Whitewater River Fishing
Winona County, designated trout stream.
Pick for troutPiscifun Carbon X ultralight spinning reel28% OFFSale $57.99 Photo: Tony Webster from Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, CC BY 2.0
The Whitewater River in numbers
Minnesota anglers fish the Whitewater River, a river of Winona County. The DNR route line covers close to 12 miles. For minnows and gas, Elba is about 4 miles away. It carries the Whitewater River State Water Trail designation.
Roughly 12.3 miles carry the DNR trout stream designation. The access list holds 3 public accesses.
For the trout herePiscifun Carbon XT ultralight spinning reel25% OFFSale $59.99 Stream trout rules on the Whitewater River
| 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 |
One line and the trout and salmon stamp: those are the basics on the Whitewater River. As southeast water it follows the Houston-to-Goodhue season set.
DNR designated trout stream layer and special regulations layer; 2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations. All trout streams.
Reaching the Whitewater River by boat
- Whitewater River, Elba Access1 ramp, Winona County, river mile 16.3
- Whitewater River, Beaver Access1 ramp, Winona County, river mile 10.3
- Whitewater River, Highway 61 Accesscarry-in access, Wabasha County, river mile 0.5
Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites and Kittle route lines, USGS gauges.
Booklet rules for the Whitewater River
Every limit on the Whitewater 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 (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.
Beyond the shore of Whitewater River
More Minnesota lakes near Whitewater River
- Lake Goodview15 miles
- Bear Creek Reservoir19 miles
- Silver Crk Reservoir SR-219 miles
- Lake Winona19 miles
Minnow buckets filled near Whitewater River
- Joe's Custom Baitsbait and tackle shop, Rollingstone, 9 miles
- Minnesota City Boatharbormarina, Winona, 14 miles
- Wabasha Marina Boatyardmarina, Wabasha, 16 miles
- River Valley Outfitterssporting goods store, Wabasha, 16 miles
- Mississippi Parkside Marinamarina, Wabasha, 17 miles
Towns within an easy drive of Whitewater River
- Elba4 miles
- Altura6 miles
- Minneiska7 miles
- Plainview8 miles
Streams neighboring the Whitewater River
- Trout Valley Creek4 miles
- East Indian Creek5 miles
- Trout Run7 miles
- Whitewater River, North Branch8 miles
Counties that Whitewater River reaches
Four Piscifun picks for the Whitewater River
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Fish to look for at Whitewater River
Photo: Eric Engbretson for U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain
Photo: USFWS Mountain Prairie, Public domain
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Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
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Photo: Pacific Southwest Region USFWS from Sacramento, US, Public domain
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Reader questions on the Whitewater River
How do I drive to the Whitewater River?
Through Winona County.
May I keep trout from the Whitewater River?
Designated for trout across about 12.3 miles.
Where can I check discharge on the Whitewater River?
No flow station covers it.
Which accesses reach the Whitewater River?
The DNR layer lists 3 public accesses; Whitewater River, Beaver Access is one.
Are there special DNR rules on the Whitewater River?
Only statewide limits.
Is a stamp needed on the Whitewater River?
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.
Who sells leeches near the Whitewater River?
Joe's Custom Baits, about 9 miles away.
Which Minnesota town makes a base for the Whitewater River?
Elba, some 4 miles off by air.
Which species does the Whitewater River hold?
The DNR lists rainbow trout, brook trout and brown trout.
Work the Whitewater River
Buy the license and stamp online before the trip.