Lake St. Croix vs Lake Elmo
Two of the top-scoring lakes in Washington County, Minnesota, side by side.
Lake St. Croix is the larger of the two at 8,393 acres against 257 for Lake Elmo. On our rankings, Lake St. Croix comes out ahead for fishing, Lake Elmo comes out ahead for swimming, Lake St. Croix comes out ahead for boating, Lake St. Croix comes out ahead for camping, Lake Elmo comes out ahead for paddling, and Lake Elmo comes out ahead for ice fishing.
| Measure | Lake St. Croix | Lake Elmo |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Score | 83 / 100 | 78 / 100 |
| Nearest town | Stillwater | Lake Elmo |
| Surface area | 8,393 acres | 257 acres |
| Max depth | 78 ft | 140 ft |
| Shoreline | 124.5 mi | 4.1 mi |
| Water clarity | 5.7 ft | 18.7 ft |
| Public access | 5 public boat launches (concrete) | 1 public boat launch (concrete) |
| Fish species | 35 | 13 |
| Game fish | Walleye, Sauger, Northern Pike, Muskellunge, Largemouth Bass | Walleye, Northern Pike, Tiger Muskellunge, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass |
| Stocked | Yes | Yes |
| Special regulations | No | Yes |
| Swim beach | Yes | Yes |
| Camping | Yes | No |
| Invasive species | Eurasian watermilfoil | Eurasian watermilfoil, zebra mussel |
Which lake is better for…
- FishingLake St. Croix
- SwimmingLake Elmo
- BoatingLake St. Croix
- CampingLake St. Croix
- PaddlingLake Elmo
- Ice FishingLake Elmo
The lakes
More comparisons
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is bigger, Lake St. Croix or Lake Elmo?
Lake St. Croix is bigger at 8,393 acres; Lake Elmo covers 257 acres.
Which is deeper, Lake St. Croix or Lake Elmo?
Lake Elmo is deeper, with a maximum depth of 140 feet against 78 feet.
Is Lake St. Croix or Lake Elmo better for fishing?
Lake St. Croix ranks higher for fishing in this directory, based on game species, lake size, access and stocking. Lake St. Croix lists 35 species and Lake Elmo lists 13.