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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | Can anyone give me some recommendations for launching locations and any hazard/awareness from experience?
Thanks ... |
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Posts: 639
Location: Hudson, WI | There is the city launch right in Prescott. I think it's $12 for out of staters. There is also the Bluffs on the MN side a little bit up river. I hear the Hastings launch is nice and pretty cheap, but I've never been there. There are some good spots down by the confluence with the Mississippi apparently, but I haven't fished more than a 1/2 mile south of the Kinnickinnic River in 10 years or so. Almost every hazard is marked out there. Just keep the buoys in mind that if you are going up the river, red on the right. If you are going down, green on the right. |
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | Molti ... is there a launch at the park after you cross the prescott bridge on the Minnesota side? that beach area looks like it's shallow and the corner is a Marina? |
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Posts: 639
Location: Hudson, WI | No, that is just a park. No launch there. If you want to stay on the MN side, you can take a left on St. Croix Trail S just before you hit that park and go north a few miles to the St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park. They have a very nice landing, or so I've heard. I've never actually launched there. The Prescott launch is in Prescott on Pool 3. If you were going to fish the St. Croix, the Bluffs would be the best bet coming from Hwy 10. |
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | is the Prescott in-town landing above the dam? i see some boats below the dam but figured i'm best to explore the water above? also, key in on weed points and channel turns?? any commentary on smallie fishing there? |
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Posts: 639
Location: Hudson, WI | That dam is WAY south. When you cross the bridge into Prescott, you take a right. Then I believe it's the next right that brings you down by the railroad tracks. It's right in town. You would go north and stay to the right under the railroad bridge and the HWY 10 bridge to go into the Croix by boat.
The smallie fishing on that body of water is unbelievable. |
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Posts: 3507
Location: Elk River, Minnesota | Hiya,
I'd suggest St. Croix bluffs park. they have lots of room to park, the landing is nice and level, and the ramp is wide enough to take 3 rigs at the same time. Good docks, protected from wind in its own sheltered cut out.
It is south of the Kinnikinnick river, and in the summer, that can take a little time getting through as it is no wake, as is the narrow section up by Afton Marina.
The other option is to launch in Hastings for free. I have stopped going there, though as I had a fender stolen off my truck when I was out past dark.
I pay the $25 fee now at the bluffs...and I don't have to deal with current while loading or unloading as well.
Steve |
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | thanks for the advice Steve! ...
i see that entry to the park includes a fee but the launch is free? so, that's the $25.00?? ... is there a seasonal permit available? also, if the capacity is reached in the parking lot (50 units), there is no overflow so you have to launch somewhere else. i'm going tomorrow and friday so should make it without a problem i would hope.
also, i assume regardless of where you launch, you can fish with either a MN or WI fishing license?
Edited by jonnysled 6/19/2013 3:07 PM
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Posts: 673
Location: Twin Cities, MN | St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park. They have a very nice landing, or so I've heard....
Yes, I launch from here from opener to close, it is a very nice landing. Gets a bit crazy on the weekends at times though.
I seem to remember you have a 690, so if the river is low when you visit, make sure to launch near the first dock or middle. I see a number of people clip their trailer every year on the launch closest to the river.
Pal |
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | thanks Pal ... lots of great information and excited to get out there tomorrow to see it for the first time. |
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Posts: 410
Location: one foot over the line | I live on the Mississippi in the LaCrosse area, the "border waters" can be confusing at times. Around here, the WDNR will not ticket MN lic. holders and fishing between the MN side of the railroad tracks and the WI side of the tracks is all good. In contrast, I have heard that some of the MNDNR will ticket WI lic. holders for fishing over the imaginary center-line of the old main channel. (don't even get me started about the waterfowl regs on the border water). I fish flatheads here, and as a WI lic. holder I can use live bluegills, when I take out MN guys, they are not allowed to use them. Just pointing out some of the differences in the states. Tough to say what you may encounter up there. I usually fish the whole dang thing and let the chips fall where they may. good luck |
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Posts: 3507
Location: Elk River, Minnesota | Hiya Sled,
The $25 fee is a seasonal fee for all of the Washington county parks. Once in, the launch is free. Nice thing is if you decide to try for some Tigers, you could scoot over to Lake Elmo which is not too far away.
It is a rare occasion that the launch is full..especially on weekdays or evenings. The warmer weekend days could pose a challenge, though. Worst case is if the bluffs are full, you could run up to afton marina and launch there. That I believe is a $10 fee to launch, or head back to hastings and launch there...
And yes...you can fish either side of the river. I am sure you will see water patrol out there as well, so be sure you have your required safety items on board. If you are doing things correctly, chances are you will not get checked..
Steve |
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | Can't thank you guys enough for the help you gave me! We had a great day and had no surprises ... didn't light em on fire but did find a few and I'm now glad I chose to add the St. Croix to my list of water and i think it will be my primary water while i spend time at my fiance's place in MN..
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Posts: 231
| Nice fish!! |
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Posts: 3507
Location: Elk River, Minnesota | Funny looking muskie...  Bet it fought really well, though...pound for pound, toughest fighters out there...
Glad we could help out Sled... Where did you put in at?
Steve |
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | i put in at St. Croix Bluffs and got the season pass knowing i would want to return. it's a beautiful park and nice place to launch and park your boat like just like you said.
Again, had a great time thanks to accurate information from you guys. it's a 1 hour trip from New Prague and based on the water i think it's a better choice than spending it on either Tonka or Waconia or the farm-drainage lakes in Scott County. i go stir-crazy here and needed a good place to go without having to drive 3 hours.
i am looking forward to musky fishing out there sometime soon. |
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Posts: 566
Location: Elgin, IL | That's a pig, jon. Nice.
Get her flatlining...or on a planer board? |
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