Do you think our St Croix Flatheads migrate?

If you haven’t had the chance, I recommend an article in the April / May In-Fisherman by Dr Jason Vokoun titled “Flatheads on the Move”. After reading his latest article in the February 2006 magazine I went back and reread his take on yearly flathead migrations he published back in April. Based on his tracking studies in Missouri he found 3 distinct flathead migration periods each year. Tracking results showed flatheads moving to the tune of 15 miles per day during peak migration periods. Not only were the fish he tracked covering serious ground but they were moving into and out of what are normally considered different fisheries. The maximum annual range of an individual flathead catfish was 113 river miles – that guy was definitely out to see the world. His studies found the most noticeable annual movement pattern was the drawn-out period of movement and migration that began in April and ended in July, mainly the pre-spawn to spawn period.

I’m wondering if we don’t experience a similar migration on the St Croix River. Based on my experience, the flathead fishing doesn’t pick up until late July into August upstream of Stillwater where the river turns into a smaller, free flowing, mostly sand river . I’m sure there are some fish that are resident fish and winter in that upstream stretch to Taylor Falls but I have a feeling the majority of the flathead population moves south to winter downriver towards the main Lake St Croix and down to the Mississippi and Pool 3. Part of that migration is probably forage based following shad and other food.

I’m trying to break the code on St Croix flatheads earlier in the year, that April to July period. I wondering if there is some kind of migration in effect and how to go about ambushing the critters as they move north. I’m thinking of flathead fishing river chokepoints which should concentrate fish such as the Kinnickinnic, Afton, Hudson, Stillwater, etc.

Anybody have any thoughts on this?

Steve, I have noticed tan lines on some fish I have caught in Prescott. Could be from the Prarie Island discharge though.

Steve, I’m sure they migrate.

Catfish Bar…darn near dead water until mid late summer.

One of the choke points you mentioned…a walleye guy nails many big fish there (on the upstream side) in Oct – Nov while eye fishing.

One thing I’ve always wondered is with all the rock shorelines…where do they spawn? It certainly can’t be in the lower St Croix.

I haven’t fished the St Croix for cats, but I know they move around within a pool. I fish the lower end of pool 9 and they are hard to find and then they just show up in mid May. There are a few spots I would call winter holes around us. I think they run up stream until they find a spot they won’t be bothered. I liked the article and have noticed the bite slowing down around midnight. There is a pretty good chance I will try closer to the cover based on this info.

The biggest flat I have cought on the croix came out of the mouth of the kinni in may. We were dragging harnesses up the kinni and where it hit was about 100 yds up the river in about 5 fow. I have also seen them cought in prescott in the spring while jiggin eyes. Sorry thats all I can help with early flats. The channels seem to almost be the same way. Usually once you start catching them you catch alot of them. Just like they came out of no where so I definatly believe there moving.
Brian I think I know where your talking about Sure would be fun having them hammer raps. Sounds like there were no monsters but quite a few in the 20# range.