There is a lot of information out in cyberspace that is useful in planning and preparing for your fishing and camping trips. This post will provide you with computer links to websites that can help you plan fishing, boating or a camping trip to the Lower St Croix River. These links are to some websites that will provide you quick information needed for the local area and the river conditions you can expect upon your arrival. Hopefully we have identified the things that you should know to make your trip safe and enjoyable.
Weather: This is a link to the National Weather Service website that provides the forecast for the Stillwater area of the St Croix which is about in the middle of the Lower St Croix National Scenic Riverway. For the local weather and forecast click here: http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?CityName=Stillwater&state=MN&site=MPX&textField1=45.0565&textField2=-92.8222&e=0
River Level and Temperature: This is a link to the US Army Corps of Engineers river gage reading located on the Lift Bridge in Stillwater, MN. This river gage reading is in feet above mean sea level. A normal, stable summertime river level is measured at about 675.5 feet. For the current river level and temp click here: http://www2.mvr.usace.army.mil/WaterControl/stationinfo2.cfm?sid=STLM5&fid=STLM5&dt=S
River Level Forecast: This is a link to the river level forecast for the next week based on weather and other considerations which will affect river water levels. For the St Croix River level forecast click here: http://www.crh.noaa.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?wfo=mpx&gage=stlm5&view=1,1,1,1,1,1
Boating Rules for the Lower St Croix Scenic Riverway: This excerpt is taken directly from the Boating Rules brochure: “The St Croix River is a special area, and boaters using the river have special responsibilities. The water surface use regulations that are in effect on the St Croix River have been adopted by the Minnesota DNR, the Wisconsin DNR, and the National Park Service in order to make the river experience more enjoyable for more people. Please obey the rules. VIOLATERS WILL BE PROSECUTED! Please read all the rules before venturing out on the river.”
There are 8 different enforcement agencies that you will see on the river (National Park Service, Wisconsin DNR, Minnesota DNR, Chisago County Sheriff, Washington County Sheriff, Pierce County Sheriff, Polk County sheriff, St Croix County Sheriff) and at some time or other you can expect to be inspected by at least one of them. The brochure contains the contact information for all of the different enforcement agencies should you need to contact one. It is worth the time to print and read the brochure – I would also recommend printing a copy and keeping it in your boat.
For the Boating Rules click here: http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/rlp/regulations/boatwater/stcroixboatingrules.pdf
Camping Regulations Highway 8 to the Soo Line High Bridge: New camping regulations are in effect on the St. Croix River between U.S. Highway 8 at St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin – Taylors Falls, Minnesota (river mile 52.5) and the Soo Line High Bridge (river mile 29.5). This link is to the National Park Service website providing information on the new camping regulations. For the Camping Regulations click here: http://www.nps.gov/sacn/planyourvisit/camping-regulations-highway-8-to-soo-line-high-bridge.htm
St Croix River access points from Taylor Falls / St Croix Falls to Stillwater: These links are to two National Park Service maps that show river access points from Taylor Falls, MN / River St Croix Falls, WI to Stillwater, MN. These are excellent maps that show boat launches, canoe access points, parks, picnic areas, campgrounds and hiking trails.
For the St Croix River map from Highway 8 to Marine on the St Croix click here: http://www.nps.gov/sacn/planyourvisit/upload/St.%20Croix%20map%204%202009.pdf
For the St Croix River map from Marine on the St Croix to Boomsite Landing click here: http://www.nps.gov/sacn/planyourvisit/upload/St.%20Croix%20Map%205%202009.pdf
St Croix River Boat Launch points from Stillwater, MN to Prescott, WI: These links are to boat launch facilities available to the general public. Most have launch fees required and may have hours of operation.
Bayport, MN click here: http://www.rivermarinas.com/beachhouse
Lakeland, MN click here: http://www.boatingatbeanies.com/
Hudson, WI click here: http://www.ci.hudson.wi.us/parksrec.htm
Afton, MN click here: http://www.windmillmarina.com/
Washington County St Croix Bluffs Park click here: http://www.co.washington.mn.us/info_for_residents/parks_division/parks_and_trails/st_croix_bluffs_regional_park/
Prescott, WI click here: http://www.prescottwi.org/gov/cityservices.html#Anchor-BOAT-3800
Minnesota / Wisconsin Special Border Waters Fishing Regulations: The St Croix River is a border water with Wisconsin and as such has special fishing regulations in place. These regulations in most instances are more liberal than Minnesota’s inland water fishing regulations. This is a link to the Minnesota border waters fishing regulations for 2009, click here: http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/rlp/regulations/fishing/fishing2009.pdf
