---
type: lake
name: "Lake St. Croix"
county: "Washington"
nearest_town: "Stillwater"
lake_type: "river lake"
acres: 8393
max_depth_ft: 78
latitude: 44.91461
longitude: -92.78239
lake_score: 83
dnr_lake_id: "82000100"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/washington-county/lake-st-croix
---

# Lake St. Croix

River lake in Washington County, Minnesota, near Stillwater

- **Surface Area**: 8,393 acres
- **Max Depth**: 78 ft
- **Shoreline**: 124.5 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 5.7 ft
- **Lake Type**: river lake
- **Public Access**: 5 public boat launches (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 83/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)
- **Border Water**: shared with Wisconsin

## About

Lake St. Croix is an 8,393-acre river lake near Stillwater in Washington County, Minnesota. It reaches 78 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 124.5 miles of shoreline. It is the largest lake in Washington County in the Minnesota DNR's LakeFinder records. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 5.7 feet. The lake is a border water shared with Wisconsin, so different seasons, limits and licensing rules can apply on the far side.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 35 fish species here, including walleye, sauger, northern pike, muskellunge, largemouth bass, and smallmouth bass. The DNR has stocking records for the lake, so check the stocking report for the most recent species and year classes. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2024.

There are 5 public boat launches (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR, city, and county. OpenStreetMap shows Dog Cove and Riverside Beach on or beside the lake. Afton State Park Back Country Campground and Afton State Park River Side are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays. The lake is listed as infested with Eurasian watermilfoil — clean, drain and dry your boat and gear before leaving.

## Access

- **Public access**: 5 public boat launches (concrete)
- **Managed by**: Minnesota DNR, city, county
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 35
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2024
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: No

## Activities

Fishing, Boating, Paddling, Swimming, Camping, Picnicking

## Amenities

Boat Ramp, Swim Beach, Campground, Picnic Area, Marina

### Beaches

- Dog Cove
- Riverside Beach
- Lakeland Beach
- Sunset Beach

### Campgrounds

- Afton State Park Back Country Campground
- Afton State Park River Side
- Group Camp
- Afton Backpack Campground

## Fish Species

Walleye, Sauger, Northern Pike, Muskellunge, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, White Crappie, Bluegill, Yellow Perch, Channel Catfish, Flathead Catfish, Lake Sturgeon, White Bass, Rock Bass, Bigmouth Buffalo, Black Bullhead, Common Carp, Freshwater Drum, Gizzard Shad, Golden Redhorse, Highfin Carpsucker, Hybrid Sunfish, Longnose Gar, Mooneye, Paddlefish, Quillback, River Carpsucker, River Redhorse, Shorthead Redhorse, Shortnose Gar, Silver Redhorse, Smallmouth Buffalo, Spotted Sucker, White Sucker

## Invasive Species

Eurasian watermilfoil. Clean, drain and dry boats and gear before leaving.

## Nearby Lakes

- [Lake Elmo](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/washington-county/lake-elmo) - 7 miles, 257 acres
- [Lily Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/washington-county/lily-lake) - 9.4 miles, 44 acres
- [Battle Creek](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/washington-county/battle-creek) - 9.5 miles, 106 acres
- [Long Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/washington-county/long-lake) - 9.8 miles, 102 acres
- [Jane Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/washington-county/jane-lake) - 9.8 miles, 158 acres
- [Tanners Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/washington-county/tanners-lake) - 10.1 miles, 74 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=44.91461,-92.78239)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=82000100)
- [All lakes in Washington County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/washington-county)

---
*Source: [MinneLakes.org](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/washington-county/lake-st-croix)*