Crow River

[erikwells]

I know this is Mississippi North but I am going to try the Crow River on my way home this evening. There is a narrow bridge under construction by crow hassan park just a little south of St. Michael. I am going to try bouncing a jig and crawler for maybe an hour or so. Any one else ever fish this area or does anyone have any advice. I will post to let you know how I did tomorrow.

[Guest]

Good thing you went yesterday!

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Tight Lines

[erikwells]

Fished for about 5 minutes and got rained on. Going to try on the way home today.

[PISCATOR]

I grew up on the Crow in Delano and now live nearby in Hanover. The area you are asking about is near an old dam site, now removed, called Berning's (sp?) Mill. It is a pretty good area. You may need to explore upstream and downstream a bit. There are lots of rough fish and some smallies, northern and walleyes. Artificials work but minnows and frogs are the best later in the fall. There is also a good bar nearby - for refreshments, not a sand bar.

The Crow has been very high all summer and it has been difficult to access normal shore fishing spots. It is getting near fishable again. Let's hope we do not get another major rain. Good luck and let me know how you do.

[PISCATOR]

I grew up on the Crow in Delano and now live nearby in Hanover. The area you are asking about is near an old dam site, now removed, called Berning's (sp?) Mill. It is a pretty good area. You may need to explore upstream and downstream a bit. There are lots of rough fish and some smallies, northern and walleyes. Artificials work but minnows and frogs are the best later in the fall. There is also a good bar nearby - for refreshments, not a sand bar.

The Crow has been very high all summer and it has been difficult to access normal shore fishing spots. It is getting near fishable again. Let's hope we do not get another major rain. Good luck and let me know how you do.

[erikwells]

I stopped yesterday and threw a lipless crank at the bridge at about 5:00 pm. I only fished for about 10 minutes and didn't get a bite. Maybe I will pick up some crawlers and fish it later in the eve and a little longer. Will let you know how I do.

[erikwells]

I am really proficient when it comes to catching 6-8 inch catfish. The Crow has not yielded too many monsters (or any monsters). I have caught a couple of nice smallmouths (2lbs or so) on lipless cranks. When I throw a crawler out all I catch are tons of the 6-8 inch variety catfish. Stopped at the bridge this a.m. before work (that how every day should begin) and caught about 5 catfish and 1 smallmouth in about 30 minutes. I believe this area could be productive and will continue to try it as fall comes closer. Any expert advice out there? Also is there a place to put a boat in around the bridge area?

[Tonka Boy]

I used to fish the mill quite often and I would agree about the 6-8" catfish. Very common. About 4 years ago, I was lucky and got into some monster catfish just below the bar. I don't know if that was a fluke or what?? Walleyes and smallies are present also. Try 1/4 oz. jigs with grub tails slowly worked in the current breaks and shorelines. It's a good change of pace once in a while. Enjoy!

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Tonka Boy

[Mike W]

I used to use bullheads. Just cut of the head. The bigger cats seemed to love them. I caught a 15# right next to the bar there. I used to fish frogs there also. The eyes seemed to like them.

[erikwells]

My new morning routine. Drive to work stop at bridge fish for a while drive the rest of the way to work. The work part stinks but I still like my new routine. Caught 1 northern about 2lbs 1 smallie about 1 lb this morning. The river is so high that the water has cut a ditch in the sand right next to shore. I had about a 3lb smallie come after my plug so hard he actually half landed on shore and flopped back into the water. If I would have been more alert I could have pushed him onto the bank with my foot. Sure was good for a laugh this morning.