With the St. Croix walleye fishing opener set for April 28th this year, we’ll do our annual GTG the Thursday prior.
So April 26th, Shiner’s Bar and Grill in Lakeland/Afton area just south of Interstate 94.
5:30 pm – Shiner’s has a big room off to the side, good food, sports bar atmosphere.
Come out and meet fellow St. Croix anglers and make some new friends. It’s a long standing tradition!!
Eric
I hope to make it over there this year to say hi.. Never been
I’ll be out of town…the way it’s going, ice fishing around the Hutchinson area lakes. 
Someone buy Suzuki a beer for me!
Someone buy Suzuki a beer for me!
Got it 
St. Croix river rats, let’s get a role call going! Would love to get a good turnout again this year. Heck, it’s fun every year, some years we get 5-6 people and some years we get 15-16.
Who can make it in 2018?
We may need to discuss how to dodge ice chunks on the opener!
ET
I have a confession. I’ve known of this gtg for many many years but have been unable to make it every year. Thursday night is hockey night for me unfortunately. I’ve fished the opener almost every year for about 10 years.
Wish I could make it. 
I plan to be there. Wouldn’t miss it.
Pretty sure I cant make it this year but will know once we get closer.
I’m pumped for the opener!
How thick is the ice down by the 94 bridge-south? Or is there any? Curious if the pay launch in Hudson will be ice free? I haven’t been that way since last fall.
I’m pumped for the opener!
How thick is the ice down by the 94 bridge-south? Or is there any? Curious if the pay launch in Hudson will be ice free? I haven’t been that way since last fall.
Still quite a bit of ice south of 94 last time I drove by… last week sometime?
I’ve never fished the Croix in April or early May — has their been years when ice was an issue?
A bunch of us were talking about the April 28th opener last night. It’s hard to imagine with the extended forecast that there will be no ice. Good bet the lake parts of the Croix will have ice or ice moving around with the wind. At best. At worst, we may only have the neck down areas to fish with the need to launch near one and stay there.
My guess is that it will be largely ice free, but only by the slimmest of margins. Best idea is to come to Shiners on Apr 26th and discuss this over a few cold ones!
ET
The river is breaking up nicely by Stillwater. The ice South of Stillwater looks weak but is still holding shore to shore. The shorelines North of Prescott look rough but are still holding. I’m not certain how much ice is on the river but with 32″ of ice on Balsam as of Friday, April 13th you can be sure that there is at least 24″ on the river.
Think ill take a tour of the ramps around Osceola this weekend. If the river doesnt flood out might be a pretty good opener this year.
In looking at the rise of the Croix, it’s going to take so pretty cold weather over the next week to keep that ice from going down steam. Add rain, wind and warm temps and it’s going faster.
Go! GO! GO YOU STUPID ICEBERG!
The only time I cheer for ice is to encourage its departure. See ya later frozen junk! 
Dad and I were talking about hitting the Croix opener this year. How busy will the ramps be? Thinking Beanies, Windmill or the Wash Cty Park one around 6-7am. Will the river be a zoo this year???
Think ill take a tour of the ramps around Osceola this weekend. If the river doesnt flood out might be a pretty good opener this year.
Right out my backyard
Beanies and Windmill will have shuttles. I haven’t been to the Wash Cnty Park on opener so I can’t comment except that they have less parking.
There’s always groups in the “channels” but like Red Wing there’s other places to find fish (then the dam). You’ll be fine. Be prepared to be checked by the MN and WI DNR…sometimes several times.
Not a big deal they’re just doing their job.
Dave, you aren’t still using lead weights are you? We’re trying to keep Mother pristine.
Dave, you aren’t still using lead weights are you? We’re trying to keep Mother pristine.
I have been experimenting with plutonium weights. They seem to attract fish that live near power plants.
How late do you guys figure you’ll be there?
I do pretty well on the croix for walleye, but I will admit I’m a pretty one dimensional fisherman. Troll cranks in areas of current and points; slower with bottom bouncers in cold weather and faster as things heat up in the summer switching more to lead and planers.
Do you guys think this same approach could work for the opener this year given the much colder than usual water temp? Not looking for secret spots, but any areas related to a recent spawn that might be better? Do you think cranks trolled slow enough would have a chance of producing?
I fish usually between bayport and afton btw
Trolling cranks will work. It always does. If I could troll through the ice I would
How late do you guys figure you’ll be there?
Commonly runs until 8:30 – 9:00
We have been trolling cranks since the end of January on pool 2. Just need to adjust speed and style of crankbait.
Good to know. Will most likely be giving it a try in that case!
Looks like it’ll be no wake before opening day.
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Well, at least the weather looks promising for opener?
I have a feeling it’s gonna be a muddy/ dirty river next weekend..
I plan to be there. Wouldn’t miss it.
I’ve invited a group of 10 sailboaters. 
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>bzzsaw wrote:</div>
I plan to be there. Wouldn’t miss it.I’ve invited a group of 10 sailboaters.
Hmmm.. I think I would rather rub elbows with the Volleyball players.
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