Minnesota has 6,564 natural rivers and streams that cumulatively flow for . The Mississippi River begins its journey from its headwaters at Lake Itasca and crosses the Iowa border downstream. It is joined by the Minnesota River at Fort Snelling, by the St. Croix River near Hastings, by the Chippewa River at Wabasha, and by many smaller streams. The Red River, in the bed of glacial Lake Agassiz, drains the northwest part of the state northward toward Canada's Hudson Bay.
By drainage basin (watershed) This list is arranged by drainage basin with respective tributaries indented under each larger stream's name. The rivers and streams that flow through other states or Minnesota and other states are indicated, as well as the length of major rivers.
Great Lakes drainage basin
Lake Superior drainage basin
Lake Superior
Pigeon River (Minnesota, Ontario), Swamp River Stump River, Lower Stump River, Royal River Crocodile River Reservation River, Flute Reed River, Brule River, Greenwood River, South Brule River Kadunce River, Kimball Creek, Durfee Creek Devil Track River, Little Devil Track River, Fall River, Cascade River, North Branch Cascade River Poplar River, Tait River, Onion River, West Branch Onion River Temperance River, Sawbill Creek, Kelso River, Vern River, Cross River, Two Island River, Caribou River, Little Manitou River, Manitou River, South Branch Manitou River Little Marais River, - Baptism River, East Branch Baptism River West Branch Baptism River Beaver River, East Branch Beaver River West Branch Beaver River (Lake Superior) Split Rock River, East Split Rock River West Split Rock River Gooseberry River, Skunk Creek, Little Gooseberry River, Encampment River Stewart River Little Stewart River Knife River, Little Knife River, West Branch Knife River Little Knife River, located in Lake County Little Sucker River, Big Sucker Creek, French River, Talmadge River, Lester River, St. Louis River (Minnesota, Wisconsin), Pokegama River, Red River, Little River, Midway River, Pine River, Cloquet River, Us-kab-wan-ka River, Beaver River, Otter River, Little Cloquet River, West Branch Cloquet River Langley River, Little Langley River, Artichoke River, Ahmik River, McCarty River, East Savanna River, Floodwood River, West Branch Floodwood River Whiteface River, Little Whiteface River (South), Little Whiteface River (North), Paleface River, North Branch Whiteface River South Branch Whiteface River East Swan River, West Swan River, West Two River, East Two River, Embarrass River, Partridge River, South Branch Partridge River East River, North River, Nemadji River, South Fork Nemadji River Net River, Little Net River, North Fork Nemadji River Blackhoof River,
Mississippi River drainage basin
The Mississippi River is the longest river flowing through Minnesota. It originates in Lake Itasca and flows through Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana.