St Croix River to the Mississippi

[Metabo]

The St Croix River is located between Minnesota and Wisconsin and flows into the Mississippi. It's a great river with some good islands to beach at. I would love to cruse from Hudson, WI down to the mouth of the Mississippi. I don't really want to get into the saltwater though. I don't know that I'll ever do that but it's fun to think about.

Metabo
1977 SeaRay svr220 Hardtop.

 

[chpsk8]

I agree, that is on my bucket list for retirement some day. I've done Stillwater to Iowa a long time ago, but all the way to the gulf would be fantastic.

 

[kilroy]

That would be a trip to remember. I've only been so far as Lake Pepin so far, but we plan to go further south this coming season. I read with interest the tale of a guy from this forum who trailered his boat from (Burlington?) Iowa to Red Wing and then boated back down. Eight days and just under 400 miles. Sounded like a good time.

 

[Zach312]

This trip would be exciting. I just can't wait for summer. We sold our boat last July and being new to the area we only got to explore the St Croix from about Bayport to Afton and the Mississippi from St Paul to the Hastings lock. I am ready for summer and to be back on the river. I don't think I have been this excited for a new boating season. Now only if it was -13 this morning.

 

[chpsk8]

Hear hear... Friggin cold this morning.
im very excited to get back on the river. It's been about 5 years and my new to me boat is sitting in Minnetonka waiting for spring thaw so I can sort out the lack of maintenance and get her moved to the river... All I can think of I'd boat boat boat boat... Haha

 

[markrinker]

let me know if you need any help with your move

 

[Metabo]

Well, it won't be long now and we can get our boats back on the water. I have some little things to do to get ready, like add some chain to my anchor. It's one that is made in MN and claims no chain needed to help it dig in. A little cleaning some teak work and away I go. No trip to the mouth of the Mississippi this year, but I think some trips down to Pepin would be a good start. This will be my second season with my old Sea Ray.

http://s1105.beta.photobucket.com/user/Fabfour50/library/1977 SeaRay srv220 Hardtop

Metabo

 

[boogaard]

What can anyone here tell me about going from Stillwater to St. Paul. & from Stillwater to Lake Pepin? I know there are a few locks to go through anything else I need to know?

 

[kilroy]

Stillwater to St Paul I can't speak to, but I've been down to Lake Pepin. Lock and Dam #3 is the only lock you'll go through and it's just north of Red Wing. I can't remember the mileage from Stillwater to Prescott but maybe 23ish, and then about 45 from Prescott to Lake Pepin. It's a nice ride.

 

[boogaard]

So we are heading from Stillwater to Lake Pepin leaving Friday morning. Once we get south of Prescott I am no longer familiar with the river. Do I have anything to be concerned about? Low water? wing dams? or anything like that?

 

[kilroy]

The water is low but as long as you stay in the main channel you'll be fine. And yes there are wing dams, lots of them, and though they aren't marked, most maps will show their location, and with the water this low you'll see currents swirling aroung where they are

 

[boogaard]

Thanks Kilroy for the response. I do not have a gps yet so I guess I will have to watch the current.

 

[66pony]

Thanks Kilroy for the response. I do not have a gps yet so I guess I will have to watch the current.

Boated a lot between L&D#3 and Prescott. You should have no problems if you keep between the bouys. If you do decide to beach go in perpendicular to the shore and it will be fine. Once you get into Lake Pepin, keep to the bouys until they disapear, at that point you should be fine. Use this link to get charts, they are quiet accurate. <http://www.mvr.usace.army.mil/Missions/Navigation/NavigationCharts/UpperMississippiRiver.aspx>

 

[kpetry]

Just my $0.02 here, but according to what I've read, the Mississippi below the Ohio is very industrial, and gasoline as a fuel can be iffy to find. You might consider doing what the majority of those who travel the Great Loop do, which is head up the Ohio a short distance, and then head down the Tenn / Tom to Mobile. Very scenic, and marinas and fuel are much easier to find.