St. Croix-Want the kids to have success

Hello All,

New to forum and looking for some advice on increasing the chance of getting some decent fishing for the kids.
Kinda want to get ’em hooked so we can make a habit of this together.
Heading out to St. Croix north of Hastings. Read some of the posts.

If 4 of us are fishing, I was thinking to keep it simple, we’d all fish spinner rigs (worm harnesses) and
just go slow in 12-24 fow. Or should we anchor and just toss out slip bobbers? Just looking for some advice
to keep it sort of easy with 3 pretty inexperienced kids, and hopefully get them onto something a bit more exciting than
sunnies.

Any thoughts on spots north of Pt. Douglas and methods.

Just an aside: Can one or two be fishing Lindy rigs as others fish spinner rigs? (or is required speed for spinner rigs too fast to fish a Lindy at the same time?) Been having a great time as a newbie chasing Walleyes this last year, and just want to keep learning. Thanks in advance for any thoughts.

Walleyes and kids are a hard cross to come by. Is it more fun for dad or the kids? Never had a kid complain they were catching too many sunnies.

If you do, vertical jigging, or slip bobbering is the way to go.

Yep. Perhaps a bit ambitious chasing walleye + kids. Will set up a couple
for jigging and slip bobbers. Thanks.

Fish however you are most comfortable and however the kids stayed occupied. You have the depth curve dialed in, 12-24 FOW should yield fish. While pulling crawlers you should be able to catch walleye, sauger, crappie, smallmouth, sheepshead and sunfish. Have fun and good luck

Too many kids and lines if you are not panfishing out of a pontoon-IMO
can you take one at a time in shifts? (they probably do not want to be out there as long as you anyway) If I had to have that many kids fishing I would consider me not fishing. Have fun, stay calm, pray, meditate whatever you need to do!

Spinners can be pretty simple if you have rod holders. Stay in a consistent depth off the breaks, set the depth by letting your weight (I use bottom bouncers) touch bottom and bring it up a couple inches. Then put em in the rod holder and let the kids just reel them in. A crawler harness will catch most species out there right now.

I would second what Tim J has said about bottom bouncing with crawlers or leeches. If you fish the Hudson or Kinni channel areas you can just drift with the current and they aren’t very snagy. Both of these areas are probably a little better for walleyes earlier in the year. You will also probably have alot of action with the sheepies. Kids will enjoy them too.

With the kids we usually have a beach stop planned out and just toss some crawlers on the bottom. Never know what you will catch. You can park the boat at Kinni or Afton state park if they want to jump out and swim.

Yep Bman is right mix it up. Stay patient we can turn them on to this great sport but we also have the power to wreck it for them too. No pressure—-good luck