08/01/05 Lower St. Croix River walleye and sauger fishing is good, though the saugers are currently dominating the fishing scene. Saugers on the Croix aren’t pool 4 hogs, but 14 to 17 inches is a common size to catch, and they hit hard and eat well. Stable water levels continue to group up fish in set areas, where repeated passes allow for multiple catches. Different presentations are working as always. Livebait fishing with crawler, minnow, and leeches are catching fish on livebait rigs, trolling spinners with minnows, and trolling crankbaits are also turning fish. The crankbait selection is wide spread from minnow imitator to a wider wobble – but key on silver colored lures. Depths are starting to be predictable and 18 to 27 are holding fish. Channel catfish stay on a strong bite. The river is now holding good numbers of gulls, and surfacing baitfish are now showing up, as a result white bass fishing is good, and these silver slammers are very fun to catch. White bass (silvers) are on average from 15 to 16 inches and flat out hammer lures when they hit! Water clarity is clear for the river. Pleasure boating seems more busy this year than most; they hit the water in force at 11:00 am on sunny weekends, and 1:00pm on Fridays. Water level in Stillwater, Minnesota is normal for this time of year and is 675.70 above sea level; water temperature is 78 degrees.
August 1, 2005 at 12:44 am
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