Minnesota
Root River near Houston
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
- 675 CFS
- Gage Height
- 3.6 ft
- Water Temperature
- Not available
- Observation Time
- Sep 5, 2026, 7:45 AM
Updated recently · USGS station 05385000 · Direct monitoring location
Readings from past 7 Days
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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
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Weather Near Gauge
Current Weather
Clear
Temperature
73°F
Feels like
79°F
Wind
1 mph NW
Wind gust
1 mph
Current precipitation
0.00 in
Updated
Sep 5, 2026, 12:15 AM
Recent Rainfall
Estimated precipitation near this gauge
Last 6 hours
0.00 in
Last 24 hours
0.00 in
Last 48 hours
0.04 in
Little recent rainfall near this river.
Next 24 Hours
Sat 3 AM
Mostly clear
Temp 69°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 1 mph
Sat 7 AM
Overcast
Temp 69°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 3 mph
Sat 11 AM
Overcast
Temp 75°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 8 mph
Sat 3 PM
Clear
Temp 84°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 7 mph
Sat 7 PM
Overcast
Temp 78°F
Chance 2%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 8 mph
Sat 11 PM
Overcast
Temp 69°F
Chance 2%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Sat, Sep 5
Fog
High 84°F / Low 68°F
Chance 3%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 18 mph
Sun, Sep 6
Overcast
High 81°F / Low 64°F
Chance 7%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 20 mph
Mon, Sep 7
Drizzle
High 86°F / Low 67°F
Chance 10%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 33 mph
Tue, Sep 8
Drizzle
High 97°F / Low 69°F
Chance 57%
Precip 0.12 in
Max gust 42 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
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Fishing Overview
Root River near Houston, 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 Root 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 Root near Houston is the Houston County Driftless trout fishing reach at the USGS pin. StrikeTracks publishes Monitoring-Backed conditions from USGS 05385000 (live discharge and stage). Live 00010 is not present; thermal uses the accepted air-derived river-trout path. Distinct from Wisconsin Root River at Racine 04087240. 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 Root Houston brown trout. USGS 05385000. Not Racine Root 04087240.
Brook Trout
Salvelinus fontinalis
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
MNDNR Root brook trout in colder tributaries.
Smallmouth Bass
Micropterus dolomieu
- Expectation
- Present
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
MNDNR Root smallmouth in warmer water.
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Mixed wild and stocked
- Great Lakes tributary
- No
- Flow regime
- Natural flow
Driftless Root River near Houston, Houston County, not the Racine, Wisconsin Root.
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 Root River State Water Trail / Houston access. Catalog coordinates are USGS 05385000.
Stocking information
MNDNR manages Root River trout. Confirm current official stocking separately.
Official sources
MNDNR Root / southeast Minnesota trout rules change. Distinct from Racine Root 04087240. 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
Houston, 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
Houston
Management Category
Driftless trout river
Regulation Scope
Root River near Houston
Regulation Summary
Root near Houston: MNDNR inland trout stream rules. Confirm current official regulations.
Target Species
brown-trout, brook-trout, smallmouth-bass
Access, Parking, and Regulations
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