The St Croix River is in perfect shape for cattfishing with stable summer time river conditions. River is at normal summer time river elevation of 675.3 feet and the water temps are in the high 60’s. Main channel current flows are low and the water is very clear.
Backwater areas are very shallow and I have moved out to the main channel for most of my fishing. Lots of bait fish just about everywhere and the cats are all on a good pre-spawn bite right now. I know the walleye guys aren’t finding cats as incidental catches right now but if you target them with the right bait in the right place you will find a pretty solid bite. I have been catching channels on just about any kind of cut bait and the flatheads are still on a tear with bullheads my primary bait.
The last few nights it really cools off after dark. I’ve been wearing my light weight long johns and they make that cool weather tolerable. The water temps in the middle to high 60’s has really turned on this pre-spawn bite and it won’t last long so I have been out most every night to take advantage of it.
The flathead bite is the best I have ever seen for this early in the season. Picked up two fish last night – one small 22″ flathead that wanted a 7″ bullhead pretty bad and one nice 35″ flathead at about 21 lbs. The Twins game last night with Cleveland was a big disappointment but the fishing was fun.
