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

Hi:

Just wondering how its looking out there with this recent "heat wave" :P Can I get around with a car or is there mucho slusho? thanks.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

We were off the ice by 11 this morning, and did not see any slush. Was a traffic jam getting on at Bayport just before dawn. Had to laugh.

Some fish marked, not many. 28-36 fow. Kept one fish.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

No slush. I spent most of the day on shantytown. Slow as usual. Few nice fish on plastics. Missed a fee bites as well. Did not mark as many fish as usual.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Was a slow day today, got there around noon fished till 5:30ish. Managed to pulled in a 12in crappie which for some was not the biggest but it was my best this year. Also pulled in some average 9inchers. Total of 7 acceptable keepers beside that let loose a bunch of bald eagle sizes. Today was hitting on wax worm or either spikes

Afar from today, on Saturday Jan 11, which was yesterday was probably my best day yet. They were hitting here and there with minnows. Managed to hit a big crappie that never came up the hole and got loose after that (Was using Spikes on tungsten jig head). It wasn't a whitebass either since I somewhat know how they pull like. That day was a good day, pulled in quiet a nice amount of crappies all 9in plus.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Fished from 3-6pm yesterday. Found some bluegills with a couple crappies mixed in. Jigging a Gill-Getter tipped with spikes, along with a moonglow w/ a crappie minnnow under a float is what worked best for me. 30 FOW with deeper water near by. Do many people catch gills out there? I never hear to much about them on the Croix in the reports.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ive been ice fishing this river for five years now and haven't been able to have great success. Ive had better luck when fishing 34 fow or deeper and early am(I go out all hours of the day) but I refuse to fish near the shanty towns. I typically fish with a jig and minnow on one pole and a spoon with a minnow head on the other. Ill also try plastics, rattle spoons etc but still struggle to leave w/o more than two-four crappies per trip out. (only keep 10" and above) And where are the walleye? Thanks for the tips ahead of time.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ive been ice fishing this river for five years now and haven't been able to have great success. Ive had better luck when fishing 34 fow or deeper and early am(I go out all hours of the day) but I refuse to fish near the shanty towns. I typically fish with a jig and minnow on one pole and a spoon with a minnow head on the other. Ill also try plastics, rattle spoons etc but still struggle to leave w/o more than two-four crappies per trip out. (only keep 10" and above) And where are the walleye? Thanks for the tips ahead of time.

Hate to say it, but the shanty town is a shanty town for a reason -- that's where fish are being caught. Typically, if you can hit the same locations earlier than the rest of the folks show up (early Dec), you'll do well. While crappies will hit deeper basins off breaks, you'll have better luck for walleyes on rocks or similar structure.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Monday report:

Started fishing Wi side out of Bayport at 5:15am, well, because I can. Retiring early has it's benefits! smile

Fished 'til 3pm. Nothing hit early as usual, fyi. 1st fish at 8:30am.

10 Crappies, 2 White Bass & 1 Mooneye. Ummmmm... Mooneye. smile

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Been out tues- thurs this week w/o much to show for it. Been fishing south of shanty town in 36-38 fow. Was out from 11-5 all week and marked a fair amount of fish. Kept one 11 crappie tues, 11 & 12 on Thursday and caught a small crappie, sheephead and a tulibee yesterday. We've caught everything deadsticking with a white/pink tungsten jigs. Ive used about every lure and bait combo in my arsenal with no luck. Anyone ever try fishing by the open water by the power plant? I hear that's where to get into the walleye? Thanks and good luck!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Croix1959, fishing at the powerplant can be hit and miss, especially in winter. However, it can be a good option at times for walleye, pike, and bass. For walleye and bass, use shiner minnows. For pike, snag a good-sized shad and freeline on a treble hook. Also, if you don't mind me asking, what bait were you deadsticking with those pink-and-white jigs?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Fished Thurs in the wind. 9:00 am - 12:15 pm. South of shantytown. 38 fow Fish caught 28 fow - 34 fow. Fiska white and pink with a minnow. Fiska white and pink with red little atom nuggie. Lots of lookers. The five fish we did catch were active feeders, (moved to the bait). Roads drifting over pretty good on Thursday. We blasted through a few. Can't say what it is like today.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Fished Fri, Jan 26... 8:30 - noon. Usual spot south of Crappie town. No fish marking. Actually moved to Crappie town in a moment of weakness. Scouted all around 32 - 40 fow. Very few fish marking. Set up on the southern perimeter when we marked some fish. Had one bite and missed it.

Tried banging the bottom to stir things up, which worked in past years when it was slow. Nothing. Not real encouraging given the difficulty of getting around with the snow. I hope others are doing better.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I was out late on Friday Night with my daughter south of Shanty off, on our own, and caught some nice crappie (9"-11") from 6-9pm. Fishing slowed after 8pm. Had the best luck again on a white glow fatboy....that was her pole wink

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Out on the river right now. We pretty much have the place to ourselves. Fishing is ok all things considered. Have 7 on the ice and threw some little guys back. 36fow.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

How is the road? Lot of drifts? Haven't been out since we hit the first Arctic front. Got 4x4 but hesitant to come out if no ones out and get stuck

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Out on the river right now. We pretty much have the place to ourselves. Fishing is ok all things considered. Have 7 on the ice and threw some little guys back. 36fow.

Nice to hear a positive report once and a while. Being out there today, you deserve to catch a few fish. eek

Link to comment
Share on other sites

GeLuNumber1 every fish Ive caught this year has been on a tungsten wht/pink jig with a crappie minnow. I was out all last week in 38 fow and caught 2-6 fish out each time but only 5 were keepers with my biggest ever at 13". I caught that one on Thursday afternoon at 4:00. Earlier around 1:00 my girlfriend caught a 20" flathead which was pretty cool. Planning on going out tomorrow. Good luck!

How to I upload pics to this thread?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

How to I upload pics to this thread?

Pretty good tutorial here:

http://www.hotspotoutdoors.com/forum/ubb...s_h#Post1219014

If you still can't get it, let us know.

I find it easiest to open a "Photobucket" account. It's free and easy. Upload photos there. They automatically size them for you. Just open a photo there, click or copy the "IMG" code, then paste it here in your response.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well, Croix1959, assuming that you've uploaded the pictures to an image-hosting website such as imgur, the first step is to go to the full reply screen. Then, click on the icon of the triangle, square and circle. Enter the url of the location your picture is hosted on. Hope that helps!

EDIT: well, looks like DonBo already answered that question. whoops

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Fished with a buddy in 35 FOW SW of shanty town today from 1-5pm. Marked lots of fish on the vex but only one small crappie to show for it. Tried many lures and live baits, the only thing they paid any attention to was small crappie minnows on a small jig.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Fished out of Bayport all day Saturday, 6:30am to 6pm.

Managed to ice 9 fish... somehow... They sure were finicky...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Be careful on the river the snow is deep and if you don't have 4 wheel drive and good vehicle clearance you can get stuck. Even if you stay in tracks of another vehicle. Saw a lot of stuck vehicles yesterday 02/01/2014.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Fished out of Bayport in 32 FOW from 4-6:30 today and had much better luck. Caught a bunch of sauger all on crappie minnows on a plain red hook. Tried spoons, jigin raps, and buckshot but they only bit on the live minnows. Bite did shut down at 5 but i'm stubborn so I stayed till 6:30 smile Anybody else having any luck??

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Fished out of Bayport again today, got a sauger and a crappie from 4-6. Forgot my vexilar but did get one other good bite. Sauger on live forage bait and crappie on a crappie minnow.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Does anyone know if St Croix bluffs regional park is open to access the river via the boat launch or is it gated off?

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.