We’re looking forward to seeing you at CX3 Twin Cities. If you choose to join the optional fishing day on Wednesday, you’ll be paired with a local TU volunteer who will show you some of the best local waters we’re proud to care for and recover! Please note that some fishing options will have a limited number of spaces available, as you register you will be asked to provide your first, second and third choice options and we’ll do our best to place you based on a first-come basis.
Fishing in the Northern Driftless region of Minnesota and Wisconsin in late September can be particularly productive as brook and brown trout prepare for fall spawning and cooler nights lead to active feeding during the day. On classic Driftless waters, be prepared to cast hoppers or terrestrials close to the share as the big trout will still be looking up to the tall grasses lining the banks, but also be prepared for a blue wing olive hatch that is common this time of year mid-day requiring more technical precision, small flies (size 16-20) and longer leaders. On larger rivers, big, bushy dries can get aggressive takes, but nymphs rigs with classic flies like size 16 Hare’s Ears and size 18 BH Pheasant Tails will lead to consistent success.
Fishing Licenses
Be sure to purchase your Minnesota (or Wisconsin) fishing license in advance:
- Minnesota online licenses: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/licenses/online-sales.html You will need to have the 1-day, non-resident license. A trout stamp is not needed for 24 hour or 72 hour licenses.
- Wisconsin online licenses: https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/GoWild/nonresident.html – You will need to have the 1-day, non-resident license and be sure to buy the trout stamp.
Local Fly Shops
Some of the hosted fishing trips may begin with anglers meeting at a local fly shop before headed out to the water with their local TU volunteer host. We encourage you to patronize our local shops – who are all great supporters of conservation work in the region – and also consider coming early or staying late to book a guide trip or visit a shop for more DIY fishing options!
- Lunds Fly Shop, River Falls, WI, https://www.lundsflyshop.com/
- Mend Provisions, St. Paul, MN, https://www.mendprovisions.com/
- Thorne Bros Fly Fishing, Blaine, MN https://www.thornebros.com/pages/thornebrosflyfishing
- Root River Rod Co., Lanesboro, MN, https://rootriverrodco.com/
- Driftless Fly Fishing Co., Preston, MN https://www.minnesotaflyfishing.com/
Hosted Fishing Trip Options
Trout Brook / Miesville Ravine
Parking/Meeting Address / Lat/Long: 26589 Miesville Trail, Cannon Falls, MN 55009
Distance from CX3: 38 miles, 45 Minutes
River Description: This small and intimate Twin Cities trout stream is a favorite for fishing terrestrials on a light rod. Both wild brook trout and brown trout can be found here in this county park setting, and extensive Minnesota Trout Unlimited habitat work on the upper end of the stream makes for fine walking and fishing. Plan on some tighter fishing and casting in a beautiful valley.
Special Regulations: None.
Gear: Two to Four weight fly rods
Leaders: 9’ 5x tapered leaders and 4-6x tippet
Flies: Foam beetles sizes 12-16, Dave’s Hopper sizes 8-10, BH Pheasant Tail Nymphs sizes 16-18, Olive Scud size 14-18, BWO Parachute size 16-18
Hay Creek, Minnesota Driftless
Parking/Meeting Address / Lat/Long: 44°28’39.5″N 92°35’15.1″W, 22220 325th St, Red Wing, MN 55066
Distance from CX3: 53 miles, 1 Hour
River Description: Hay Creek is a classic Driftless spring creek and a key point of engagement for the local Twin Cities TU chapter Loaded with thousands of wild brown trout per mile, it flows through scenic pastures and miles of successful Minnesota Trout Unlimited habitat improvement. It features fishing easements that allow for ample access to the river, and simple pasture access in some areas for easy casting. Expect to find colorful brown trout finning in clear spring waters, looking up in wait as they anticipate the next mayfly, caddisfly or terrestrial to come floating their way.
Special Regulations: All trout from 12-16″ must be immediately released on a 4-mile posted section from 325th Street downstream. Artificial lures and flies only.
Gear: Three to Five weight fly rods
Leaders: 9’ 5x tapered leaders and 4-6x tippet
Flies: Dave’s Hopper sizes 8-10, BH Pheasant Tail Nymphs sizes 16-18, Milwaukee Leech sizes 8-12 Olive Scud size 14-18, BWO Parachute size 16-18
Whitewater River Complex, Minnesota Driftless
Parking/Meeting Address / Lat/Long: Whitewater State Park, 19041 MN-74, Altura, MN 55910
Distance from CX3: 95 miles, 1:35 Hours
River Description: Over 60 miles of designated trout water are available in the Whitewater River and its tributaries in this famous and storied watershed. From small brook trout streams to large, pasture reaches on the South Branch of the Whitewater River, this watershed features something for everyone. The quintessential cliff pools on the Middle Branch of the Whitewater River in Whitewater State Park are classic locations to start exploring the area. While brown trout dominate the watershed, rainbows and brook trout are available as well. From streamer fishing to terrestrial dry fly casting, there are plenty of options to explore in the watershed.
Special Regulations: Various special regulations on different stream reaches.
Gear: Three to Five weight fly rods
Leaders: 9’ 5x tapered leaders and 4-6x tippet
Flies: Dave’s Hopper sizes 8-10, BH Pheasant Tail Nymphs sizes 16-18, Pink Squirrel sizes 14-18, Milwaukee Leech sizes 8-12, BWO Parachute size 16-18
Mill Creek, Minnesota Driftless
Parking/Meeting Address / Lat/Long: Groen Park, 380 3rd St SW, Chatfield, MN 55923
Distance from CX3: 97 miles, 1:30 Hours
River Description: Nearly continuous habitat improvement by Minnesota Trout Unlimited have changed this brown trout stream from a degraded pasture reach to an easy-access dream for anglers to explore that runs in the broad shallow valley behind the small city of Chatfield, MN. Featuring miles of grassy banks loaded with terrestrials, it provides anglers working upstream plenty of prime water. Some stocked rainbows are also mixed in downstream of town with the browns, in a very walkable park system.
Special Regulations: None.
Gear: Three to Five weight fly rods
Leaders: 9’ 5x tapered leaders and 4-6x tippet
Flies: Foam beetles sizes 12-16, Dave’s Hopper sizes 8-10, BH Pheasant Tail Nymphs sizes 16-18, Pink Squirrel sizes 14-18, Milwaukee Leech sizes 8-12
Trout Run, Minnesota Driftless
Parking/Meeting Address / Lat/Long: Bucksnort County Park, 30061 State Hwy 30, Chatfield, MN 55923
Distance from CX3: 135 miles, 1:45 Hours
River Description: Long one of the most famous trout streams in the state, Trout Run is a Driftless gem not to be missed. Filled with wild brown trout, it flows from glen to glade and through a pastoral valley on the way to the Root River. Habitat work is found throughout the stream, and a 12-16 inch slow limit protects fine fish in the system. Numerous access points and walkable pastures and open areas are available for both dry fly casters and nymphers to target the fish on this medium-sized spring creek.
Special Regulations: All trout from 12-16″ must be immediately released on the entire stream. Artificial lures and flies only.
Gear: Four to Five weight fly rods
Leaders: 9’ 5x tapered leaders and 4-6x tippet
Flies: Dave’s Hopper sizes 8-10, BH Pheasant Tail Nymphs sizes 16-18, Pink Squirrel sizes 14-18, Milwaukee Leech sizes 8-12, Olive Scud size 14-18, BWO Parachute size 16-18
Kinnickinnic River, River Falls WI
Parking/Meeting Address / Lat/Long: TBD
Distance from CX3: TBD miles, TBD Hours
River Description: The Kinnickinnic River, called the Kinni for short, is a 25-mile-long river near River Falls, WI that rises from a series of spring holes in pastures and flows into the St. Croix River at the Kinnickinnic State Park. It is joined by several spring creeks along its course. The Kinni is characterized by scenic bluffs, rare oak savanna, original prairie, farmland and plenty of open space and scenic vistas. Its feeder creeks contain wild native brook trout, important spawning areas and many springs arising from under picturesque limestone outcroppings. In addition to its spectacular beauty, 200-foot-deep canyon, and extraordinary water quality, the Kinni is a world-class wild brown trout fishery. It is probably the most productive trout stream in the entire Upper Mississippi River Basin. Listed as a Class I trout stream where stocking was eliminated in 1974, it produces both brook and brown trout.
Special Regulations: TBD
Gear: TBD
Leaders: TBD
Flies: TBD
Rush River, WI
Parking/Meeting Address / Lat/Long: TBD
Distance from CX3: TBD miles, TBD Hours
River Description: The Rush River is a tributary of the Mississippi River. Limestone outcroppings and broad valleys provide a mix of scenery for this wide, fertile river that supports good fly hatches throughout the year. The Rush averages about 2,500 trout per mile (mostly wild brown trout) from the Centerville Springs to three miles south of Hwy 10. The largest tributaries of the Rush are Lost Creek, and Cave Creek, which are small, but also excellent fisheries. Brook trout reproduce naturally in Lost Creek and Cave Creek, a main source of increasing brook trout populations that can be found on the Rush. Hatches are prolific and while it does not hold as many trout as the nearby Kinni, they are larger in size because of the freestone nature of the stream. Due to its proximity to the Twin Cities metro area, the Rush River is one of the more popular and heavily fished streams in the state. Although it is an outstanding trout fishing destination, you won’t find solitude here.
Special Regulations: TBD
Gear: TBD
Leaders: TBD
Flies: TBD
Trimbelle River, WI
Parking/Meeting Address / Lat/Long: TBD
Distance from CX3: 135 TBD, 1:45 TBD
River Description: The Trimbelle River is located 36 miles southeast of St. Paul, flowing for 20 miles before discharging into the Mississippi River at the Trenton Slough. Year-round flow in the Trimbelle River begins with a group of cold-water springs in northern Pierce County and the entire length below the springs is designated as a Class II trout stream. Much of the stream bed is sandy, but with a gravel substrate. It courses alternately through wooded reaches and open farmland. The land is privately owned with two well-marked stretches that have fishing easements and that were the subject of habitat improvement projects in past years.
Special Regulations: TBD
Gear: TBD
Leaders: TBD
Flies: TBD