Try this from the DNR
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/canoeing/kettleriver/index.html

Runs within a few miles of it thats close enough for me

Just north of the town of Willow River 2-3 miles, a fork in the Kettle take the NE fork its the MooseHorn that takes you to MooseLake.Thats acctually where the 96 lb stuergon state record was caught,Its if not better fishing than the kettle more fish caught.Smallies

I've never canoed it but I used to wade it alot. I would park at the wayside rest on 35 just before the bridge crossing. I would work my way up stream and did well for walleyes, smallies and pike. I imagine if you put in upstream from that you could float all the way to Banning State park there is a landing right before you hit the rapids. Right under the 35 bridge is a great spot. As a side note, where I always turned around and headed back downstream is a portage around some small rapids..which I'm pretty sure you could shoot if you wanted, however up the portage is a nice campsite. Not sure where you would launch however you'd have to do some more research. Hope this helps.

I live in Willow ( new to the area )I have never fished any of the rivers and was just looking for some walleye and smallie info. Where to go and what to expect.

Lots and lots of great info!!!

Has anyone fished the Kettle yet this year ?

I've fished the Kettle River all my life. Walleyes, Northern and plenty of smallmouth. If you are into river fishing head to Sturgeon Lake out West toward Denham...I think it's County Road 46. There are a couple rivers that cross that road, the Kettle specifically. It's pretty good fishing up there as well just under the bridge. I usually fish from there North toward Cromwell. Or should I say from Cromwell south.

My inlaws live right in Sturgeon, so my father in law and I have done the float from Sturgeon to Rutledge in a 12 foot boat with a trolling motor. Lots of fun with walleyes and smallies and northern, stop at any bend fallen trees or drop offs and should get some action. Do bring a river type anchor so you can spend time at good spots. This is a good day trip and wont be dissapointed. You live there, use it.

Just so there isn't any supprises when you head from Sandstone to Maple island in St Croix park. The Mouth of the Grindstone is far from the half way mark. Sandstone to Hwy 48 is right at 8 miles. Nice trip for a relaxing overnight.

As of last weekend, the water was getting low. The first set of little rapids south of the old dam is the a bit of a pain. Plan on dragging yourself off the rocks. After that, there is a batch about a mile long that can be fun or a pain, depending on the water level. Go to the right on the very first little set and stay right after that. We used to run that stetch with a 17.5 foot flat back aluminum canoe. That thing stuck to the rocks and sand like velcro. Now we use sporting kayaks. They run as smooth as it can get.

Last weekend, I checked all of my old camping spots and didn't see any sign that anyone had been down overnight.

You can fill up a full trip with eight miles. Take your time for the first two miles. Hit every hole and rock with gigs of you choice and you will have plenty of action. Eyes can run from 10 inches to 20 inches. Last weekend, we didn't fish for eyes much, but we did catch two that were about 18 inches which are not very common in the river.

For those that like fishing the rapids, camp about a 1/4 mile into the rapids about 4 miles down. There is a small island smack dab in the middle of the river between two small rapids. Walk those rapids up and down about a 1/4 mile with jigs hittling behind every rock. It is a blast. Bring lots of bug dope and dryer sheets for the deer flies. They can be brutle. At night, go for cats off of the tip of the island. Night crawles and liver will catch you lots of fish, but smelt, fresh dead sucker minows, or a chunck of steak will get you the big cats O plenty.

After that strech of rapids, the river dies to a trickle in low, slow water. Flat, shallow and sandy. Two inches makes a huge differance. You may end up walking half of that 4 mile strech if it is real low. If it is 2 inches higher, it will be a nice drift.

Keep in mind that if you catch any Sturgeon, they are not legal to fish for on the Kettle. They are the local DNR's babys. They have been fishing them and tagging them since the early ninties. They haven't had much luck netting or shocking them, so they use hook and line. Most you catch will be tagged and some have tracking devices. When the season was open, one of the locals would fish them a dozen times a year and bring home a fish or two every time he went. When the numbers went down, the DNR closed the season. They have a huge amount of time invested in the fish and will prosicute to the limit.

BTW, as noted above, the record is 94.4 rather than 96 and it was caught by Kim Bangston. It was not caught above Sandstone.