Whitewater River, Middle Branch Fishing
Winona County and Olmsted County, designated trout stream.
Pick for troutPiscifun Carbon X ultralight spinning reel28% OFFSale $57.99 Photo of Whitewater River: Tony Webster from Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, CC BY 2.0
Key facts on the Whitewater River, Middle Branch
The DNR maps the Whitewater River, Middle Branch as a river running through Winona County and Olmsted County. Roughly 14 miles of channel are mapped. Census points put Elba closest, around 4 miles off.
About 14.3 miles are on the DNR designated trout stream layer.
For the trout herePiscifun Carbon XT ultralight spinning reel25% OFFSale $59.99 How the DNR lists the Whitewater River, Middle Branch for trout
| Regulation | Reach |
|---|---|
| Catch & Release for All Trout (Articifial Lures or Flies Only) | 9.2-mile posted section from the group camp in Whitewater State Park upstream to the source. |
| Special catch-and-release season October 16 – December 31 – See regulations book for additional angling seasons within the boundaries of State Park. | Within the State Park |
| Rule | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Stream trout | Catch-and-release only | Jan. 1 – April 10, 2026 |
| Stream trout | 5 combined total (only 1 over 16") | April 11 – Sept. 14, 2026 |
| Stream trout | Catch-and-release only | Sept. 15 – Oct. 15, 2026 |
| Stream trout | Closed to fishing | Oct. 16 – Dec. 31, 2026 |
| Stream trout | Catch-and-release only | Jan. 1 – April 9, 2027 |
On the Whitewater River, Middle Branch, the stamp validation and a single line apply during trout season. It sits in the southeast trout region, with its own season dates.
DNR designated trout stream layer and special regulations layer; 2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations. All trout streams.
Landings on the Whitewater River, Middle Branch
Road crossings and public land are the way onto the Whitewater River, Middle Branch.
Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites and Kittle route lines, USGS gauges.
Possession limits on the Whitewater River, Middle Branch
The statewide inland rows are the rule set on the Whitewater River, Middle Branch.
| 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 |
| Stream trout | Catch-and-release only | Jan. 1 – April 10, 2026 |
| Stream trout | 5 combined total (only 1 over 16") | April 11 – Sept. 14, 2026 |
| Stream trout | Catch-and-release only | Sept. 15 – Oct. 15, 2026 |
| Stream trout | Closed to fishing | Oct. 16 – Dec. 31, 2026 |
| Stream trout | Catch-and-release only | Jan. 1 – April 9, 2027 |
2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations. All Minnesota limits.
What sits close to Whitewater River, Middle Branch
Lakes one stop past Whitewater River, Middle Branch
- Bear Creek Reservoir12 miles
- Silver Crk Reservoir SR-214 miles
- Lake Goodview18 miles
- Silver Lake, Olmsted County19 miles
Bait shops an easy drive from Whitewater River, Middle Branch
- Joe's Custom Baitsbait and tackle shop, Rollingstone, 13 miles
- Minnesota City Boatharbormarina, Winona, 17 miles
- Hooked On Fishingbait and tackle shop, Rochester, 19 miles
- Marinamarina, Olmsted, 19 miles
- Gamehaven Boat Dockmarina, Olmsted, 19 miles
Towns to stay in near Whitewater River, Middle Branch
- Elba4 miles
- St. Charles6 miles
- Dover6 miles
- Altura7 miles
More Minnesota streams near the Whitewater River, Middle Branch
- Trout Run1 mile
- Logan Creek5 miles
- Whitewater River, North Branch6 miles
- Whitewater River8 miles
Whitewater River, Middle Branch and its counties
Reels and a weigh grip for the Whitewater River, Middle Branch
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Catches common at Whitewater River, Middle Branch
Photo: Eric Engbretson for U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain
Photo: Engbretson, Eric / U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain
Photo: Fredlyfish4, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Thefishingnomad youtube, CC BY-SA 4.0
What people ask about the Whitewater River, Middle Branch
Which Minnesota counties does the Whitewater River, Middle Branch cross?
Counties: Winona County and Olmsted County.
How does the DNR list the Whitewater River, Middle Branch for trout?
The DNR designates roughly 14.3 miles for trout.
Is the Whitewater River, Middle Branch running high today?
USGS has no active gauge tied to it.
Can I paddle a kayak on the Whitewater River, Middle Branch?
No launch on file.
What are the limits on the Whitewater River, Middle Branch?
Catch & Release for All Trout (Articifial Lures or Flies Only)
What does a license for the Whitewater River, Middle Branch cost?
Designated trout water takes a Minnesota angling license ($25 resident, $51 nonresident) and the $10 trout and salmon stamp validation for ages 18 to 64.
Where can I buy minnows near the Whitewater River, Middle Branch?
The nearest listing is Joe's Custom Baits, 13 miles off.
Which city is nearest the Whitewater River, Middle Branch?
Elba is the closest Census city, around 4 miles.
Which fish bite in the Whitewater River, Middle Branch?
DNR records name rainbow trout, brook trout and brown trout.
Drive to the Whitewater River, Middle Branch
Trout rules change by season; read them first.