Tips on the St. Croix

Hello-

Sorry for the duplicate post from fishingmn.com board, but I’m not sure which one has a better following.

I am planning on going out tomorrow or Thursday on the St. Croix, we are going to put in at Beanies and fish around the Hudson area. Any tips for me on where to fish for the ‘eyes and associated techniques? We usually fish near the bridge and troll up the east side from below Hudson. Also, for live bait, what is my best bet, crawlers?

Thanks-

Badger, I think you are on the right track here. Trolling #5 and #7 shad raps along the bridge pilings can be a good way to put a few fish in the boat. (Try a crawdad color for starters) Once I start running up the channel, I’ll add a snap-weight or rig up a 3-way to keep the crank hugging bottom and somewhat near the boat. (Typically 3 ounces) Those fish aren’t too spooky as there are boats over their heads all the time.

If that bite fizzes, try running over to the Wi side downstream from the 94 bridge approx 1 mile. There is an area there call the sand points. Rig a crawler on a lindy rig or a simple hook and split shot and work that area over dragging that crawler. Not too many snags there to worry about. That shoreline breaks quickly from 8-10 feet down to 30 feet quickly. Concentrate in the 10-12 foot depth for eyes, 20+ for the sauger.

Good luck and let us know how ya do.

Jon J

Don’t forget the 2 “Humps” down further in lake St. Croix.
They are typically turned on by this time.
I still haven’t been picking up fish on cranks yet…it’s been a slow year for cranks IMHO and don’t forget the fatties my all time best live bait for the riv.

Ferny.

I second ferny on the humps. There are definately fish using them right now. My best luck has come off the edges slightly, in 22-30′, for both eyes and saugers. Shad raps, reef runners all work. See my Croix report from the 17th for some more details.

Mike T

Badger – I agree with all of the above, they are filled with tons of solid info…I have been getting real nice quality fish for a while in July and 20′ is a very good depth… also spinners with minnows are very productive right now as well, I believe the spinner is a top presentation and to be worked right must not be over spun or trolled to fast…They are biting so you picked a good time to get fishing!

Keep catchin’
Turk Gierke

Thanks for the hints. We went out yesterday and did ok. Caught a handful of ‘eyes at the bridge, all within 30-45 minutes of each other, from 10:15-11:00 using jigs and lindy rigs with crawlers. Also went north past the bridge and fished the west shore after the marina south of the andersen smokestack. Caught a couple of bass, crappies and a pretty big northern with a lampray sucking the life out of it. In the early evening we were trolling off the east shore just south of the 94 bridge in 25-35 feet of water and my electronics were going nuts. We caught walleye and white bass there, but only a few.

Since it was only my third time out on the St. Croix I was pretty happy with our day(just being on the water would have been enough vs work!!!). Thanks again for all your tips, hopefully someday I will have enough St. Croix experience built up that I can return the favor to a new person on the board.

-Badgerman

Did you pull that lamprey off? They make great bait!!

We did pull it off, didn’t want it to touch the water again so we let it fry on the hot aluminum.

Roast lamprey to compliment the tongue of yak!

(Little Addams Family humor there………)

My tip for this week is go up river and look for current brakes and you will find nice fish this week guiding I have put nice three man limits in the boat with the fish ranging from 15-19 inchers.Pattern -running cranks down river in 7-12 ft.Color firetiger.rs shad raps.Good luck.