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Fishing Rum River: what the data says
Milaca to Anoka mouth The river tops out around 6 ft. The contours are modeled from the water's real shoreline and maximum depth. Treat them as a rough guide, and never use them for navigation. Below is the species-by-species picture, pulled from the same data the map uses.
Smallmouth Bass fishing at Rum 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 5.0) is the standout, a rock pile at roughly 3 ft, rated prime for spring smallmouth bass. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months. Summer baits: a drop shot (goby/minnow) or a ned rig gets it done.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 6 ft | dawn & dusk | Ned rig, Tube jig |
| Summer | 2 to 6 ft | dawn & dusk | Drop shot (goby/minnow), Ned rig |
| Fall | 2 to 6 ft | midday & dawn | Jerkbait, Blade bait |
| Winter | 2 to 6 ft | midday | Blade bait, Hair jig |
Walleye fishing at Rum 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. If you only fish one area, make it Lowhead weir tailrace: a dam tailrace around 5 ft that scores prime in spring. Best bite is the evening and early morning. Tie on a crawler harness on bottom bouncer or a deep crankbait (trolled) and you're in the game.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 6 ft | dusk & dawn | 1/8 oz jig + minnow, Hair jig |
| Summer | 2 to 6 ft | dusk & dawn | Crawler harness on bottom bouncer, Deep crankbait (trolled) |
| Fall | 2 to 6 ft | dusk & night | Jigging rap, Jig + big minnow |
| Winter | 2 to 6 ft | dusk & dawn | Jigging spoon + minnow head, Rattle bait |
Northern Pike fishing at Rum 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. The spot to know is Lowhead weir tailrace, a dam tailrace in about 5 ft of water that rates prime for northern pike in spring. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. Tie on a bucktail or a weedless spoon over cabbage and you're in the game.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 6 ft | midday & dawn | #5 inline spinner, Spoon (red/white) |
| Summer | 2 to 6 ft | dawn & dusk | Bucktail, Weedless spoon over cabbage |
| Fall | 2 to 6 ft | midday & dawn | Big rubber (Bull Dawg style), Husky-style jerkbait |
| Winter | 2 to 6 ft | midday | Tip-ups, Large jigging spoon |
Notable structure
- Lowhead weir tailrace: dam tailrace, around 5 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 0.6): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 2.5): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 9.0): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 11.8): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 16.7): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 18.9): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 21.1): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 23.0): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 25.4): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 27.3): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 29.8): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 40.9): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 43.4): creek channel, around 5 ft
Common questions
How deep is Rum River?
Rum 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 Rum River?
Anglers target smallmouth bass, walleye, northern pike on Rum River.
Where is the best fishing spot on Rum River?
Riffle & run (mile 5.0) 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 Rum 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.
Nearby waters
Baxter · Blue (North Bay) · Blue (South Bay) · Sandy · East Hunter · West Hunter
See how Rum River stacks up: best smallmouth bass lakes in Minnesota · best walleye lakes in Minnesota · best northern pike lakes in Minnesota
Browse all Minnesota fishing maps or every water on DepthScout. How we build these maps. For fishing guidance only, never navigation.