Burbot on the lower St. Croix?

[superkuh]

Has anyone successfully fished for Burbot/eelpout on the lower St. Croix? Based on the DNR fish survey reports it looks like my best bet would be by the Kinni narrows. The numbers there look good.

 

My current plan is to try perpendicular to the sand bar on the north end stagnant water where it drops from 5 to 40 ft depth. I'll drill a set of holes starting in the deep and ending just short of the sandbar shallows. Then I'll progressively fish from deeper to shallower water as sunset approaches finishing up in 10-15 ft of water. I've got a couple poles rigged with glow buckshot rattle spoons and I'll buy some fatheads in Prescott to put on the trebles.

 

If anyone has a better location on the Croix or reasons why this is a fools errand I'm all ears.

Edited January 2, 2017 by superkuh

[Turk]

Superkuh,

 

Hello!  I like your spirit to go out and try something new.

 

1. Not sure there are eelpout in the river.

2. The area you talk about fishing is difficult to get to from all public accesses.

 

The Prescott area north of Point Douglas freezes and guys fish that later in the season.  Or the Bayport area has anglers on it now.  The Bayport area is more crappie and whatever (cats and other whiskered fish) you get.

 

Happy New Year!

Turk

[superkuh]

Thanks for your input, and yeah, I'm still unsure if it's worth fishing for Burbot/eelpout on the Croix. But I am sure that they're there (attached 2004 DNR survey, http://superkuh.com/st-croix-river-burbot-location.png). I've been assuming I could just walk the trail down from the Kinni river state park that is around the delta. But I've only been down there a couple times years ago so I'm not certain it's accessible.

[Turk]

I have fished the St. Croix heavily for my entire adult life.  I have never seen an eelpout caught or heard of one caught during any time of year.

 

 

 

[JBMasterAngler]

That data states fish taken from the St. Croix River basin, not just the river specifically. Because I highly doubt 250 brook trout and 401 brown trout have ever been taken from the river either. I've never heard of an eel pout caught by fisherman, or taken in nets out of the Croix ever! So, in my opinion, it's a waste of time.

[superkuh]

Yep. I went out twice, drilled about 40 holes total all over, and failed to catch any. I gave it a good try though.

 

Just in case anyone cares the ice in that area north of the kinni narrows beaches is about 8 inches.

Edited January 10, 2017 by superkuh