Wisconsin
St. Croix River at St. Croix Falls
Location Snapshot
St. Croix River at St. Croix Falls is a large interstate Wisconsin–Minnesota mainstem reach with a broad warmwater and coolwater fishery. Smallmouth bass are the primary supported target, with walleye, lake sturgeon, and northern pike adding several major-river predator and big-fish opportunities.
Current River Rating
Good · 84
Conditions look favorable based on the available readings.
Scores are model-specific and are not directly comparable across water types.
Medium confidence
Should I Go?
Go
Recommended Window
Wednesday, 7:00 AM–10:00 AM
Why
- Cloud cover is generally suitable for fishing.
- Water temperature is within a broad fishable range.
Favorable Factors
- Light to moderate wind should make casting and boat control easier.
- Recent precipitation has been light.
Timing Evidence
Window confidence: Medium
Current Readings
- Flow
- 1830 CFS
- Gage Height
- 2.77 ft
- Water Temperature
- 51.3 °F
- Observation Time
- Oct 20, 2026, 11:00 AM
Updated recently · USGS station 05340500 · Direct monitoring location
Readings from past 7 Days
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Historical readings are provided for context. Readings outside the current freshness window are not used to rate current conditions.
Better Nearby Options
Checking nearby StrikeTracks waters…
Preliminary guidance only. Always assess current weather, access, water depth, current speed, and your own ability before entering the river.
Changing Conditions Advisory
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Weather Near Gauge
Current Weather
Clear
Temperature
44°F
Feels like
39°F
Wind
8 mph SE
Wind gust
13 mph
Current precipitation
0.00 in
Updated
Oct 20, 2026, 6:30 AM
Recent Rainfall
Estimated precipitation near this gauge
Last 6 hours
0.00 in
Last 24 hours
0.00 in
Last 48 hours
0.00 in
Little recent rainfall near this river.
Next 24 Hours
Tue 7 AM
Clear
Temp 44°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 8 mph
Tue 11 AM
Clear
Temp 56°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 9 mph
Tue 3 PM
Clear
Temp 66°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 11 mph
Tue 7 PM
Clear
Temp 57°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 7 mph
Tue 11 PM
Clear
Temp 51°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 7 mph
Wed 3 AM
Clear
Temp 48°F
Chance 2%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 6 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Tue, Oct 20
Clear
High 67°F / Low 44°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 19 mph
Wed, Oct 21
Overcast
High 68°F / Low 46°F
Chance 3%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 16 mph
Thu, Oct 22
Overcast
High 73°F / Low 51°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 23 mph
Fri, Oct 23
Overcast
High 72°F / Low 54°F
Chance 6%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 39 mph
Weather and rainfall are estimated for this river's coordinates. Local conditions can vary, especially in mountainous terrain and during isolated storms.
Recent rainfall can influence river flow, but the timing and magnitude depend on watershed size, soil conditions, upstream reservoirs, and dam releases.
Weather data: Open-Meteo
Historical Flow
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Fishing Overview
A hydroelectric dam stands on the St. Croix at St. Croix Falls, opposite Taylors Falls.
Fishery Profile
Documented species you may encounter at St. Croix River.
Species images are AI-generated illustrations for visual reference and may simplify natural variation. Fishery records are based on the cited agency sources. About fish illustrations
Target species
Smallmouth Bass
Micropterus dolomieu
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
Walleye
Sander vitreus
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Unknown
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
Lake Sturgeon
Acipenser fulvescens
- Expectation
- Present
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
Northern Pike
Esox lucius
- Expectation
- Present
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Mixed wild and stocked
- Great Lakes tributary
- No
- Flow regime
- Regulated flow
Best seasons
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
Common techniques
- Boat fishing
- Fly fishing
- Shore fishing
- Spinning
- Trolling
Official sources
Hatch Match
General fly suggestions
- Popper-style surface flyGeneral warmwater surface family. Not an insect Hatch event.
- Woolly-bugger-style streamerGeneral warmwater streamer family. Not a baitfish Hatch event.
- Crayfish-style flyGeneral subsurface family. Crayfish forage is not a Hatch insect.
These are general fishing suggestions, not a report of insects currently hatching at this destination.
Location and Access
USGS monitoring location
Polk, Wisconsin
The map marker represents the cataloged waterbody or monitoring location and may not indicate legal parking or public access. Confirm access through the official information before visiting.
River Details
County
Polk
Management Category
Interstate Scenic Riverway mixed river
Regulation Scope
St. Croix River at St. Croix Falls.
Regulation Summary
St. Croix at St. Croix Falls: interstate / NPS Riverway rules. Confirm current official regulations.
Target Species
smallmouth-bass, walleye, lake-sturgeon, northern-pike
Access, Parking, and Regulations
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