St. Croix river fishing

[Chappyman]

I have never fished this river but would like to try it, where can I fish around the oceola area? And I would like to fish for walleyes and crappies.

[slipperybob]

I've never tried ice fishing around Osceola area.

[DonBo]

Not sure there's any safe ice that way, but I've never fished that stretch in the winter.

[JBMasterAngler]

I would never try it, water moves pretty good through that area. There is that backwater bay at the park on the MN side, but that's only a couple feet deep...I wouldn't be surprised if it's almost completely frozen to the bottom.

I have often wondered though if there is any ice fishing out of lyon's park, upstream from the dam? It's more lake like up there.

[P4P]

I've only fished the back water by the park. That was few years ago and really early seaon(4" of ice) before the crappies/pike move out into the deep, cause thats only about maybe 3ft there.

[john.wells]

I have fished the backwater many times in the winter (at Osceola). Even in late winter, there is still water below the ice. I have caught a few crappies and some northerns, but it is more of a novelty spot to fish. There is so much more in the area to hit with better results, for sure. I have also fished above the dam in the winter, but caught nothing. I can honestly say it was spooky to say the least to be on the ice above the dam, you really roll the dice. If you do venture out, go with at least 1 friend, if not more, and have the stuff to do a rescue for yourself or others (ice picks, rope, life vest, etc...). I have thought about hitting the topside of the dam sometime again, but getting older and at least a little wiser..........

[Chappyman]

Where would you guys recommend I go fishing on the St Croix I live in Forest Lake?

[DonBo]

There is a post at the top of this forum on how to access the ice, and another on what lures/techniques work best. There is more ice on the river right now than I've seen on any of the area lakes. Just stick to the tracks/shacks that are out there and you shouldn't get yourself into any trouble.

South of the river access a ways is the RR Swing Bridge. People die there, stay away. The water is open all winter. Just east of there, the Willow River dumps into the St. Croix at the Mallileu Dam. There's open water there. Most stay north of the ice road that goes to the WS shoreline.

To the north a ways is the Excell power plant. There is open water here. It is well marked and easy to spot. Between the ice road and the highlines that cross the river at the Excell plant, all the ice is safe, except for the backwater area right up from the Bayport Beach area. Again, stick to others tracks and you'll be fine. 99% of all icefishing on the St. Croix is done between the Ice Road and the highlines at the power plant.

That being said, the fishing on the river has been mostly very poor this year. We all hope it will pick up with any kind of stable weather because it has such potetiall to be a great fishery. The crappies are big, the walleye and sauger are plentifull and the ocassional "extra species" fish always make it interesting.

Good luck!

[tunrevir]

Where would you guys recommend I go fishing on the St Croix I live in Forest Lake?

I'd have to say it really depends on the fish you are after and how many fish you want to catch. Flake is an excellant fishery but can be a tough nut to crack when it comes to walleyes. The crappie bite is always on in any of the deeper basin areas but the fish lack size with a few larger fish thrown in on occassion. Pike are always eager to bite during the day. The croix on the other hand, has quality fish of almost any species and even a few you may not be able to identify but you never know when you wet a line down there what is going to bite. Like Donbo said, it has been slow in many areas this winter down there but on any given day the bite may kick into gear! If time permits, I'd hit the croix and see what you can do if time is short then head out to Flake and see what happens. Both have quality fish but on Flake you may have to catch 50 before you catch one that you want to put in the bucket. Fun ewither way as it is an adventure! Just my two cents.

Tunrevir~