Brown Trout fishing at St. Croix River

In spring, brown trout run shallow here, mostly 3 to 25 ft. By summer they slide out to 25 to 60 ft, and by winter most fish are in 5 to 35 ft. The spot to know is Sharp break, a drop-off in about 22.728061658499108 ft of water that rates prime for brown trout in summer. In summer the feeding windows fall in after dark and early morning. Summer baits: a spoon at the thermocline or a deep stickbait (night) gets it done.

Walleye fishing at St. Croix River

In spring, walleye run shallow here, mostly 4 to 15 ft. By summer they slide out to 15 to 35 ft, and by winter most fish are in 20 to 40 ft. Sharp break is the standout, a drop-off at roughly 22.728061658499108 ft, rated prime for fall walleye. In summer the feeding windows fall in the evening and early morning. Tie on a crawler harness on bottom bouncer or a deep crankbait (trolled) and you're in the game.

Sauger fishing at St. Croix River

Spring sauger on St. Croix River hold shallow, usually 4 to 18 ft. By summer they slide out to 10 to 30 ft, and by winter most fish are in 15 to 45 ft. Rock reef is the standout, a rock pile at roughly 5.062203177236117 ft, rated prime for spring sauger. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months. A bottom bouncer + crawler or a 3-way rig with stickbait covers the summer program.

Yellow Perch fishing at St. Croix River

Start shallow in spring: yellow perch sit in 3 to 12 ft that time of year. By summer they slide out to 10 to 30 ft, and by winter most fish are in 15 to 35 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Shallow bay flat: a weed flat around 6 ft that scores prime in spring. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning. A drop-shot micro plastics or a small spoon tipped with worm covers the summer program.

Northern Pike fishing at St. Croix River

Spring northern pike on St. Croix River hold shallow, usually 2 to 8 ft. They move out to 8 to 20 ft in summer and finish the year down in 5 to 15 ft. The spot to know is Shallow bay flat, a weed flat in about 6 ft of water that rates prime for northern pike in spring. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months. Tie on a bucktail or a weedless spoon over cabbage and you're in the game.

Muskellunge fishing at St. Croix River

Start shallow in spring: muskellunge sit in 3 to 12 ft that time of year. Summer pushes them deeper, 8 to 25 ft, and winter fish settle into 15 to 35 ft. The spot to know is Sharp break, a drop-off in about 22.728061658499108 ft of water that rates prime for muskellunge in fall. In summer the feeding windows fall in the evening and early morning. Tie on a double-10 bucktail or a topwater (walk-the-dog / creeper) and you're in the game.

How deep is St. Croix River?

St. Croix River is about 78 ft at its deepest point. The contours here are modeled from the water's real shape and maximum depth, so treat them as a rough guide.

What fish are in St. Croix River?

Anglers target largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye, white bass, sauger, northern pike, crappie, bluegill, channel catfish, muskellunge, yellow perch, flathead catfish, freshwater drum, common carp, longnose gar, brown trout, burbot, rock bass, pumpkinseed, lake sturgeon on St. Croix River.

Where is the best fishing spot on St. Croix River?

Sharp break is the top-rated area: a drop-off in about 22.728061658499108 ft of water that rates prime for walleye in fall. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.

When is the best time to fish St. Croix River?

For brown trout, the summer bite is best in after dark and early morning. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.