Catfish?

[Watts]

Just wondering if anyone has been getting any cats? I haven't tried this year yet but I am looking to get out soon. I usually go overnight from either Osceola or Wild River State Park. Does anyone have any suggestions for catching cats during the day? I just got into catfishing last year, so I have a lot to learn!!

[tberrict]

I just saw someone take a 38 inch cat today by the bridge. Couldn't even get it in the net. Long fight with 6 pound line!! Today was good fishing too by the way!

[SteveD]

Hey Watts - I'm just getting the boat ready for a catfish trip tonight on the St Croix. I have been doing pretty good on channel cats but the flathead fishing has been really slow so far this year. You are on a good body of water for some pretty good catfishing though. If you are looking for some catfishing techniques and instruction the easiest and quickest way to pick up some tried and true catfishing methods is to watch a few of the better In-Fisherman videos. I would recommend the "Catfish Fever" and "Classic Catfish" videos. What they show you can be applied to the upper St Croix River and be pretty effective. I know they are available in the Washington County Library system if you have access to it. I have done some daytime catfishing out of Osceola. I would recommend a run and gun approach on the timber and logjams in the main channel and some of the deeper backwaters. I wouldn't spend more than 30 minutes on a spot unless you start to catch a lot of fish. Catch a few and move on. I would also recommend fresh cut bait, sucker is my preferred cut bait. I have been having good luck with cut sucker lately. There is a nice backwater on the Minnesota side just downstream from Osceola that has some nice timber holes, you can probably work it right now with the water a little bit high. I would also recommend the railroad bridge area south of Cedar Bend. You may want to get the Fishing Hotspots Map, St Croix River (Stillwater, MN to St Croix Falls, WI). It will help you keep track of where you are and to remember the better water. The Hot Spots map should be available at Fleet Farm or any of the Gander Mt stores. The National Park Service website also provides good river maps.

[Turk]

The channel cat bite is on when you consistantly pick up channels when walleye fishing , and that has been happening for at least a week. Cats slurp down crawlers like crazy, I normally hold off on channel cat fishing until this time. Give it a whirl, SteveD has a very informative post to follow in the how to's of cat fishing.

Keep catchin'

Turk

[Watts]

Thanks for the replies guys! I'm going to try and get out to Osceola this weekend...maybe Sunday during the day. I think that my problem the last couple times that I have gone out has been that I stay in one spot far too long, at least a couple of hours. I will try and stay on the move more! Thanks again, if I make it out I will post my results.