Print it. Bag it. Bring it.Phones die, screens crack, and most of this water has no signal. Print this map, fold it into a zip-top bag or dry bag with your license, and you have a backup your electronics can’t give you. Every marker is numbered so you can say exactly where you are.
| # | Point | Type | Lat, Lon | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kettle River State Wild and Scenic River Carlton-Pine county line to the St. Croix | Regulation section limit | 46.41649, -92.88232 | State-designated wild and scenic reach: from the Carlton-Pine county line downstream to the confluence with the St. Croix River. |
| 2 | Sturgeon Lake Wildlife Management Area Minnesota DNR wildlife management area | Park / conservation area | 46.38647, -92.86639 | State WMA on the east side of the river above Willow River. |
| 3 | Willow River City Park City park, Willow River | Park / conservation area | 46.31802, -92.84101 | Town park a short walk from the river in Willow River. |
| 4 | Banning State Park headquarters Park office and ranger station | Agency / conservation office | 46.17343, -92.84970 | Staffed park office for Banning State Park; permits and river conditions. |
| 5 | Banning State Park Campground State park campground | Campsite | 46.15657, -92.85499 | Drive-in campground inside Banning State Park, above the Sandstone rapids. |
| 6 | Robinson Park Concrete ramp, Sandstone | Access / boat ramp | 46.13165, -92.85891 | City of Sandstone river park; DNR lists a concrete ramp here, with rapids just downstream at the old dam site. |
| 7 | USGS 05336700 Kettle River below Sandstone USGS streamgauge | USGS gauge | 46.10519, -92.86431 | Stage and discharge for the lower Kettle. |
| 8 | Sandstone Wildlife Management Area Minnesota DNR wildlife management area | Park / conservation area | 46.08831, -92.84073 | State WMA on the river below Sandstone. |
| 9 | Kettle River Wildlife Management Area Minnesota DNR wildlife management area | Park / conservation area | 46.00963, -92.83792 | State WMA on the bank in the lowest reach, above St. Croix State Park. |
| 10 | Maple Island Carry-in access, St. Croix State Park | Access / boat ramp | 45.94517, -92.77703 | Carry-in landing near the mouth, inside St. Croix State Park. |
Gauge: USGS 05336700 — KETTLE RIVER BELOW SANDSTONE, MN. Live flow on the web page.
Species: Channel Catfish, Lake Sturgeon, Muskellunge, Northern Pike, Rock Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, White Sucker
Regulations: www.dnr.state.mn.us/regulations/fishing/index.html
Emergency: call 911 and give the number of the nearest point on this map plus its coordinates.
Sandstone - the gauge reach and the most convenient river access.
Banning State Park - the gorge, the rapids and the best developed access on the river.
Big Spring Falls, Banning State Park - walk-in access to the sandstone ledge water.
Robinson Park, Sandstone - park access with a launch above the gorge.
Kettle River Highway 23 crossing - bridge access on the upper river.
Hinckley area - lower river access toward the St. Croix confluence.
Kettle River State Water Trail landings - designated paddle access through the corridor.
Spring: high water, serious whitewater in the gorge and difficult fishing conditions.
Summer: the prime season, with wadeable flows and excellent smallmouth fishing.
Fall: cooling water, aggressive smallmouth and the best color in the sandstone corridor.
Winter: iced over through most of the season with very limited access.