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Open water time?

Jim W

By Jim W
in St. Croix River Fishing Reports

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Jim W Grand Master

Jim W

Posted
Posted

So Turk,

If you could give a general time-frame, when does the Croix usually open up enough to fish from boat?
Is this the best time to be on the Croix at first ice-out?
Where are the walleyes at this time of year, shallower?
Do you have a good Northern bite soon after ice out?

Thanks again, and I am(like always) looking forward to getting out on the Croix with you!!! Don't forget to plan a day or two that I can take you to a few of my hot smally/trout spots! Maybe we could get JA(ie martha) to come as well. Take care,
Jimbo W

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Turk Veteran

Turk

Posted
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Jim,

The Saint Croix is closed until last week of april first week of may, and I normally stay off the Croix until that time. I'll fish for white bass early in the year end of April...Opener is usually very good on the Croix for walldads! with lots of 15-18 inch walleyes.

The Northern fishing for me peaks around the first week of June, when they are still shallow and very hungry! Nice thing about river pike they are always fat ande strong fighters.

Currently I believe the majority of 5the eyes have headed north and staging in the spawning grounds. The open water "channel" may be holding some eyes, and has always been a curious topic in my mind. How do the fish relate to open water when there is ice elsewhere? good question I doubt anyone knows the answer...

I'm excited to get in the boat with you soon at Red Wing within the next two weeks?..

Keep catchin'
Turk

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Jim W Grand Master

Jim W

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Thanks for the valuable information!! If/when you want to do the Redwing thang, let me know, I'll be headin' up to Manitoba for some March dad fishing. Leave March 8! Look forward to hearing from ya! I too am looking forward to getting in the boat for some RW fishing,

I made it down to the Vermilion river Sunday. Pretty fast action from sunset on for about a half hour to an hour!! I managed 2 dads and a sauger with a ton of missed fish! One was missed on a tip-up laced with a large shiner!! Must have been a decent fish! Oh well, next time!!! Jim W

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  • 2 weeks later...
Guest

Guest

Posted
Posted

Turk,

Is that you fishing south of the Hudson bridge everyday right next to the open water. I've been seeing someone out there everyday for about the last two weeks. Lately, there has been about 4-5 shacks out there in the late afternoon. There has even been a boat or two in the open water. Just curious to know what's going on over on the other side of the bridge. Any smallmouth fishing this summer or are you mainly after the eyes?

good fishing.........

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Turk Veteran

Turk

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JVB54,

No that wasn't me out there fishing that close to the open water, I remember last year that one group of Ice idiots where working that spot and low and behold the very next day that entire Ice sheet they where on broke off and started moving down river...no one was on it luckily! That can be good from times but with this warm spell coming up i would'nt fish it....

And I LOVE SMALLIES!!!!!! Most of my customers want eyes, but i do guide smallmouth guys too and that is always a blast - the croix is packed with 17-18 inch smallies!!!ya baby, I getting pumped!!! Oh no I feel a smallmouth fever coming on!!!call the doctor!!!!!
ha!

Keep catchin'
Turk

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Posted
Posted

Hey Turk,
I noticed the boys weren't out today. It looks as if the area they have been on is about ready to break away! The warm weather must have scared them off today.

good fishing...............

I'm starting to have dreams of St. Croix Smallies! It can't come soon enough

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Bodyman Collaborator

Bodyman

Posted
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They were out there today, the fools. About 10 feet from the open water and 3 good cracks between them and the shore. I hope they didn't go for a ride on that big ice boat. good fishing.

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Sinker Community Regular

Sinker

Posted
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I assume the crappie bite must be real good out there considering walleye and sauger are closed.A fish fry tastes good but those ice conditions aren't worth it to me.

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The area that they have been fishing has now broke off and is floating in the open water. I hope they weren't on it when it broke free!

safe fishing everyone.................

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