Minnesota
Cannon River at Welch
Current River Rating
Poor · 32
Conditions are unfavorable based on the available readings.
Scores are model-specific and are not directly comparable across water types.
Partial water evidence · Low confidence
Should I Go?
Wait
Limited opportunity
Timing Outlook
No reliable fishing window is recommended while current river conditions remain Poor.
Why
- Very clear skies may make trout more cautious in shallow water.
- Water temperature is unavailable.
Favorable Factors
- Recent precipitation has been light.
- Light wind should make casting and boat control easier.
Cautions
- Recent observed air temperature suggests unfavorable river water temperature for trout. Verify with a stream thermometer; this is not a measured water temperature.
Timing Evidence
Dawn low light is favorable.
Current Readings
- Flow
- 328 CFS
- Gage Height
- 3.68 ft
- Water Temperature
- Not available
- Observation Time
- Sep 5, 2026, 7:00 AM
Updated recently · USGS station 05355200 · Direct monitoring location
Readings from past 7 Days
Loading readings from the past 7 days…
Historical readings are provided for context. Readings outside the current freshness window are not used to rate current conditions.
Better Nearby Options
Checking nearby StrikeTracks waters…
Preliminary guidance only. Always assess current weather, access, water depth, current speed, and your own ability before entering the river.
Changing Conditions Advisory
Loading advisory…
Weather Near Gauge
Current Weather
Clear
Temperature
70°F
Feels like
73°F
Wind
6 mph N
Wind gust
11 mph
Current precipitation
0.00 in
Updated
Sep 5, 2026, 2:45 AM
Recent Rainfall
Estimated precipitation near this gauge
Last 6 hours
0.00 in
Last 24 hours
0.00 in
Last 48 hours
0.00 in
Little recent rainfall near this river.
Next 24 Hours
Sat 3 AM
Clear
Temp 70°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 6 mph
Sat 7 AM
Overcast
Temp 71°F
Chance 2%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 7 mph
Sat 11 AM
Partly cloudy
Temp 79°F
Chance 2%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 8 mph
Sat 3 PM
Clear
Temp 87°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 8 mph
Sat 7 PM
Clear
Temp 83°F
Chance 3%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 9 mph
Sat 11 PM
Partly cloudy
Temp 73°F
Chance 9%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 7 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Sat, Sep 5
Overcast
High 88°F / Low 68°F
Chance 9%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 18 mph
Sun, Sep 6
Rain
High 80°F / Low 67°F
Chance 23%
Precip 0.21 in
Max gust 34 mph
Mon, Sep 7
Drizzle
High 86°F / Low 69°F
Chance 36%
Precip 0.01 in
Max gust 41 mph
Tue, Sep 8
Drizzle
High 92°F / Low 65°F
Chance 65%
Precip 0.11 in
Max gust 41 mph
Weather and rainfall are estimated for this river's coordinates. Local conditions can vary, especially in mountainous terrain and during isolated storms.
Recent rainfall can influence river flow, but the timing and magnitude depend on watershed size, soil conditions, upstream reservoirs, and dam releases.
Weather data: Open-Meteo
Historical Flow
Loading historical flow…
Fishing Overview
Cannon River at Welch, Minnesota. Monitoring-Backed via accepted air-derived river-trout path: USGS reports live 00060 and 00065 without water temperature.
Fishery Profile
Documented species you may encounter at Cannon River.
Species images are AI-generated illustrations for visual reference and may simplify natural variation. Fishery records are based on the cited agency sources. About fish illustrations
Fishery overview
The Cannon at Welch is the Goodhue County Driftless trout and mixed fishing reach at the USGS pin. StrikeTracks publishes Monitoring-Backed conditions from USGS 05355200 (live discharge and stage). Live 00010 is not present; thermal uses the accepted air-derived river-trout path. Distinct from Root River near Houston 05385000. Flow Context remains default-deny. Hatch Match publishes general fly suggestions only.
Target species
Brown Trout
Salmo trutta
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
MNDNR Cannon Welch brown trout. USGS 05355200. Not Root Houston 05385000.
Brook Trout
Salvelinus fontinalis
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
MNDNR Cannon brook trout in colder water.
Smallmouth Bass
Micropterus dolomieu
- Expectation
- Present
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
MNDNR Cannon smallmouth in warmer water.
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Mixed wild and stocked
- Great Lakes tributary
- No
- Flow regime
- Natural flow
Driftless Cannon River at Welch, Goodhue County.
Best seasons
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
Common techniques
- Dry flies
- Fly fishing
- Nymphing
- Spinning
- Streamers
Access and Public Fishing Rights
Public fishing is documented by MNDNR Cannon / Welch access. Catalog coordinates are USGS 05355200.
Stocking information
MNDNR manages Cannon trout. Confirm current official stocking separately.
Official sources
MNDNR Cannon / southeast Minnesota trout rules change. Distinct from Root Houston 05385000. Confirm current MNDNR regulations.
Hatch Match
General fly suggestions
- Parachute-style dryGeneral attractor dry family — not a claim that a named mayfly is hatching.
- Pheasant-tail-style nymphGeneral nymph family for trout rivers without destination hatch timing.
- Elk-hair-style dryGeneral dry/attractor family. Pattern choice only — not a report that caddis are hatching.
- Woolly-bugger-style streamerGeneral streamer family. Not a forage or insect Hatch event.
These are general fishing suggestions, not a report of insects currently hatching at this destination.
Location and Access
USGS monitoring location
Goodhue, Minnesota
The map marker represents the cataloged waterbody or monitoring location and may not indicate legal parking or public access. Confirm access through the official information before visiting.
River Details
County
Goodhue
Management Category
Driftless trout river
Regulation Scope
Cannon River at Welch
Regulation Summary
Cannon at Welch: MNDNR inland trout stream rules. Confirm current official regulations.
Target Species
brown-trout, brook-trout, smallmouth-bass
Access, Parking, and Regulations
Loading access and regulations…
