That same size boat will also serve up the Mississippi north of Hastings after ice out and the spring flood subsides anyway through the locks in Minneapolis and then all the way north, too. The last lock north is right in downtown Minneapolis, but there are good launch sites up the river from there and good fishing all along the way in both directions for those who dig it out.

I see canoes and kayaks going through the top locks quite frequently; a decent jon boat with any kind of dependable kicker should be able to take it right in stride, too. Of course one can also contact the Corp of Engineers; they operate the locks.