help for the backward catfisher

[popriveter]

Hi all, I'm a newbie here. I've stream fished trout forever and decided to start night fishing cats in the Mississippi when I moved to St Paul. I expected to become obsessed with big flatheads, but my interest developed backwards. I caught mostly small channels (1.5-2.5lbs) and decided to smoke some. Turns out they are the most delicious thing in the world. Now, I just want to find a river or stream that has clean water and an overabundance of little channel cats. I am willing to do some driving, but don't really know where to begin. Anyone willing to share a lead? Again, I'm not looking to pursue (and certainly wouldn't keep) large fish, I just want some little guys to eat from somewhere other than the big rivers. I buy a Wisconsin license every year too, so you can send me to WI if that's what it takes.

[waterbound]

The Cannon River should fit the bill. I might be wrong, but I think it can hold trout and the channel cats don't get too big, but you can get a good mix of different fish ranging from cats and eyes to trout and carp.

[rushing]

I think the lower sections of the main branch of he root river might hold some channels.

Hard to find a clean stream that holds cats. Your best bet would be to find some lakes.

[Gordie]

The crow river holds some channel and there should be plenty of place along the way to try it out.You can always hit the Horseshoe chain for some really good kitty action.

[DTro]

Sauk River, Crow River, Snake River, St Louis River, Root River, Cannon River

[popriveter]

Thanks for the suggestions. I had thought of the Crow and Cannon as possibilities, but it's a leap of faith to make the drive and give it a shot when you're not certain there are even cats in a given river. Now I've got a few places to try. I really appreciate the help.

[goblueM]

personally i dont think the crow or sauk is really that much cleaner than the Mississippi. if you are keeping smaller cats you might was well just fish the river in St. Paul since its fantastic fishing.

If you are worried take a look at the Fish Consumption Advisory

[JBMasterAngler]

St. Croix River probably has the cleanest water. And the best part is you can use 2 lines! Defintiely increases your odds when you can use cut bait and crawlers (or stink bait) at the same time. Plus you have a better chance of catching other bonus fish as well.

[croixflats]

I was going to say the St.Croix also. Ounce the water goes down you can go to the warm water discharge at the power plant and catch quit a few channels in there. Summer time can be great in the evenings at the discharge. The draw back is the crowds, it thins out around dusk.

Also the channels seem to school up mid summer and roam around when you find them its game on.

[blakeb]

Yes it would seam that the croix in stillwater is some of the closest channel waters neer you leaving out the Miss of course. Go try the kings plant and let us know how you do.

[Dennis Steele]

The Mississippi above the city is good for eater cats. I've fished Coon Rapids area all the way up to Little Falls with very good success.

The water is clearer and cleaner the further north you go.

[popriveter]

Thanks guys. I did some scouting on the Cannon yesterday and couldn't locate any deep holes, but it's tough to read a river with the water still so high. i know it's wiser to be patient, but this weather is too tempting. Thanks for the suggestion about the discharge on the St Croix. I've known where that is for a while, but have never fished it. It sure makes sense though, now that you mention it and I can't imagine my smoker ever making much of a dent in the population of the Croix. I will continue to fish the Mississippi and keep some channels from there, but hopefully I wouldn't mind supplementing or replacing a few trips to the Ford Dam with a few trips elsewhere. I'll post updates and let you know how it goes.

[Urbanflyguy]

The rum river north of the anoka dam holds a good number of eaters and some good eyes too boot. Its a good clean river as well but i also agree with north of the coon rapids dam say around elk river its all rock and sand and gives em a much better taste in my opinion. Say you wouldnt wanna share your brine for smoking as i am also a smoker nut and i had been thinking of trying cats too and maybe using a salmon brine.

[popriveter]

I go extremely simple with my brine. I just use a lot of salt and brown sugar. After a 24 hour soak i rinse with cold water, let them dry down for 10 minutes and rub them with cajun seasoned salt. Then it is straight in the smoker. I've tried some more involved recipes using pickling spice and actually measuring ingredients, but the results weren't appreciably better.

[Urbanflyguy]

I'll give it a try ty. your recipe sounds close to what i use for salmon, i also add a good amount of rum from a certian captain.

[Hamper]

The Crow is full of little cats perf for this. Do you guys have store bought smokers or homemade? I made one out of a trash can lol and it works pretty good but I am looking to upgrade, any suggestions?

[Scott M]

Crow and Cannon are close by. If you want lakes, Como in St. Paul has some fish, as do a bunch of the FIN ponds. Fountain Lake in Albert Lea has a ton of fish, so does the Sauk River Chain of lakes.