It’s a secret shhhh! welcome aboard mbarron.

Lindy
In-Depthangling Field Staff
Lindys St. Croix River Guide Service
http://www.fishthestcroix.com
715-220-2777

Having caught a few gar in the st. croix I would be willing to bet that was what u had. No spectacular fight they just kind of come to the boat like a log. I’ve never caught any huge ones but if u were to hook into one that was realy big I think the fight u described seems consistent with what a gar would do. Also, possibly a paddle fish. I have never caught one so don’t know about how they fight but they are out there and can get very big! My last guess would be possibly a big snapping turtle have wittnessed them being caught before and if they are big enough they are not coming to the surface unless they want to and also move pretty lazy through the water. big Catfish sturgeon musky pike carp all would have been tearing drag off your reel and heading for cover in a hurry.

Lindy
In-Depthangling Field Staff
Lindys St. Croix River Guide Service
http://www.fishthestcroix.com
715-220-2777

It’s sad but true it’s very hard to keep a good spot a secret. Make sure to be a leader and inform other anglers in the area how important it is to release those muskies. The water where I caught my 1st and many more muskies was fished out in a matter of 5 years when word started to spread. In a place where a guy/girl could catch 2 or 3 muskies on a good day u would be lucky to catch one a week now. It’s an absolute shame. Nice fish man! thanks for sharing

Lindy
In-Depthangling Field Staff
Lindys St. Croix River Guide Service
http://www.fishthestcroix.com
715-220-2777

It’s Pretty cheep not a big deal like 20 or 30 bucks I just heard about it by word of mouth. Don’t have any info. on who to contact or when it will be next year.

And Skye w/ one of the 20″ers.

Stars (3) 1st fish ever.

Oh sorry, Briank that is actually just a pic taken at lakefront, I didn’t catch it in the area, I brought it back to see if it might take big fish honors unfortunately someone got one slightly bigger at 5 lbs so I just took a pic and released it right there.
Kooty the waves were rough but manageable and anyways I think it was the cold more than anything that made for a tough bite.

Lindy
In-Depthangling Field Staff
Lindy’s St. Croix River Guide Service
http://www.fishthestcroix.com
715-220-2777

I also, read this new research somewhere I believe it was from In-Fisherman. Leaving a long tag line allows the hook to be swallowed and passed with out turning in the gullet and catching on anything or blocking the digestive system
Most of the time however this isn’t neccesary as you can save deeply embedded hooks with out harming the fish so long as you can see the hook shank.
Here’s how:
1: cut the line as close to the hook as possible.
2: go through the gills with a pliers and turn the hook backwards so the hook shank is pointing down the fishes throat and the hook bend is facing out of the fishes mouth.
3: go back through the mouth of the fish w/ a pliers and pull out on the bend of the hook and it will pop right out w/o harming the fish.

Sounds difficult, but it realy isn’t once you do it a few times. Works spectacular on larger fish like walleyes and smallies where access is easy. Never tried it on those sheepies though

Also, even if you can’t see the hook shank you can usually expose it by pulling lightly on the line, if that doesn’t work cut it long.

Lindy
In-Depthangling Field Staff
Lindy’s St. Croix Guide Service
http://www.fishthestcroix.com
715-220-2777

Nice fish and story I think A replica of that fish would look great on your wall! Go for it!

Lindy
In-Depthangling Field Staff
Lindy’s St. Croix Guide Service
http://www.fishthestcroix.com
715-220-2777

Good Point suzuki, spending quality time on confidence spots when the bite is tough often produces more at the end of the day than running around all day, you can’t score if you don’t shoot and if you are going to shoot, shoot to score in other words keep your lines in the water in your best spots!

Atleast that is how my High School Hockey Coach would have said it.

Lindy
In-Depthangling Field Staff
Lindy’s St. Croix River Guide Service
http://www.fishthestcroix.com
715-220-2777

vikefanman, there are many good shore fishing spots available on the st. croix. Unfortanetely you will have a hard time finding camping by one that doesn’t require a boat to get to. some of the best shorefishing takes place around hudson, stillwater, prescott, and the Kinni narrows.
However, you severley limit your camping options in these areas by not bringing a boat. You can camp on numerous I slands around Hudson and stillwater as well as the WI shoreline around the Kinni Inlet. Hope this helps!

Opener was a bit slower than usual for my boat this year, but we found a few for the box working in the Hudson area. Lindyrigging w/ a crawler got the nod yesterday.

Well the DNR in Madison just informed me they are onboard w/ the local authorities and the hole river is entirely open this weekend so don’t sweat it. Sorry if I caused any confusion about this just did’nt want anyone getting in trouble. Had to pass along what the DNR was telling me.
BomberA you are right you can fish the hole river w/ a WI or MN license on the 30th. Also, smallie season doesn’t open until May 28th.

Right on Ingy they biffed this one so bad at this point that I think they are going to have a real hard time enforcing any closure of the river until the 7th, and if local DNR say it’s open then it’s open. Still I think I’ll play it by ear and ask the wardens out there how it’s going to be run until the 7th.

Lindy
In-Depthangling Field Staff
http://www.fishthestcroix.com
[email protected]
715-220-2777

That’s is what they are saying. It realy is kind of amusing though I had asked them about the WI side being closed until May 7th before they decided to honor the MN Opener and they said “NO!” None of their decisions are realy making sense. I hope they get this straightened out before next year.

Lindy
In-Depthangling Field Staff
http://www.fishthestcroix.com
[email protected]
715-220-2777

I personally have never fished this stretch of river yet. Sounds like it could be alot of fun. I know people who have caught musky in several of the tributaries to the st. croix up there. (namekogen,kettle,yellow) So there must be some fish in the croix all the way up. I think fish would tend to be smaller up that way 30-40″ maybe, but It probably has some larger specimens also. The Apple River holds some very nice fish from the Amery area all the way to the Croix and its not all that different than the stretch of river you are fishing, so fish on and let us know what you find.

Lindy
In-Depthangling Field Staff
http://www.fishthestcroix.com
[email protected]

Highwater sounds good to me, should be a good opener

SteveO MN and WI anglers can start targeting walleye beginning April 30th. If you have any questions about this contact [email protected].

BUSCHMAN walleye typically spawn in water temps ranging from 45-50 degrees.

Yeah, maybe I should have bought a couple. Man I hope they dont change their mind on this. The DNR officials in the know about the St. Croix were just as surprised by this as I was. I think it was just a mistake and the rule was changed by some people unfamiliar with the water and how it’s run by local DNR. Obviously the rule change went undetected by a lot of peoples radar. It would be a shame for them to change their minds again. Hopefully the MN DNR Jon Jordan talked to gets a hold of the news or they’ll be very busy writing tickets to us WI folk on opener.

Well Said Turk!

Lindy
In-Depthangling Field Staff
http://www.fishthestcroix.com
(715)220-2777

He must Have lost a bet because I remember seeing him and thinking it was just a tad bit to cold to be catching a tan.
The river wasn’t the only thing flowing last weekend one group I saw left 3 anglers on an ice chunk for a picture and I’m pretty sure you can’t get see sick on the river.

Lindy
In-Depthanglin Field Staff
http://www.fishthestcroix.com
(715)220-2777

That seems to make sense Briank as there isn’t always such a difference. I was ready to move to MN between the gas taxes and our projected later start on the croix. thankfully the croix situation is straightened out! Now, what to do about that $2.35 a gallon gas price in hudson today I need a bike.

Lindy
In-Depthanglin Field Staff
http://www.fishthestcroix.com
(715)220-2777

Booya Baby! WI anglers are in April 30th! I recieved these E-Mails from Marty Engel a DNR biologist out of St. Croix County who has been very receptive to my concerns on the opener this year Thank you Marty. Read on!

“Kyle, I share your concern, now it is time to spread word that we will be honoring the Minnesota opening date by not enforcing the WI opening date as published. If anglers have questions you can refer them to me or one of our local wardens. We appreciate your cooperation with resolving this matter. Thanks”

“Kyle, After discussing this problem with law enforcement and others it was decided not to enforce the Wisconsin opening date and to honor the Minnesota opening date. In the mean time, let me assure you we are working to correct the problem from reoccurring. We regularly meet with Minnesota to discuss boundary water issues. This problem will most likely require a Wisconsin Administrative Rule change to get it corrected. In the mean time we will not enforce the Wisconsin opening date. All enforcement staff have been notified along the St. Croix”

The System works I was beginning to think they were blowing me off.

Lindy
In-Depthangling Field Staff
http://www.fishthestcroix.com
(715)220-2777

Well Jack I think the slower fishing on Sat. had more to do with boat traffic than muddying water. In fact we noticed that the river was starting to muddy quite a bit fri. afternoon below frontier, but Friday evening was our best time on the water atleast for quality fish anyway. Reports from Sunday have been very bad and I suspect with the warm weather it’s due to increased run off and debris etc. I’m planning another trip for early next week hopefully she clears herself out a little.

Lindy
In-Depthangling Field Staff
http://www.fishthestcroix.com
(715)220-2777

I know WI has extra gas taxes, but I honestly don’t believe it is 15 to 20 cents a gallon.

Lindy
In-Depthangling Field Staff
http://www.fishthestcroix.com
(715)220-2777

Suzuki I have been in contact with the WI DNR since hearing about this. Just e-mailed them again yesterday to see about the rights a WI angler who purchases a non-resiedent fishing license from MN has. I do not believe WI anglers will be able 2 fish the st croix until May 7th even w/ a MN license though. I also made a point to inform them that this could cause some friction as it is very feasible that alot of WI anglers are unaware of the new rule and will try to fish on April 30th. Another thing that is unclear to me is if MN anglers will be allowed to fish the WI half of the River prior to the WI opener. Point is like you said this needs alot of attention over the coming weeks. I don’t see why MN and WI DNR aren’t working together on how they manage this system as there decisions affect the whole system and the people who use it.

Lindy
In-Depthangling Field Staff
http://www.fishthestcroix.com
(715)220-2777

Jake Nice Fish Man! You must have been fishing downriver from us Saturday as we could see the rain falling from upriver, where we stayed dry. Anything white seemed best overall this weekend especially the grubs which Ill have with me next time. My friends dad hooked into atleast 6 sturgeon this weekend the biggest 62″ on 4 lb line. It really pissed him off after a while he couldn’t catch a walleye, every bite was a sturgeon. Were you in a smaller aluminum camo boat? I think I saw you get checked by the canadian authorites. tough luck it’s easy to forget where you are in relation to the border when fishing is that good.

Lindy
In-Depthangling Field Staff
http://www.fishthestcroix.com
(715)220-2777

another pic

Sometimes you gotta take the good with the bad, right….? I think Hudson needs a little friendly competition. Gas, was $2.09 almost everywhere on my way home from the Rainy today including Stillwater, then I get to N. Hudson and it’s $2.27

Lindy
In-Depthangling Field Staff
http://www.fishthestcroix.com
(715)220-2777

From what I got from speaking with DNR officials there was a rule change that took affect in April 2002. It established that the St. Croix River Opener for WI residents would take place on the 1st Saturday in May along w/ the rest of the WI waters. I do not know the reason for the rule change yet. As far as I know WI residents are required to follow the rules of their state so WI anglers will not be allowed to fish the St. Croix until May 7th even if they purchase a Non-Resident fishing license from MN, but it’s something to look into I could be wrong.
All DNR rule changes require a public hearing does anyone remember attending/hearing about a meeting regarding the St. Croix River Opener? Also, the view from Stillwater this evening showed open water as far as I could see. If you plan on taking your boat out for a test drive or crappie fishing watch out for logs and ice chunks.

Lindy
In-Depthangling Field Staff
http://www.fishthestcroix.com
(715)220-2777

I contacted a couple people within the WI DNR today about why they pushed the opener back to may 7th instead of the normal rule of the saturday closest to May 1st. One guy seemed totally confused and unaware of special MN/WI border water regs. the other guy Marty Engel out of the St. Croix County field station was helpful and I hope to have a good answer as to why the sudden change in rules soon.

Lindy
In-Depthangling Field Staff
http://www.fishthestcroix.com
(715)220-2777