Smallmouth Bass fishing at Cannon River

In spring, smallmouth bass run shallow here, mostly 2 to 6 ft. Summer fish stay in 2 to 6 ft, and winter fish hold in 2 to 6 ft. Riffle & run (mile 14.9) is the standout, a rock pile at roughly 3 ft, rated prime for spring smallmouth bass. Best bite is early morning and the evening. Tie on a drop shot (goby/minnow) or a ned rig and you're in the game.

Walleye fishing at Cannon River

Start shallow in spring: walleye sit in 2 to 6 ft that time of year. Summer fish stay in 2 to 6 ft, and winter fish hold in 2 to 6 ft. Cannon River (Woolen Mills) Dam tailrace is the standout, a dam tailrace at roughly 5 ft, rated prime for spring walleye. Plan around the evening and early morning in the warm months. A crawler harness on bottom bouncer or a deep crankbait (trolled) covers the summer program.

Channel Catfish fishing at Cannon River

In spring, channel catfish run shallow here, mostly 2 to 6 ft. Summer fish stay in 2 to 6 ft, and winter fish hold in 2 to 6 ft. Outside-bend hole (mile 2.2) is the standout, a creek channel at roughly 5 ft, rated prime for summer channel catfish. Best bite is after dark and the evening.

Flathead Catfish fishing at Cannon River

Start shallow in spring: flathead catfish sit in 2 to 6 ft that time of year. Summer fish stay in 2 to 6 ft, and winter fish hold in 2 to 6 ft. Tailout eddy (mile 0.3) is the standout, a eddy pocket at roughly 3 ft, rated prime for spring flathead catfish. Best bite is after dark and the evening.

Northern Pike fishing at Cannon River

Start shallow in spring: northern pike sit in 2 to 6 ft that time of year. Summer fish stay in 2 to 6 ft, and winter fish hold in 2 to 6 ft. Cannon River (Woolen Mills) Dam tailrace is the standout, a dam tailrace at roughly 5 ft, rated prime for spring northern pike. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months. Tie on a bucktail or a weedless spoon over cabbage and you're in the game.

Common Carp fishing at Cannon River

Start shallow in spring: common carp sit in 1 to 6 ft that time of year. Summer fish stay in 1 to 6 ft, and winter fish hold in 2 to 6 ft. The spot to know is Tailout eddy (mile 0.3), a eddy pocket in about 3 ft of water that rates prime for common carp in winter. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening.

How deep is Cannon River?

Cannon River is about 6 ft at its deepest point. The contours here are modeled from the water's real shape and maximum depth, so treat them as a rough guide.

What fish are in Cannon River?

Anglers target smallmouth bass, walleye, northern pike, channel catfish, flathead catfish, common carp on Cannon River.

Where is the best fishing spot on Cannon River?

Riffle & run (mile 14.9) is the top-rated area: a rock pile in about 3 ft of water that rates prime for smallmouth bass in spring. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.

When is the best time to fish Cannon River?

For smallmouth bass, the summer bite is best in early morning and the evening. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.