Catfishing the Cloquet River

[tacklejunkie]

Anyone here ever fish for cats were the Cloquet dumps into Island Lake?

I was able to drive my boat up there a little ways this past summer.

I haven't fished the Cloquet for cats in ages and would like to do it again this spring but I'm curious if it's still a producer

[reinhard1]

i have fished the area you mentioned a lot and never cought a cat. of course for walleys but with a jig and minnow you would think i'd come by one. also when the lake is higher i have gone a couple of blocks up from where in empty's in island up to where it narrows by the big pool and same there. i have cought cats [fishing for them] under and near the hwy 2 bridge where the river runs under near twig in the evenings off shore. good luck.

[DTro]

I think you would have better success a little further North on the St. Louis.

[tacklejunkie]

I think you would have better success a little further North on the St. Louis.

You mean up 53 further?

[DTro]

Yes. The Floodwood area to be specific.

My family has caught some nice ones around the Zim/Sax area too.

[jwmiller33]

tacklejunkie, ive fished the spot you speak of before and never caught any cats there. however, i have fished on the cloquet river below island lake for cats before and done very well with a jig and minnow. ive fished island lake my whole life and never once caught a catfish in the lake

[tacklejunkie]

Below the Island Lake Dam, right?

I've heard of walleyes being caught there, also

[jentz]

Seeing I moved and nolonger fish that way heres a secret spot, Go up Hwy2 To Co Rd 31 just south of Brookston Go North on 31 to where it turns left there is a trail Drivable to the right take it to the river.It puts yuo almost across from the cloquette.If you have a boat the landing off HWY 2 would be better just motor up to the cloquete.

The spot isnt really secret but most times you may be there alone.Especially when the skeeters are around.

[fishinfey8]

Tackle- the biggest channel cat I have seen caught was where the cloquet dumps into island lake. Didn't get the weight, but I would guess around 15 lbs or so. As far as numbers go, that probably isn't the best spot. If you want numbers I would try jentz "secret spot" . There are numerous catfishing opportunities on the cloquet, lost lake rd, the section of river below the island lake dam, below the taft rd, to name a few. They usually bite in shallow stretches during the evening , but if you can find a deep (10ft.+) hole you can catch them all day. Night fishing in the shallower stretches will bring bigger fish, but less frequent catches.

[tacklejunkie]

Ok...looks like some catfish will be on the menu this spring

[tacklejunkie]

Since the Cloquet seems to be opening up, would the water be too cold for them to be active now?

jentz...thanks for the infon