• Canoeists paddle by tree lined shores

    Saint Croix

    National Scenic Riverway WI,MN

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  • High Water

    The rivers are running high and fast and the water is cold. Be prepared and cautious if venturing out on the rivers! Watch for debris and low clearance under bridges.

  • Wells Closed

    Beginning in 2013, water will no longer be available at McDowell Bridge Landing, Riverside Landing, and the Marshland District Office on Highway 70. Please plan accordingly and bring an adequate supply of water.

Boating

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Fishing by boat

NPS

The St. Croix offers scenic views and a variety of river opportunities for all boaters. The depth of the St. Croix River generally decreases as you travel north from the river's mouth at the Mississippi River. The descriptions below will help you choose the right stretch for your boat.

The use of personal watercraft, commonly known as jetskis, is prohibited on the St. Croix River from the north city limits of Stillwater, MN north to Gordon Dam and on the Namekagon River from its confluence near Riverside, WI east to the Namekagon Dam near Cable, WI.
 

St. Croix River
Mouth to Stillwater
-A 9' channel has been maintained by the Army Corps of Engineers.
-Six slow-no wake zones exist (slowest possible speed necessary to maintain steerage/less than 5mph) marked by regulatory buoys (circle) and or signs.

Stillwater to Arcola Sandbar
-Water depth good for all size boats in main marked channel.
-Waterskiing prohibited after noon on weekends and holidays between May 15 and September 15.
-2 slow-no wake zones (see above) marked by buoys and or signs.
-Personal watercraft are not allowed on the river upstream of Stillwater, which is the Federal zone.
-Zebra mussel regulations restrict access to the river above the High Bridge (river mile 28.5) by boats coming from the south. Boats may be trailered in and launched north of this point if they have not been in waters known to have zebra mussels (i.e. Mississippi or Duluth harbor). See zebra mussels and a boater's checklist for more information.

Arcola to Somerset
-Boats drawing less than 18".
-Appropriate for pontoons and boats less than 17' long.

Somerset to Taylors Falls
-Small fishing boats, in low water, small john boats.
-This area is a slow speed zone: leisurely speed less than planing, whereby the wake or wash created by motorboat is minimal.
-Primitive toilets have been placed on the large island below swing bridge for the use of boaters and campers.

Taylors Falls Dam to Nevers Dam
-Water depth from 40' to 2'. Can be used by mid-sized boats, houseboats, pontoons fishing and sport boats.
-Watch for sandbars and deadheads.

Nevers Dam to Norway Point
-Shallow, difficult for continuous travel, except in high water.
-Primarily used by small fishing boats at slow speeds.

 

General Rules:
-Accessible, wearable life jackets are required for each person on board. If your boat is over 16' there must also be a throwable device such as a buoyant cushion or ring buoy.
-Non-motorized craft, i.e. canoes and sailboats have the right of way.
-Green buoys should be on your left and red buoys on your right when travelling upstream. Slender white buoys with orange markings will alert you to hazards or speed zones. Daymarkers are also located from Prescott to Arcola to assist in navigation.
-A slow-no wake rule is in effect within 100' of: all shores, including islands, swimmers, and where the river channel is less than 200' wide.
-When water level rises to 683' at Stillwater the river is considered to be in flood and a slow-no wake rule goes in effect from the mouth to Taylors Falls. Signs will be posted.
-No water skiing allowed in slow speed and no wake zones or between sunset and sunrise.
A pdf of Boating rules for the Lower St. Croix National Scenic Riverway

Services:
-Available at private marinas in Prescott, Afton, Hudson Bayport, Oakpark Heights, Stillwater, and Marine on St. Croix.
-Public launch sites are shown on the Riverway brochure and Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Metro Area Rivers Guide.

Camping: Is allowed on many islands and at designated campsites. See camping link for specifics.

Reminder: Water levels vary due to weather and the dam at St. Croix Falls. Sandbars and deadheads are present and their locations can change. Use caution and learn how to read a river.

     

    The Namekagon River is generally shallow with rocks and is not suited for boats.
    Hayward and Trego Flowages
    -    Both flowages have sufficient water depth to operate boats.
    -The use of personal watercraft, commonly known as jetskis, is prohibited on the Namekagon River including the Hayward and Trego flowages.
    -Waterskiing is allowed in accordance with state and local regulations from the Trego Dam upstream to the Highway 53 bridge and from the Hayward Dam upstream to the Highway 77 bridge.
     

    Marinas on the St. Croix River
    Afton Marina & Yacht Club
    16071 31 St. S. Afton, MN 55001
    651-436-6050 www.aftonmarina.net

    Bayport Marina
    200 5th Ave. S. Bayport, MN 55003
    651-439-2040 www.bayportmarina.com/

    Boomsite Marina
    9369 St. Croix Trail North Stillwater, MN 55082
    651-275-0229 www.rivermarinas.com

    King's Cove Marina, LLC
    1 King's Cove Dr. Hastings, MN 55033
    651- 480-8900 www.kingscove.com

    Leo's Landing
    137 Front St. Prescott, WI 54021
    715-262-5998 www.leoslanding.com

    Miss-Croix Yacht Harbor Association
    451 2nd St. S.. Prescott, WI 54021
    715-262-5202 misscroixyachtharbor@hotmail.com

    Point St. Croix Marina
    101 Front S St. Prescott, WI 54021
    715-262-3161

    St. Croix Marina
    16 First St. Hudson, WI 54016
    715-386-8239 www.stcroixmarina.com

    St. Croix Yacht Club
    P.O. Box 2263, 6435 N. St. Croix Tr.
    Stillwater, MN 55082
    651-755-9888 www.scycmn.com

    Stillwater Yacht Club
    422 W. Mulberry St. Stillwater, MN 55082
    651-439-5658 www.stillwateryachtclub.com

    Sunnyside Marina
    6413 S. Croix Trail N.
    Stillwaer, MN 55082
    651-439-2118 www.sunnysidemarina.org

    Wild River Bay
    517 N Hamilton St. Croix Falls, WI 54024
    715-483-9343

    Windmill Marina Associations
    16065 32 St. S. Afton, MN 55001
    651-436-7744 www.windmillmarina.com/intro.html

    Wolf Marine
    514 E. Alder St. Stillwater, MN 55082
    651-439-2341 www.wolfmarine.net

    Did You Know?

    Two mussels or clams on sand.  They are yellowish brown with greenish stripes

    St. Croix National Scenic Riverway is home to 40 species of native mussels.  Throughout the United States their populations are considered highly threatened.  The Higgins Eye Pearly mussel is on the endangered species list.