GOOD WATER

[Guest]

I WANT TO START FISHING THE METRO AREA FOR BIG CATS, I AM LOOKING FOR SOME GOOD STRETCHES OF RIVER CLOSE TO THE CITIES. ANY HELP WOULD BE GOOD.

[DARK30]

HI KOZ, I LIKE THE MINNESOTA, BUT YOU COULD EXPLORE THE MISSISSIPPI AND THE ST. CROIX TOO.
WE WILL HAVE A CATFISH GET TOGETHER OF SOME SORT THIS SUMMER SO US RATS CAN GET TO KNOW EACH OTHER. I CAN'T WAIT TO HIT THE BOTTOMS AND GET ALL STINKY AND MUDDY!
WET NETS!

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[Guest]

If you are after the biggest flathead (+50)you can get then word is fish the St Croix around Stillwater.Some of the biggest flatheads in the state swim in those waters.
The Minnesota River has an abundance of flatheads and some big ones also.
If you are after big Channels your best bet for a big one near the metro would be the Miss above Coon Rapids or below the Cities.
Now if you want the biggest channels in the state you are going to have to go for a drive to the Red and ask Backwater Eddy.

[DARK30]

SPEAKING OF GOOD WATER....CHECK OUT THE OUTDOOR SECTION OF TODAYS TRIBUNE. SURE WOULD BE NICE TO FISH A CLEANER MINNESOTA RIVER!
HEY FISH, WE SHOULD PLAN A LITTLE ATTACK ON THE STILLWATER AREA!
WET NETS!

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[Guest]

THANKS FOR THE INFO, I WILL HAVE TO TRY THE STILLWATER AREA THIS SUMMER. KEEP ME POSTED AS TO WHEN THE GET TOGETHER WILL BE, IM IN.

[Guest]

If you're going to fish the Stillwater area you best do it on a week night. The party goers are thick on the weekends. You will not have a good time with all those huge boats being driven by highly intoxicated people buzzing by you all night.

I would recomend heading up stream and fishing one of the holes or hitting the outflow from the big plant of some sort, you can't miss it, it has a huge smoke stack. There is also some great Cat action North of Stillwater if you want to really avoid the crowds.

For sumo kitties on the Miss. you can't beat North of the Coon Rapids Dam. The strech from Champlin to Elk River is loaded with big Cats. Good Luck!

~firstchoice

[Guest]

WHAT DO YOU GUYS USE FOR BAIT.... I WANT TO HIT THE BIG FLATHEADS AND I PLAN ON USING CHICKEN LIVERS AND OR NIGHTCRAWLERS. IVE HAD GOOD LUCK WITH LIVERS IN WISCONSIN AND AM ASSUMING THEY WILL WORK WELL UP HERE TOO... ANY TIPS??????

[DARK30]

LARGER LIVE BAIT (I THINK) WORKS THE BEST FOR FLATHEADS, ALTHOUGH THEY WILL TAKE OTHER DEAD OFFERINGS AS WELL.

I LIKE BIG FIESTY CREEK CHUBS THE BEST BUT SUCKERS DO THE JOB TOO. I WISH WE COULD USE SUNFISH, BUT THATS POLITICS. SOME PEOPLE EVEN USE FISHHEADS.....UH,I MEAN BULLHEADS!
WET NETS!

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[Guest]

I would stick with live baits for big flatheads.The St Croix bait of preference seems to be suckers.One thing they have to be kicking!The livelier the bait the better your chances are of attracting flatheads.
Even for channels I would leave the chicken liver home.Livers are an excellent bait but for bigger fish, live or cut baits seem to work better.