The wife wants to see some nature, we will not be fishing, would like to get away from the big boats. Have a 9hp short shaft.
Any ideas on where to put in would be welcome too, we are looking at maybe an hour away from the metro.
Croix, Vermilion, or maybe the Kettle. I think the Kettle is very pretty but is it too shallow right now?
Thanks.
Launch above the dam on the Croix in taylors falls and go north
The Rum River is pretty good. Its labeled as Minnesota’s only “wild and scenic” river by the DNR.
You might have an issue with going upstream though, especially the further north you go. Its not a very big or deep river. If you want to make sure you can get back to where you started, you’re probably going to have to launch at Anoka north of the dam by the fairgrounds. That whole area is minimum wake too, so there won’t be pleasure boats or jet skis flying by you.
I fish it further north in a small jon boat. We float from point A to point B. There’s no way we could motor back to point A. Its just way too shallow and rocky.
Here is the rig-
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The St Croix is probably the most accessible. Within an hour puts you below the Hwy 70 bridge. Anything North of Stillwater generally gets you out of big boat territory. I’ve paddled William O’brien to Osceola before and it’s a perfectly fine day trip. If you go north of the Croix/Snake confluence you tend to see very few people on the Croix. It’s however outside the one hour mark. Also, rivers like the Kettle and Snake are generally faster water as they empty into the Croix.
I haven’t been on them so I can’t vouch for their viability but the Chippewa and the smaller Red Cedar in the Menomonie/Eau Claire/Chippewa Falls area could be close to an hour from the metro. They might be worth some research.
Sounds like skinny dipping is on the menu??? 
If you’re in the Metro, Leave a car at a landing close by (Maybe Chaska or Shakopee) and then take the Scenic Byway Rd down to Henderson (beautiful drive from Carver on down). Drop your rig in the river in Henderson and putz downstream towards home. If you have an outboard than it’s an easy day trip and you’re close to home when you’re done. Almost 100% natural, undeveloped shoreline all the way to Chaska. Lots of exposed sandbars to stop and stretch your legs, have lunch, etc.
Tim, one little known area for shallow water boating is the Vermilion just below the Y at Lock and Dam #3.
Once past the train bridge about a mile, it will seem like you’re not in MN. I’ve never ventured past the 316 bridge near the casino, but the trip up was full of wild life and I spose fish too. Make sure you have your gps dropping a trail for you because it’s a mess back there unless you’ve been back there a few times.
I try to get up that way each year it floods.
Lots of great ideas, and the GPS reminder is important-THX.
July 25, 2022 at 2:03 pm#2137493
If you’re in the Metro, Leave a car at a landing close by (Maybe Chaska or Shakopee) and then take the Scenic Byway Rd down to Henderson (beautiful drive from Carver on down). Drop your rig in the river in Henderson and putz downstream towards home. If you have an outboard than it’s an easy day trip and you’re close to home when you’re done. Almost 100% natural, undeveloped shoreline all the way to Chaska. Lots of exposed sandbars to stop and stretch your legs, have lunch, etc.
Then leave the boat in Chaska if truck and trailer is in henderson?
Then leave the boat in Chaska if truck and trailer is in Henderson?
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Well you’d probably have the same dilemma no matter where you go unless you had someone designated to pick you up and drive you back to the launch point. There would be driving involved. But you’re right, I guess you couldn’t go straight home… you’d have one person stay with the boat while another took the second vehicle to Henderson, swap vehicles, go back and load the boat and finally back to Henderson to get the other vehicle and then home. BUT all doable, really not that far of a drive, especially if you take 169.
Well you’d probably have the same dilemma no matter where you go unless you had someone designated to pick you up and drive you back to the launch point.
When I float the Rum River in my jon boat, this is what we do. We leave a second truck at the finishing spot and then use that to go back and get the first vehicle.
Taking my wife not a buddy-not a float trip. Wife wants to see nature, skinny dipping? Me? Thats proof nature aint always pretty. Thanks-keep the ideas coming.
You don’t need more idea’s. You have been given a great option a couple of times. Just choose it and get going. 
Above the dam on the croix would be a great option. You should have no problem getting that rig up to nevers and above up to sunrise. Beyond that might be tough with the current water levels. I was north of hwy 70 this weekend and watched canoes and tubers get stuck. Below Taylor’s falls down to the high bridge would be good too.
The deer flies on the rum,kettle, and snake right now are bad.
Above the dam on the croix would be a great option. You should have no problem getting that rig up to nevers and above up to sunrise. Beyond that might be tough with the current water levels. I was north of hwy 70 this weekend and watched canoes and tubers get stuck. Below Taylor’s falls down to the high bridge would be good too.
The deer flies on the rum,kettle, and snake right now are bad.
Taylor’s falls down to the high-bridge is a awesome stretch. Make sure you push all the way up river before heading down. If you launch at Franconia it’s a short ride up to the bluffs
Sounds good, that small park at the F. launch is nice too.
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