May 31, 2009 St. Croix walleye fishing is improved from the previous week as stable summer like weather arrived. Walleyes have been caught from 6 to 21 feet of water on split shot rigs, livebait slip sinker rigs, three ways with or without spinners, and trolling cranks. Best bait depends on whom you talk to, however recently crawlers and leeches have been best for my boat. Others have had success on fatheads or shiners. Livebait slip sinker weights from 1/8 to 3/8 are proper for the depths listed above. Rapala’s are the ticket (shad raps, minnow raps, and shad rap RS, also jointed Rap’s have been reported hot, with the clear water you would think natural colored crankbaits should be best, but firetiger has been a great color so has shad (go figure?).
Smallmouth continue to bite well and caught on same presentations as last week.
Top lures are Gitzit tubes on jig heads (1/8 to ¼ ounce), Rapala DT10’s, flukes (jerkbaits), spinnerbaits, and buzzbaits. It is no secret smallmouth like rock; however early in the season they are also on sand points. (Please release all smallies, they are very slow growing, white bass, walleye, catfish, northern pike, and sauger all eat better).
Freshwater drum and white bass are also hitting. Channel cats are not starting to bite yet, my boat hasn’t seen one yet. Sounds like the big flatheads are on the chew…
The St. Croix River is very low and is 675.55 the river is also as clear as I have seen it, with minimal debris. On a side note and friend of mine reported sight fishing for smallmouth, in the river that is a rare event.