Zumbro River Fishing
Wabasha County, Olmsted County and Dodge County, Zumbro River State Water Trail.
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Key facts on the Zumbro River
The DNR maps the Zumbro River as a river running through Wabasha County, Olmsted County and Dodge County. Roughly 116 miles of channel are mapped. Census points put Rochester closest, around 2 miles off. It is part of the Zumbro River State Water Trail.
Live numbers come from 1 active gauge. Boaters and paddlers have 12 public accesses.
USGS readings on the Zumbro River
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Zumbro River At Zumbro Falls, Mn | 6.30 ft gage height | Nov 13 6:30 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 13, 2026 7:33 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
Landings on the Zumbro River
- Zumbro River, Mayo Memorial Park Accesscarry-in access, 20 trailer stalls, toilet, Olmsted County, river mile 78.2
- Zumbro River, Elton Hills Drive Access1 ramp, Olmsted County, river mile 77.1
- Zumbro Lake, Fisherman Drive Access1 ramp, 16 trailer stalls, 1 dock, toilet, Olmsted County, river mile 61.5
- Zumbro River, Lake Zumbro/Ponderosa Access1 ramp, 20 trailer stalls, 1 dock, toilet, Wabasha County, river mile 58.1
- Zumbro River, Green Bridge Access1 ramp, 8 trailer stalls, Wabasha County, river mile 55.8
- Zumbro River, Zumbro Falls Access1 ramp, 5 trailer stalls, toilet, Wabasha County, river mile 46.1
- Zumbro River, Hammond Access1 ramp, 3 trailer stalls, toilet, Wabasha County, river mile 39.1
- Zumbro River, Hammond Village Park Access1 ramp, 10 trailer stalls, Wabasha County, river mile 38.2
- Zumbro River, Theilman Access1 ramp, Wabasha County, river mile 23
- Zumbro River, Zumbro Bottoms – Funk Ford Trail Bridge Access1 ramp, 4 trailer stalls, Wabasha County, river mile 16.8
- Zumbro River, Kruger Access1 ramp, 2 trailer stalls, Wabasha County, river mile 12.2
- Zumbro River, Kellogg Access1 ramp, 4 trailer stalls, Wabasha County, river mile 5.1
Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites and Kittle route lines, USGS gauges.
Possession limits on the Zumbro River
The statewide inland rows are the rule set on the Zumbro 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 Zumbro River
- Silver Lake, Olmsted Countyunder a mile
- Foster-Arend Lake2 miles
- Cascade Ponds Lake2 miles
- Silver Crk Reservoir SR-25 miles
Bait shops an easy drive from Zumbro River
- Wild Goose Sports Incsporting goods store, Rochester, under a mile
- Marinamarina, Olmsted, under a mile
- Rochester SCHEELSsporting goods store, Rochester, 2 miles
- Hooked On Fishingbait and tackle shop, Rochester, 3 miles
- Sportsman's Racksporting goods store, Rochester, 4 miles
Towns to stay in near Zumbro River
- Rochester2 miles
- Byron9 miles
- Oronoco9 miles
- Eyota12 miles
More Minnesota streams near the Zumbro River
- Logan Creek16 miles
- Whitewater River, North Branch16 miles
- Mill Creek17 miles
- Lost Creek18 miles
Zumbro River and its counties
Reels and a weigh grip for the Zumbro River
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Catches common at Zumbro River
Photo: U.S. Geological Survey from Reston, VA, USA, CC0 1.0
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Photo: USFWS Mountain Prairie, Public domain
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Photo: United States Fish and Wildlife Services, Public domain
Photo: Hardyplants, CC0 1.0
What people ask about the Zumbro River
Which Minnesota counties does the Zumbro River cross?
Counties: Wabasha County, Olmsted County and Dodge County.
How does the DNR list the Zumbro River for trout?
No trout designation applies to it.
Is the Zumbro River running high today?
1 USGS gauge post readings above.
Can I paddle a kayak on the Zumbro River?
12 public accesses on file, led by Zumbro River, Elton Hills Drive Access.
What are the limits on the Zumbro River?
Nothing beyond statewide limits.
What does a license for the Zumbro 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 Zumbro River?
The nearest listing is Wild Goose Sports Inc, under a mile off.
Which city is nearest the Zumbro River?
Rochester is the closest Census city, around 2 miles.
Which fish bite in the Zumbro River?
The DNR publishes no stream survey list for it in LakeFinder.
Drive to the Zumbro River
Trout rules change by season; read them first.