See all 10 routes on Little Fork River
Minnesota | Northern Minnesota
Little Fork RiverDentaybow to Fiedler
Official MN DNR full-day Little Fork run between two public accesses north of Littlefork. The Dentaybow-to-Fiedler segment has a direct river-mile gauge, multiple light rapids, and stronger camping potential than the downstream Cook route.
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Route location
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Route overview
Trip details
Access rules, camping and seasonal notes.
Permits, camping and season
Access and shuttle
Launch at Dentaybow and take out at Fiedler for MN DNR's 13.1-mile Little Fork day trip. Expect a remote wooded river with riffles, light rapids, and a direct gauge at the MN 65 bridge upstream of the put-in.
Access map
Put-in
Dentaybow Public Water Access SiteBoth endpoints are official public-water-access sites, but neither is a town park with built-in services.
Take-out
Fiedler Public Water Access SiteThe gauge is at the MN 65 bridge upstream of the put-in, so check the reading before driving farther into the route corridor.
Road shuttle
Plan a remote Koochiching County shuttle between the Dentaybow and Fiedler accesses north of Littlefork. Cell coverage, backup riders, and a realistic turnaround plan matter more here than on in-town routes.
Additional access notes
- State-forest camping exists in the broader corridor, but do not assume every pull-off is legal or practical for overnight use.
More route and safety guidance
- This is a remote northern route with brushy exits, cold shoulder-season water, and limited quick bailout options between accesses.
- Storm wood, beaver activity, and shifting strainers can change the route from trip to trip.
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Conditions
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Gauge source
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Detailed weather
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Photos and recent reports
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Sources and methodology
Review source dates and published guidance below. We have not inspected this trip in person.
Why this scoreData reliability: checking
This rating reflects whether the gauge measures this part of the river, whether published water-level guidance is available, and how recently the data was updated.
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Data behind the scoreWater levels, published guidance and update times
These readings and published water-level limits help explain today’s score.
| Gauge site | Little Fork River nr Little Fork, MN65 |
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| Preferred range | 700 cfs to 2,733 cfs |
| Low threshold | 350 cfs |
| High threshold | 3,777 cfs |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Official data source |
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| Main source behind this score | MN DNR river-level interpretation bands for Little Fork River near Littlefork / MN 65 |
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NotesPublished evidence and verification notes
These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.
- DNR bands350 / 700-2,732.9 / 3,777.3 cfs
MN DNR interprets site 294 as Scrapable below 350 cfs, Low from 350 to 700, Medium from 700 to 2,732.9, High from 2,732.9 to 3,777.3, and Very High above 3,777.3.
- Recommended trip13.1 river miles
MN DNR recommends Dentaybow to Fiedler as a full-day Little Fork trip through wooded shoreline with several rapids and good fishing access.
- Map supportDentaybow RM 57.9 to Fiedler RM 44.8
DNR Map 2 places the Dentaybow access at river mile 57.9, the Fiedler access at river mile 44.8, and the direct gauge at the MN 65 bridge just upstream at river mile 58.9.
- Camping supportState forest dispersed camping plus nearby city campground
The same DNR map notes state forest camping opportunities along the corridor and identifies Lofgren Park as a city campground farther downstream on the same map sheet.
Verify it yourselfCheck the source links
Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.
Other routes nearby
More on Little Fork River
All 10Nearby routes within 75 miles
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