Fishing in Lower Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway

The lower 52 miles of the St. Croix River — from Taylors Falls downstream to its confluence with the Mississippi — make up the Lower Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway.

This stretch runs along the Minnesota-Wisconsin border, widening as it moves south through wooded bluffs and past historic river towns before emptying into the Mississippi near Prescott.

It is a federally designated Wild and Scenic River managed cooperatively by the National Park Service, both state DNRs, and local governments — a setup that shapes how anglers navigate regulations here.

The river itself may be the most species-rich waterbody in the Upper Mississippi basin, with 111 fish species documented along with 41 mussel species. That biological depth shows in the fishing.

Walleye, northern pike, muskellunge, catfish, and sturgeon are all present. The upper St. Croix, just north of this segment, carries a strong reputation as a smallmouth bass fishery, and that character carries into the lower river as well.

Licensing is the first thing to sort out before you wet a line. Because the St. Croix forms the state boundary for much of its length, anglers need to know which state's water they're in. The boundary begins approximately 2.

5 miles downstream of Riverside Landing — upstream of that point, the river runs through Wisconsin. Minnesota and Wisconsin licenses are both valid on border waters, but you must carry the physical license showing the fishing endorsement.

When you land your boat, the state where you pull out will inspect your catch, so factor that into your ramp choice. A number of fishing guides hold permits to operate on the Riverway; the NPS outfitters page lists them.

The lower riverway draws heavily from the Twin Cities metro, and that proximity means pressure, particularly on weekends.

The protected corridor — which extends roughly a quarter-mile from the river's edge on average — keeps the shoreline largely intact, which matters for fish habitat and for the experience of being on the water.

Check current Minnesota and Wisconsin regulations before you go.

The rules governing size, season, and bag limits on border waters can differ by species and by state, and the NPS asks anglers to follow the regulations of the state they're fishing in, not the state where they hold their license.