We are planning a trip for mid August to run the Mississippi river from Afton MN down to Wabasha MN. I was told the ramp at Afton will handle long boats (43').
Comments on:
Boat ramp at Windmill at Afton
Noise police at St Croix/Mississippi split
Noise police at Red Wing
Noise police anywhere else
Suggestions for marina's for transient slip, was thinking Treasure Island Marina and Parkside Marina (Wabasha)
Any protected cove areas tucked in out of the current for anchoring
Water level up or down

Thanks,
Rick

Hi Rick,
Contact Todd from Revolution Marine, It's been a while but I belive his dad owns the marina in wabasha, he used to run a 50 scarab, but he's been on the Mississippi all his life so he can give you the low down, hp500efi (Jeff) is another good resource, boats on the mississippi all the time.

Liquid Jungle Pokerrun is also sometime in August, we ran it a few years back and had a great time.

I lived there most of my life and love the area. Windmill marina will fit a 43 foot boat but it is a little crazy around the launch. Its a nice place but crazy.

I would recommend Hubs Marina in Hastings, MN. Its a small marina (that most people don't know is there) on the corner of the mississppi river and St. Criox river that is secure and will hold a 43' boat. Its family owned and the owners are super nice.

The noise police is crazy up there all over. If you don't have mufflers get them before you go or you will get hasseled.

I would also recommend going north of Afton to Hudson, WI and Stillwater, MN. The no wake zone in Husdon is one of the best places to pull up to the beach. Also you can pull up your boat to the beach and walk into town in you need anything.

Rick,
I was on the St Croix last sunday with the Cigarette. You will have no problems launching your boat @ Windmill. I ran from Afton to Stillwater aand back down to Prescot. Saw DNR only at the "kinney" and they didn't give me any trouble. Have not heard any more about Red Wing this year. As far as I can tell things have died down a bit. Keep in touch.

Gary Kollofski

I'm up in Lake City, MN right now. Haven't gotten out on the jetski yet since its so darn COLD (plus the house projects are taking up some time). When I get out later this week, I'll update you on the water conditions.

Lake Pepin offers some protected areas to just hang out, and enjoy the beach. The river near Wabasha has some areas to beach at as well.

Lake City marina offers transient slips, and is a pretty nice facility.

Noise police... Riding the jetski lock to lock (redwing to wabasha) I've seen them at both ends near the locks. Along the river, I've never noticed them, and on Pepin I havent seen them out much. Granted the Honda is quite, so not much attention being drawn to me. Talking with a guy boating above the Redwing lock, and he mentioned they were pretty bad with the noise enforcement.

If you have any questions about the area between Red Wing and Wabasha, feel free to ask away.

Jimmy

Thanks everyone for the replies. I will check into your suggestions.

Rick

Water police on the St Croix will be noticed, watch the LONG slow no wakes on the St Croix.

Prescott where the Missi and St Croix mix is another hot spot for Water police..also watch slow no wake.

Red Wing is another police area, long slow no wake. Once past the bridge, it is back up to speed however not much father is another long slow no wake. Once past that, you are into Lake Pepin and rarely are their any police.

Wabasha is nice, Slipperys on the water is a great bar/restaurant.

Plenty of sand bars to stop and enjoy the water. Best place would be on the St Croix at the Kinnikinic State park.

Treasure island is a great marina and they shuttle you back and forth to the casino all day long.

Liguid Jungle run is August 15th

Heading out to the river this weekend. Water at this time of the year usually is where it should be. Just watch for those wing dams

It looks like you've gotten some good info. If you're going to be here in mid August you might as well come to the Liquid Jungle.The run will be hosted by Parkside Marina in Wabasha on August 15th. We'll be running Lake Pepin and we're having a car & bike show as well. It will be a hell of a good time!

www.liquidjunglemotorsports.com

Gary,

Are you bringing the Cig down for the run this year?

If you go a little farther north on the St. Croix to Bayport, the Beachhouse Marina has a very nice launch with very friendly and helpful staff, too.

http://www.rivermarinas.com/beachhouse

I heard from a participant of the Liquid Jungle Poker Run last year that the DNR was aware of the event and positiioned themselves at key points to hand out noise violations. I installed both mufflers and turn-downs this year to avoid problems.

Water level is very normal right now, neither high nor low.