Fishing in Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway

The Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway is a federally protected river corridor spanning roughly 252 miles across northwestern Wisconsin and east-central Minnesota. It is built around two rivers: the St.

Croix, which forms much of the Minnesota-Wisconsin border as it runs south toward the Mississippi, and the Namekagon, a tributary that flows entirely within Wisconsin.

Together they protect some of the cleanest, least-developed water in the Upper Midwest — and a fishery of more than 100 species of fish. The Namekagon is the trout water.

Upstream of Hayward, Wisconsin, the river runs cold enough to support naturally reproducing brown trout and brook trout, a fishery that has drawn national recognition. That stretch rewards wading anglers willing to read moving water carefully.

Downstream, as the Namekagon widens and warms, the character shifts toward warmwater species. The St. Croix itself holds a broader mix.

The lower 52 miles — from Taylors Falls to the Mississippi confluence — may be the most species-rich stretch in the entire Upper Mississippi basin, with 111 fish species documented. Walleye, smallmouth bass, and channel catfish are part of that picture.

The river is wide enough in places to accommodate powerboats; the upper sections are more suited to canoes and kayaks. Licensing here requires attention. For most of its length, the St. Croix runs as a boundary water between the two states.

The state line begins approximately 2. 5 miles downstream of Riverside Landing — upstream of that point, the river flows entirely in Wisconsin, as does the entire Namekagon.

On border waters, Minnesota residents need a Minnesota license and Wisconsin residents need a Wisconsin license; out-of-state anglers may fish with either.

You must carry the physical license showing the fishing endorsement and valid dates — a driver's license won't substitute. When you land your boat, you'll be inspected by the state where you're putting ashore, so the ramp you choose matters.

Fishing guides operating on the Riverway are required to hold NPS permits; a list is available through the park. Aquatic invasive species are a real concern on these waters. Check with the park before you go, and clean your gear between launches. The St.

Croix and Namekagon are worth the planning they require. The water is genuinely clean, the corridor is largely undeveloped, and a multi-day float with a rod in the boat is one of the more honest ways to see what a protected river can still look like.