St. Croix River Fishing
Washington County, 8,393 acres, 78 feet deep.
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First look at St. Croix River
The DNR lists St. Croix River as a lake covering 8,393 acres in Washington County. Soundings put the deepest water at 78 feet. About under a mile separate the lake from St. Marys Point. Surveys come from the Metro East area fisheries office. Because it borders another jurisdiction, the Wisconsin-Minnesota rules apply.
DNR surveys have recorded walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill and largemouth bass. LakeFinder shows 1 access, unmapped. The newest catch data come from a standard survey on October 21, 2024.
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These rows come from the standard survey on October 21, 2024; the normal range is the DNR range for lakes of the same class.
| Species | Gear | Caught | Per set | Normal range | Avg lb | Normal lb |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye | Special gill nets | 50 | 2.27 | 1.36 | ||
| Walleye | Open-water angling | 13 | 1.18 | 1.57 | ||
| Northern pike | Special gill nets | 31 | 1.41 | 4.54 | ||
| Yellow perch | Special gill nets | 148 | 6.73 | 0.21 | ||
| Black crappie | Special gill nets | 16 | 0.73 | 0.21 | ||
| Bluegill | Special gill nets | 26 | 1.18 | 0.2 | ||
| Smallmouth bass | Special gill nets | 12 | 0.55 | 1.41 | ||
| Sauger | Special gill nets | 60 | 2.73 | 0.93 | ||
| Sauger | Open-water angling | 3 | 0.27 | 0.67 | ||
| Channel catfish | Special gill nets | 69 | 3.14 | 2.4 | ||
| Flathead catfish | Special gill nets | 4 | 0.18 | 3.21 | ||
| White crappie | Special gill nets | 1 | 0.05 | 0.09 |
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder lake survey data, survey report. Checked October 2026.
The St. Croix River fishery in the DNR report
“A gill net survey was conducted on Lake St.”
“Croix in 2024 and sampled 970 fish represented by 28 different species and one hybrid.”
“Over 51% of the fish sampled were considered game fish species (those species which have defined creel limits).”
“Composition of the top five game fish species sampled were 29.8% Yellow Perch, 13.9% Channel Catfish, 13.7% White Bass, 12.1% Sauger, and 10.1% Walleye.”
Quoted from the DNR status of the fishery for St. Croix River (report). Checked October 2026.
Where trailers back down on St. Croix River
St. Croix River has these LakeFinder access rows: DNR (concrete).
Fishing St. Croix River from shore
- St. Croix River Shore Fishing Siteshore fishing site, City of Oakdale
Accesses a short drive from St. Croix River
- St. Croix River, Bayport AccessSt. Croix River, 7 miles north
- Lake Elmo AccessElmo, 7 miles northwest
- St. Croix River, St Croix Bluffs Regional Park AccessSt. Croix River, 8 miles south
- St. Croix River, St. Croix Crossing Public Water Access AccessSt. Croix River, 9 miles north
- Lily Lake Access near StillwaterLily, 9 miles north
- Lake Jane AccessJane, 10 miles northwest
Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites and Public Fishing Sites layers and LakeFinder, checked October 2026.
Depth and shape of St. Croix River
Since 2009, 24 Secchi readings have been recorded on St. Croix River.
DNR LakeFinder morphology and water clarity, DNR ice-out records (ice-out data), checked October 2026.
St. Croix River elevation
The St. Croix River level history is a DNR volunteer gauge series, not a live feed.
DNR lake level record (datum MSL 1912).
Fish on record for St. Croix River
Species for St. Croix River come from DNR survey nets, so small or rare fish may be missing.
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder species list and survey catch.
Bag and size limits on St. Croix River
The statewide table below is every limit that applies on St. Croix River.
Wisconsin-Minnesota border limits on St. Croix River
| Species | Area | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye and sauger | St. Louis River Estuary | 2 combined total (15" minimum size for walleye) | May 9, 2026 – March 1, 2027 |
| Walleye and sauger | St. Croix River upstream of Taylors Falls Dam | 6 combined total (15" minimum size for walleye) | May 2, 2026 – March 1, 2027 |
| Walleye and sauger | St. Croix River downstream of Taylors Falls Dam to the U.S. Hwy 10 bridge | 4 combined total (15" minimum size for walleye, only 1 walleye or sauger over 20") | May 2, 2026 – March 1, 2027 |
| Walleye and sauger | Mississippi River Pools 3-8 including Lake Pepin | 4 combined total (15" minimum size for walleye, only 1 walleye or sauger over 20") | Continuous |
| Walleye and sauger | Mississippi River downstream of Lock and Dam 8 | 6 combined total (15" minimum size for walleye, all walleye from 20-27" must be immediately released, only 1 walleye ove | Continuous |
| Largemouth and smallmouth bass | St. Louis River Estuary | 5 combined total (14" minimum size) | May 23, 2026 – March 1, 2027 |
| Largemouth and smallmouth bass | St. Croix River upstream of Taylors Falls Dam | 5 (14" minimum size) | May 23 – Sept. 13, 2026 |
| Largemouth and smallmouth bass | St. Croix River upstream of Taylors Falls Dam | Catch-and-release only | Sept. 14, 2026 – March 1, 2027 |
| Largemouth and smallmouth bass | St. Croix River downstream of Taylors Falls Dam to U.S. Hwy 10 bridge | 5 (14" minimum size) | May 23, 2026 – March 1, 2027 |
| Largemouth and smallmouth bass | Mississippi River and Lake Pepin | 5 (14" minimum size) | Continuous |
| Species | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Walleye and sauger | 6 combined total (only 1 walleye over 20" in possession) | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Northern pike (North-central Zone) | 10 (not more than 2 over 26", all from 22-26" must be immediately released) | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Northern pike (North-central Zone) | 10 (either 2 northern pike over 26" and none from 22 to 26" or 1 from 22 to 26" and 1 over 26") | Nov. 15, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 except where prohibited |
| Largemouth bass | Catch-and-release only | March 1 – May 22, 2026 |
| Largemouth bass | 6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth bass (when smallmouth season is open) | May 23, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Smallmouth bass | Catch-and-release only | March 1 – May 22, 2026 |
| Smallmouth bass | 6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth bass | May 23 – Sept. 13, 2026 |
| Smallmouth bass | Catch-and-release only | Sept. 14, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Crappie | 10 combined total | Continuous |
| Sunfish | 20 combined total | Continuous |
| Yellow perch | 20 daily, 40 in possession | Continuous |
| Muskellunge | 1 (minimum size 54") | June 6 – Nov. 30, 2026 |
| Channel catfish | 5 (only 1 over 24") | Continuous |
| Rock bass | 30 | Continuous |
| Cisco (tullibee) | 15 (over 7") | Continuous |
| Burbot (eelpout) | 4 | Continuous |
Map position places St. Croix River in the North-central Zone for pike and bass.
2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations and LakeFinder special regulations, checked October 2026. All Minnesota limits.
State record fish from St. Croix River
| Species | Weight | Date | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flathead Catfish | 70 lb 0 oz | non certified weight | |
| Smallmouth Buffalo | 2025-03-28 | catch and release |
Minnesota DNR state records; angler names left out. All records.
St. Croix River compared with its neighbors
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Max depth ft | Accesses | Walleye per gill net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Croix River | 8,393 | 78 | 0 | 2.27 | |
| Edith Lake, Washington County | 2 miles northwest | 81 | 43 | 0 | |
| Horseshoe Lake, Washington County | 5 miles northwest | 75 | 11.3 | 0 | |
| Powers Lake | 6 miles west | 58 | 41 | 0 | 0.4 |
| Colby Lake, Washington County | 6 miles west | 71 | 11 | 0 | |
| Lake Elmo | 7 miles northwest | 257 | 140 | 1 |
DNR LakeFinder morphology, access layer and latest survey per lake.
Close by St. Croix River
Lakes a short haul from St. Croix River
- Edith Lake, Washington County2 miles northwest
- Horseshoe Lake, Washington County5 miles northwest
- Powers Lake6 miles west
- Colby Lake, Washington County6 miles west
- Lake Elmo7 miles northwest
Bait counters serving St. Croix River
- Hidden Harbor Marinamarina, Lakeland, under a mile
- Afton Marinamarina, Washington, under a mile
- Windmill Marina Association Incmarina, Afton, under a mile
- Beanie's Marinamarina, Washington, 3 miles
- Brothers Baitsbait and tackle shop, Lake Elmo, 6 miles
- Bayport Marinamarina, Washington, 6 miles
Places to bunk near St. Croix River
- St. Marys Pointunder a mile
- Lake St. Croix Beach1 mile
- Afton2 miles
Minnesota counties sharing St. Croix River
- Washington Countyseat: Stillwater
Spinning and baitcasting picks for St. Croix River
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
Species in the nets at St. Croix River
Photo: Engbretson Eric, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain
Photo: Nick Tobler (Cowturtle), CC BY 4.0
Photo: Ryan Somma, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Engbretson, Eric / U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain
Answers before you launch on St. Croix River
Where does St. Croix River sit on a Minnesota map?
The lake point falls in Washington County, managed from the Metro East fisheries office, about under a mile from St. Marys Point.
What acreage does LakeFinder give St. Croix River?
8,393 surface acres, 78 feet at the deepest.
Where is the public access on St. Croix River?
Access is listed without a map point (1 access).
Is St. Croix River a good panfish lake?
walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass, per DNR surveys.
Is St. Croix River above normal for walleye?
A standard survey on October 21, 2024; walleye ran 2.27 per special gill net.
Is St. Croix River under experimental regulations?
Statewide limits, North-central Zone.
Do I need a Minnesota license for St. Croix River?
On border water a Minnesota license ($25 resident, $51 nonresident) works under the shared rules; on Canadian water the Canadian portion needs a Canadian license.
When does St. Croix River freeze and thaw?
LakeFinder lists 5.7 feet average clarity.
Where can I buy minnows near St. Croix River?
Closest on our list: Hidden Harbor Marina, under a mile.
Hook up the trailer for St. Croix River
The license page lists every Minnesota limit.