Description of St. Croix River Canoe Trip from Nelson Landing to Hwy 70 Bridge

On Saturday, August 13th, the group will meet at the Lodge at 7 a.m. We will caravan in personal vehicles traveling approximately 20 miles west on HWY 70, and meet at Wild River Outfitters (south side of the road approximately ½ mile before the HWY 70 bridge). Matt Berg, local biology teacher, past NPS biological tech, and bird community/habitat specialist will be your guide on the river. We will look at habitat that Golden-wings and other associated species use within the river corridor. The trip is approximately 13 miles and will take about four hours. We will have lunch on the river (you may bring your own lunch or request a box lunch on your registration form for $7.50 per person). The cost of the trip is $27 for two people and includes canoe, paddles, life jackets and shuttle service. A third person/canoe is an additional $6 for people 12-years-old or older, but free for 11 and under. You are welcome to bring your own canoe and equipment, but you will be responsible for arranging shuttling. As rain can appear suddenly, a light weight rain jacket is a good idea. Depending on recent precipitation, the mosquitoes could be fierce or absent. For those not familiar with Wisconsin summer weather, it could be 60ºF and cloudy or 90ºF and sunny. Regardless of the forecast, layers are recommended, as the temperature on a “normal” day will change approximately 20 degrees F during the time we are on the water. The river is very rocky, and a gripping water shoe or sandal is a good idea. Although river conditions should be relatively calm, a change of clothing in a waterproof bag is also recommended. There are pit toilets/port-a-potties at most landings, but only occasional potable water so remember a water bottle. Of course, don’t forget your sunglasses, sunscreen, camera, binoculars and field guide.

The outfitter will put us in at Nelson Landing just off County Road F directly north of the village of Grantsburg. The area between Nelson and Hwy 70 are some of the most scenic on the river with many islands, rapids and riffles. During August, the river is usually at low water, and areas that are Class II rapids in the spring are normally at Class I. To give you an idea of difficulty, your guide normally takes high school students with NO CANOEING EXPERIENCE on this stretch each fall. At Nelson, you will see some of the most southerly White Spruce on the river. There is an outside chance of hearing a late season Winter Wren, Hermit Thrush, Blue-headed Vireo, Northern Parula or Blackburnian Warbler. As we travel downstream, we will pass Seven-Mile Island that separates the main river from the Kettle River Slough. This island is elevated with remnant patches of Big Bluestem, Blazing Star, Puccoon, and other prairie flowers scattered among Hill’s Oak, Jack and White Pine openings. American Redstarts, Nashville, Chestnut-sided and Golden-winged Warblers nest on the island. Yellow-headed Vireos, Scarlet Tanagers, Indigo Buntings and Eastern Towhee can also be found here. Watch for Canada Geese in the wild rice beds and the Osprey nest just past Fox Landing. Otters are also frequently seen in this area. As we paddle past the confluence with the Kettle River Slough, the river’s habitat changes again. On the Wisconsin side, a steep hill is covered with Red and Sugar Maple, Yellow and White Birch, White and Red Pine, and several species of Oak. Pine and Canada Warblers are common along with Redstarts, Red-eyed Vireo, Wood Thrush and Rose-breasted Grosbeak. On the Minnesota side, a Silver Maple/Prickly Ash flood plain extends beyond the area known as Seven Islands. Bald Eagles nest here along with Warbling Vireo, Yellow Warbler and the occasional cuckoo. You can also expect to see merganser families and softshell, map and snapping turtles lounging on exposed rocks. Listen for Golden-wings families out foraging with their fledglings. As we pass the Snake River Confluence, we are entering the Golden-winged/Blue-winged Warbler hybridization zone. A male assumed to be a hybrid based on its garbled, Blue-winged/Golden-winged song was heard hear in 2002. As we arrive at the HWY 70 Bridge, you might also listen for Blue-winged Warblers. A family of Blue-winged Warblers was seen 1 mile south of here in 2002, and nesting pairs have been confirmed each of the last four years at the County Road O Landing.

Contact: Matt Berg,

Photo by Mike Worland