American Paddlefish
American Paddlefish are Minnesota's most distinctive large native fish species, easily identified by their massive paddle-shaped snout (rostrum) that extends one-third of their body length.
These prehistoric filter-feeders have smooth, scaleless skin, cartilaginous skeletons, and shark-like heterocercal tails.
Minnesota sits at the northern edge of their native range, and they're currently listed as a threatened species with no open fishing season.
Scientific Name: Polyodon spathula
- Adult paddlefish in Minnesota typically measure 48-52 inches and weigh 30-50 pounds, though some exceed 7 feet and 60 pounds.
- Their coloration ranges from bluish-gray to dark gray dorsally with white underbellyies and distinctive leopard-like spots on their gill covers.
- They have massive paddle-shaped snout (rostrum) that extends one-third of their body length, smooth, scaleless skin, cartilaginous skeletons, and shark-like heterocercal tails.
Fishing in Minnesota
Mississippi River
Sauk River
Rum River
Lake Minnetonka
Mille Lacs Lake
Crow River
Snake River
Little Rock Lake
Julia Lake
Long Lake
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- They prefer deep areas with sluggish currents, oxbow lakes, backwaters, large slack-water areas, and river lakes like Lake Pepin.
- They congregate in areas with zooplankton inputs from nearby backwater habitats.
- The fish are typically found in tailwaters below dams, deep slack-water areas, gravel bars, and areas where tributaries enter main rivers.
Key Locations
- Historically present in the Mississippi River to St.
- Anthony Falls, Minnesota River to Granite Falls, and St.
- Croix River to Taylors Falls.
- Today's primary populations are found in the lower St.
- Croix River, Mississippi River below Ford Dam, and surprisingly robust populations have been discovered in the Minnesota River near St.
- Peter, Mankato, New Ulm, and other locations.
- In Minnesota, prime habitat includes the Minnesota River near St.
- Peter (around the Highway 22 bridge area), reaches near Mankato with wing dams and warm water discharge, oxbow lakes near New Ulm, areas near Upper Sioux Agency State Park, sections below Granite Falls Dam, and the St.
- Croix and Mississippi rivers.
Specific Spots
- Deep areas with slow current, tailwaters below dams, deep slack-water areas, gravel bars, areas where tributaries enter main rivers, wing dams and warm water discharge areas.
American Paddlefish FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
When is the best time to fish for American Paddlefish in Minnesota?
Peak activity occurs during spring spawning runs when water temperatures reach 50-60°F and water levels rise from spring rains and snowmelt.
How do you catch American Paddlefish in Minnesota?
In states where paddlefish fishing is legal, the only effective method is snagging. However, this method is illegal in Minnesota.
What do American Paddlefish eat?
These ancient fish are specialized filter-feeders that swim with mouths agape, straining zooplankton through comb-like gill rakers. They also consume copepods, cladocerans like Daphnia, mayfly nymphs, aquatic invertebrates, and occasionally small fish.
Where do American Paddlefish live in Minnesota?
They prefer deep areas with sluggish currents, oxbow lakes, backwaters, large slack-water areas, and river lakes like Lake Pepin. They congregate in areas with zooplankton inputs from nearby backwater habitats.
Fish smarter with real-time insights
Whether you're en route and conditions shift or you're looking for the best spot based on current flows, we enable you to make informed decisions on the fly.
See it in the app
Most maps show you water.
onWater shows you American Paddlefish.
- 01 · Species map filter
Map every American Paddlefish water
Pick American Paddlefish and the map zeroes in on the waters they call home. No more guessing which lake holds them.
- 02 · Waterbody species
Tap any water. See what lives there.
Species, behavior and seasonal patterns for every lake, river and pond, before you leave the driveway.
- 03 · Angler Intelligence
Ask how to catch American Paddlefish
Tactics, gear and timing from onWater's AI fishing guide, tuned to the species and the water you're on.
Stop guessing where American Paddlefish are.
Open the map, filter by American Paddlefish, and head to water that holds them. Download onWater and plan your next trip in minutes.
- Species map filter
- Angler Intelligence
- Fishing journal
Explore other species
Trout, bass, salmon, panfish and everything in between. Each guide unpacks the behavior, seasons, and tactics that put fish in the net.
No species information available.
Minnesota licenses and regulations
Explore nearby waters
Explore Minnesota waters
Top fishing waters
Popular Cities
Loading popular cities...
Smarter Fishing Starts in the App.
onWater Fish gives you everything you need to plan smarter, fish better, and own every trip from first cast to last.