive from Watonwan River
- Darryl's Motorsportssporting goods store, Ormsby, 16 miles
- R & R Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, New Ulm, 18 miles
- Hunter's Densporting goods store, New Ulm, 19 miles
- Runningsfarm and general store with fishing supplies, New Ulm, 19 miles
- Runningsfarm and general store with fishing supplies, Springfield, 24 miles
Towns to stay in near Watonwan River
- La Salleunder a mile
- St. James6 miles
- Hanska7 miles
- Madelia8 miles
More Minnesota streams near the Watonwan River
- Blue Earth River27 miles
- Maple River31 miles
- Cobb River39 miles
- Little Cobb River39 miles
Watonwan River and its counties
- Watonwan County
- Cottonwood County
- Blue Earth County
Reels and a weigh grip for the Watonwan River
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Catches common at Watonwan River
Photo: Robert Pos, CC BY 2.0
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Photo: James Mann from Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada, CC BY 2.0
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Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
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Photo: USFWS Mountain Prairie, Public domain
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What people ask about the Watonwan River
Which Minnesota counties does the Watonwan River cross?
Counties: Watonwan County, Cottonwood County and Blue Earth County.
How does the DNR list the Watonwan River for trout?
No trout designation applies to it.
Is the Watonwan River running high today?
1 USGS gauge post readings above.
Can I paddle a kayak on the Watonwan River?
6 public accesses on file, led by Watonwan River, Co Rd 20 Access.
What are the limits on the Watonwan River?
Nothing beyond statewide limits.
What does a license for the Watonwan 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 Watonwan River?
The nearest listing is Darryl's Motorsports, 16 miles off.
Which city is nearest the Watonwan River?
La Salle is the closest Census city, around under a mile.
Which fish bite in the Watonwan River?
The DNR publishes no stream survey list for it in LakeFinder.
Drive to the Watonwan River
Trout rules change by season; read them first.