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thinking crappie....


StCroixNewB

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Been thinking about trying for some crappies on the Croix... is the Hudson launch open? If so, any ideas as to where to try - Hudson Marina, Beanie's, Bayport???

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I believe the launches are open. The ice is gone. I'm not an April crappie fisherman. The walleyes are Hog sized down on the Mississippi, they've got my attention. Turk

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Check some of the areas around the marinas as they tend to be shallower and warm faster then the river itself. Some of the riprap areas can hold fish as well but the current is going to somewhat dictate where the fish are staging. There is a large shallow flat just north of stillwater where browns creek comes in that can hold some active fish and don't overlook the bayport area near the King plant and downriver from the warmwater discharge. There is also some nice areas around hudson that are off the river and take on more of a backwater feel that can hold some nicer fish. Early, I have found fish from 18' and shallower. If you can find any areas that have reduced flow, shallower water and brush check it carefully and fish slowly. Light jig and crappie minnow or slip bobber and minnow can both be worked effectively. Don't overlook the bridge pilings towards shore eithe on the downriver sides as they can hold early fish as well. Hope this helps.

Tunrevir!

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thanks for the info guys... Turk: I hit Pool 4 yesterday for a few hours - that north wind really sucked! The flow is quite high (all the rollers are open) - really seems to have moved the fish. I tried a half-dozen or so areas I did pretty well at a week or so ago and came up empty handed. I didn't see anyone else catching either... I may head down there once more before opener but then I'll be focused on the Croix and Wissota! Rivernut: I think I know the backwater-like areas you are referring to but I don't know if I can get my 18-footer in there - never tried before... I was thinking of trying that area up by the King plant. Thanks for the tips!

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I was thinking of crappie fishing around the Afton area this weekend, any advice around that area?

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StCroixNewB --

I know the bluffs is open so is Beanies....good luck out there, I heard water temp is in high 30's

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I have been out three times already on the upriver side of things and haven't gotten any fish to speak of but things are going to pick up and I can't wait. The person you guys might want to pick some info is Walli1 as he has some early season crappie spots and is without a fishable craft right now. Knowing him(from the forum here) he may want to get out enough that you could get into some of these early season fish. Sorry Walli if I put you on the spot but these guys and gals might be able to get you out in the interim. Plus the fact, that they may also have a free seat for the opener if you don't get your boat up and running.

Tunrevir~

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  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • SkunkedAgain
      It doesn't look like the lake level has gone up at all. I was up a week ago and struggled to get my boat in and out of the public landing on the west end of Head O Lakes. I used my paddle to push the boat further out to deeper water. I could hear the hull moving over the sandy/muddy bottom near the launch.
    • JerkinLips
      Pretty tough.  Was catching about 2 walleyes per hour and the biggest was only 13".  Back up Thursday so I hope I have better success.
    • smurfy
      the kid and I always check our stands prior.......i'll go back to check the conditions of said stands before he gets there to see what we need. while i'm at it if i can i shoot at grouse with shells that appear to not have bb,s in them!!!!🙄
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the South Shore...  With unseasonably warm weather, there are still some anglers hitting the water and most have been rewarded.  Limits of walleyes and saugers being caught, and the forecast looking ahead is favorable. The best bite on the south end of LOW has been in 22-28 feet of water. Water temperatures are dropping and as the temps cool further, the bite has been excellent.     Vertical jigging with frozen emerald shiners has been the program for most anglers.  Bring plenty of bait, as you’ll need to sort through some smaller fish and short biters.  Plenty of eater fish to be had, just have to do a bit of sorting.  Anglers are also reporting very good numbers of jumbo perch and occasional pike mixed in with the walleyes.     For those fishing structure, if you slide up on top of a rock pile, don't be surprised to catch a big smallmouth bass, there are plenty around.   This week’s hot colors have been gold, gold/glow white, gold/chartreuse, gold/orange, and gold/glow white/pink.     One tip, a stinger hook on your jig will catch you more fish if you start missing too many fish. On the Rainy River...  Bait dealers are reporting good numbers of shiners in the river this past week.  Interesting, each night is different.  Some areas have the small shiners called pinheads.  Other areas have the larger minnows.     The river is producing some nice walleyes in various spots from Four Mile Bay to Wheeler's Point, to Baudette all the way to Birchdale.  There are 42 miles of navigable Rainy River from the mouth to Birchdale with plenty of public boat ramps along the way.     Walleyes are being caught in various depths, but 15-25 feet of water has been good.   Jigging with live or frozen emerald shiners has been highly effective. Some anglers are also trolling crankbaits to cover more ground and find fish. Both methods are producing solid results. Sturgeon fishing has been strong.  The catch-and-release sturgeon fishing is open into the spring when it changes to the "keep season" on April 24th. Up at the NW Angle...  Fall fishing continues to be excellent. Points, neck-down areas with current, shoreline breaks, and transition zones from rock to mud are all productive locations for walleye right now.   It is traditionally a mixed bag up around the many islands in this part of the lake and this fall is no different.  In addition to walleyes, pike, jumbo perch, and crappies are in the mix.  A jig and minnow has been the most effective presentation. Good muskie fishing is the norm during the fall of the year and area reports have been good.  In addition to casting, trolling shorelines, points and neckdown areas has been effective.  Muskies are often targeting schooling tullibees this time of year. The weather forecast for the next couple of weeks is conducive for fall fishing.  If you don't deer hunt, or if you have harvested your deer, consider some bonus walleye action before the ice forms.  The bite continues to be excellent.    
    • leech~~
    • gimruis
      I'm not one to leave that to chance the day I need it.  I always check on my stands prior to the season.  Just like I always shoot my rifle before the season and I always run my outboard motor before fishing opener.  Too many things to go wrong without confirming it ahead of time.   I guess it could have been beavers but the house itself didn't appear nearly big enough along one ditch.  It was about the size of chair.  I've seen beavers houses many times before and they appear much bigger than that.
    • leech~~
      Good thing you made a check run.  That would have really suked walking into opening day.  Why do you think muskrats and not beavers?  
    • gimruis
      Well I checked on stands over the weekend.  Kind of a disaster.   All the ditches are plum full and twice as wide becauase muskrats have clogged an area.  I spent an hour unclogging it and the water is slowly moving again, but our bridges and planks were underwater.  The back portion of the land where the best stand is was inaccessible.  Hopefully that changes by Saturday.  I have a feeling the muskrats are just going to clog it back up again.   Tons of standing corn still too.  They've started on it, but being so wet now with more rain coming, whatever's there will remain there for the foreseeable future.   All the grassland is completely flattened like a pancake due to 3-4 inches of heavy wet snow.  That eliminates about 75% of the pheasant habitat in this spot.  Total buzz kill.  And this specific spot was one of my better producers last season because the grass was intact and lush through December last year.
    • BWpineisland
      Jerkin, how was the fishing?
    • JerkinLips
      45.6°F Saturday afternoon.  Lake Vermilion was quite empty.
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