Located in the southeastern corner of Minnesota, the city of Rochester, MN has a population of a little over 100,000. Whether you are living in the city or visiting for a couple of days, this is a good base from where you can go on great fishing trips to nearby lakes, rivers, and other bodies of water. Invite your family or a group of friends and check out these excellent fishing spots, all of which can be reached in less than two hours by car.
1. Clear Lake State Park, IA
With a territory of more than 3,500 acres, Clear Lake is a natural, spring-fed body of water located close to the Minnesota state line in northern Iowa. A popular fishing destination among anglers from Rochester, Mason City, and other nearby towns, it is home to some great specimens of channel catfish, yellow bass, and walleye. After a series of cleaning and restoration efforts in 2004, it became one of the most popular weekend destinations in this part of the state.
The best fishing areas of Clear Lake are located within the Clear Lake State Park, which has a total area of fewer than 60 acres but offers a plethora of recreational activities and beautiful spots. Apart from fishing, visitors to this state park come here for camping, swimming, boating, skiing, sailing, and windsurfing. Getting here from downtown Rochester takes an hour and a half by car, driving southwest along routes I-90 W and I-35 S.
2. Frontenac State Park, MN
Located along the banks of the Mississippi River, the Frontenac State Park is another great fishing spot that receives thousands of visitors from the states of Minnesota and neighboring Wisconsin. Boasting a total area of more than two thousand acres, it was established in 1957 and has since become one of the best-known places in the region for fishing, hiking, swimming, sledding, and camping, among other popular outdoor activities.
Getting to the entrance of the Frontenac State Park from downtown Rochester takes a little under an hour by car, driving a distance of just 47 miles along US Highway 63. Once in the park, you can head to either Lake Pepin or the banks of the Mississippi River for fishing. Some of the species of fish living in these bodies of water include trout, smallmouth bass, crappie, and largemouth bass.
3. Lake Zumbro, MN
Featuring more than 600 acres of territory, Lake Zumbro is an artificial reservoir created as a result of the construction of a hydroelectric dam across the Zumbro River in southeastern Minnesota. Located just 20 miles north of Rochester, it is the closest fishing spot you can find around the city. The most commonly found species of fish include bluegill, channel catfish, as well as black and white crappie.
If you are looking for a new vehicle to check out these excellent fishing destinations, visit us at Rochester Mazda. We have an extensive inventory of new and pre-owned vehicles for all needs, tastes, and budgets. Check out our website, give us a call, or use our live chat feature to learn more about our cars.
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