Guided Ice Fishing Trip On St. Croix River
Private Trip
River Fishing
Private ice fishing on St. Croix River with heated tentGuide provides equipment, bait, and pre-drilled holes for convenienceChoose between 4-hour or 8-hour fishing adventures
When winter locks up the St. Croix River, that's when the real fishing action heats up. Ryan Bunnell and the crew at Croix Boys Guided Adventures have been putting anglers on fish through the ice for years, and they've got this whole operation dialed in. Picture this: you're sitting in a heated tent with a crackling wood stove, six rods already rigged and ready, holes pre-drilled, and all you need to do is drop a line and wait for that telltale tap. Whether you're a seasoned ice angler or someone who's never stepped foot on frozen water, this top-rated St. Croix River ice fishing experience puts you right where the crappie, walleye, and even lake sturgeon are holding up for winter.
This isn't your typical "throw up a pop-up shelter and hope for the best" ice fishing trip. Ryan sets up a fully-equipped heated tent that becomes your fishing headquarters for either four or eight hours, depending on how long you want to stay out there. The wood stove keeps things toasty while you're working the holes, and with six rods included in your trip, you can cover multiple depths and techniques at once. The tent is positioned right where the fish are most active, and Ryan's been fishing these waters long enough to know exactly where to set up based on current conditions. You can bring your own ice rods if you've got favorites, but the provided gear is quality stuff that'll handle anything from panfish to the occasional monster walleye. The base trip accommodates up to six anglers, making it perfect for family outings or groups of friends looking to escape the winter blues.
Right now, the ice is sitting at a solid 16 inches of good, clear ice - that's plenty thick for safe fishing, but Ryan always reminds folks that no ice is ever 100% guaranteed. Safety comes first out here. You've got two ways to reach the fishing tent: drive the Bayport Ice Road by taking 3rd Street S all the way down to the dirt road (Hubs Point Dr.), which leads right to the river, or park at Ferry Landing on the Wisconsin side and walk out. The walk from Ferry Landing isn't far at all, and if you're not comfortable driving on ice, it's actually a nice option that gets you out there without any stress. Ryan provides all the bait you'll need and has the holes pre-drilled, so you're not spending half your trip breaking ice and setting up - you're fishing from the moment you arrive.
Crappie are the bread and butter of St. Croix River ice fishing, and winter is when these slab-sided panfish really shine. They school up tight in the deeper holes and structure, making them predictable targets when you know where to look. Ryan positions the tent over known crappie haunts, and these fish respond well to small jigs tipped with minnows or wax worms. The best action usually happens during low-light periods - early morning, late afternoon, and especially at night if you book the extended trip. When you find a school of crappie, you can often pull fish after fish through the same hole until they wise up and move on.
Walleye fishing through the ice on the St. Croix is something special. These golden-flanked predators patrol the river channels and drop-offs, hunting for baitfish and crayfish even in the dead of winter. They're typically more active during twilight hours and into the night, which makes the eight-hour trip option really shine. Walleye here run anywhere from keeper-sized 15-inchers up to true wall-hangers pushing five or six pounds. They hit hard and fight dirty, especially in the cold water, and there's nothing quite like the steady thump-thump of a walleye working against your rod tip in a heated tent while snow falls outside.
Now here's where things get really interesting - lake sturgeon. The St. Croix River is home to one of the healthiest sturgeon populations in the region, and winter ice fishing gives you a legitimate shot at hooking into one of these prehistoric giants. Sturgeon can live over 100 years and grow to massive sizes, with fish over 50 inches and 40 pounds caught regularly in these waters. They're bottom feeders that love crawlers, cut bait, and minnows, and when one picks up your offering, you'll know it immediately. The fight is legendary - sturgeon are pure power and endurance, and landing one through an ice hole is a fishing story you'll be telling for years. Keep in mind these ancient fish are catch-and-release only, but getting your hands on a living dinosaur is worth way more than a fish fry.
Ice fishing season doesn't last forever, and the best fishing happens when conditions are just right - which is exactly what we've got going on right now. Ryan's got the tent positioned, the ice is thick and safe, and the fish are active. Whether you choose the four-hour trip for a taste of ice fishing or go all-in with the eight-hour adventure for the full experience, this is your chance to fish one of Minnesota and Wisconsin's most renowned waters with a guide who knows every hole, hump, and hiding spot the St. Croix has to offer. The trip includes everything you need except the stories you'll tell afterward - those are all yours. Remember, trips only run when it's -1°F or warmer, so book your spot while winter conditions are prime and the fish are biting.
Pomoxis NigromaculatusThese panfish are what keep folks coming back to the St. Croix. Most run 8-12 inches and travel in schools, so when you find one, there's usually more nearby. Black and white crappie both live in our waters - blacks have random speckles while whites show faint vertical bars. They hang around deeper structure during winter, especially near fallen trees and drop-offs in 15-25 feet of water. Dawn and dusk fishing produces the best action, but they'll bite throughout the day under ice. What makes them special is the sweet, flaky white meat - some of the best eating fish you'll find. They don't fight hard but the steady action keeps everyone busy. Local tip: use small tungsten jigs tipped with wax worms or minnow heads. Work them just off bottom with subtle jigging motions.
Acipenser FulvescensLake sturgeon are living dinosaurs that call the St. Croix home - these ancient fish can live over 100 years and grow massive. Most we catch run 3-4 feet, but 5-6 footers aren't uncommon. They're bottom feeders with four whiskers that help them find food in deep holes and rocky areas, usually 20+ feet down. Winter is actually great for sturgeon since they stay active under ice. What makes them special is the once-in-a-lifetime experience - hooking into a 50-100 pound fish that's older than your grandparents. The meat is excellent, similar to shark, and they fight like underwater freight trains. These are catch-and-release only due to conservation, but the photos last forever. Use heavy tackle with big hooks and nightcrawlers on bottom. When you feel that slow, heavy pull, set the hook hard and hang on tight.
Sander VitreusWalleye are the prize catch on the St. Croix, typically running 14-18 inches with occasional fish pushing 20-plus. Those big silver eyes help them feed in low light, making them active during dawn, dusk, and overcast days. They stick to deeper holes and current breaks during winter, usually 18-35 feet down near rocky structure or drop-offs. What guests love most is the incredible table fare - firm, white, mild-tasting fillets that fry up perfect. The fight is steady and strong without being flashy. These fish can be picky, so patience pays off. Winter fishing is prime time since they school up and feed aggressively under ice. My go-to setup is a 1/8 oz jig with a fathead minnow, worked slowly along bottom. Keep your rod tip sensitive - walleye bites feel like tapping or just extra weight on the line.
St. Croix River