Lake St. Croix vs White Bear Lake
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 2,428 for White Bear Lake. On our rankings, Lake St. Croix comes out ahead for fishing, White Bear Lake comes out ahead for swimming, Lake St. Croix comes out ahead for boating, Lake St. Croix comes out ahead for camping, White Bear Lake comes out ahead for paddling, and White Bear Lake comes out ahead for ice fishing.
| Measure | Lake St. Croix | White Bear Lake |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Score | 83 / 100 | 80 / 100 |
| Nearest town | Stillwater | White Bear Lake |
| Surface area | 8,393 acres | 2,428 acres |
| Max depth | 78 ft | 83 ft |
| Shoreline | 124.5 mi | 13.6 mi |
| Water clarity | 5.7 ft | 12.5 ft |
| Public access | 5 public boat launches (concrete) | 2 public boat launches (concrete) |
| Fish species | 35 | 18 |
| Game fish | Walleye, Sauger, Northern Pike, Muskellunge, Largemouth Bass | Walleye, Northern Pike, Muskellunge, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass |
| Stocked | Yes | Yes |
| Special regulations | No | No |
| Swim beach | Yes | Yes |
| Camping | Yes | No |
| Invasive species | Eurasian watermilfoil | Eurasian watermilfoil, zebra mussel |
Which lake is better for…
- FishingLake St. Croix
- SwimmingWhite Bear Lake
- BoatingLake St. Croix
- CampingLake St. Croix
- PaddlingWhite Bear Lake
- Ice FishingWhite Bear Lake
The lakes
More comparisons
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is bigger, Lake St. Croix or White Bear Lake?
Lake St. Croix is bigger at 8,393 acres; White Bear Lake covers 2,428 acres.
Which is deeper, Lake St. Croix or White Bear Lake?
White Bear Lake is deeper, with a maximum depth of 83 feet against 78 feet.
Is Lake St. Croix or White Bear Lake 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 White Bear Lake lists 18.