03/01/2000
- Article
Late
Winter River Rendezvous
By Scott King
It’s
late winter and most of the snow is gone, for the time being. Warm
snap. It happens every
year and it gives all of us the illusion of spring.
With spring comes the hope of things to come on open, thawed,
flowing, wavy water. New
techniques we’ve read-up on, to perfect on time honored hot spots.
Wake-up fool! You
know the lakes are still covered with ice, closed to gamefish
pursuits, and will be for some time.
But still, the itch remains.
An itch that can only be scratched with a 6’6” pole.
Fear not! The
open water you pass over on the bridges to and from work each day
are fish-loaded waters. Gamefish of the most sought after sorts are present, no
matter how urbanized the shoreline appears.
Some of our river systems are open to fishermen seeking
walleye, sauger, pike and the likes. Although catch and release
fishing is required in these rivers during late winter, the catches
can be well worth your efforts.
Especially if you desire more than late ice can offer.
Location
Walleye
and sauger are the most commonly pursued game for the winter river
angler, and other bonus species are likely present in a known
walleye location. Obviously,
current is everything to river fish, but what portions of a river
are going to concentrate the largest number of fish?
Focus your efforts around changes in current or breaks from
it’s flow altogether.
Places
to try may include sharp drops in the river’s floor, protruding
points, small backwaters and marinas, or areas of springs/streams
entering the main river. Depth
is not as crucial as finding these current irregularities.
Another key factor in fish location during this period may be
bottom composition. A
junction of various types of bottom materials in the vicinity of a
current irregularity is a fish magnet.
Presenting baits to fish in these locations will yield fish
to the patient angler. Those who have planned with a map prior to an
outing will likely see the results of their efforts.
Presentations
You’re
sick of the finesse in ice fishing?
I’ve had days on rivers in late winter/early spring when
I’ve prayed that walleyes and sauger would hit jigs like they do
through the ice. It the
river bite can be very light in March.
Don’t be anxious to break fish necks with hooksets.
The slightest tick on your line may require no more than a
raised rod in order to bury the point.
Jigs are typically short-shanked, with a stinger hook
attached. Stingers are
of vital importance if you intend to have a multi-fish outing.
Jigs from ¼ to ¾ ounces may be necessary, depending on
current and depth. Fathead
minnows or rainbow chubs do wonders – either bait in a medium
size.
Maintaining
contact with the bottom is a technique that must be mastered.
Wind, current, and boat control all factor into this
equation, thus the need for an assortment of jig weights.
Snags are inevitable if you’re fishing properly.
At times and places, they’re tough to avoid.
Another fine presentation is the use of blade baits such as
Sonics or larger Cicadas. Rip
these heavy chunks of lead and steel, and feel the vibrations they
throw off into these muddied waters.
The fish will hit it on the fall of the lure, and this may be
as close to summer fishing as you may get, for awhile.
It’s really an exciting tactic to employ if the fish are on
fire the day you decide to make your river retreat.
Both pike and catfish are taken with some consistency, on
both jigs and blades, so don’t be surprised with breakoffs and
bite-offs. The rivers
hold some monster fish.
Don’t
miss the action this spring and certainly don’t wait until May 13th
to do your walleye fishing. From
now until the end of April big fish are being caught by river
anglers who will not wait to fish from a boat.
Put the big females back carefully (along with the rest of
the fish) as they are in the process of maintaining our spectacular
river fisheries.
Editor’s
note:
Scott King is a regular contributor, as well as a St. Croix River
guide and fishing specialist at Trails End Bass Pro in Fridley. Scott
specializes in river pike and muskies, but he’s also well-versed
in walleyes and sauger. If
that weren’t enough, Scott manufactures Maverick Bucktails, which
are top-grade inline and tandem spinnerbaits.
Give him a shout at 651-351-0897!
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