Minnesota towns
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Fishing near Rochester, Minnesota
Olmsted County, population 121,395.
- 1 mileto nearest lake
- 6accesses nearby
Pick for troutPiscifun Carbon X ultralight spinning reel28% OFFSale $57.99 Photo: Wikideas1, CC0
Rochester, Minnesota
Launching from Rochester
The Olmsted County city of Rochester had 121,395 people in 2020. For a lake, Cascade Ponds Lake sits 1 mile northwest. Boaters can launch at Zumbro River, Mayo Memorial Park Access, 2 miles from town.
The nearest designated trout stream page is the Mill Creek, 17 miles away. Try Foster Arends Pond Fishing Pier for shore fishing, about 3 miles out.
1 mileto Cascade Ponds Lake
6access pages within 12 mi
3fishing piers within 15 mi
8shops within 15 mi
For the trout herePiscifun Carbon XT ultralight spinning reel25% OFFSale $59.99 Lakes
Closest lakes to Rochester
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Max depth ft | Walleye per gill net |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cascade Ponds Lake | 1 mile northwest | 72 | ||
| Silver Lake, Olmsted County | 2 miles northeast | 50 | 11 | |
| Foster-Arend Lake | 4 miles north | 18 | 42 | |
| Willow Reservoir 4 | 5 miles southeast | 36 | 24 | |
| Willow Reservoir 6A | 5 miles south | 60 | 22 | |
| Kalmar Reservoir 7 | 5 miles northwest | 55 |
Rivers running by Rochester
- Zumbro River2 miles
- Mill Creek17 miles, designated trout stream
- Lost Creek17 miles, designated trout stream
- Logan Creek17 miles, designated trout stream
- Whitewater River, North Branch18 miles, designated trout stream
Straight-line distances from the Census point for Rochester; DNR LakeFinder data.
Map
Lakes to try near Rochester
- Zumbro River, Mayo Memorial Park AccessSilver, 2 miles
- Zumbro River, Elton Hills Drive AccessZumbro River, 2 miles
- Bear Creek Resevoir, Chester Woods Park AccessBear Creek Reservoir, 8 miles
- Zumbro River, Oxbow Park AccessUnnamed, 10 miles
- Zumbro River, Oronoco Landing AccessZumbro River, 11 miles
- Zumbro Lake, Fisherman Drive AccessZumbro, 11 miles
Docks for anglers near Rochester
- Foster Arends Pond Fishing PierFoster-Arend, 3 miles
- Willow Creek Reservoir Fishing PierWillow Reservoir 6A, 5 miles
- Chester Woods Pond Fishing PierBear Creek Reservoir, 8 miles
Flow
Gauges near Rochester
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| South Fork Zumbro River At Rochester, Mn | 157 cfs, 2.92 ft gage height | Oct 19 8:15 pm |
| Zumbro River At Zumbro Falls, Mn | 5.78 ft gage height | Oct 19 7:30 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Oct 19, 2026 8:33 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
Local help
Bait shops around Rochester
Minnow buckets filled near Rochester
- Rochester SCHEELSsporting goods store, Rochester, under a mile
- Wild Goose Sports Incsporting goods store, Rochester, 2 miles
- Marinamarina, Olmsted, 2 miles
- Sportsman's Racksporting goods store, Rochester, 4 miles
- Fleet Farmsporting goods store, Rochester, 4 miles
- Hooked On Fishingbait and tackle shop, Rochester, 5 miles
- Gamehaven Boat Dockmarina, Olmsted, 5 miles
- Johns Tackle Servicebait and tackle shop, Byron, 7 miles
Limits
Booklet rules on waters near Rochester
| 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; pike and bass rows for the Southern Zone by the town position.
Nearby
Beyond the shore of Rochester
Towns within an easy drive of Rochester
- Byron8 miles
- Oronoco10 miles
- Stewartville11 miles
- Eyota12 miles
Counties that Rochester reaches
- Olmsted Countyseat: Rochester
Fish guide
Fish to look for at Rochester
Photo: USFWS Mountain Prairie, Public domain
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Photo: Thefishingnomad youtube, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Ryan Somma, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Eric Engbretson for U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain
Answers
Questions from anglers based in Rochester
How close is a lake to Rochester?
Cascade Ponds Lake, 1 mile northwest.
Which public access serves Rochester?
Head to Zumbro River, Mayo Memorial Park Access, 2 miles out.
Which fishing pier is closest to Rochester?
Foster Arends Pond Fishing Pier, about 3 miles.
Can I buy minnows in Rochester?
Rochester SCHEELS, the closest shop.
Which lake near Rochester has the best walleye numbers?
None of the closest lakes netted walleye.
Which county page covers Rochester, Minnesota?
Olmsted County holds it.
How far is designated trout water from Rochester?
The Mill Creek, 17 miles away, is designated trout water.
What zone is Rochester in for pike?
Around Rochester, the Southern Zone sets the pike and bass rows.
How much does a nonresident pay to fish near Rochester?
From 16: $36 for 72 hours, $43 for seven days.