ELK RIVER NEAR BIG LAKE, MN
USGS 05275000 · Minnesota · reports discharge (live), gauge height
USGS 05275000 · Minnesota · reports discharge (live), gauge height
What the agencies suggest
Carry a pocket thermometer to monitor water temperatureNational Park Service
General guidance from the readings and the published lines named above, not a fishing forecast. Local rules and closures come first.
Reading Nov 5, 10:00 PM CST · provisional USGS data
Normal for Nov 5 Steady · 24 h
Discharge, last 7 days: 169 readings from Oct 29, 11:00 PM CDT to Nov 5, 10:00 PM CST; ranging 81.5 to 170 ft³/s; latest 165 ft³/s; shaded band: typical range (25th–75th percentile) for each date.
USGS provisional data may be revised. Source: USGS instantaneous values.
| Time | Discharge (ft³/s) | Gauge height (ft) | Normal, 25th–75th (ft³/s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 5, 10:00 PM CST | 165 | 1.18 | 126–299 |
| Nov 5, 9:00 PM CST | 165 | 1.18 | 126–299 |
| Nov 5, 8:00 PM CST | 168 | 1.19 | 126–299 |
| Nov 5, 7:00 PM CST | 168 | 1.19 | 126–299 |
| Nov 5, 6:00 PM CST | 168 | 1.19 | 126–299 |
| Nov 5, 5:00 PM CST | 168 | 1.19 | 126–299 |
| Nov 5, 4:00 PM CST | 170 | 1.2 | 126–299 |
| Nov 5, 3:00 PM CST | 170 | 1.2 | 126–299 |
| Nov 5, 2:00 PM CST | 170 | 1.2 | 126–299 |
| Nov 5, 1:00 PM CST | 170 | 1.2 | 126–299 |
| Nov 5, 12:00 PM CST | 170 | 1.2 | 126–299 |
| Nov 5, 11:00 AM CST | 165 | 1.18 | 126–299 |
| Nov 5, 10:00 AM CST | 170 | 1.2 | 126–299 |
| Nov 5, 9:00 AM CST | 170 | 1.2 | 126–299 |
| Nov 5, 8:00 AM CST | 170 | 1.2 | 126–299 |
| Nov 5, 7:00 AM CST | 170 | 1.2 | 126–299 |
| Nov 5, 6:00 AM CST | 168 | 1.19 | 126–299 |
| Nov 5, 5:00 AM CST | 154 | 1.13 | 126–299 |
| Nov 5, 4:00 AM CST | 168 | 1.19 | 126–299 |
| Nov 5, 3:00 AM CST | 154 | 1.13 | 126–299 |
| Nov 5, 2:00 AM CST | 165 | 1.18 | 126–299 |
| Nov 5, 1:00 AM CST | 165 | 1.18 | 126–299 |
| Nov 5, 12:00 AM CST | 163 | 1.17 | 126–299 |
| Nov 4, 11:00 PM CST | 163 | 1.17 | 129–303 |
| Nov 4, 10:00 PM CST | 161 | 1.16 | 129–303 |
| Nov 4, 9:00 PM CST | 161 | 1.16 | 129–303 |
| Nov 4, 8:00 PM CST | 158 | 1.15 | 129–303 |
| Nov 4, 7:00 PM CST | 158 | 1.15 | 129–303 |
| Nov 4, 6:00 PM CST | 156 | 1.14 | 129–303 |
| Nov 4, 5:00 PM CST | 154 | 1.13 | 129–303 |
| Nov 4, 4:00 PM CST | 152 | 1.12 | 129–303 |
| Nov 4, 3:00 PM CST | 152 | 1.12 | 129–303 |
| Nov 4, 2:00 PM CST | 149 | 1.11 | 129–303 |
| Nov 4, 1:00 PM CST | 147 | 1.1 | 129–303 |
| Nov 4, 12:00 PM CST | 145 | 1.09 | 129–303 |
| Nov 4, 11:00 AM CST | 145 | 1.09 | 129–303 |
| Nov 4, 10:00 AM CST | 143 | 1.08 | 129–303 |
| Nov 4, 9:00 AM CST | 143 | 1.08 | 129–303 |
| Nov 4, 8:00 AM CST | 141 | 1.07 | 129–303 |
| Nov 4, 7:00 AM CST | 141 | 1.07 | 129–303 |
| Nov 4, 6:00 AM CST | 141 | 1.07 | 129–303 |
| Nov 4, 5:00 AM CST | 130 | 1.02 | 129–303 |
| Nov 4, 4:00 AM CST | 127 | 1.01 | 129–303 |
| Nov 4, 3:00 AM CST | 134 | 1.04 | 129–303 |
| Nov 4, 2:00 AM CST | 134 | 1.04 | 129–303 |
| Nov 4, 1:00 AM CST | 134 | 1.04 | 129–303 |
| Nov 4, 12:00 AM CST | 134 | 1.04 | 129–303 |
| Nov 3, 11:00 PM CST | 134 | 1.04 | 132–300 |
| Nov 3, 10:00 PM CST | 134 | 1.04 | 132–300 |
| Nov 3, 9:00 PM CST | 134 | 1.04 | 132–300 |
| Nov 3, 8:00 PM CST | 132 | 1.03 | 132–300 |
| Nov 3, 7:00 PM CST | 125 | 1 | 132–300 |
| Nov 3, 6:00 PM CST | 119 | 0.97 | 132–300 |
| Nov 3, 5:00 PM CST | 119 | 0.97 | 132–300 |
| Nov 3, 4:00 PM CST | 127 | 1.01 | 132–300 |
| Nov 3, 3:00 PM CST | 127 | 1.01 | 132–300 |
| Nov 3, 2:00 PM CST | 125 | 1 | 132–300 |
| Nov 3, 1:00 PM CST | 123 | 0.99 | 132–300 |
| Nov 3, 12:00 PM CST | 123 | 0.99 | 132–300 |
| Nov 3, 11:00 AM CST | 123 | 0.99 | 132–300 |
| Nov 3, 10:00 AM CST | 123 | 0.99 | 132–300 |
| Nov 3, 9:00 AM CST | 121 | 0.98 | 132–300 |
| Nov 3, 8:00 AM CST | 119 | 0.97 | 132–300 |
| Nov 3, 7:00 AM CST | 119 | 0.97 | 132–300 |
| Nov 3, 6:00 AM CST | 117 | 0.96 | 132–300 |
| Nov 3, 5:00 AM CST | 117 | 0.96 | 132–300 |
| Nov 3, 4:00 AM CST | 114 | 0.95 | 132–300 |
| Nov 3, 3:00 AM CST | 114 | 0.95 | 132–300 |
| Nov 3, 2:00 AM CST | 112 | 0.94 | 132–300 |
| Nov 3, 1:00 AM CST | 112 | 0.94 | 132–300 |
| Nov 3, 12:00 AM CST | 110 | 0.93 | 132–300 |
| Nov 2, 11:00 PM CST | 108 | 0.92 | 129–275 |
| Nov 2, 10:00 PM CST | 108 | 0.92 | 129–275 |
| Nov 2, 9:00 PM CST | 108 | 0.92 | 129–275 |
| Nov 2, 8:00 PM CST | 99.8 | 0.88 | 129–275 |
| Nov 2, 7:00 PM CST | 99.8 | 0.88 | 129–275 |
| Nov 2, 6:00 PM CST | 89.6 | 0.83 | 129–275 |
| Nov 2, 5:00 PM CST | 97.7 | 0.87 | 129–275 |
| Nov 2, 4:00 PM CST | 91.6 | 0.84 | 129–275 |
| Nov 2, 3:00 PM CST | 85.5 | 0.81 | 129–275 |
| Nov 2, 2:00 PM CST | 95.7 | 0.86 | 129–275 |
| Nov 2, 1:00 PM CST | 95.7 | 0.86 | 129–275 |
| Nov 2, 12:00 PM CST | 83.5 | 0.8 | 129–275 |
| Nov 2, 11:00 AM CST | 83.5 | 0.8 | 129–275 |
| Nov 2, 10:00 AM CST | 81.5 | 0.79 | 129–275 |
| Nov 2, 9:00 AM CST | 87.5 | 0.82 | 129–275 |
| Nov 2, 8:00 AM CST | 83.5 | 0.8 | 129–275 |
| Nov 2, 7:00 AM CST | 87.5 | 0.82 | 129–275 |
| Nov 2, 6:00 AM CST | 87.5 | 0.82 | 129–275 |
| Nov 2, 5:00 AM CST | 87.5 | 0.82 | 129–275 |
| Nov 2, 4:00 AM CST | 87.5 | 0.82 | 129–275 |
| Nov 2, 3:00 AM CST | 87.5 | 0.82 | 129–275 |
| Nov 2, 2:00 AM CST | 87.5 | 0.82 | 129–275 |
| Nov 2, 1:00 AM CST | 87.5 | 0.82 | 129–275 |
| Nov 2, 12:00 AM CST | 87.5 | 0.82 | 129–275 |
| Nov 1, 11:00 PM CST | 87.5 | 0.82 | 129–302 |
| Nov 1, 10:00 PM CST | 87.5 | 0.82 | 129–302 |
| Nov 1, 9:00 PM CST | 87.5 | 0.82 | 129–302 |
| Nov 1, 8:00 PM CST | 87.5 | 0.82 | 129–302 |
| Nov 1, 7:00 PM CST | 87.5 | 0.82 | 129–302 |
| Nov 1, 6:00 PM CST | 87.5 | 0.82 | 129–302 |
| Nov 1, 5:00 PM CST | 87.5 | 0.82 | 129–302 |
| Nov 1, 4:00 PM CST | 87.5 | 0.82 | 129–302 |
| Nov 1, 3:00 PM CST | 87.5 | 0.82 | 129–302 |
| Nov 1, 2:00 PM CST | 87.5 | 0.82 | 129–302 |
| Nov 1, 1:00 PM CST | 87.5 | 0.82 | 129–302 |
| Nov 1, 12:00 PM CST | 87.5 | 0.82 | 129–302 |
| Nov 1, 11:00 AM CST | 87.5 | 0.82 | 129–302 |
| Nov 1, 10:00 AM CST | 87.5 | 0.82 | 129–302 |
| Nov 1, 9:00 AM CST | 87.5 | 0.82 | 129–302 |
| Nov 1, 8:00 AM CST | 87.5 | 0.82 | 129–302 |
| Nov 1, 7:00 AM CST | 87.5 | 0.82 | 129–302 |
| Nov 1, 6:00 AM CST | 85.5 | 0.81 | 129–302 |
| Nov 1, 5:00 AM CST | 85.5 | 0.81 | 129–302 |
| Nov 1, 4:00 AM CST | 87.5 | 0.82 | 129–302 |
| Nov 1, 3:00 AM CST | 85.5 | 0.81 | 129–302 |
| Nov 1, 2:00 AM CST | 85.5 | 0.81 | 129–302 |
| Nov 1, 1:00 AM CST | 85.5 | 0.81 | 129–302 |
| Nov 1, 1:00 AM CDT | 85.5 | 0.81 | 129–302 |
| Nov 1, 12:00 AM CDT | 85.5 | 0.81 | 129–302 |
| Oct 31, 11:00 PM CDT | 85.5 | 0.81 | 120–276 |
| Oct 31, 10:00 PM CDT | 85.5 | 0.81 | 120–276 |
| Oct 31, 9:00 PM CDT | 85.5 | 0.81 | 120–276 |
| Oct 31, 8:00 PM CDT | 85.5 | 0.81 | 120–276 |
| Oct 31, 7:00 PM CDT | 85.5 | 0.81 | 120–276 |
| Oct 31, 6:00 PM CDT | 85.5 | 0.81 | 120–276 |
| Oct 31, 5:00 PM CDT | 85.5 | 0.81 | 120–276 |
| Oct 31, 4:00 PM CDT | 85.5 | 0.81 | 120–276 |
| Oct 31, 3:00 PM CDT | 83.5 | 0.8 | 120–276 |
| Oct 31, 2:00 PM CDT | 85.5 | 0.81 | 120–276 |
| Oct 31, 1:00 PM CDT | 83.5 | 0.8 | 120–276 |
| Oct 31, 12:00 PM CDT | 85.5 | 0.81 | 120–276 |
| Oct 31, 11:00 AM CDT | 85.5 | 0.81 | 120–276 |
| Oct 31, 10:00 AM CDT | 85.5 | 0.81 | 120–276 |
| Oct 31, 9:00 AM CDT | 83.5 | 0.8 | 120–276 |
| Oct 31, 8:00 AM CDT | 85.5 | 0.81 | 120–276 |
| Oct 31, 7:00 AM CDT | 85.5 | 0.81 | 120–276 |
| Oct 31, 6:00 AM CDT | 85.5 | 0.81 | 120–276 |
| Oct 31, 5:00 AM CDT | 85.5 | 0.81 | 120–276 |
| Oct 31, 4:00 AM CDT | 85.5 | 0.81 | 120–276 |
| Oct 31, 3:00 AM CDT | 85.5 | 0.81 | 120–276 |
| Oct 31, 2:00 AM CDT | 85.5 | 0.81 | 120–276 |
| Oct 31, 1:00 AM CDT | 85.5 | 0.81 | 120–276 |
| Oct 31, 12:00 AM CDT | 85.5 | 0.81 | 120–276 |
| Oct 30, 11:00 PM CDT | 85.5 | 0.81 | 116–284 |
| Oct 30, 10:00 PM CDT | 85.5 | 0.81 | 116–284 |
| Oct 30, 9:00 PM CDT | 85.5 | 0.81 | 116–284 |
| Oct 30, 8:00 PM CDT | 85.5 | 0.81 | 116–284 |
| Oct 30, 7:00 PM CDT | 85.5 | 0.81 | 116–284 |
| Oct 30, 6:00 PM CDT | 85.5 | 0.81 | 116–284 |
| Oct 30, 5:00 PM CDT | 85.5 | 0.81 | 116–284 |
| Oct 30, 4:00 PM CDT | 85.5 | 0.81 | 116–284 |
| Oct 30, 3:00 PM CDT | 85.5 | 0.81 | 116–284 |
| Oct 30, 2:00 PM CDT | 85.5 | 0.81 | 116–284 |
| Oct 30, 1:00 PM CDT | 85.5 | 0.81 | 116–284 |
| Oct 30, 12:00 PM CDT | 87.5 | 0.82 | 116–284 |
| Oct 30, 11:00 AM CDT | 87.5 | 0.82 | 116–284 |
| Oct 30, 10:00 AM CDT | 87.5 | 0.82 | 116–284 |
| Oct 30, 9:00 AM CDT | 87.5 | 0.82 | 116–284 |
| Oct 30, 8:00 AM CDT | 87.5 | 0.82 | 116–284 |
| Oct 30, 7:00 AM CDT | 87.5 | 0.82 | 116–284 |
| Oct 30, 6:00 AM CDT | 85.5 | 0.81 | 116–284 |
| Oct 30, 5:00 AM CDT | 87.5 | 0.82 | 116–284 |
| Oct 30, 4:00 AM CDT | 85.5 | 0.81 | 116–284 |
| Oct 30, 3:00 AM CDT | 85.5 | 0.81 | 116–284 |
| Oct 30, 2:00 AM CDT | 85.5 | 0.81 | 116–284 |
| Oct 30, 1:00 AM CDT | 85.5 | 0.81 | 116–284 |
| Oct 30, 12:00 AM CDT | 85.5 | 0.81 | 116–284 |
| Oct 29, 11:00 PM CDT | 85.5 | 0.81 | 115–292 |
Map of USGS gauge 05275000 and the river around it
Where ELK RIVER NEAR BIG LAKE, MN sits.
No current water-temperature reading at this gauge, so no temperature guidance is given. Take a stream thermometer. Minnesota DNR publishes no water-temperature line for trout anglers that we found. The lines below are the National Park Service's, federal guidance, not a Minnesota rule, with Minnesota DNR's own figure added: 68°F and 75°F.
Species list not on file for this gauge. Check the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources: Minnesota trout fishing · Minnesota fishing regulations.
Normal for Nov 5: 126–299 ft³/s (middle half of 95 years of record). Now: 165 ft³/s, normal.
Normal for this date. 165 ft³/s is between the 25th and 75th percentiles of daily mean flow for Nov 5 at this gauge over 95 years of record (1912–2026): 10th 100, 25th 126, median 176, 75th 299, 90th 479 ft³/s.
Daily means on record for Nov 5: lowest 54 ft³/s, highest 953 ft³/s.
Classes as USGS labels them (hyswap: flow categories (WDFN_stats schema) (U.S. Geological Survey) ); percentiles from the USGS daily statistics (U.S. Geological Survey) (approved daily means; the reading is provisional and instantaneous).
Steady over 24 hours (+2.5% discharge). Rising or falling means a change of more than 10% in discharge (or 0.2 ft of gauge height) over 24 hours; our rule of thumb, not a USGS class.
Turn Around Don't Drown. “A mere 6 inches of fast-moving flood water can knock over an adult.” No flow number makes a crossing safe; if in doubt, stay out.
Turn Around Don't Drown (National Weather Service)Guidance from the readings above and the published thresholds named with each line; not a fishing forecast, a safety guarantee or a statement about access. Local rules and closures come first.
NWS observed 1.18 ft stage, 164 ft³/s at Nov 5, 9:00 PM CST (NWS gauge ERVM5; its stage datum can differ from the USGS gauge height).
NWS has not set flood categories for this gauge.
Forecasts are not available. Only observed stages are available for this point.
Open the NWS gauge page · What the categories mean (National Weather Service)
Checked Nov 5, 10:32 PM CST; readings refresh at most every 15 minutes and statistics daily. Provisional USGS data can be revised. Conditions change: re-check before you go. This is general guidance, not a fishing forecast, a safety guarantee or a statement about access.