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For the musky herePiscifun AlumiX spinning reel46% OFFSale $64.99 $119.99
Muskellunge
Photo: Engbretson, Eric / U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain 
Lake sturgeon
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain 
Flathead catfish
Photo: USFWS Mountain Prairie, Public domain 
Bluegill
Photo: USFWS Mountain Prairie, Public domain
Wisconsin rivers
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St. Croix River Fishing
Burnett County and 4 other counties.
Pick for muskyPiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 Photo: Joshua Mayer, CC BY-SA 2.0
Wisconsin rivers
The St. Croix River in figures
WDNR assessment lines trace the St. Croix River, a river, across Burnett County and 4 other counties. Its assessed length comes to roughly 160 miles. The nearest town is Webster, around 11 miles away. Part of it is a federal Wild and Scenic River.
Musky are managed in it: natural reproduction plus stocking (cat. 2). WDNR notes sturgeon here as naturally reproducing – ansri. Some reaches carry 132.4 miles of Outstanding Resource Water and 27.3 miles of Exceptional Resource Water status. Readings come from 3 active gauges. 2 public landings offer boat access.
160miles mapped
5counties
3USGS gauges
2landings
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The St. Croix River fishery
For smallmouth, the St. Croix River is classed as non-wadable coarse substrate, non-wadable fine substrate, wadable nursery waters and wadable warm water.
WDNR maps St. Croix River musky water at Indianhead Flowage.
WDNR fisheries designation layers (musky, sturgeon, smallmouth bass and trout streams); not a full species survey.
Flow
Gauges on the St. Croix River
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| St. Croix River At Prescott, Wi | 3,940 cfs, 27.16 ft gage height | Nov 12 2:00 am |
| St. Croix River At St. Croix Falls, Wi | 3,990 cfs, 3.76 ft gage height | Nov 12 2:00 am |
| St. Croix River Near Danbury, Wi | 1,020 cfs, 1.00 ft gage height | Nov 12 2:00 am |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 12, 2026 2:33 am ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
Access
Launching on the St. Croix River
- Cty T Carry-in Landing1 lane, 1 to 5 trailer stalls, restroom, Douglas County
- Spangler's Landing1 lane, 6 to 10 trailer stalls, Polk County
WDNR Boat Access and Shore Fishing layers, USGS gauges.
Regulations
Rules for the St. Croix River
| Species | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Walleye and sauger | 3 in total; minimum length 15 inches | May 2, 2026 – March 7, 2027 |
| Northern pike (north of Hwy 10) | 5; no minimum length | May 2, 2026 – March 7, 2027 |
| Largemouth bass | 5; minimum length 14 inches | May 2, 2026 – March 7, 2027 |
| Smallmouth bass (Northern Bass Zone) | 5 in total with largemouth bass; minimum length 14 inches | June 20, 2026 – March 7, 2027 |
| Smallmouth bass (Southern Bass Zone) | 5 in total with largemouth bass; minimum length 14 inches | May 2, 2026 – March 7, 2027 |
| Muskellunge | 1; minimum length 40 inches | May 2, 2026 – Dec. 31, 2026 (open water only) |
| Panfish | 25 in total; no minimum length | Open all year |
| Catfish | 10 in total; no minimum length | Open all year |
| Cisco and whitefish | 10 in total; no minimum length | Open all year |
| Rock, yellow and white bass | No bag limit; no minimum length | Open all year |
| Bullheads and rough fish | No bag limit; no minimum length | Open all year |
The St. Croix River lies north of Hwy 10, so the pike row shown follows that zone; check the county exceptions too.
2026-2027 Guide to Wisconsin Hook and Line Fishing Regulations. All Wisconsin limits.
Records
Wisconsin record catches from the St. Croix River
| Species | Weight | Date | Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flathead Catfish | 2021-06-22 | live release |
WDNR record fish list; angler names left out.
Tournaments
The St. Croix River on the WDNR tournament calendar
Nearby
In reach of the St. Croix River
Other Wisconsin lakes close to the St. Croix River
- Clam River Flowage3 miles
- Bluff Lake5 miles
- Upper North Fork Flowage6 miles
- Little Yellow Lake7 miles
Tackle shops a short drive from the St. Croix River
- Wild Bills Sporting Goods & Spiritssporting goods store, Webster, 11 miles
- Backwoods Beer & Baitbait and tackle shop, Siren, 12 miles
- Rockcrusher Outdoors Incsporting goods store, Siren, 14 miles
- Joel's Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Siren, 14 miles
- Wild River Outfittersbait and tackle shop, Grantsburg, 15 miles
Booking a guide for the St. Croix River
- River Guide Kayaksfishing guide, St. Croix River, River Falls, (612) 201-1314
Nearby Wisconsin towns for the St. Croix River
- Danbury11 miles
- Webster11 miles
- Grantsburg12 miles
- Siren15 miles
Wisconsin rivers around the St. Croix River
- Dody Brook6 miles
- Clam River10 miles
- Wood River16 miles
- Loon Creek18 miles
County pages for the St. Croix River
- Burnett County
- Douglas County
- Polk County
- St. Croix County
- Pierce County
Piscifun
Gear from Piscifun for the St. Croix River
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Fish ID
Sport fish found around St. Croix River
Photo: Engbretson, Eric / U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
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Photo: USFWS Mountain Prairie, Public domain
Photo: USFWS Mountain Prairie, Public domain
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Answers
The St. Croix River, answered in a line or two
Which Wisconsin county is the St. Croix River in?
Its course crosses Burnett County, Douglas County, Polk County, St. Croix County and Pierce County.
Is the St. Croix River a classified Wisconsin trout stream?
The DNR does not class it as trout water.
How high is the St. Croix River running?
The 3 USGS gauges readings are shown above.
Can I slide a canoe into the St. Croix River from a landing?
Try Spangler's Landing, one of 2 public landings.
What can I keep from the St. Croix River?
It follows the statewide inland table.
Is a Wisconsin stamp needed on the St. Croix River?
Anglers 16 and older need a Wisconsin fishing license: $20 a year for residents and $55 for nonresidents, with a $5 first-time buyer rate for residents.
Which tackle shop on our list is nearest the St. Croix River?
Try Wild Bills Sporting Goods & Spirits (11 miles).
Which fish does the WDNR note in the St. Croix River?
Designations point to muskellunge, lake sturgeon, smallmouth bass and flathead catfish.
Where should I stay to fish the St. Croix River?
Webster sits some 11 miles off the channel.
Plan a Wisconsin river day on the St. Croix River
Check the gauge and the WDNR rules first, then drive.