Size
289ac
Boat Launch
Carry-in Launch
Toilet
No
Boat Dock
Species in Lake Mallalieu
Smallmouth bass
Largemouth bass
Perch
Crappie
Northern pike
Bluegill
Brown trout
Pumpkinseed
Rock bass
Overview
Diverse and productive fishery features walleye, sauger, smallmouth and white bass. Good numbers of pike and catfish are overlooked. 25 river miles.
Lake Mallalieu Map
Fishing Regulations
Special Fishing Regulations: This lake has special fishing regulations that differ from statewide or border water regulations for those species identified below and take precedence. Regulations listed below are currently in place. Visit the fishing regulations page for links to upcoming regulations for specific lakes.
Special Species Regulations
- Bullheads: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited.
- Catfish: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10.
- Cisco And Whitefish: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10.
- Lake Sturgeon: Closed: No fishing allowed.
- Largemouth Bass And Smallmouth Bass: May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027: The minimum length limit is 14” and the daily bag limit is 5.
- Muskellunge And Hybrids: May 2, 2026 to December 31, 2026 on open water: The minimum length limit is 40” and the daily bag limit is 1.
- Northern Pike: May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 5.
- Paddlefish: Closed: No fishing allowed.
- Panfish: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10.
- Rock, Yellow, And White Bass: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited.
- Rough Fish: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited.
- Round Goby: Open All Year: The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office.
- Ruffe: Open All Year: The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office.
- Shovelnose Sturgeon: Closed: No fishing allowed.
- Trout: See specific regulations: See Trout Regulations
- Walleye, Sauger, And Hybrids: May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027: The minimum length limit is 15” and the daily bag limit is 3.
- White Perch: Open All Year: The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office.
Features
The St. Croix River is part of the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway and is well noted for its steep bluffs and fall colors. As a result, boat traffic is heavy during summer, especially on weekends and holidays. “Slow no wake” zones are common on the river and applies to any area within 100 feet of all shorelines (including islands) and within 100 feet of swimmers. A particularly long no-wake zone is between the railroad bridge and the Highway 94 bridge. The lower section of the St. Croix River, downstream of Arcola Sandbar, is wide and slower flowing. For this reason, this stretch is also called Lake St. Croix. The St. Croix River forms part of the Minnesota and Wisconsin state border and as a result anglers must be aware of fishing regulations in both states. Anglers must posses a license from one of the states and must posses a license from the state of residence (if residing from Wisconsin or Minnesota). Anglers crossing the imaginary state line must obey the regulations that are more stringent. Wisconsin and Minnesota both have fish consumption advisories for the St. Croix River. Minnesota’s list is more extensive listing all species, except panfish. Wisconsin has advisories for the following species: walleye, sauger, white bass, flathead catfish, channel catfish, common carp and buffalo. Check each state’s consumption advisory publications for more details.
Forage
A rich forage base is present, with gizzard shad being the most abundant. Redhorse sucker, common carp, freshwater drum, golden shiner, and common shiner are among the important food sources for gamefish.
Seasonal Movements
Some walleye and sauger move upstream to spawn near Osceola, Wisconsin. White bass make spring movements into river mouths and to the tailwaters of the A.S. King Generating Plant just south of Stillwater, Minnesota. There is also a movement of several fish species into the St. Croix River from the Mississippi River.
Weather
47°Feels like 47°
75°
56°
75°56°6:51 AM
7:20 PM
0 mph
South
0 in
Rain
30.36 inHg
Rising
WednesdayWe
75° / 56°
ThursdayTh
77° / 56°
FridayFr
62° / 55°
SaturdaySa
69° / 55°
SundaySu
68° / 52°
MondayMo
68° / 51°
Moon Phase
September 16, 2026
28% Illumination
waxing crescent, getting brighter
WednesdayWe09/16
ThursdayTh09/17
FridayFr09/18
SaturdaySa09/19
SundaySu09/20
MondayMo09/21
TuesdayTu09/22
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Top Fish Species
Smallmouth bass
7-20 in
Length Range
13 in
Length Range
2021
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Understanding Abundance
Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time
Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.Species Lengths
