Jump to content
  • GUESTS

    If You  want access  to member only forums on FM, You will need to Sign-in or  Sign-Up now .

    This box will disappear once you are signed in as a member.

St. Croix River Fishing Reports


Joe

Recommended Posts

Out yesterday 4 inches of bad ice with a layer of water then 7-8 inches under it. Needless to say tracking around drilling holes looking for fish with my 12 yr old was a chore. I small sunny, marked several in 15 FOW but suspect they were small sunnies. One ATV stuck in some nasty stuff and one fool hadry person stuck a wheel on the WI side only to immediatley back off.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Welcome Ted, and thanks for the report. Sounds like conditions are the same on both sides of the river. frown

Dilleyo, bet your bud had fun catching that huh?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I wish it was me, but it was my buddy I was with. Still a blast though pulling it through the hole for him. The bigger ones are a little tough to get the heads positioned right to bring them up. They look like sharks under the ice, pretty cool though.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

nice catch dilleyo. Was out all weekend also and they sure turned off. Caught alot of smaller walleyes and crappies. Managed to catch a few nice crappies including a 15 incher thats back in and swimming. Fished in 25-30 ft of water. will be out again tommorow, being unemployed sure has its ups and downs wish i could make a living fishing the river, geez.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

cool

Yeah I know, but I will one day laugh

Did ok today on the river. Caught 6 crappies and 3 walleyes. No size to the eyes and only 2 crappies 10-11 inches. Turned back into just being lookers. Time to give them a new presentation.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just a lot of lookers and non keeper crappies today. I only mangae 4 decent crappies and a sauger.

Luvin2fish were you fishing on Mn or Wis side? Yep time to switch presentation.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

How are the conditions for running a sled on the river? Any snowmobiles been running about? I don't want to get stuck in slush! grin

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Haven't really seen any snowmobiles out lately. Seen a few atvs "try" to drive on the slush and i'd say they don't get too far. Dragging a sled around is probably the best way still.

With the slush i've been fishing the minnesota side from 20-30 fow and like i've been saying, the fish have really turned back into the same ol normal bayport fishing(SLOW). They chase, they look, they look, they look, they run.mad

Been averaging 3 10+ inch crappies per outing. I tried to downsize and slow down my presentation with little success. Buckshots seem to scare off more fish than attract them in. Understanding which column of water I should fish has been my key to catching fish.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

First outing on the river this year had about 5-6 inches good ice and 5 inches of slushy honeycomb fishing 36ft had two crappie and a stripe bass lots of fish on the marcum really finicky though fish came off minnows and no bites on spikes... Is anyone seeing baitfish at a certain depth? thanks for your input...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I've been seeing baitfish swim through 15-8 ft of water but less and less everyday. Caught four crappies 10"+ and two white bass yesterday. Once crappie measured a hair under 14"(released) and the white bass were 17" and 19.5"(Kept). Thought the 19.5" white bass was going to be a monster crappie, boo. The fish were again slow but did turn on at certain times of the day.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

First time out to the river this year today. Got on the ice around 10am and fished the MN side. Started in 35fow and got 2 crappies, a 3lb white bass and a nice sized cisco from 10am-1:00pm. Moved at 1pm and got on em good in 27fow. Ended up with my limit of crappies with all but 1 being over 10in and the biggest being 12.5in. Released another 15 or so in the 8in range. The bite was so hot for awhile i had to pull my deadstick line because i couldnt keep up with the doubles. Got the majority of the crappies on a #4 fiska jig tipped with spikes.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

19.5" White Bass beats the state record by 1 full inch!! If you haven't cut it up, you might want to put a scale to it whistle

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Congrat's Jiggin

Were you using a spring bobber with the #4 Fiska's?? I have yet to make it down to the St Croix this year. I'm getting itchy....very itchy. Currently my freezer is void of fish. :-(

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Were you using a spring bobber with the #4 Fiska's??

Yes. A spring bobber was very helpful as many of the bites were subtle.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

19.5" White Bass beats the state record by 1 full inch!! If you haven't cut it up, you might want to put a scale to it whistle

Wah? You got to be kidding me, gut it up already but might just scale it once i defrost it. Fiskas and spikes ey? I've been havenin the complete oposite of luck, dead stickin a small minnow was the only way I was able to make these fish bite. Caught 5 crappie today 10"+, 1 16" eye, and another 17" whitebass.

I've been fishing the same school for a while, tommorow i'll go do some exploring

Link to comment
Share on other sites

What is the ice looking like? I normally don't fish the croix until march, but there's no reason I can't make at least 1 extra outing out there. Last year I caught my 1st whitie and smallie through the ice on the croix...it's nice to get surprises like that wink

Link to comment
Share on other sites

JB, I was out yestereday for a bit. Ice actaully looks better than it did 2 weekd ago. A good 8 inches and seems like some of the slush is starting to harden. Hopefully not to much rain Thursday.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

That is the ticket!

I used the old legs today started in 25 ft drilled five holes toward 15 ft and found the Blue gills right away. Caught 5 off the bat then they moved on me followed them to the 15 ft. I was busy catching from 2 to 5 when I left. Really got going at dusk had to quit because the hands were a hurten. 20 gills 3 crappies and a perch. Kept 8 keeper gills and the 3 crappies. All caught on a green glo 4mil fiska with a clear red micro nuggie.

Did loose a bit of time messing with sufix magic ice line, that stuff is junk. Coils up and has a nasty memory. Happily I had another rod set up with some #4 ASSO "ice heavy" yellow line Fluorocarbon. First time using both and I love the ASSO line didnt coil stayed soft with no memory and sank fast.Oh! St.Croix legend with spring bobber what a set up got to get another one or at least the spring bobbers to go onto the premiers if that is possible!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Got back from Bayport and caught 6 crappies and 1 perch. Marked a ton of fish but few takers. Quite a few guys out there and also heard 2 group of guys going at it. Seems like they were going to fight or something. Fished in 25-30 FOW no keepers.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I missed two groups going at it would have been fun to see. Did you happen to see the 10 deer in Anderson bay at dusk.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Croixflats I totally agree with you on the Suffix. I bought two spools this year and they didn't even make my fourth outing on my rods. I am heading up to LOW next week and after that I am on the river for the first time. I am trying to catch some other fish (white bass, catfish, mooneye, etc.) to help with my state fish catch list.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guys fighting and deers running around today huh? Didn't see none of that but learned a good leason today: Its not that all thhe fish in bayport turned off its just that the school of fish i've been fishing turned off on me probably due to constant pressure(yes i fish everyday). Great day to venture around, did some exploring targeting steep drop offs and found a whole new school I think. Although they weren't as many as my old hole they sure were more active to my baits. Everytime they schooled in I was able to produce quickly, caught around 15 crappies with 6 of them being 10-11. Again a couple of small saugers but i'mma get a early start on that new area tommorow morning and see if a monster crappie comes through...hopefully. grin

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Mobile is the thing. Don't be afraid to drill holes. You are out there to catch fish. The dummies sitting in one spot you gotta laugh at, Im one of them mid season, even though they blame you for the non bite. They are there but moving is the key, so look for them! Drill holes man!!

You see a guy, pudgy grin, out there with camo upper lower and uppers say high and if you would like a hole drilled just ask or mumble along in the convo and I will offer. I am serious fish next to me or not, just dont make me travel a mile.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Croixflats I totally agree with you on the Suffix. I bought two spools this year and they didn't even make my fourth outing on my rods. I am heading up to LOW next week and after that I am on the river for the first time. I am trying to catch some other fish (white bass, catfish, mooneye, etc.) to help with my state fish catch list.
The white bass roam all over and like the the cats are hard to pin down. The mooneye i got a fix on, maybe, if you want we can get together to hunt these guys down. Cats can be good early season with a mistaken sturgeon,witch the sturgeon can happen year long, the cats after early season pick up late season but can be hard to find at times. Oh! the St.Croix is a --- but I love it.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.




  • Similar Content

  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • Kettle
      Walked today and yesterday, flushed 9, shot at two and got two. Hopefully next year I'll have a dog to hunt with. Still warm up here, skim of ice on ponds. Weather has been nice. Hopefully walk a bit more the next few weeks. Been pretty cautious walking for birds to not interfere with deer hunters. There sure are not the deer hunters there used to be 
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the South Shore...  The focus for many this week is the ongoing deer hunting season which is a big tradition in these parts, even for avid walleye anglers.  There were some that either already harvested their deer or are more into catching fall walleyes than hunting.     Those that are fishing are taking advantage of the unseasonably warm weather and excellent walleye and sauger bite that is happening across the lake.  Cold weather is in the forecast in the upcoming days and weeks so that is also getting many excited. The best depths on the south end of LOW are 22-28 feet of water.     Vertical jigging with frozen emerald shiners is catching most of the walleyes, saugers and jumbo perch.  Depending upon where on the lake you are fishing, some slots and big trophies are in the mix as well, but most reports are talking about good numbers of eaters.    Jumbo perch are coming in good numbers this fall which will serve ice anglers well.  Watch out for an occasional pike or even lake sturgeon mixed in with the walleyes.      There are good numbers of walleyes and saugers across the south shore which is setting up nicely for early ice.   On the Rainy River...  There continues to be good numbers of shiners in the river, and consequently, there are good walleyes in the river as well.     Walleyes along with saugers, pike and some sturgeon are coming in up and down the river.  Most walleyes are being caught in 10-25 feet of water in various stretches of the river.   Jigging with live or frozen emerald shiners is the key. Some anglers are also still slow trolling crankbaits upstream to cover more ground and find fish. Both methods are producing solid results. Sturgeon fishing remains 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...  As temps are getting colder, most are in the woods hunting and not fall fishing, however, for those who bundle up, fishing continues to be excellent.     A nice mixed bag with walleyes, saugers, perch, pike and crappies being caught. Very good muskie fishing with the colder water temps and shorter days.  Some big fish and some good numbers are being caught amongst the islands.  Both casting and trolling is getting it done.  
    • gimruis
      I hunt in the rifle zone so I don't have a need to use a shotgun to hunt deer, but I would be looking at this if there was ever a need to.   There could be state legislation introduced next summer that eliminates the shotgun zone completely.  It has bipartisan support.  Wisconsin removed theirs years ago and MN is usually later to follow.  They've tried to pass it more than once and it came up just short both times.  Probably just a matter of time.
    • Wanderer
      Oh, h e l l no! 
    • leech~~
      Screw that, here's whatch need!  😆   Power-Shok Rifled Slug 10 Gauge 766 Grain Grain Weight: 766 Shotshell Length: 3-1/2in / 89mm Muzzle Velocity: 1280
    • Wanderer
      20 ga has become a real popular deer round in the last 5 or so years.  The rifled barrels are zinging those sabot slugs with rifle like accuracy out to 100 yards easily.  Some go so far as dialing in for a 200 yard shot but really, by 150 they’re falling off pretty low.   I have a single shot Ultraslug in 20 ga that shoots really well at 100 yards.  Most everyone I know that has bought a slug gun lately has gotten the Savage 220 in 20ga.  Problem can be finding the shells you want.
    • leech~~
      My son always bugs me about getting a nice light over-under 20ga for grouse hunting.  I say Heck no, I'm getting a 3 1/2" 10ga so I can put as much lead in the air that I can!!     So, I'm keeping my 12ga.  
    • 11-87
      That’s almost exactly what I was thinking.  Have slug barrels for both   One for turkey and one for deer.      I have a 20ga mosseberg as well. (Combo came with the scope but never used.   I always liked the 12 better
    • leech~~
      Wanderer is right on the money and covered it well.  I was wondering too if you had a slug barrel for one of your guns?  If so you could make that your slug gun with a scope, and the other your turkey gun with the Red dot.  As you can afford it. 
    • Wanderer
      Kinda depends on if you want magnification or quick target acquisition.   More magnification options and better accuracy with a scope.  You get what you pay for too so get comfortable with a budget for one.  Tasco and Bushnell work but I find they lose their zero easier, have low contrast and don’t gather light well in low light conditions.  That said, I’m still using one I haven’t replaced yet.  Vortex has been the hot brand for the past several years for bang for the buck.  Good products.  Nothing beats Swarovski though.  Huge dough for those.  Burris is another decent option.   There are some specific models for shotgun/slug hunting in the economy brands and bullet drop compensation (BDC) reticles.  Based on experience I’d recommend not falling for that marketing ploy.   Red dots are usually lower magnification and easier to get on target.  Reasonably accurate but don’t do well with definition, like searching the brush for your target.  I put a HAWKE red dot on a .22 for squirrels and it’s been good.  For turkey, that’s probably the route I’d go.     If your slug shots are normally not too far and too brushy, I’d think a red dot could work there too if you’re only buying 1 scope.  You’ll be better off dimming the reticle to the lowest setting you can easily use to not over shine the target and get a finer aim point.   If you don’t have a slug barrel, you might appreciate one of those.  I had a browning with a smoothbore slug barrel that shot Brenneke 2-3/4 inch well.  The 11-87 would well fitted with a cantelever rifled barrel. 
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.