St. Croix River Fishing Reports

[DonBo]

My last couple times out, I've caught them in 38'. Sadly, 3 fish per outing has been pretty average all year.

[sausageman]

I went out Monday and Tuesday afternoon after work. The fishing was pretty slow. I'm just not marking fish like I did a couple weeks ago. Two weeks ago I had a couple spots where the crappies were vertically stacked like Havana cigars. Today those areas are void of fish, at least the times I tried to fish them. I'm ready to locate some fresh spots...Prescott maybe???

[tommyk]

So sausageman, by slow you mean you only filled half a bucket

[sausageman]

Ok Tommyk,

I filled a bucket half full. But the bucket was very very very small. SM

[croixflats]

These crappies dont know what they want! Today did good with a gold Hali micro minow jig tiped with a minow head 5 all went back in and were 10 inch then they shut down at 3pm then I switch to red glo fiska tiped waxie at 6pm another 4 and a couple Mooneye.

Plenty at home for a couple of meals but I should have kept the mooneye for cat fishing this summer. 33 ft water.

Be out again tommorow differant spot looking for the big guys.

[St_Croix_Banks]

I'll be interested on the reports coming in on ice conditions as the week and weekend progresses.

I'll be out there Fri afternoon and planned on bring my 4yr old out on Sunday. Likely will take the 4 wheeler out instead of the 1 ton. I usually go out of Bayport Marina.

[tommyk]

I think the only change in conditions will be on top of the ice. Might get a little sloppy. Although I would stay away from the open water areas and common current areas as those can change daily with any amount of warm up.

[DaveZman14q]

Well me and the Croix have become much better friends over the past week and a half. Made it out 3 times caught a 16 inch eye two 14s and a 10. Also 3 crappies at about 12.5 each as well as a jumbo perch and a dink crappie. Doesnt sound that impressive but its nice to pull up a few eyes and a some overweight crappies. All fish went back of course... its all about the hunt. Walleyes and two of the large crappies were in 23-26ft other large crappie was in 38ft. Not many fish but happy with what i pulled through the ice.

[tommyk]

That is what lures anglers back to the Croix, the size and element of surprise as to what you may catch. I would take your days catch over many of the days I've had on the ice in the past.

[Ashton]

I went out this morning and caught 2 one was really small I was sitting about 33' really slow fishing I think on Saturday I'm going to try deep and then move in shallow.

[DonBo]

Ash, do you ever work or get any schooling done?

[PSourasinth]

Moved to the Twin Cities(Lino Lakes) 2 years ago, fished the surrounding lakes, but have never fished the St. Croix River, especially during the winter time. Would love to fish the St. Croix River during the winter, but don't now where to start, especially when your not familiar with ice conditions up and down the river from Willaim O'Brien State Park. Would anybody be kind enough to give me any suggestions on where to begin or start, and whther the ice conditions are safe enough to fish on. Any information will be greatly appreciated. But I am going to fish it pretty hard this summer so I can become familiar with the River north from Interstate 94. Thanks again.

[DonBo]

I think the only safe ice now is in the Bayport area and maybe some near Prescott. Most of the info found on this thread is from the Bayport area. Others will probably chime in on other parts of the river.

Here's directions to the ice in Bayport.

http://www.fishingminnesota.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/1765774/Directions_to_Bayport_St_Croix

[PSourasinth]

If your don't mind me asking, where is Prescott and the Bayport area located? Is that down by Hastings? Not to familiar with the area, except for what's around the cities. Thanks again.

[DonBo]

Bayport is just south of Stillwater and yes, Prescott is right near Hastings.

[PSourasinth]

Would you happen to know how thick the ice is down in that area? I'm just a little leary about the St. Croix, because it is a free flowing river, not like a lake, so the ice has to be less stable, at least that's what I would think. And recommendations on a starting point to fish?

[DonBo]

There's still over 24" of ice in the Bayport area. Look pretty much anywhere in the basin area. 30-40 fow. Stay close to others till you know your way around a bit. Ice is bad south of the access towards the RR bridge and on the Wisc. side near the dam where the Willow River flows in. I would not venture too far south.

North of the access there is open water on the MN side near the NSP plant. Lots of scary places north of there on the MN side because of springs. Also the Stillwater bridge-stay away from here.

Luckily most of the best fishing is within site of the Bayport access.

Good luck.

[PSourasinth]

Thanks so much. You've been extremely helpful. Good fishin!!!!

[Craigums]

Hey DonBo, When we had the GTG how far were we from the NSP plant, That general area should still be just fine I imagine

[DonBo]

Hey DonBo, When we had the GTG how far were we from the NSP plant, That general area should still be just fine I imagine

Yea, that was still 1/4 mile or more from the King Plant. I wouldn't worry about heading up there, except, why would you want to? No fish remember?

[denwa]

Slow day in 38 ft of water . Fished noon to 4 iced 2 12" on small minnows. Did anyone get them shallower?

[Craigums]

Originally Posted By: Craigums

Hey DonBo, When we had the GTG how far were we from the NSP plant, That general area should still be just fine I imagine

Yea, that was still 1/4 mile or more from the King Plant. I wouldn't worry about heading up there, except, why would you want to? No fish remember?

My buddy and I didn't do horrible. Plus i've been looking at the GPS and see a couple spots I would like to give a try that are really close to where we set up

[tommyk]

PSourasinth,

As of last weekend ice was good, and I don't think it will be any worse this weekend. At least 20". However if you are looking for a place to start I would recommend going out of Bayport. The areas that the fish are located in are larger and not so "spot on a spot". Good luck.

[sausageman]

Went out fishing on the Croix after work from 5:15 to 6:00pm. I didn't drill any holes just drove around and checked some open holes here and there. Ended up on the MN side near Anderson Point. I had to bounce around between 5 or 6 holes before I marked a fish. Dropped down the fiskas/maggots combo and caught a 10 1/2" and three smaller crappies in about 10 minutes. A guy next to me asked what I was catching them on. He told me I could fish an open hole next to him and I caught a small walleye and another keeper crappie. My maggots were in the truck, so I handed him my UL St Croix Legend Ice rod with the Fiskas to try while I got more maggots from the truck. Within 5 minutes he caught a nice 10 1/2" to 11" crappie and a sunny. I believe St Croix will be recieving a rod order shortly. It was nice to see the crappie aggressive for a change. SM

[openwater9]

The crappies were not aggressive for me! I went home with 0! i missed a couple but all i had was a TON of lookers but no takers.I thought it would have been great tonight but that's what i get for thinking.lol. Anyways going to Vegas this weekend and will try it again when i get back. Good luck to everybody and hope you all start pounding them!

[eyesnfries]

Hey S-Man, when you say maggots, are you talking Euro-larvae,spikes, or waxies? or something else? If EL, what color. Thanks for the info. Anybody going out Sat a.m.? I should be out there by 7:00.

[DonBo]

eyesn, I know he mostly uses red EL. I'll be there tonight and tomorrow morning. Look me up, I'll be south east from last time.

[eyesnfries]

thanks Don! Yeah, I'll look for you tomorrow. I'll be black suburban and X2. - Paul

[sausageman]

Eyesnfries

Yes I use red Euro-larvae. You can get a great big tin of them at Vados Bait on Hwy 65 south of 10. I found EL usually work best during midday hours.

Don, you left early tonight...you must have filled your bucket quickly. SM

[DonBo]

Don, you left early tonight...you must have filled your bucket quickly. SM

I wish. No fresh fish so I had to take my wife to a fish fry. I'll be back in the morning.