I am new to the Croix and am wondering if there are any ramp that do not require a fee or a minimumal fee? I spent $15 each time I went this past weekend, but I guess if I’m going to play I have to pay.
Hudson?
Afton?
Kinni?
Bluffs?
Prescott?
Maybe $15 is the normal on the Croix, but just wondering what the other options are.
From what I understand, Boomsite is free, but limited parking.
Depending on where you live, I’d suggest the St Croix Bluffs Park. Buy the annual sticker ($25?) and you’re good to go. Otherwise, the Boomsite north of Stillwater would be my other choice. Week-ends at either spot is first come, first served and busy 
jerr
afterthought- -use caution @ the Boomsite. Power loaders have a big pile of rocks blown up right beside the dock about a boat length behind your trailer as you launch.
Does Afton State Park have a ramp?
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Does Afton State Park have a ramp?
Not that I know of. Never been in the park but haven’t seen one as I fish the area. I’d say “no” jerr
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Depending on where you live, I’d suggest the St Croix Bluffs Park. Buy the annual sticker ($25?) and you’re good to go.
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The county park sticker is a great investment, as I believe they still have the reciprocal agreement with Carver & Anoka County Parks. i.e.: You can go to any of those County Parks.
Francis,
The Bluffs is going to be the most reasonable priced option. 25.00 for a season pass. From what I hear, they have quite a bit of parking but don’t open until 6:00 am. It also sounds like they fill up at times and is busy.
Hudson city launch charges 10.50 for non residents or a non-resident season pass is 105.00. You can’t park overnight, but you can launch before 6am. Parking here will also fill up during the summer.
Afton – Windmill Marina – Private – Prices will be similar to Beanies.
Hudson (Kings Landing) – Private – just north of I94. Similar prices to Beanies. Can fill up.
Prescott – City Launch – 35.00 resident, 50.00 non-resident.
Kinni – closest launch is the Bluffs
Bayport – 25.00 resident (not sure what constitutes a resident – city or state), don’t know if it fills up either
North Hudson – Village Launch, gravel, Free, very limit parking (about 8 spots)
Troy Township Launch – 30.00 resident, 60.00 non-resident. Nice launch, but very limited parking.
Hastings – They have a public launch, but not sure what they charge.
Hudson launch is $10.50 Bayport is $10 mon trough thurs $20 on weekends. Beanies is $10 mon through thurs $15 weekends.
Afton $15 mon thru Friday $22 sat and sunday, ouch.
Boom site of coarse is free hit it on the weekdays parking is better.
The St.Croix Bluffs like said get the county park pass. And its the nicest launch on the river.
Some may not no this but the County Park sticker gets you into other County parks like Carver county. Some of these counties have a reciprocity agreement with other counties. Check to see if your county has reciprocity with other counties. Washington County has reciprocity with Anoka and Carver Counties
The St.Croix Bluffs like said get the county park pass. And its the nicest launch on the river.
FYI- -During low water, the slab on the west side has such a steep angle from the joint into the water that it causes some tandem axle trailers to drag the front cross memeber. I had that problem with my Skeeter trailer and until I moved my spare tire foreward, my Warrior trailer drug the spare. It helps if you stay tight to the dock when backing in-just sayin’- – jerr
It boils down to where you want to fish. For the most part there is no free ride on the Croix. Decide which section you want to fish then bend over to launch there. 
The Hudson ramp was great last night. Easy and relaxing except for the dumb *** that parked in the tie down area to frolick in the park. The ramp experience was exceptional but not worth $10.50 for 2 hours of fishing.
Thanks for the info, everyone.
Hastings is free and has a nice big parking lot, the ramp has no dock and is in poor condition. If you are skilled or lucky, the launch is ok, but it seems to get worse every year.
Not only is Hastings in poor condition but there’s current, it’s very busy on the weekends, and they close it without notice (carnivals, road construction etc).
I wouldn’t recommend that one but if you need one that’s free there aren’t a lot of choices.
I would never use that North Hudson launch unless you have a jetski ( BK ) or 16 foot tiller or smaller. It is a sand launch, you are essentially launching on a beach.
Good informative post BZZ BTW.
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Not only is Hastings in poor condition but there’s current, it’s very busy on the weekends, and they close it without notice (carnivals, road construction etc).
I wouldn’t recommend that one but if you need one that’s free there aren’t a lot of choices.
and add in barge traffic that goes right past the launch. they are going to repair/re-do the launch this summer. they currently only have one of two lanes open. they only close it around rivertown days which is july 20th-22 this year. they have waterski shows and boat races at that time.
BK on a jet ski? I would pay money to see that!
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I would never use that North Hudson launch unless you have a jetski ( BK ) or 16 foot tiller or smaller. It is a sand launch, you are essentially launching on a beach.
I launched in North Hudson a few times last year when Hudson was closed due to high water. I didn’t think it was too bad. Went by there last night and it is amazing how much of a beach there is now with the low water.
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they currently only have one of two lanes open. they only close it around rivertown days which is july 20th-22 this year. they have waterski shows and boat races at that time.
Still?? Wow that’s been down to one lane for years. Also I read they’ll be closing it this summer for bridge construction.
Hudson launch had ducks swimming OVER the docks today(Sunday). Bring your hip boots or a friend if you want to launch there. ( I have neither so I’m at home 
). Water will probably be high for a week or so.
I walked out of the Bayport park to ice fish this winter after work. I’m still working in the area and now want to launch my boat. I dont see a launch in Bayport other than the marina. Is the marina next to the park considered the Bayport launch?
I drove up to the boom site landing but it looked shallow. Hoping to launch near 36 or towards Hastings. Never fished the Croix so I dont have a clue.
I’ve used the launch at the ‘The Beach House Marina & Boat Rentals’ in Bayport. Not sure if this is the one you are asking about. It is a nice launch. Kind of spendy though. There are 2 landings in Hudson (City and Kings Landing by 94). There is a landing in Afton. A gravel landing in North Hudson (free). The Cove landing in the Town of Troy (south of Hudson). Prescott. Bluffs State Park. They water is currently really low and some of the landings get challenging.
I walked out of the Bayport park to ice fish this winter after work. I’m still working in the area and now want to launch my boat. I dont see a launch in Bayport other than the marina. Is the marina next to the park considered the Bayport launch?
I drove up to the boom site landing but it looked shallow. Hoping to launch near 36 or towards Hastings. Never fished the Croix so I dont have a clue.
They Bayport launch is on 4th Ave in the Anderson Windows lot. You launch there, then have to go park in Lakeside Park lot. Very inconvenient (and a LONG walk if you are solo) but saves you $20 compared to using Beach House.
Thanks everyone!!
If anyone has an open seat after 300pm during the week, it’d be awesome to jump in! I have all of my own stuff and be happy to pitch in for anything else necessary.
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