Fishing Pontoon Rental on St. Croix River
Shared Trip
21foot pontoon rental with preloaded fishing waypoints availableBoat launched and ready with optional rod rentals4 or 8hour slots on St. Croix River available
Want the freedom to fish your way without the guided boat pressure? This 21-foot pontoon rental puts you in the captain's seat on some of Minnesota's best fishing waters. Ryan's personal guide boat comes loaded with years of GPS waypoints and proven fish-holding spots, so you're not flying blind out there. Whether you're hitting the St. Croix River, Big Carnelian, or exploring local lakes, this setup gives you access to prime fishing real estate that most anglers never find on their own.
This isn't your typical rental pontoon - it's a legitimate fish-catching machine that's been fine-tuned through countless guide trips. The boat seats up to 6 anglers comfortably, with plenty of deck space for casting and fighting fish. Ryan will have everything launched and ready when you arrive, so you can skip the boat ramp hassles and get straight to fishing. The GPS is pre-loaded with productive waypoints from years of guiding, giving you insider access to structure, drop-offs, and seasonal hotspots that produce fish consistently. You can bring your own tackle setup or rent quality rods for $20 each - whatever works best for your crew. The 4-hour option is perfect for morning or evening bites, while the 8-hour rental lets you really dial in patterns and work different areas throughout the day.
The pontoon runs smooth and stable, making it ideal for everything from trolling to anchor fishing. The electronics package includes fish finders and GPS mapping, so you can read bottom structure and mark new spots as you explore. If you're new to the area or want to maximize your first trip, consider booking Ryan for a half-day guide session combined with the rental - he'll show you how to work the boat and share local techniques before turning you loose for the afternoon. The St. Croix offers excellent current fishing for smallmouth and walleye, while the lakes provide great opportunities for pike and bass fishing in varied structure. Remember to fuel up before returning - Wolf Marina and Stillwater Marina both have gas available, and there's a $7 per gallon charge if you bring it back empty.
Lake Sturgeon are the absolute giants of these waters, with fish over 4 feet long cruising the deeper holes and current breaks of the St. Croix. These prehistoric fighters can live over 100 years and put up battles that'll test your drag and your patience. Late spring through early summer offers the best sturgeon action, especially around deeper pools and rocky structure. The thrill of hooking into a 20+ pound sturgeon that's been swimming these waters since before your grandparents were born is something every angler needs to experience at least once.
Smallmouth Bass are the consistent crowd-pleasers here, with the St. Croix producing some truly chunky bronze-backs that'll bend your rod in half. These fish love rocky points, current seams, and fallen timber, and they're aggressive enough to hit everything from topwater baits to deep-diving cranks. Peak smallmouth fishing runs from May through October, with summer evenings producing explosive topwater action. A 3-pound St. Croix smallmouth fights like it weighs twice that, making long runs and acrobatic jumps that'll get your heart pumping.
White Bass provide non-stop action when you find them schooled up, especially during their spring runs and summer feeding frenzies. These silver bullets travel in packs and compete for every bait that hits the water, making them perfect for kids or anyone who wants steady rod-bending action. Look for diving birds or surface activity - when white bass are feeding, you'll know it. They're excellent table fare too, with firm white meat that's perfect for a fish fry after your trip.
Walleye are the premier eating fish in these waters, and the St. Croix system holds some beautiful marble-eyes that'll make your dinner plans for you. These fish relate to current breaks, sand flats, and rocky structure, typically feeding most actively during low-light periods. Jigging and rigging are go-to techniques, though trolling can be deadly when fish are scattered. A cooler full of 15-18 inch walleye is about as good as fishing gets - they're challenging enough to keep you honest but cooperative enough to fill the livewell.
Northern Pike are the water wolves of these systems, lurking in weedy bays and ambush points waiting to demolish your presentation. These toothy predators can stretch over 40 inches and provide heart-stopping strikes that'll make you jump. Pike fishing peaks in spring and fall when they're most active, but summer fish can be found around weed edges and deeper structure. Bring a landing net and pliers - these guys mean business and aren't afraid to show it.
This rental option gives you the best of both worlds - access to a proven fish-catching boat with the flexibility to fish at your own pace and style. Whether you're a local angler looking to expand your range or visiting from out of town, having Ryan's waypoints and local knowledge at your disposal is like getting years of experience handed to you on a silver platter. The St. Croix River and surrounding lakes offer world-class fishing opportunities, and this pontoon puts you right in the middle of the action. Book your 4 or 8-hour slot and get ready to experience some of Minnesota's best fishing from a boat that's already proven itself on these waters.
Sander VitreusWalleye are the gold standard for eating fish around here - firm, flaky, and absolutely delicious. They typically run 14-20 inches and 2-4 pounds, with those distinctive glowing eyes that help them hunt in low light. They prefer rocky or gravel bottoms near structure, staying deep during the day and moving shallow at dusk and dawn. Spring and fall provide the best action, but evening and night fishing works year-round. What guests love most is the combination of challenging fishing and premium table fare. They're not aggressive like bass - more finicky and location-dependent. You need to find the right depth and structure where they're holding. The key is fishing slow with live bait like minnows or crawlers. Pro tip: use a slip-sinker rig and barely crawl it along bottom contours - walleye prefer a subtle presentation.
Esox LuciusNorthern pike are freshwater sharks with an attitude - aggressive ambush predators that'll hit just about anything that moves. They average 2-3 feet and 5-15 pounds, with that unmistakable torpedo shape and razor-sharp teeth. Look for them in shallow, weedy bays and along vegetation lines, especially during spring and fall. Summer heat pushes them to deeper, cooler water near structure. Guests love the explosive strikes and bulldogging fights - these fish don't give up easy. They're not as prized for eating as walleye, but smaller ones are decent table fare. Use heavy tackle and steel leaders - those teeth will cut through regular line instantly. My local secret: work spoons or large swimbaits slowly along weed edges, then pause occasionally. Pike often follow before striking, and that pause triggers their predatory instinct.
Morone ChrysopsWhite bass are silver bullets with dark horizontal stripes that travel in schools and fight way above their weight class. Most range 10-12 inches and 1-2 pounds, but they make up for size with attitude. They prefer open water near structure like points, humps, and creek channels, often suspending at mid-depths chasing baitfish. Spring spawning runs bring them shallow, while summer finds them schooling over deeper structure. Guests love the non-stop action - once you find a school, it's fish after fish until they move on. They're aggressive fighters that'll bend your rod, plus they make excellent table fare with firm, flaky meat. Look for diving birds or surface activity to locate feeding schools. My go-to trick: use small white or black jigs vertically jigged through the school - they can't resist that presentation.
Micropterus DolomieuSmallmouth bass are pound-for-pound the scrappiest fish we target. Most run 2-3 pounds and 12-18 inches, with bronze-colored bodies and dark vertical stripes. They love rocky bottoms, drop-offs, and structure in clear water. Early morning and evening produce the best action, especially spring through fall when they're shallow and aggressive. Summer pushes them deeper to cooler water. What makes them special? Pure fight - they jump, run, and never give up easily. The meat's firm and tasty too. They'll hit everything from jigs to topwater lures, but they're picky eaters compared to their largemouth cousins. Local trick: when fishing deeper summer structure, use a weightless soft plastic rigged weedless and let it fall naturally - that slow, fluttering drop triggers strikes from finicky fish.
Acipenser FulvescensLake sturgeon are living dinosaurs - they've been around for 200 million years and can live over a century. These ancient giants typically run 30-100 pounds in our waters, though females can push 300+ pounds and 9 feet long. They're bottom feeders with cartilage skeletons and bony plates instead of scales, using whisker-like barbels to hunt crayfish, worms, and small fish along sandy or gravel lake beds. Look for them near deep holes and drop-offs. Spring and fall offer the best action when they're more active. Guests love the challenge - hooking one feels like snagging a log until it starts moving. Bring heavy tackle and gloves for their rough skin. Pro tip: use a glob of nightcrawlers on bottom rigs and be patient - these prehistoric beasts take their time deciding to bite.
St. Croix River