Winter fishingS of Taylors falls/N of osceola?

[tunrevir]

Anyone venture out in the winter months up north? I have a few spots but no one to hold the line and watch if I would happen to go through. Curious if anyone winter fishes up that way. Thanks.

Tunrevir~

[croixeyes]

tunrevir..

Ive seen guys out above the dam in the past.I think they stay in that bay on the minnesota side.Ive never fished in that area so im not sure how shallow it is there but i think there are stumps there until it drops deep.Also around the park in Osceola,both north and south of the road going across.The bay on the north side looks very shallow,probably early ice for pike.

Further down i hear guys do well on pike in rice lake,but I think there are alot of springs in that area.Access and current keep alot of people away during the winter.

[tunrevir]

Thanks croixeyes, I am thinking that there might be fish up that way an have been tempted to try it out.

Tunrevir~

[john.wells]

I have fished the backwaters around Osceola- there can be some decent pike and crappie action on the south end, with a bonus walleye now and then. However, the bite is either absolutely on or absolutely off. Day bite is good, never got much after dark, so maybe get out early and if nothing is happening, head up to the Chisago area before it gets too late. I have fished above the dam, and got nothing. That is a scary place to be !!! If you venture anywhere on the upper river, I would say don't go alone for sure-just too much current, even in the more slack areas. I might be going up above the dam the weekend after this one to give it another swing. I'll keep up to date if I do or not, maybe a few guys could hook up to see what's cooking and keep an eye out for each other

[so haaad]

tunrevir,

You get out on the upper river this year?

[tunrevir]

Nope!, Couldn't find a partner to hold the rope while I checked the ice to see if it was fishable. Would like to have gotten down there as I now that the crappies are there but I am not going to venture out there by myself no matter how big and unpressured they are. I have had the itch the last three winters to get-R-done but can't go without the shoreline support! Next year if you are willing to hold the line, I'll check the ice and we might be able to put some true slabbers on the ice. I just don't want to be the slab on the ice if you get my drift.

Tunrevir~

[so haaad]

Tunrevir,

Sure, I'd be willing to hold the rope for you or at least do some exploring next winter. I work in Forest Lake, so maybe we can even hit it during the week this spring.

Haaad

[tunrevir]

So haad, Glad to know I have a person to hold the end of the rope. The next task is going to be finding the most direct route to the spot I'm thinking about fishing without trespassing and without falling through the ice trying to get to it. I have a pretty good feeling that the monster slabs that the Croix forum folks talk about are there it is just a matter of access to get in and get on em! However, we can talk about this further come spring fishing. Yep, I'll take you out on the Croix for some crappies this spring. By the way, where in Flake do you work? Just curious as I work there too! Shorter drive to the river the way I figure it!

Tunrevir~

[so haaad]

Quote:

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By the way, where in Flake do you work? Just curious as I work there too!

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Tunrevir, your tax dollars help pay the salary of this hard working fellow fisherman! Where do you work?

[tunrevir]

Sohaad, Would I interpet that as one of Forest Lakes finest, protecting and serving or otherwise? Just tell me your not the local tax assesor I work at Birchwood Healthcare Center so therefore you could say that your tax dollars also assist me in my living. Look foreward to hitting the Croix this spring to catch a few crappies and discuss stra-tee-ger-ry on the winter assault for next year!

Tunrevir~

[kdawg]

Turnriver, that makes two of us that would be willing to hold a rope. I don't know if it's still do-able this late in the season but if it is, I'm game. I'm in Hugo and don't work on Thursdays.

[tunrevir]

K,

I don't think with the weather we'ev had the upper area that I am thinking is still holding ice. I do appreciate having someone else to hold the rope for me when I venture out. Funny, nobody seemed interested earlier in the year. I will take the risks as long as I can count on the guy on the other end of the line. Keep this in mind going into the next ice season. I think the payoff will be huge with little pressure but, I have to make sure that you can get in, on and off safely before I'll go there on a regular basis. It is good to have teamwork involved. I do work most Thursdays but many weekends I can get away for a few hours. Thanks!

Tunrevir~

[kdawg]

Weekends are usually a little tougher for me (the wifey and two kids), however there are plenty of times when it would work. It's too bad I didn't discover thise site until Feb., otherwise I woulda been game earlier. Anyhow, I'm usually perusing this site often enough so if you decide to give it a try, let me know.

[so haaad]

Tunrevir,

I'm betting that we could have the boats out after this week's warm spell. Maybe it's time to hit the river...

[tunrevir]

Sohaad, Just returned from Florida last evening late. I believe that the river is open up north and fishable but this weekend is out since it is Sunday already. I'd like to let the weather warm a touch before chasing the crappies. I don't know what the flow is going to be like with all the rain we have had recently. Typically the high water can make for a pretty tough bite. I'll have to run up north this week and check out the conditions.

Tunrevir~

[croixeyes]

Guys.....Im up in St Croix falls 5 days a week ill check out by the dam and with the park service to see what kind of flooding is going to happen.Ill let you know the scoop tomorrow or tuesday.

[tunrevir]

Thanks in advance Croixeyes!

Tunrevir~

[croixeyes]

Talked to the folks at the nat park serv today.No news on a crest of the river yet.The flood gate at the dam is open and its flowing pretty good over the dam.I would say itll take a week for things to settle down up north.The Croix from Stillwater down I suspect will stay high for a bit longer.That area is more dependant on how things are going on the Mississippi.