While the St. Croix is the only Minnesota stream in the national wild and scenic rivers system, several others offer pleasant multi-day floats.
Kettle River: The Kettle flows through the forestland of east-central Minnesota, including the ledges and rapids of Banning State Park. (Don't run these unless you know what you're doing.) Best stretch: Start at the Hwy. 48 bridge east of Hinckley. Take out at Snake River Landing on the St. Croix. The most interesting parts of the Kettle -- sections with rapids -- aren't much fun when the water is low. Check levels at www.dnr.state.mn.us/river_levels.
Vermilion River: Running the Vermilion in remote northeastern Minnesota is a lot like tripping in the Boundary Waters: Short, intense rapids, many requiring portages, punctuate long stretches of flat water. Fishing can be good for walleyes, northern pike and smallmouth. Best stretch: The whole thing; it's only 40 miles long.
Big Fork River: The Big Fork courses through the forests of north-central Minnesota. Widely separated rapids and falls vary in difficulty from easy to unrunnable. Fishing can be good for the usual suspects -- walleyes, northern pike and smallmouth bass -- as well as the occasional big muskie. Best stretch: From the town of Big Fork to the first Hwy. 6 bridge. In low water, try a stretch farther downstream.
Little Fork River: The Little Fork is in many ways the riverine twin of the nearby Big Fork -- similar size, territory, rapids and muskies. It does tend to run a bit more turbid and bog-stained. Best stretch: Linden Grove (Hwy. 73 north of Hibbing) to Dentaybow near Hwy. 65.
Crow Wing River: A clear, sandy tributary of the Mississippi, the Crow Wing flows through the farms and woodlands of central Minnesota. It has a few easy rapids, but is mostly placid -- a terrific trip for inexperienced canoeists. Best stretch: Mary Brown Landing southwest of Huntersville to Motley.
Zumbro River: The Zumbro carves a deep valley through the bluff country of southeastern Minnesota. Limestone outcrops and hills flank the stream. Best stretch: Hwy. 7 north of Zumbro Lake to Funk Ford.
More river trip ideas: www.dnr.state.mn.us/watertrails/location_map.html.
