St. Louis River Cats

[Mongrel Koi]

Hello,

I caught a 5 pound Channel Cat last week on the St. Louis River, and I was wondering how big the cats in this river get? Anyone hear of any big ones?

Thanks

[blueberryum]

Caught 12 out there last week that were all about 4 pounds, near cloquet. Not sure how big they get I was wondering the same thing

[Mike_Bennewitz]

This is interesting. Each year my friends and I spend a weekend during the summer at the campground on Thompson Reservoir in Carlton for our whitewater kayaking trip. I always wondered what fish were in the system upstream of the dam, and knowing Channel Cats are in there has me excited, as I have seen many fish surfacing on the reservoir during the evenings and mornings. Could those be bass or trout by chance?

[JBMasterAngler]

Could be bass, probably carp.

[Mr Special]

I've fished it in the past and have many cats in the teen range. I've heard high teens to lower20 range but have nvr hooked into one of those. Cut bait wrked best for me.

[bmc]

My buddy and I tried by the Hwy 2 bridge one evening last week.

We fished from 6 to 9 pm and could only catch a couple of smallies and a rockbass. Those St. Louis River smallies sure like cut up chunks of sucker minnow. Even caught an 18" small jaw on the cut bait.

We fished from shore and used cut up sucker minnows, fresh killed frogs, and night crawlers.

We have both caught a couple of cats in this spot in early June.

Maybe this area isn't a good spot this time of year? It seemed like the water was really shallow.

Might have to bring a canoe the next time and do some exploring.

I've fished in Floodwood too a few years ago, but have only caught northerns and small walleyes there.

I'm not looking for anyone's hot spot, but would appreciate a litte help on a productive spot to catch a couple of kittys.

FYI, I only fish this area once or twice a year.

Thanks,

Brian

[Mr Special]

its been a while since ive fished that area. but ive used to fish near cloquet area and in Jay cook state park. the dam in Jay cook has produced many nice fish.

with the water being lower, i would try to find outside bends or deeper portion. if you can find a spot with some structure like a snag or wingdam near deeper water i think u'ld be golden.

cut suckers about 1-1.5" chunks is wat we usually used or fatheads

the norts seem to like cut suckers as well