Crow River Channels

[DARK30]

I heard from a DNR source about the Channel Cat population of the Crow River. He said during surveys they found good numbers of small to large (8 lb) fish in the system. Along with the Walleyes, this could be well worth exploring.

Anybody else pull any Cats out of this river in the past?

WET NETS!

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[Guest]

My old work partner used to fish the smaller section of the Crow near his home in Montrose.He would target walleye with jigs and small cranks but often caught more channel cats than eyes.They were not little ones either.Most of his fish would be from 4 to 6lbs.The largest one he got was over 10lbs.I have always wanted to check it out for myself but "so much water, so little time"

[erikwells]

I fish it. I have caught tons and tons of small channel cats. The biggest cat I caught was 26 inches. I too was fishing eyes when I would catch the cats.

[Guest]

Any word on the section of the Crow south/southeast of Buffalo?

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RobertC

[Guest]

Thats the section I am talking about.Just off 25 north of Montrose and south of Buffalo.I think its the North Fork of the Crow.

[Guest]

That's gonna be my neck of the woods, Dennis. After say...April I can trade ya hospitality for instruction. I don't know the area yet, though.

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RobertC

[DARK30]

The North Fork looks good too and takes on water from some pretty good lakes like Green,Koronis,Washington, and Buffalo Lake. I'm sure there are spots to be found all along both the North and the South Forks.I know there are Channels in the North Fork as it leaves Green Lake/Calhoun near Spicer.

The guy I talked with from the Fisheries Office in Hutchinson was referring to the South Fork. From the dam in Hutch downstream to the confluence with the North Fork at Rockford is the area I am interested in exploring. Then theres also the question...What about above the dam in Hutch which would be the Otter Lake Reservoir.

The Quest Never Ends!!

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[Mr Special]

I usually fish the Crow a quite few times a year. I've fished anywhere from New Germany to Dayton. It offers tons of fishing opportunities. It hosts anything form walleyes, smallmouths, northerns, crappies, sunnies, channels and flatheads. Of course all the rough fish too. Last year fishing the Opener at Watertown dam I caught one of those scaless carp 11lbs. That was fun on a walleye rig. If anybody wants to join me for some canoe trips, or just sitting on shore this spring your sure welcome. Most of my buddies are married with childern.

Good luck

[erikwells]

Dark30, stop! I will have to quit my job to try all of the stretches you are bringing up. What percentage of my pay does unemployment cover?

[Guest]

Hey Robert I will do my best to get up your way this summer.If not on the Crow some where up there.I used to spend tons of time fishing the Miss for smallies,wallies,and kitties.It would be great to get back in those waters again.

[Guest]

Mr. Special,
I'm outta Buffalo - keep me in mind. You show me the spots, I'll provide bait and mean coffee.
[email protected]

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RobertC

[Mr Special]

Sounds good,
As for bait I like to use fresh shrimp, cut bait either sucker or if possible smelt. Maybe this spring I might be lucky enough to go smelting.

[CANOPY SAM]

I just happened to talk to someone who has 20 acres on the Crow river just west of Delano. They said they regularly catch walleyes, bass, lots of cats and carp, and they even said they caught a 43 inch muskie in there a couple years ago! I'm gonna be up there in the canoe for sure this year.....

[deadeye]

I did a canoe trip down the crow a couple years ago. We got just about everything while we were going down the river. We got tons of channels, walleyes, and smallies. We found a little hole that was filled with cats. It was good fishing the whole way. Thinking about this I think I might have to go back this summer. ><>
deadeye

[Guest]

Anybody know spots to shore-fish from on the crow south of Buffalo? My 4 year-old likes the boat, but has more patience on shore where he can stretch his legs and wander a bit.

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RobertC

[slabberknocker]

I would also like to find some spots from shore along the crow. I moved to Montrose in Sept. and was wondering where there are some shore spots to catch cats. I grew up catching cats on James River in SD and really miss doing that.

Thanks
Slab

[Mr Special]

Usually at any brigde crossing the river is a place that you can park and fish. Some spots are private property so just look for signs. I've never made it as far north as you Robert but maybe we can explore this year. I do know some good spots at Watertown, Rockford, Delano, New Germany, Hanover and Dayton. Everyone is welcome to join me, like I said my fishing partners are mostly Married with small childern and working wives.

Good luck

[Mr Special]

By the way Robert, I have a six year old daughter that would probaly get alone great with your son.

[Rainman]

Anybody fish the section between watertown and delano? Can a person run a jon boat down it? How about anywhere else? Thanks for the information in advance!

Rainman

[Guest]

OK. I am new to the sport of catfishing. I have always fished, but never for cats. Anything that pulls back is worth chasing as far as I am concerned. I have a few questions and am too lazy to look in the regs.

Are there any seasons as far as when you can/can't fish for catfish?
I am assuming you don't need a "cat" Stamp or any special license.
When does the Crow usually open up?
Can you get them through the ice?

Thanks in advance and will be pursuing some cats soon.

[Dennis Steele]

Hey shoeclerk
No there is no closed season for cats and you do not need a stamp.You can only keep one over 24" and only two of those can be flatheads.
I have cought cats through the ice.This was the first year that I tried it and I think that I am hooked on icing cats.I think the best place to try it is on the Horseshoe Chain near Cold Spring.
If you think that anything that pulls is worth catching your going to end up a cat addict!They do pull!

[DARK30]

Catfish Stamp? Hmmmm...I hope the DNR isn't reading this.

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[Guest]

"Married with small childern and working wives."
Small working wives? Like...elves? :cool

Yeah, my son gets along really well with girls 1 or 2 years older than him. I don't know why - just does. E-mail me whenever -
[email protected]

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RobertC

[Mr Special]

Rainman,
You can launck at Watertown, right in the middle of town there is a park and dam. You can launch either below the dam or above the dam. Below the dam can be real shallow and rocky so becareful and it's a very popular shore fishing spot especially in the spring.

[Guest]

Dennis,

Thanks for the info. I will have to give it a shot here reall soon.

Hopefully, the DNR didn't pick up on that otherwise they will have to come out with a carp stamp as well. (which i would be willing to throw five bucks down to let them rip my drag out!)