Premium St Croix River Fishing - Full-Day Charter

St Croix River Full-Day Private Fishing Charter

When you're ready to get serious about fishing the St Croix River, this full-day private charter is where the magic happens. For two anglers looking to maximize their time on the water, you'll spend an entire day targeting some of Minnesota's most prized species—Walleye, Musky, and massive Sturgeon that'll test your tackle and your patience. At $500 for the day, you're getting exclusive access to a top-rated guide who's spent years learning every hole, structure, and seasonal pattern on this beautiful border river. We're talking about a legitimate fishing adventure where you'll cover serious water in a fully rigged boat, and your guide's sole focus is putting you on fish that matter.

What to Expect on the Water

This isn't your typical weekend fishing trip—it's a dedicated day of chasing trophy fish with someone who knows exactly where to find them. You'll launch early and fish hard until the sun starts setting, covering prime stretches of the St Croix River that produce consistent action throughout the season. The boat comes loaded with everything you need: GPS to mark productive spots, a live bait tank to keep your presentations fresh, a quiet trolling motor for stealthy approaches, and all the tackle required to handle whatever decides to grab your line. Your guide reads the water like a book, adjusting techniques based on weather conditions, water temperature, and what the fish are telling us. Some days we're trolling deep structures for suspended Walleye, other times we're working shallow flats where Sturgeon cruise looking for an easy meal. The beauty of a full-day charter is having the time to adapt, move spots when needed, and really work areas where the fish are holding.

Techniques & Tackle

We fish the St Croix River using proven methods that consistently produce results, and your guide will match the technique to the conditions and target species. For Walleye, we'll often start with live bait rigs—leeches, crawlers, or minnows—worked along drop-offs and current breaks where these fish stage throughout the day. Jig and minnow combinations are deadly when Walleye are aggressive, and we'll troll crankbaits over deeper structures when fish are scattered or suspended. Musky fishing requires a different approach entirely—we're throwing big baits like bucktails, jerkbaits, and oversized plastics around weed edges, rocky points, and fallen timber where these apex predators ambush prey. Sturgeon fishing is all about patience and presentation, using fresh cut bait or crawlers on the bottom in deeper holes where these ancient fish feed. The boat's electronics help us locate structure and baitfish, while the trolling motor keeps us positioned perfectly for precision casting or controlled drifts. All rods, reels, and terminal tackle are provided, though you're welcome to bring your favorite setup if you prefer fishing familiar gear.

Species You'll Want to Hook

Walleye are the bread and butter of St Croix River fishing, and for good reason—they're abundant, they fight hard, and they make excellent table fare. These golden-sided beauties typically run 14 to 20 inches in the St Croix, with plenty of chunky two to four-pound fish mixed in to keep things interesting. Spring and fall are prime time for Walleye, when they're aggressive and feeding heavily in preparation for spawning or winter. They love current breaks, rocky points, and the edges of deeper holes where they can ambush baitfish. What makes Walleye so exciting is their willingness to bite throughout the day—you might catch your biggest fish at noon when other species have shut down. The strike is often subtle, just a slight tick or weight on the line, but once hooked they make determined runs and head-shaking fights that'll test your drag settings.

Lake Sturgeon are the true giants of the St Croix River system, and hooking into one of these prehistoric monsters is an experience you'll never forget. These incredible fish can live over 100 years and reach weights exceeding 100 pounds, though most catches fall in the 20 to 50-pound range. Sturgeon are bottom feeders with excellent senses of smell and taste, making fresh bait presentations crucial for success. They're most active during warmer months when water temperatures climb into the 60s and 70s, often feeding in deeper pools and slack water areas adjacent to current. When a big Sturgeon takes your bait, there's no mistaking it—the rod doubles over and stays that way as these powerful fish make long, bulldogging runs that can last several minutes. They're catch-and-release only in Minnesota waters, but getting your hands on a fish that was swimming when your great-grandparents were kids is something special that connects you to the river's wild history.

Time to Book Your Spot

A full-day private charter on the St Croix River gives you the time and expertise needed to experience world-class fishing in one of Minnesota's most beautiful river systems. You're not just buying a fishing trip—you're investing in a day with a guide who lives and breathes this river, someone who'll work harder than you do to make sure you go home with stories worth telling. The boat, gear, and knowledge are all included, so you can focus on what matters most: enjoying time on the water and making the most of every opportunity. Whether you're after a cooler full of Walleye for the fish fry, hoping to tangle with a monster Sturgeon, or just want to spend a day fishing some of the best water in the region, this charter delivers the goods. Reserve your spot today and find out why serious anglers keep coming back to fish the St Croix River with River Runner Guide Service.