Shore fishing on the Croix

Couple quick one for you guys.

Can you shore fish from the WI side with a MN license? I’m assuming you need a WI non-resident, but with the Croix the rules always seem to differ.
Any shore fishing by the swing bridge? How do you usually get there, or where do you park. From the maps on Google, both side look pretty accessable!
What fish might one target in that area?
Thanks in advance,
STCROIXER

I can answer one question for you….You can fish either side of the river with your MN license. For Wisconsin residents they need a Wisconsin license to fish the river….either side!

to get to the swing bridge you have to enter land owned by the railroad. you may get caught or not but either way it’s trespassing. they didn’t seem to mind up until about 3 years ago when the garbage issue got out of hand. once again a very few ruin it for the majority one decent spot is where the Mallieleau dam is at. i’ve had good luck there in the Spring mostly.

Hey StCroixer – You can fish either shore with a MN license. Here is the info from Page 43, 2006 MN Fishing Regulations:

Minnesota has a reciprocal agreement with each of its bordering states: Wisconsin, Iowa, South Dakota, and North Dakota. Residents of Minnesota or a bordering state may fish throughout the waters bordering the two states only if they possess a valid resident license from their resident state. Lake Superior is not covered under this agreement (see page 22). Nonresident anglers who have a nonresident license from either Minnesota or the bordering state may also fish throughout the border waters between the two states. Anglers may launch and fish from either shore and may transport their catch by the most direct route to the state in which they are licensed. This includes children who are not required to have a license.

Quite a few years ago I walked into the Swing Bridge and fished it from the shore. Now it is posted with No Trespassing Signs by the Railroad. You could probably still do it but it is a long hike and the fishing was not that good.

If you are looking for a shorefishing spot I agree with SteveO – the Lake Mallalieu Dam in Hudson is easier to reach and you would probably have just as good luck there. Get yourself the Hudson Map and it will show you how to find the dam. You can drive right up to it and have just a short walk to the open water. I fish there sometimes during the January and February thaws when I want to fish a long rod.

Thanks guys,
Once again, IDA saves the day! No lisence needed for WI side of the Croix for shore fishing!
Saved $50 for a lisence that expires in two months!
By the way, how many people have both MN an Wi lisences to get “The best of both worlds” as it relates to boundry waters fishing ( and I mean adjacent states/tributaries) or does it end up self-defeting to get both licences some how.
Anyway, we decided to head out for the swing bridge from the WI side, and found what was posted here on IDA AFTER our adventure began. This land leading to the swing bridge is owned by the RR, and it is posted everywhere!! Being parents and role models we went down to the public walkway out to the river, just west of Sunsets. It turned out to be a LONG walk and no action at the end. We tried a couple of different presentations, but nothing in the end!
Looking for the winter bite-
STCROIXER