Cats in April

[scoutWBL]

Last year was my first targeting catfish. I spent half a dozen nights on the croix from 94 to franconia and had some luck, but I dod not get into it until July.I'm looking to put more time into it this year. Is there anything different I should be doing in April/May this year?

I know I need to get into the ssippi and minnesota but living in the E metro the croix is so close.

[Gordie]

The croix has some great spots for cats but I really am not familiar with the croix either but there is one guy that is and I'm sure he will chimme in sooner or later..

[scoutWBL]

[PoorWordUsage]... I guess I am not the only one that does not sleep.

[SteveD]

Last year was my first targeting catfish. I spent half a dozen nights on the croix from 94 to franconia and had some luck, but I dod not get into it until July.I'm looking to put more time into it this year. Is there anything different I should be doing in April/May this year?

I know I need to get into the ssippi and minnesota but living in the E metro the croix is so close.

You have some great cat water to fish right near home. It is still very early in the cat season - St Croix water temp is only 51 degrees this morning. Water is still high with all the islands under water. The only thing different you need to do is be patient. Once the river gets back within its banks and the water temp is in the high 50's the channel cat bite will turn on. Then all you need is hooks in the water to catch fish. Water is predicted to be 679' by Friday, April 16th and that should get the islands starting to show - the warm weather forecasted should push that water temp up into the high 50's. We could see the start of the spring channel cat pre-spawn bite in the next week to 10 days.

[Gordie]

[[PoorWordUsage]... I guess I am not the only one that does not sleep.

[Grant]

Another thing to remember this time of year is that at least for channels, there is still a lot of winterkilled forage just drifting downriver in the current. the amounts are tapering off, certainly, but for now at least I'd recommend going a bit overboard on the "flavor factor" of your bait, be that stink or bloodiness. had good luck last night with livers steeping in a mix of chicken blood, and the juices from a can each of whole oysters, and garlic sardines. wasn't out real long but I caught three channels ranging from 7-8 up to perhaps encroaching on 10 pounds. not monsters, but quite fun none the less.

and yes, 7 handwashings later my hands still have a faint aroma!

[aanderud]

Grant, those channels sound like a great start to your season, man! Wow, talk about a great average size! Must be in the pig honey hole. Was this on the mississippi?

[scoutWBL]

Great info SteveD, thank you. I fished Lake St Croix a little last year but spent most of my time launching out of Franconia. How's the fishing north of 94?