1.Big Marine Lake Store
DNR license agent19261 Manning Trail N, Marine on Saint Croix, MN 55047
4.3 (49 reviews · ratings via Google)
- Live bait
- Fishing licenses
- Gas
Bait Shops in Marine on Saint Croix, MN
1 licensed bait & tackle shop (1 with live bait) — and what to buy for walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass this month.
📍 Twin Cities MetroWashington County🪱 August: Leeches · Nightcrawlers · Sucker minnows
Anglers based in Marine on Saint Croix split their time between Forest Lake and White Bear Lake, and Forest Lake at 4.3 miles is the quick after-work option. The mix around Marine on Saint Croix is walleye, northern pike and largemouth bass; walleye is the species that fills most livewells. For summer, leeches and nightcrawlers are the standard order, and a quick question at the register gets you the current depth and presentation. Marine on Saint Croix is in Washington County, in what we group as the Twin Cities Metro region of the directory. Below is one shop in and around Marine on Saint Croix (it carries live bait), with what they sell and which waters sit nearest to the door.
Lakes near Marine on Saint Croix and what's biting
- Forest Lake · ~4 mi from Marine on Saint CroixLake guide →
- White Bear Lake · ~12 mi from Marine on Saint CroixLake guide →
Main targets: Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Crappie
This month at Marine on Saint Croix-area lakes: bait by species
August in Minnesota. Seasons and bag limits change — the regulations page has the current rules.
| Species | Live bait to buy in August | Where to buy it |
|---|---|---|
| Walleye | Leeches, Nightcrawlers, Redtail chubsCrawler harnesses and leeches on deep structure; big chubs for trophy fish. | |
| Northern Pike | Sucker minnows, Large shinersSummer pike hit spoons and spinnerbaits, but a live sucker still wins on slow days. | |
| Crappie | Crappie minnows, WaxwormsSuspend a minnow over deep weed edges; waxies for finicky fish. | |
| Largemouth Bass | Nightcrawlers, Leeches, ShinersWacky-rigged crawlers and leeches under a bobber on weed edges; soft plastics do the rest. |
Bait & tackle shops in Marine on Saint Croix
Just need minnows, leeches or crawlers? Live bait in Marine on Saint Croix →
Gear to grab before you go
Based on what's biting around Marine on Saint Croix — grab it on the way so you're not improvising at the landing:
Heads up: the links below are affiliate links — if you buy something we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It doesn't change what we recommend. How we make money.
- Jig heads, 1/8–3/8 ozThe Minnesota walleye staple — tip with a minnow or leech.Shop at Amazon →
- Slip bobber kitLeech under a slip float on a reef — summer walleye 101.Shop at Amazon →
- Crawler harnesses / spinner rigsTroll a nightcrawler on deep structure in July and August.Shop at Amazon →
- 8 lb monofilament lineFresh line before the season — old mono loses jig-bite fish.Shop at Amazon →
- Wire or fluorocarbon leadersPike bite through mono. Every rig needs a leader.Shop at Amazon →
- Casting spoons (red/white, five of diamonds)Classic Minnesota pike hardware for weedlines.Shop at Amazon →
Public landings near Marine on Saint Croix
DNR public water access sites closest to the shops above.
- Big Marine Lake (N) Public Water Access Site — Big MarineDirections ↗
~1.6 mi from the nearest listed shop · Trailer Launch · Concrete Slab · 2 docks · 23 trailer spaces
- Big Marine Lake, Co Park Public Water Access Site — Big MarineDirections ↗
~1.8 mi from the nearest listed shop · Trailer Launch · Concrete Slab · 2 docks · 30 trailer spaces
Marine on Saint Croix bait shop FAQ
Where can I buy live bait in Marine on Saint Croix?
Marine on Saint Croix has one bait and tackle stop in our directory — Big Marine Lake Store. It carries live bait (minnows, leeches, nightcrawlers) in season. Hours shift early and late in the season, so a quick call before a dawn launch is worth it.
What bait works for walleye near Marine on Saint Croix right now?
For walleye on the lakes around Marine on Saint Croix, local shops usually recommend a jig tipped with a fathead or shiner minnow in spring, leeches and nightcrawlers on a live-bait rig through summer, and bigger redtail or sucker minnows once the water cools in fall. Ask at the counter what the fish have been taking that week — the answer changes with water temperature.
Do Marine on Saint Croix bait shops sell fishing licenses?
Yes. Big Marine Lake Store is a Minnesota DNR electronic license agent, so you can buy a fishing license at the counter. You can also buy online from the DNR before you leave home.
Which lakes are closest to Marine on Saint Croix?
The closest lakes on our site are Forest Lake (4.3 mi) and White Bear Lake (11.6 mi). Each has its own page with depth, species surveys and public access details, and every shop below lists the two nearest DNR public accesses.