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Fishing South Branch Root River: what the data says
Forestville State Park to Lanesboro (SE trout) 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.
Rainbow Trout fishing at South Branch Root River
Spring rainbow trout on South Branch Root River hold shallow, usually 2 to 6 ft. Summer fish stay in 2 to 6 ft, and winter fish hold in 1 to 6 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Current seam (mile 2.5): a current seam around 3 ft that scores prime in spring. Best bite is early morning and the evening. Tie on a dodger + spoon (deep troll) or a flutter spoon and you're in the game.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 6 ft | dawn & dusk | Inline spinner (silver), Small spoon |
| Summer | 2 to 6 ft | dawn & dusk | Dodger + spoon (deep troll), Flutter spoon |
| Fall | 2 to 6 ft | dawn & dusk | Casting spoon, Jerkbait over shoals |
| Winter | 1 to 6 ft | dawn | Jigging spoon, Tube jig (white) |
Notable structure
- Lanesboro Dam tailrace: dam tailrace, around 5 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 0.6): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 4.4): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 6.5): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 9.4): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 11.8): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 15.3): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 18.1): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Tailout eddy (mile 22.1): eddy pocket, around 3 ft
- Current seam (mile 2.5): current seam, around 3 ft
Common questions
How deep is South Branch Root River?
South Branch Root 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 South Branch Root River?
Anglers target rainbow trout on South Branch Root River.
Where is the best fishing spot on South Branch Root River?
Current seam (mile 2.5) is the top-rated area: a current seam in about 3 ft of water that rates prime for rainbow trout in spring. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.
When is the best time to fish South Branch Root River?
For rainbow trout, 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
Whitewater River · Winona (North Bay) · Winona (South Bay) · Zumbro · South Fork · Mississippi River Pool 8 (La Crosse)
See how South Branch Root River stacks up: best rainbow trout lakes in Minnesota
Browse all Minnesota fishing maps or every water on DepthScout. How we build these maps. For fishing guidance only, never navigation.