Ok, so it’s the first winter legally targeting sturgeon through the ice on the St Croix. I’m hoping we can start some conversation about what is working and what isn’t. Maybe more importantly, how are we keeping the fish safe?
Is a 10″ hole big enough? That gives you a 30″ girth.
Keep the fish in the water to prevent freezing.
Gear? Depth? Bait?
Oh, and you may want to stay far away from the crowds. A 60″ sturgeon may run and tangle up with your neighbors.
It’s a start… 
Don’t use a gaff!
Seriously though…I haven’t been on the ice and caught a large one but there is a concern about grabbing the gills to pull the fish through the hole(s).
I think putting a persons fingers in their mouth might be a better alternative.
The other concern is allowing its eyes to freeze.
There’s NO fish in the Croix
There’s NO fish in the Croix
None with scales.
quickly pull it out of the hole, take a pic and back down she goes Im actually heading out to the power plant for some shad later today
Seems a good start.
TBH a triple hole in clover pattern is needed. Caught enough that made me wish I had a spear hole size.
All I know is, stay away from crowd, at least 100 yards away from closest neighbor and hope nobody wants to be your neighbor… Big fish will be like a tight school of fish. Fishing on (close to) bottom tend to yield a few small size sturgeons like under 36″ and lots of mud puppies…
Chain saws without chain oil are a better choice then augers. Just try to keep the chain bar depth just past the bottom of the ice which keeps the spark plug away from the water.
Mark the hole with a stick after leaving so it is obvious to others until it refreezes.
Hi Guys, I did not see this tread till now. I can try to give some advise…
10 inch hole is good enough for 99% of the fish you will catch.. It helps to drill at a heavy angle in one direction and then straight down to knock the sharp edge off the bottom of the hole. This will help the fish slide up the hole rather than be straight up and down. Otherwise yes, a three hole set like a clover leaf is good too but not needed most the time unless you have an 8 inch auger.. Better safe than sorry if you are using a 8 inch auger.
You do not have to grab them by the gill. We have caught a lot on jigging spoons with trebles on. So if I have to avoid the mouth I go for two other spots. Right in front of their mouths behind their barbels is a hard bone that cuts back up into the mouth cavity. That works good for a grab point. Another good spot is over the top of the head where the gills meet the back of their head. Your will reach across each side with most fish under 55-60. Take your time when they get to the hole.. Don’t force things anyways.. There mouth is like the rubber on a tire. You don’t loose many if you take your time.
They are very hardy. Like said you have two issues… Freezing and holding them the wrong way. Keep them in the shack while you unhook and measure the fish. Pictures do look better outside but not worth harming the fish if it is really cold out.
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