River changes – more northern pikes??

This summer I have caught more northerns than in past years, not hugh in size, but keepers if I had chosen to eat them. I am wondering if others have noticed this too or is it just coincidence?? I have notice more seaweed (maybe not the proper term) too in places that it didn’t used to be and of course that might be why I’m catching the northerns since they like to hang out in the weeds.
I’m just wondering if this is because of higher water levels over a few years now or what other anglers observations are.

How deep of water are you fishing and what do you use for a lure or bait, I love to fish for pike but I have had no luck. Thanks Kenny

I have never caught as many pike as I did this year, I’ve noticed the exact same thing!

Same here. I was out on opener with a guy who had not fished the river before and he asked me if we ever caught northern. I said rarely if ever……we caught 8 that day.

Monday of this week we caught two in the 5-7 lb range, trolling raps in 13 FOW.

I have consistently boated northern all year on the croix.

Eric

same here. and bluegills. nice ones too.

Yep, fishing the league we’ve caught a healthy mix of Pike, Crappies, and Bluegills. One night we actually had to leave a school of slab Crappies because they weren’t the target species

Interesting that others have noticed it too. Its fine with me, I love fishing northerns and I can fillet those Y bones should I decide to make a meal of one of one of them

It would be even better if they continue to get some size to them!

Thanks all for the replies!

Happy fishing~

I am seeing the same thing in pool 2. Last year I would see 1 every 3 or 4 trips. Caught 8 last time I was out seem to catch a couple every trip.

Same here, lots of pike in both Lake Menomin and the Red Cedar river. Kind of disappointing though because the river was a great walleye spot in the early spring, but you could hardly buy a walleye bite the past few years. I will admit the pike action is fun though

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same here. and bluegills. nice ones too.

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X2

Kenny,
Usually, I’ve been using spoons casting in less than 15 feet of water. Also have gotten some trolling with rapalas in up to 20 feet.

Good luck, your sure to get something fishing in the Croix~

X3…the bluegills are a bigger pain than sheeps. I wish they would have note shown up like they have in such numbers.

I miss white bass TOP water action…

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…I miss white bass TOP water action…

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Funny, that is what I am always looking for / targeting when I catch the other fish.

Personally I’ve had a pretty good year for northerns (in other words haven’t caught that many). I have managed to salvage the same 3 spro frogs all summer long, which is an anomaly…. I think the northern boom is happening on the northern pools… I haven’t caught very many at all on pools 6-8, but when fishing pool 4 last year I caught an ungodly amount of 20-32″ pike. No idea as to the reason behind this, but apparently the habitat and forage are perfect for them to flourish up there right now.

oops just realized this is the St. croix river forum

I have noticed the same thing with more pike this year although I have not caught one in the last couple of weeks. Trolling for Walleyes I caught 3 in one day which is about the same number I catch in a year.

Turk
A lot of the gills I have caught have a nasty fungi on them. Have you seen the same? Hardly caught any sheeps and the gills are mixed in with the walleye.

I’ll agree just got back from fishing today and had six northern with one going over 30 inches!! All trolling cranks for walleye in 20-25 feet.