Dnr at Bayport access busting people for dwi....

[iiccee63]

Just heard the DNR is at the access trying to bust people in Bayport. Be aware everyone.Fy

[fivebelow]

wish they were there earlier in the day. lots of jerk baits flying by in trucks and atvs/snowmobiles. few jerks doing donuts on their trucks on wis side.

[ESSGuy]

The lack of response sure does indicate the poor quality of fishing on the croix these days. 20 years ago it was the place to be, huge crappie and some sauger. Now it's just a pleasure boat and goof ball drive 80 on the ice place. Got my first 8lb eye on the croix when I was 10, now may never get another that size there. Sad.

[draleckson]

Just because YOU may not have had a good bite doesn't mean the fish aren't around...I know plenty of people that do very well on the river for all kinds of species...

[iiccee63]

ESSguy....yes, the fishing is terrible and will never be what it was unless there is supernatural phenomenon that happens.I started on the St. Croix in 86'. It's still fun to get outside but, fishing has been really dead for 3 years.

[JBMasterAngler]

I can't speak on behalf of the ice fishing. But I think spring/summer fishing is as good as it's ever been! Yes, there is definitely a lot more recreational traffic on the river, so it certainly makes "catching" harder, but they are still there! My dad has been fishing the croix since the 50's, and in the past 3 years he's caught his personal best northern pike and walleye (not PB for croix, PB for his whole life). I've caught my PB white bass multiple times over. I also set a personal record for most pike caught in a day out of the Osceola area, me and my wife combined caught 30! Granted, they were all hammer handles, but it was still a blast! I'll still rank the fishing on the croix better than any lake within 50 miles of the cities!

[draleckson]

IM with ya JBMASTERANGLER! The river fishing has been great!

[ESSGuy]

Yes, I realize there are still fish in the croix. I am 42, grew up 4 blks from the river. My dad took me out almost every weekend for walleyes, my brother and I and our friends fished almost every day during the summer on the numerous docks in Andersen bay. I am just saying, my dad tells me of big catches of walleyes in the 60's and 70's. I remember following the seagulls in the fall and catching huge white bass as fast as you could drop a line, they would bite on a plain jig there were so many. Yes I know there are still fish in the river and some may do ok, I am just saying this river is a far, far from the river it once was. Fair assessment?

[fish_4_fun]

interesting conversation, maybe the WIS and MN DNR should look into this river and try to improve the fishing. For Example, lower bag limits, or have a slot limit on walleye and white bass, and crappie.

but again, that does not mean everyone will follow the rules...

[john.wells]

interesting conversation, maybe the WIS and MN DNR should look into this river and try to improve the fishing. For Example, lower bag limits, or have a slot limit on walleye and white bass, and crappie.

but again, that does not mean everyone will follow the rules...

I really don't think over-harvest is quite the issue, there is SO much water out there that never sees any pressure. Granted, certain areas get the stuff pounded out of it, so there may be a localized and temporary shortage. I personally find it refreshing that they haven't over-regulated the river yet.

[SteveD]

Yes I know there are still fish in the river and some may do ok, I am just saying this river is a far, far from the river it once was. Fair assessment?

I don't think that is a fair assessment at all. I'm 67 years old and I've been fishing the St Croix since 1977 - that is 38 years. The fishing is as good or even better than it has ever been. It gets loved a little more than normal with all the recreational boating today but overall it doesn't get fished that hard considering the amount of river miles available. Like I have said before - 95% of the lower St Croix sits undisturbed 6 months of the year from October to May and those fish never see a hook or hear a boat for those six months. There is a lot more to the St Croix than just 3 miles from the High Lines to Hudson which gets fished hard in the winter.

The sturgeon fishing is outstanding and this year we will finally see an almost year round catch and release season. There is a DNR bill pending in the legislature that if approved will allow the use of cast nets to harvest gizzard shad for bait starting in 2016.

We don't need any changes to current harvest regulations. The MN DNR is doing a great job of managing the St Croix. It is an amazing fishery with a very diverse number of fish species. I primarily chase catfish and the St Croix is home to some beautiful fish.

For those of you that chase white bass - follow the gulls. They are still there - I believe we have seen a few years of down numbers but it is a cyclical thing. Stay after them and be there when they come soaring back. That's fishing - some days you catch them and some days you don't. Some years there is a bumper crop and other years it is slim picking.

Patience son, patience. Sit back in the boat seat, point your face at the sun, take a deep breath and appreciate the moment. Life is what YOU make it. Every year is as good as the last - at least it is for me.

[draleckson]

Now that's what you call a fair assessment! I totally agree!

[Fisherman For a Lifetime]

Right on, SteveD!!

We're getting fish like crazy the past few years....., just not as many Walleye.

But perhaps it's because I'm catching so many other types!