Lake Saint Croix
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Lake Saint Croix Fishing Reports
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Reports from all past years within a 60-day time frame
Species
White BassSeason
Spring (Spawn)
Technique
Hard Jerkbaits
Structure
Open Water/Basin
Species
WalleyeSeason
Spring (Spawn)
Technique
Vertical Jigging 10-19'
Structure
River Channels
Water temps around 50 degrees. Fishing from 6 till 8:30pm, Caught 3 males, scatted around. Drifted across points and ledges dragging 1/4 oz jigs with PowerBait soft plastics. All bites came on white twitchtail minnows.
Species
WalleyeSeason
Spring (Post-Spawn)
Technique
Vertical Jigging 10-19'
Structure
River Channels
Water Temperature
53°
Relatively slow bite for the Wisconsin Opener (although the St. Croix opened up one week earlier). Water temperatures were 50-55 degrees and warming fast with the light switch of a cold La Nina spring and summer seeming to flip overnight. As such, the bite will likely change day by day, so what I say here now, will likely be different tomorrow. Still, although fishing was slow, we picked up a couple nice fish along a current seam in a channel just north of the I94 bridge in Hudson. Pink glitter 1/4 oz jig with a fathead minnow was the ticket.
Species
WalleyeSeason
Spring (Post-Spawn)
Technique
Trolling 10-19'
Structure
Ledges
Walleye fishing has been a bit slow in the area between the Stillwater lift bridge and Hudson Bridge the first two weeks of the season. Still, some keeper sized Walleye have been hitting in 12-15 fow along dropoffs on 2 3/4 Flicker Shad crank baits on long line trolling rods with a thin braid (15 lb). Trolling has been outfishing any other live bait technique.
Species
WalleyeSeason
Spring (Post-Spawn)
Technique
Crankbaits 7'-12'
Structure
River Channels
Forage
Perch
Water Temperature
58°
We trolled the river channel with number 5 and number 7 Berkeley Flicker Shads. Five walleye above the 15 inch minimum were landed. All five fish were between 15 1/2 and 16 inches.
Species
WalleyeSeason
Spring (Post-Spawn)
Technique
Crankbaits 13'+
Structure
Reef
The 2017 or 2018 year class of walleye is now quite prominent in angler catches. In early spring 2020, many anglers are catching many 13" fish...2" below the minimum size limit on the St. Croix. Anglers can look forward to much success in years to come as this year class achieves "keeper" size. Other size/year classes of fish have been hard to come by thus far, but the season is early. Water temps as of today (5/9/2020) are only 57 degrees. I caught several 13" and some scattered larger fish in depths of 13-18 ft dragging 6ft, 6lb single hook lindy rigs with a crawler chunk. For whatever reason, crawlers seem to outperform any other live bait on the St. Croix for Walleye. The action is also heating up with trolling crankbaits at the same depth (both lead core and braid/mono leader). Again, those 13" are eager to hit a 2 3/4 Flicker Shad. You might get lucky and hook up to a more respectable fish as well. The walleye fishing should remain solid in widespread 15-20 ft areas from Stillwater to Afton until the water starts warming up in mid June. This is the time when weekend warriors like myself can randomly pick a community "hole" and pick up a few fish without working too hard. Once the summer pattern sets in, the walleye go to their secret places that I have not been able to find. That's when the kitty cats and bass start calling my name!
Species
WalleyeSeason
Summer
Technique
Live Bait Rigs
Structure
River Channels
Species
White BassSeason
Spring (Spawn)
Technique
Hard Jerkbaits
Structure
Open Water/Basin
Water Temperature
62°
Fished the Saint croix river at William Obrien state park. Slow day but was able to catch 10 using the mega bass 110 jr jerk bait. Cast down stream and jerk it back upstream. Seems like most of the fish are post spawn now. Catching mainly males.
Species
WalleyeSeason
Spring (Pre-Spawn)
Technique
Live Bait Rigs
Structure
Ledges
Forage
Minnows
Catching Walleye on 14' ledges with Lindy Rigs with a leech. Slow dragging along the 14' contour lines.
