May 3rd Walleye Report

[Turk]

May 3, 2012 St. Croix River walleye are being caught from 12 to 23 feet of water and relating to current areas that are spawning grounds, plus some early summer spots. As stated I am seeing fish relating to their normal early spring locations even though the water temperature is at early June temperatures. In addition some mid May locations are turning out fish, but a summer type spot where there is an extended shoreline break for instance (at least where I looked) is not producing bites.

The size of the walleyes are impressive many are in the 18 to 20 inch range. 23 to 24” white tips are also being caught mixed in with these high teen inch fish. Trolling crankbaits and livebait rigging are still great choices to bring fish to the nets. Plus some shorts and solid chunky 16” to 17”ers my favorite for eating.

Not seeing much white bass, or smallmouth. Sturgeon went nuts on the opener and guys also talked about flatheads slamming the cranks. Drum are biting, but not like first week of June where they go gonzo.

Great mornings Wednesday and today, light wind plus lots of birds singing. Water temp 58 and water level 677 feet above sea level in Stillwater, MN.

[OnAFly]

When you say spring locations and mid-may locations, what types of locations are you referring to? I just started fishing the upper Croix by WM Obrien SP and really don't have much experience fishing rivers.

[tunrevir]

Onafly, The area you fishing the fish have been in the deeper channels and holes but also relate to shoreline breaks with current breaks and eddies. You will find alot of sand and a bit of gravel and rock. Late April the eyes were quite shallow around gravel bars(Spawning shoals). Later towards mid May most of the eyes that you will catch in that area are going to be dropping back towards the bigger water around Stillwater, although there are a few holes and washouts that will hold a few fish later into the season.

The river looks like it is up around 3 feet from last weekend and is running high, fast and dirty which can make fishing that particular area tough untill the water starts to clear a bit and drop. Don't be afraid to pitch jigs and cranks to the shorelines and troll in the deeper stretches to contact fish. What I saw on Thursday is the fish were fairly spread out so trolling got the nod to cover ground. Opener I caught fish from 3 feet to 15' with most fish in the 10' range, Thursday the water was up a foot or two and I found fish in the 8 foot depths pretty consistently. Today, I worked deep and shallow with cranks and plastics and got one fish in 12' but trlloing was very difficult due to all the floating debris. I didn't have any bait with but some of the folks I talked with said the areas they picked up eyes last weekend were full of hungry sheepshead today. My guess with the prolonged high water is the fish will be found near the shorelines and relatively shallow as the water begins to clear and fall again and some of the shoreline points, holes and eddies will hold multiple fish as they rest just out of the current. Opener my party caught a few fish still milting and a few spawned out, Thursday every fish I caught was post spawn with no milt or eggs when cleaned.

Tunrevir~

[OnAFly]

That's a lot of info! Thanks

The two times I've gotten out there recently, I fished an area behind an island and just in front of another. Both times yielded one 1 walleye. Considering I was using a fly rod both times, I thought that was ok. I'll have to put those away in favor of my jigging rod next time.

Thanks again!

[Turk]

When I am say spring and summer locations I am referring to from Stillwater to Prescott WI, the area you fish has good spots that are spring based on high water and summer based on a normal pool level.

The spots south of Stillwater go from shallow to deep based on mainly the spawn ending and the fish then migrating and locating near bait. A quick response I know but I need to run.

Thanks,

Turk