Southeast Minnesota Trout Fishing Report – June 2025

Southeast Minnesota Trout Fishing Report – June 2025

Southeast Minnesota Trout Fishing Report – June 2025

Presented by Root River Rod Co – Your Driftless Fly Shop in Lanesboro, MN

If you’re looking for some of the best trout fishing in the Midwest, Southeast Minnesota’s Driftless Region is delivering in a big way this June. From cold, clear spring creeks to bug-filled evenings, it’s prime time to be on the water — and Root River Rod Co is here to help you make the most of it.

Driftless Fly Fishing Conditions

 


Thanks to consistent early summer rain and cooler temps, the creeks and rivers in Southeast Minnesota — especially the Root River system — are in excellent shape. Flows are ideal, water clarity is strong, and the trout are looking up.


Whether you’re a local angler or planning a weekend fly fishing trip to Lanesboro, MN, now is a perfect time to visit the region. As always, our team at Root River Rod Co fly shop in Lanesboro is available for current conditions, local fly selection, and guided trips.


 

What’s Hatching

 


The bug activity in the Driftless is firing:

 

  • Caddisflies are thick during the late morning and early evening hours.

  • Sulphur Mayflies are active in the afternoons and into dusk.

  • March Browns are lingering in shaded streams and cloudy conditions.

  • Terrestrials (ants, beetles, and even early hoppers) are starting to fool trout mid-day.


Dry fly fishing has been excellent — a highlight of Driftless fly fishing this time of year.


 

Top Driftless Fly Patterns

 


If you’re restocking your box, swing by Root River Rod Co — we’ve got what’s working right now:

 

We also carry custom-tied local patterns at the shop specifically for Southeast Minnesota trout fishing.


 

Techniques That Work

 


Use dry-dropper rigs in the mornings and evenings, and go to single dries during heavy hatches. If the water’s up or slightly off-color after storms, streamers are working great — especially for big Driftless browns.


Midday can get bright, so go small, go deep, and focus on structure and undercut banks. Light tippet (5x–6x) helps with those more selective fish in clear water.

 

Fly Rod Choice 

This time of you almost want to have 3 fly rods in hand. One would be a Dry Fly Rod like a 3-4wt and another rod to carry would be a Nymphing rod like a 9-10' 2-5wt either euro specific or not. Something that can either turn over an indicator rig or right line. The last rod is a Streamer Rod. We love a good 6-7wt rod depending on how big of a streamer your looking to throw. 


 

Southeast Minnesota Fly Fishing Hotspots

 

Anglers have been doing well in:

 

  • South Branch Root River (Lanesboro area) – reliable hatches and good dry fly action

  • Trout Run Creek – one of the best wild trout streams in MN, great sight fishing

  • Whitewater River system – pocket water, pools, and classic Driftless scenery

  • Camp Creek & Duschee Creek – dry fly dream water, especially on calm evenings

 


These streams are easily accessible from our Lanesboro fly shop and we’re always happy to point you in the right direction.


 

Visit Root River Rod Co – The Fly Fishing Hub of Southeast MN

 

If you’re fishing Southeast Minnesota or planning your first Driftless adventure, Root River Rod Co is your home base. Located in the heart of Lanesboro, Minnesota, we offer:

 

 


We’re proud to be the trusted fly shop in Southeast Minnesota for locals, weekend warriors, and first-time fly fishers alike.


 

Final Cast

 


Trout fishing in Southeast Minnesota is as good as it gets right now. June brings the kind of days we wait all year for — active fish, vibrant streams, and long hours of daylight.


Whether you need a few bugs, a new rod, or just want to talk trout, stop in and say hi at Root River Rod Co in Lanesboro, MN. We’ll get you geared up and on the water.


Tight lines,

The Root River Rod Co 

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