The St. Croix River has risen in water temperature fast, as a result we are seeing some catfish and other species as well.
The willow river of Wisconsin flows into Lake Malileau, Lake Malileau flows into the St. Croix. Lake Malileau is chock full of silt and sediment from the recent torential rains and looks terrible. There is a distinguishable mudline flowing from Malileau all the way down into the Hudson Channel. I avoid this muddy water for fishing.
As mentioned before we are starting to seeing other species, and undoubtibly the sheepshead are going ram wild. I will say this – the best walleye of the recent trip was 25″ and this fish was mixed in with many sheepsheads.
Of note we are not seeing many smallmouth at all. I am sure they are in 2 to 4 feet in the flooded brush. It has been all walleye soon the smallmouth trips will start.
river level 683.4
minimal debris
water temp 73
Caption notes:
1. Steve Theiner with a 22.5″ walleye he landed livebait rigging with a leech. Upon capture of this willy walleye Steve said “Very light bite, and I let him have it for ten seconds before I set the hook”. Nice! Released to reproduce.
2. This fish was taken using the “smoothie” rod on the cast. I cast up shallow on the feeding shelf and was lucky enough to connect with this healthy 25″ walleye. Released to reproduce.
3. Steve Thiener with another nice walleye from the St. Croix this fish also hit a leech while livebait rigging. Catch and release. Steve had the mojo going. smile. Released.
4. I caught this fish livebait rigging with a leech. Very nice fighter, I made sure the drag was set just right after hook set, and took my time. Released.
