Yellow Medicine River Fishing
Yellow Medicine County, Lincoln County and Lyon County.
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Getting to know the Yellow Medicine River
Across Yellow Medicine County, Lincoln County and Lyon County, the Yellow Medicine River winds along as a river. GIS lines trace roughly 102 miles of it in the state. The nearest incorporated city is Minneota, about 5 miles from its midpoint.
There are 1 active gauge along it.
USGS gauges along the Yellow Medicine River
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow Medicine River Near Granite Falls, Mn | 7 cfs, 3.24 ft gage height | Nov 13 7:45 am |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 13, 2026 8:32 am ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
Accesses on the Yellow Medicine River
No public access point is mapped on the Yellow Medicine River; anglers walk in from road crossings and public land.
Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites and Kittle route lines, USGS gauges.
DNR limits on the Yellow Medicine River
Nothing beyond statewide limits is posted for the Yellow Medicine 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 a short haul from Yellow Medicine River
- Cottonwood Lake, Lyon County10 miles
- Lady Slipper Lake13 miles
- Porter Reservoir14 miles
- School Grove Lake14 miles
Bait counters serving Yellow Medicine River
- Borch's Sporting Goods Incsporting goods store, Marshall, 12 miles
- Runningsfarm and general store with fishing supplies, Marshall, 13 miles
- Runningsfarm and general store with fishing supplies, Canby, 20 miles
- Independent Oil & Sports LLCsporting goods store, Canby, 21 miles
Places to bunk near Yellow Medicine River
- Minneota5 miles
- Ghent6 miles
- Taunton9 miles
- Cottonwood11 miles
Creeks beside the Yellow Medicine River
- Redwood River17 miles
- Lac qui Parle River22 miles
- Canby Creek23 miles
- Cottonwood River30 miles
Minnesota counties sharing Yellow Medicine River
- Yellow Medicine County
- Lincoln County
- Lyon County
Spinning and baitcasting picks for the Yellow Medicine River
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Species in the nets at Yellow Medicine River
Photo: Totti, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Engbretson Eric, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain
Photo: USFWS Mountain Prairie, Public domain
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Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
The Yellow Medicine River, questions with short answers
What part of Minnesota holds the Yellow Medicine River?
DNR route lines put it in Yellow Medicine County, Lincoln County and Lyon County.
Is the Yellow Medicine River designated trout water?
Not designated for trout.
Is there a USGS gauge on the Yellow Medicine River?
USGS runs 1 USGS gauge; the table is above.
Where do I launch on the Yellow Medicine River?
None is mapped.
Which DNR rules apply on the Yellow Medicine River?
Statewide limits apply.
Can visitors fish the Yellow Medicine River?
Minnesota residents 16 to 89 need an angling license ($25 for the year); nonresidents 16 and older pay $51.
Where are minnows sold near the Yellow Medicine River?
Drive 12 miles to reach Borch's Sporting Goods Inc.
What town makes a base on the Yellow Medicine River?
Minneota, about 5 miles from the midpoint by air.
Which fish swim in the Yellow Medicine River?
LakeFinder carries no stream species for it.
Put the Yellow Medicine River on this season’s list
Check the gauge and the regulations before the trip.