Lake Saint Croix

Lake Saint Croix

Size
7,692ac
Boat Launch
Yes
Carry-in Launch
No
Toilet
Yes
Boat Dock
Yes
Species in Lake Saint Croix
Walleye
Walleye
Bluegill
Bluegill
Perch
Perch
Crappie
Crappie
Smallmouth bass
Smallmouth bass
White bass
White bass
Muskellunge
Muskellunge
Largemouth bass
Largemouth bass
Northern pike
Northern pike
Brown trout
Brown trout
Channel catfish
Channel catfish
Flathead catfish
Flathead catfish
Pumpkinseed
Pumpkinseed
Rock bass
Rock bass
Sauger
Sauger
Sturgeon
Sturgeon

Overview

Diverse and productive fishery features walleye, sauger, smallmouth and white bass. Good numbers of pike and catfish are overlooked. 25 river miles.

Lake Saint Croix Map

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 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.
Waterbody poster background

logo

Get Your Line in the Right Water

Quickly find the best places to fish and plan your day right.

Fish Species

Bluegill
fish
9-25 in
Length Range
16 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2024
Surveyed
Trapnet
Catch Method
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
2024
Sep
2024
Oct
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized bluegill based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
202412
Brown trout
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No abundance data
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
No Survey Data
Channel catfish
fish
9-25 in
Length Range
16 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2024
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
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
2023
Oct
2024
Oct
Crappie
fish
9-25 in
Length Range
16 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2024
Surveyed
Trapnet
Catch Method
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
2023
Oct
2024
Oct
Flathead catfish
fish
9-25 in
Length Range
16 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2024
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
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
2023
Oct
2024
Oct
Largemouth bass
fish
41-42 in
Length Range
42 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Low
2024
Surveyed
Electro
Catch Method
3.1586
0Statewide Range166.4366

Lake Saint Croix Largemouth bass abundance

Average range for similar lakes

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
2024
Sep
2024
Sep
Muskellunge
fish
41-42 in
Length Range
42 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2024
Surveyed
Trapnet
Catch Method
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
2018
Jun
2024
Sep
Northern pike
fish
9-25 in
Length Range
16 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2024
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
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
2024
Sep
2024
Oct
Perch
fish
9-25 in
Length Range
16 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2024
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
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
2024
Sep
2024
Oct
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized perch based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
202312
Pumpkinseed
fish
3-4 in
Length Range
4 in
Length Range
1997
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
1997
Surveyed
Trapnet
Catch Method
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
1997
Aug
Rock bass
fish
9-25 in
Length Range
16 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2024
Surveyed
Trapnet
Catch Method
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
2024
Sep
2024
Oct
Sauger
fish
9-25 in
Length Range
16 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2024
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
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
2023
Oct
2024
Oct
Smallmouth bass
fish
9-25 in
Length Range
16 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Outlier
2024
Surveyed
Electro
Catch Method
73.2786
0Statewide Range72.1895

Lake Saint Croix Smallmouth bass abundance

Average range for similar lakes

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
2024
Sep
2024
Oct
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized smallmouth-bass based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
202419
202319
202220
202119
201919
Sturgeon
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No abundance data
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
No Survey Data
Walleye
fish
9-25 in
Length Range
16 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2024
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
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
2024
Sep
2024
Oct
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized walleye based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
202128
White bass
fish
9-25 in
Length Range
16 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2024
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
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
2023
Oct
2024
Oct
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized white-bass based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
202317
202217
202117