St. Louis

[Fishing Junky]

Hey guys, Had to work this weekend and was just looking for a report on the river. How'd ya do down there? Thanks and have a great day. Junky......

[musky hunter]

Found it a little slow. Fish seemed to be suspended. Trolled through them with spinners, shad raps, stick baits, and jigs. Caught little up above. Did manage to catch a few average walleyes by the Bong Bridge and a 19"-er on the flats closer to the blatnik. Also caught my first musky of the year - nailed a chub on a spinner bait. Not big, about 7 lbs, but for a minute I thought I had the biggest walleye in the river on.

[Guest]

Went out of loon's foot last weekend and did great! Sat. the fish were in 12'-16'.Pulled bottom bouncers with orange blades.My buddies 16 year old daughter caught a 28" walleye and they ended up with a couple of five's too.Sun. the fish were in 4 to 6 feet by bouy 9 and 13. Chartrusse,silver and orange blades all worked.Some of the males still had milt.Water temp was 56 degrees.This was my first time up and I had a great time.

[Guest]

I have a couple questions on the St. Louis River. First, where would you recommend launching? Are there many hazzards (Boulders, stumps, logs)to look out for while fishing? Is it recommended to eat the fish out of the river, or C&R mainly? I've heard the fishing can be fantastic on that river though and have always wanted to check it out. I'm coming up to visit some friends this weekend and am definitely bringing the boat. Hopefully we can get out on the St. Louis and chase some Walleyes!! Any tips on baits? Shad raps, lindy rigs, crawlers, leeches, minnows????? Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Jeff

[Fishing Junky]

Hey Jeff. St. Louis River would be a great choice. Under the Blatnik Bridge would be a good choice to launch if your planning to fish downstream. Smithville landing would be a good choice if fishing Spirit Lake area. This landing is about 1-1.5 miles past the zoo. If you use this landing, head downstream to enter the river channel. Look for boats for great fishing areas. If you run the channel, you will not have any probs. If you leave the channel, you do so at your own risk. Let me suggest Barker's Island, Bong Bridge, and Spirit Lake areas. I like to run bottom bouncers and spinner rigs tipped with leeches, crawlers and minnows. I would choose the river over any area lakes at this time, but that is my choice. If you go, let us know how you did. Have a good one, Junky....

[This message has been edited by Fishing Junky (edited 05-29-2002).]

[Guest]

Junky-

Thanks for the good info. Going off your advice, I will plan on going out to give the St. Louis a shot. Is there any depth you know that is doing hot about now? I was on Mille Lacs last weekend, hot bite in 15-25' crawlers and leeches on red hooks. Ended up with a 31 1/2" on a crawler. I suggest anyone in great need of catching some beautiful eyes check it out.

If you happen to see an alumacraft lunker 16 1/2' (grey) with a 40hp evinrude, feel free to stop by and say hello, I could probably even spare a cold one if your in need!

Are the fish out of the St Louis edible??

[Fishing Junky]

Hey Jeff. I have had several meals already out of the river, and can't tell the difference from inland waters. I haven't changed colors yet. I forgot to mention