st cloud St Cloud Fishing Reports

[smurfy]

Awesome cause Rick!!

[rundrave]

@Rick G

 

have you changed your approach or how you are fishing with no snow cover this year? It seems to really have changed things. Fish are spooky to  any movement above the ice.  Even just jigging a rod with your hand etc. spooks fish. Weed lines are not dying off etc., fish are staying up shallower etc.

 

I have had a lot more luck just dead sticking and bobber fishing and being away from holes or intentionally drilling holes in slush pockets or drifts to eliminate shadows etc.

[Rick G]

On 2/22/2024 at 9:19 AM, rundrave said:

@Rick G

 

have you changed your approach or how you are fishing with no snow cover this year? It seems to really have changed things. Fish are spooky to  any movement above the ice.  Even just jigging a rod with your hand etc. spooks fish. Weed lines are not dying off etc., fish are staying up shallower etc.

 

I have had a lot more luck just dead sticking and bobber fishing and being away from holes or intentionally drilling holes in slush pockets or drifts to eliminate shadows etc.

Just trying to make as little noise as possible once holes have been drilled.  

[Rick G]

Being we had a few hours of weather cold enough to make ice I decided to check out one of the small shallow lakes in the St Cloud area.  Ice was in surprisingly good shape this morning, had about 6-7 inches of hard ice again.  

Found a pretty decent bite in 8-11 ft of water.  Crappies were riding high in the water colom while sunfish remained close to the bottom for the most part.  Best bait for me was a 3mm motoroil/chrome with a impulse mayfly.

By mid afternoon we could definitely tell the ice wasn't as firm as it was in the morning. By the time we left at 4pm I had put all thoughts of returning tomorrow morning out of my mind.  At no point did I feel unsafe, we were prepared for whatever, floatation suits, ropes and ice picks at the ready. 

Today was definitely my last day on the ice for the yr...next stop, spring carp/suckers

 

[smurfy]

yea that ice looks like its about on its last leg!!!!

[Rick G]

Spring is here Finally got my first open water outing of the yr.... Surprisingly, fish are actually shallow and biting....for now anyway.  

 

[leech~~]

5 hours ago, Rick G said:

Spring is here Finally got my first open water outing of the yr.... Surprisingly, fish are actually shallow and biting....for now anyway.  

 

Nice but not today, looking at the snow outside the window right now!  

[Rick G]

4 hours ago, leech~~ said:

Nice but not today, looking at the snow outside the window right now!  

Didn't get any snow in St. Cloud, just  needed rain.  

Hopefully back out next Tuesday for suckers and wed for panfish again...time to go pick some nightcrawlers

Edited April 8 by Rick G

[Rick G]

Crazy windy again today.... This is has been the norm this spring. Between the wind and the cold fronts, fishing has been more challenging for me than most years.  Panfish have been moving in and out of the shallows quite a bit. One day they are up in the slop, the next they are out relating to cabbage or the newly sprouting lilly pads.  Today eye guy and I found them in 4-5 ft of water, hanging close to any tree branches that happened to be laying in the water.  Bigger fish were liking a 1/32 head and a Bobby Garland baby shad.  

Highlight of the day way this healthy 15incher

Edited April 23 by Rick G

[leech~~]

1 hour ago, Rick G said:

Crazy windy again today.... This is has been the norm this spring. Between the wind and the cold fronts, fishing has been more challenging for me than most years.  Panfish have been moving in and out of the shallows quite a bit. One day they are up in the slop, the next they are out relating to cabbage or the newly sprouting lilly pads.  Today eye guy and I found them in 4-5 ft of water, hanging close to any tree branches that happened to be laying in the water.  Bigger fish were liking a 1/32 head and a Bobby Garland baby shad.  

Highlight of the day way this healthy 15incher

Nice fish. I moved to the Sartell area last summer and just thought it was windy like this everyday up here?

[Rick G]

Been out couple times this last week. Between the rain and wind there really was only one day this past week where it was actually warm out fishing.  Water temps are low mid 50s yet, not much change from last week.  Fish are still holding out off the first break on some area lakes and right up in the boat channels and back bays of others.  

Been keeping it pretty simple as far as tackle used. Having the best luck with the lil hustler tubes under a small float or throwing the Bobby Garland baby shads with a 1/32 jig head.  The Bobby's have definitely been my big fish catcher this spring.

[Rick G]

Don't get too many opening weekends with weather like we are having for this one. 

Opted to hit the river late morning looking for whatever would cooperate.  Bass seem to be either right on the beds or real close, most of my fish came from under 5 ft of water. 

 

[leech~~]

5 hours ago, Rick G said:

Don't get too many opening weekends with weather like we are having for this one. 

Opted to hit the river late morning looking for whatever would cooperate.  Bass seem to be either right on the beds or real close, most of my fish came from under 5 ft of water. 

 

Rick, you need to take some tips from eyeguy and fish pictures!

[Rick G]

46 minutes ago, leech~~ said:

Rick, you need to take some tips from eyeguy and fish pictures!

Figured it was safe to post pics with landmarks here. Probably only 6-8 people left that still look at this site

[leech~~]

2 hours ago, Rick G said:

Figured it was safe to post pics with landmarks here. Probably only 6-8 people left that still look at this site

Just saying.

[Rick G]

3 hours ago, leech~~ said:

Just saying.

Yep, that's where I was. Best fish were way up in the shallow boulders...  

And.....if the 3 or 4 people that read this want to fish it.... go right ahead 

My bass spots are no secret....trophy panfish spots, that's another story

[leech~~]

1 hour ago, Rick G said:

Yep, that's where I was. Best fish were way up in the shallow boulders...  

And.....if the 3 or 4 people that read this want to fish it.... go right ahead 

My bass spots are no secret....trophy panfish spots, that's another story

I didn't pick Leech~~ for no reason!  

[Dash 1]

Took my dad out Sunday afternoon SW of St Cloud. Spot Locked in 8-9 ft on weed edge.  Caught several crappie and sunfish in just the one spot.  Also caught several 3 inch bass.  Pesky little things. Both crappie and sunfish  had eggs. I expected the crappie to be done, as I know sunfish need warmer water yet.  Temp on locator was 65. First fresh fish since last fall. Very tasty.