New Public Water Access On St. Croix River Now Open In Minnesota

The St. Croix River is a tributary of the Mississippi River, running about 169 miles long, in Minnesota and Wisconsin.

The National Park Service boasts that it provides world-class fishing for smallmouth bass, and trophy-sized sport fish including walleye, sauger, muskellunge, and channel catfish. Also, species of redhorse are found in larger numbers and sizes than in other river systems in Minnesota and Wisconsin.

If you've always wanted to visit the St. Croix River, or it's already a favorite destination, good news arrived this week from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

New Public Water Access Now Open On St. Croix River

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources announced this week that the St. Croix River’s newest public water access (PWA) is now open for anglers, boaters, and more to enjoy recreating along the St. Croix River.

It can be found in Oak Park Heights, directly north of the St. Croix Crossing Bridge between Minnesota and Wisconsin.

The new St. Croix Crossing PWA features 35 parking/trailer spots, a double boat launch, an area to clean and drain boats to remove aquatic invasive species, and a portable toilet.

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The DNR notes that the opening of this PWA marks the completion of the mitigation plan associated with the construction of the St. Croix Crossing Bridge, which replaced the Stillwater Lift Bridge as a key vehicle crossing between Minnesota and Wisconsin.

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It was a collaborative effort, with the Minnesota DNR spending several years working with the Minnesota Department of Transportation, the Metropolitan Council, and the Union Pacific Railroad to overcome several access challenges at the PWA site.

“We were thrilled to complete construction in late 2024 and are happy to see the public already using the PWA this spring,” said Ann Pierce, DNR Parks and Trails Division director.

She adds that the new PWA is the culmination of several decades of effort to expand public access to the river.

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With the new St. Croix Crossing PWA complete, the Minnesota DNR now operates four boat launches along the Lower St. Croix River, including the St. Croix Boomsite in Stillwater and landings within Interstate and William O’Brien state parks.