Lower St. Croix Report

06-15-10 St. Croix River walleye fishing continues to be the main focus of anglers. Though I am starting to see more muskie anglers out (btw-they look dejected) and smallmouth bass anglers as well too. Since walleye is the predominant fish angled towards lets start there. June has been a tricky month because the days are up and down. Monday for instance we hammered the eyes and then today, Tuesday was slow. This up and down scenario has been played out several times this June and Late May. The weather is surely the culprit and all the fronts that are consistently moving in are turning the fish on and off. With the water rising (677.12 and gong to 677.9) I am staying a bit shallower than I normally angle in this time of year. 12 to 21 feet on shoreline breaks is plenty deep. On some extended shelves and bar I have been getting eyes from 25 to 19 feet. Rigs, jigs, spinners, and cranks ALL are working. What determines what we use? The spot and where the fish are if on tiny spots cast jigs, if spread on flats spinners and cranks.

Smallmouth bass. The standard Croix smallies today in the 14 to 16 inch range were fooled on tube jigs and other plastics. Topwater lures have been slow. Still working shallow on rock, though the deeper depths may need to be explored to turn the big mamas very soon. Good reports coming in from Catmen, sheeps have been on a less than ravaging bite so that’s good. Sturgeon jumping every fifteen minutes keeps you on your toes! Good luck and have fun! Turk

attached: Reuben and Tim, Father and Son In law trip these two laughed all day long and at slow moments in fish activity spoke Spanish they said my name “Turk” then something I couldn’t understand and laughed…made me feel like I should have paid attention to Mrs. Lopez in 3rd hour class.

Attached: Lee Knight and No caught on a Limit Creek!

Attached: Lee’s friend Tim caught on a cast hair Jig from Deans tackle box!

Attached: Guide w/Hair jig caught eye.

Attached: Best customer Jim Green’s grandson Thomas’s smallie! He got bass thumb that day!!

Attached: Jim and Thomas with Grandpa’s eye. All single walleye photos were released.

Keep Catchin’
Turk

You know Turk, your reports are always detailed and give out good info…but your photos put them over the top!

Great report Tuck… What do you consider the “lower” St Croix? I mainly fish out of Bayport and head up to Stillwater. Always though about heading down river a bit but have never made it. Maybe next time.

It was slow on Sunday AM. One 18″ walleye, one 12″ crappie and one perch. These three were caught trolling the typical crankbaits behind led core. Tried dragging crawlers for a bit before we had to leave but our suspended fish we had marked in the morning had dispersed. Couldn’t believe we didn’t hook up with one white bass or sheephead. They were on fire two weeks ago.

Lower st croix to me is Stilwater on south…fellow anglers one tip is to vary what size bait you are giving the fish….I’ve had better luck with less than more ( hint hint wink wink jk). Not great eye bite but they will hit if you find them. Definately worth the effort despite the boats this weekend. I’ve been rigging with crwlrs. Have fun.

Thanks for the report Turk, I’ll be out there on Sunday with the family for Father’s Day pulling crank baits.

Great Report Turk

It’s too bad that the muskie bite is so slow

I was hoping to hear some positive reports