Location??

[Iceburyman]

I walked out from the Bayport park tonight from 3:30-7:00pm, fished in about 32 ft of water. I got one bite on the deadstick with a crappie minnow and that was it, the only action all night. I marked groups of fish moving through 4-5 times about 5-7 feet off the bottom. THere were 4 other shacks within 300 ft of mine. Does anyone know the structure around this area? Is there any or is it a flat? There were a bunch of houses on the wis side, I wonder if I should have been over there. I tried: jig and minnow, jig and waxie, dropper with jig and minnow, fish head on red glow devil. Ratso with minnow, ratso with waxies.

[southerner]

IBM,

The spot you're referring to is traditionally an early-ice spot and then seems to cool off later in the season. It gets nailed pretty hard from first ice 'til early/mid January by anglers looking for 'eyes and crappies. The only structure there is an underwater point that runs from north to south and drops from about 16' into 35ish as you go out closer to the channel. Sand bottom and slow current, as you probably figured out. No real cover as far as I can tell.

The better spots this time of the year are on the Wisconsin side if you're looking for crappies and the occassional 'eye, and near the powerplant discharge (open water) just north. Just be careful if you approach the powerplant area, for obvious reasons. Most people approach from the southeast of this area, park 100' away, and walk to their final destination near the open water. I haven't yet made it there this season, but I've seen fishermen parked up there for nearly two weeks now so I'd imagine it's a fairly low risk gamble. Fishing can be pretty good up there.

Good luck.

So'ner

[sledhead]

You had the same luck me and my buddy had there last night. We're headed for the WI side next time.

[Iceburyman]

Southerner, Sledhed

Thanks for the reply. I am going to hit the wis side next this weekend and try to move a little more. The wind on the MN side Sun was pretty brutal, heavy gusts so I stayed pretty hunkered down. ALso, when your marking schools, its encouraging. Are the wis people fishing that 40' hole?

I love the idea of mixing sauger, walleye and possibly sturgeon in with crappie!!

[crappie getter]

Iceburyman,

If you punch alot of holes watch with a flasher or underwater camera their are sunkin christmas trees and other underwater ruble piles that attract the crappies. When you find these areas use a GPS because they are hard to find again trust me on this one. It's easier when the shacks have to be off the ice because people put perm over these spots!!

Good Luck

crappie getter,

------------------
Chris's Croix Guide Service
http://fishingminnesota.com/stcroixguide/
(651) 458-1899
[email protected]
St. Croix River

[Iceburyman]

CG,

I have heard about he infamous christmas trees in the St Croix. By BP and Prescott. Think anyone puts down artificial trees? I know Crappies love downed tree structure, are there enough trees in there to make much of a difference?

M
K

[crappie getter]

The trees in my opinion make a differance. The fish do cruise around in the deeper basins and around points but it seems like more action around the trees. The areas are not very big maybe the size of a perm shack. I'm sure the bait fish like to hang around these areas for cover and craps for ambush areas. I usually don't fish until I'm on some trees. It's best if you can get on them early in the morn before anyone else you can pull some #'s of fish in a short time if you hit it right. Last year I didn't do to well for some reason. I caught alot of smallies (alot of fun). Two years ago I was catching crappies pretty well. I usaully don't get out to much on the croix in the winter do alot on Red and some on Mille Lacs. But I guide on the croix during the summer and find tree / ruble piles throughout the summer with electronics and mark them with a GPS. The water looks alot different in the summer than the winter. Explore a little drill some holes and use electronics or cameras. When the perm shacks come off in Feb check around those areas. Good Luck

crappie getter,

------------------
Chris's Croix Guide Service
http://fishingminnesota.com/stcroixguide/
(651) 458-1899
[email protected]
St. Croix River

[goindeep2002]

thats pretty deep dark water , i havent seen an underwater camera work on the croix yet

[hunt4food]

Our underwater camera worked today on the Croix. We were fishing in about 24' of water. Unfortunately, the fish did not cooperate very well. Fished from 7:45AM-5:30PM. Caught approx. 16 eyes and 10 small silvers. When I say small....the biggest eye was 10" and the silvers were 3-5" long. We tried everything, but we did not move around. The camera even showed us a few nice sunfish that were resistant to bite. I changed jigs so many times my fingers are sore from tying knots. Oh well, it was still a good time.

[TRZ]

even trees are not working this year, seems to be a down year in the cycle. maybe next year will be better.

[Iceburyman]

TRZ

I have has two trips on the croix in that area, marked a lot of fish both times and pulled zilch onto the ice. Turk was recently talking about Prescott. I am willing to give it a couple more tries though.

[Turk]

Gentlemen the crappies will get going as February ends and March begins. It happens every year. Plus all the drive on anglers leave and the place is quiet. Besides where else can you catch so many different varities plus have a chance for monster crappies?

Keep catchin'
Turk
Croixsippi Guide Service
www.croixsippi.com