To the Croix ice Newbies

It appears this year there is alot and I am talking ALOT more people ice fishing the Croix than in years past. I am surprised that even with reports here and other places of the Croix being slow and not producing there are still more and more people out there each day. I am trying to figure out that if all those people are fishing there should be reports flying in left and right as it is obvious the Croix is no secret body of water.

Any ways, I was to hoping that some of you lurkers will chime in here because I would like to know what it is about the Croix that is attracting so many new people out ice fishing? What attracted you to ice fish the Croix?

It’s not like the fishing has been on fire out there, maybe it is now I havent fished the Croix for 4 days. I better get out there and I shouldnt have to worry about bringing an auger as I am sure that ice is swiss cheese to Stillwater by now.

I would also like to ask that you please take your trash with you off the ice. There is a garbage can/cans at the Ferry landing and park if you dont want to tote your trash home with you

My guess would be the bite we had 2 years ago has something to do with it…I think alot of guys got word about that bite, and are now trying for similar results. Just my 02.

I don’t know what your problem is but I was killing them last time I went out, I sent you pictures JJ.

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I don’t know what your problem is but I was killing them last time I went out, I sent you pictures JJ.

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I remember those pictures

3-4 fish is a good day according to my father, it has been a few days since i have been out there.
Quanity and quality are down but a few seem to be be having luck but i’m still waiting to see’em.
The last guy i spoke with didn’t even want to have a coversation or talk about fishn.
Grumpy old man! only about 40 though!
Yesterday i was coming down landing and watched a 2 wheel drive try coming up hill and couldnt make it so he spun aound and when he drove on the ice his spare tire fell out from under his truck. I flashed my lights and he stopped and turned around i kept going to work and when i came back through last night his tire was still sitting there on the ice. Too lazy to get out and grab his spare, hope he has a flat and realizes somone was tryting help him out!
Hope you have good luck out there, post a report if you do

JJ check the PM i sent, that lake we caught the big slab crappies is still producing.

but if the people take their garbage home with them or off the ice, what am I going to snag in the spring? Part of the fun fishing on the Croix is the prize for weirdest catch!

Shoes, swimsuits, even a bra or two have taken home the prize!!

Especially by the train bridge!

ET

No doubt!
I caught a really nice rope that had a brand new anchor atached to it in the channel near train bridge

its my first year on the river, well i shouldnt say year cause ive only been out there once but the Croix has always been my fav. place to fish during the summer, there are so many species of fish in river that you would never know what you will catch… reading these posts finally made me make up my mind and head out there this year, i am fairly new to ice fishing, first generation ice fishers in our family, with only a hand auger, Viking ice tent and $15 combo a couple of jigs and no sonar.. me, my bro and cousin just tipped in to get a Humminbird ice 35 so we are prob. going to be hitting the Croix pretty hard, we havent caught any eyes through the ice so i hope the Humminbird can change our luck… i hate fishing blind, drop the jig to the bottom and keep reeling up til you hit one

The walleye bite in the Bayport area is pretty sporatic, it’s very rare and almost unheard of that you can pull a limit through the ice. The crappie are the species everyone is targeting with some fishing for walleye. A flasher is a very wise investment for fishing the river or any body of water. Good Luck and keep us posted

I got started ice fishing 6 years ago with my buddy who lives in Chanhassan. We would hit Waconia, Independence, Parlay, Sarah, etc.

Living in Hastings, I was always bummed in winter that there were no lakes nearby. I was always leary of going out on river ice. Now I FINALLY know that I can drive out in Prescott and up in Bayport! So chalk up another St. Criox newbie ice guy. You will be seeing the blue F-150 10+ times a winter out there.

So far I have been in Prescott and Bayport once each with limited success (couple crapps and a silver bass in Bayport).

I assume the bite in Prescott would be walleyes/saugs??

Keep up the good reports JJ.

Thanks Rugs I do my best, the fish dont always make it easy though

I moved to North Hudson about 14 months ago do to a job relocation. I must say of all the places I have lived this is one of my favorite loactions. People are friendly, food is good, football rivalary (Packs -vs- Vickings) crazy, and acceess to rivers, lakes and woods awsome. I bought a boat and slipped it in Stillwater last year. Going to Bayport this year. I fell in love with the River and all it has to offer. My 12 year old and I spent every weekend last summer and spring fishing and swimming the St. Croix. It was a natural extesnion for us to dump some cash on ice fishing equipment. Last weekend we went out for the first time every and drilled two holes. Like drilling for oil! We sat on the ice for 5 hours had a few bites, talked to a few folks and learned how to set up a shelter, use the flasher and keep the heater going. What a blast. I have always loved the outdoors and spedning time with my son enjoying it is a big plus. For us the draw to the St. Croix is location ( 5 mins ) and beauty. We fine tuned are fishing on the boat and became sucesfull towards the end of the season. I’m hoping that as we get out more (going in about an hour) that we will have the same success on the ice. Completely agree with respecting what we have in our own back yard. Please if you haul it in haul it out!

Cool

Welcome to IDO and thank you for the input TDH

Just an FYI PM’s will sometimes get you more info than posting