5.0(2 Reviews)Half Day Morning Fishing on St. Croix River
5.0(2 reviews)
Private Trip
River Fishing
Four-hour morning trip targeting walleye, sauger, and smallmouth bassCaptain Ryan provides all gear and live bait includedSmall group experience accommodating up to two guests maximum
Nothing beats getting on the water early when the fish are actively feeding and the St. Croix River is calm and peaceful. This 4-hour morning guided fishing trip puts you right in the heart of some of the Midwest's best multi-species fishing action. Captain Ryan knows these waters like the back of his hand and has spent years dialing in the hot spots where walleye, smallmouth bass, northern pike, sauger, and even the occasional lake sturgeon call home. Whether you're a seasoned angler or just getting your feet wet, this top-rated fishing experience delivers consistent action and memories that'll keep you talking long after you're back on dry land.
Your morning starts bright and early when the fish are most active and feeding aggressively in the cooler water temps. The St. Croix River offers incredible diversity - from rocky drop-offs and current breaks where smallmouth bass love to ambush prey, to deeper holes and slack water areas where walleye and sauger stack up during their feeding windows. Captain Ryan provides all the gear you'll need, including rods, reels, tackle, and live bait that's proven to produce results on this renowned river system. The boat comfortably handles up to 2 guests, so you'll get plenty of personalized attention and coaching throughout the trip. The scenic beauty of the St. Croix River corridor adds an extra dimension to your fishing adventure, with towering bluffs, pristine wilderness areas, and wildlife sightings that make every cast even more enjoyable.
The St. Croix River demands versatility, and Captain Ryan comes prepared with a full arsenal of proven techniques. Depending on conditions and target species, you'll experience everything from jigging with live minnows and leeches in deeper pools to casting crankbaits and soft plastics along rocky shorelines and structure. The river's current and varying depths require different approaches throughout the morning - sometimes you'll be vertical jigging in 15-20 feet of water targeting suspended walleye, other times you'll be pitching jigs to shallow rock piles where smallmouth bass are feeding. Live bait is a staple on the St. Croix, with fathead minnows, shiners, and leeches accounting for many of the day's best fish. Captain Ryan also knows when to switch to artificials like jig and grub combinations, blade baits, and crankbaits that trigger aggressive strikes from pike and active bass. All rods are rigged and ready to go, with medium and medium-light spinning setups that handle everything from finesse presentations to battling bigger northerns that crash the party.
"Ryan knew where to go to find the fish. He is very helpful and makes sure we have the right equipment. Caught the first fish within minutes of leaving the dock. The four of us caught about 30 fish in four hours. Seven nice walleyes for dinner. Ryan even cleaned the fish, sending us home with nice fillets. We will contact him again." - Becky
"Ryan was great! Fun day of fishing and he worked hard to keep us on fish all day long!" - Mark
Smallmouth bass are the St. Croix River's signature species and for good reason - these bronze-backed fighters are absolutely explosive when hooked in current. They typically range from 12-18 inches with occasional trophies pushing 4-5 pounds. Smallmouth love the river's rocky structure and are most active during morning hours when they're feeding heavily on crayfish, minnows, and insects. What makes them so exciting is their aerial displays and bulldogging runs that test your drag and technique. They're aggressive biters that often hit with authority, making them a customer favorite for anglers who love consistent action.
Walleye are the bread and butter eating fish that many anglers specifically target on the St. Croix River. These golden-flanked fish typically run 14-20 inches with plenty of keepers for the dinner table. They're most active during low-light periods, making morning trips prime time for connecting with feeding schools. Walleye in the St. Croix are known for their finicky nature - sometimes they want live minnows presented slowly, other days they'll crush a jig tipped with a leech. When you find a school of active walleye, the action can be fast and furious with multiple fish in the boat quickly.
Northern pike add the wildcard element to every St. Croix River fishing trip. These toothy predators can show up anywhere from shallow weed edges to deeper drop-offs, and when a 30+ inch pike crashes your walleye setup, you'll know it immediately. Pike in this river system are healthy and aggressive, often following baits right to the boat before striking. They're ambush predators that provide heart-stopping moments and drag-screaming runs that remind you why they're called the freshwater shark.
Sauger are walleye's smaller cousin but equally delicious on the dinner table. They typically run 10-16 inches and are often caught alongside walleye using identical techniques. Sauger prefer current and are excellent indicators of a healthy river ecosystem. While they may not grow as large as walleye, they're scrappy fighters that often save the day when walleye fishing gets tough. Their distinctive spotted dorsal fin and smaller size make them easy to identify.
Lake sturgeon are the true trophy of the St. Croix River - these prehistoric giants can live over 100 years and reach massive sizes. While not the primary target, hooking into a sturgeon is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that anglers talk about for years. These bottom-dwelling fish are completely catch-and-release, but feeling the power of a fish that can exceed 50+ pounds and 4+ feet long is something every angler should experience. They're most
Our sturdy 2022 Hewescraft aluminum fishing boat cuts through St. Croix River waters with ease, powered by a reliable 200 HP Yamaha that gets you to prime fishing spots quickly. This 22-footer handles river conditions like a champ while you target walleye, sauger, and feisty smallmouth bass. The onboard fish finder helps locate schools holding in deeper holes, while GPS keeps us on productive stretches. When visibility drops, radar ensures safe navigation back to the launch. The built-in icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during the 4-hour morning bite. Built tough for serious anglers, this boat delivers the stability and space you need to work lures effectively in current or still water. Captain Ryan knows exactly where fish are holding based on seasonal patterns and water conditions.
Sander VitreusWalleye are the prize catch for good reason - they're both challenging to find and outstanding on the dinner table. These golden-sided fish average 14-20 inches and have those distinctive glassy eyes that help them feed in low light. They stick to deeper water during the day, usually 15-25 feet around rock piles and current breaks, then move shallow at dawn and dusk to hunt. Spring and fall offer the best action, but early morning trips can produce year-round. What guests love most is the sweet, flaky white meat - there's no better eating fish in these waters. The fight is more subtle than bass but still plenty exciting. My go-to tip for the St. Croix: work your jig just off the bottom along those deep weed edges. When you feel that light tap, set the hook - walleye have a soft mouth so don't horse them.
Sander CanadensisSauger are walleye's scrappy cousin and a real treat to catch in the St. Croix's current. These bronze-colored fish typically run 12-15 inches with distinctive dark saddle markings across their backs. They're bottom huggers that prefer the deeper holes and current breaks, usually 20-35 feet down in the main channel. Spring spawning runs offer the best action, but they bite consistently through fall. What makes sauger special is their aggressive nature and excellent table fare - the meat rivals walleye for taste. They're also more tolerant of current than their cousins, so you'll find them where other species won't venture. Pro tip for sauger success: fish right on the bottom with a slow retrieve. These guys are light-sensitive, so the murkier water after a rain often turns them on. When you feel that subtle tap, set the hook quick - sauger don't mess around.
Micropterus DolomieuSmallmouth bass are real scrappers that'll give you a fight worth remembering. These bronze-colored fighters typically run 12-18 inches and love the rocky structure and current breaks along the St. Croix. They're most active during spring and fall when they move into shallower water, but early morning trips work great year-round. What makes smallmouth special is their aggressive strikes and acrobatic jumps - they'll test your drag and put a serious bend in your rod. The meat is firm and mild, making them excellent table fare. Here's a tip that works well on this river: focus your efforts around boulder fields and drop-offs in 8-15 feet of water. When you feel that first hard thump, keep steady pressure but let them run - they'll tire themselves out with all that jumping.
Esox LuciusNorthern pike are the river's ambush predators - long, lean, and loaded with attitude. These toothy torpedoes can stretch 24-36 inches and pack serious power in their strikes. Look for them in the weedy bays and slack water areas, especially around fallen timber and vegetation edges. They're most aggressive in spring and fall, but cooler morning hours keep them active all season. What makes pike fishing exciting is their explosive hits and bulldogging runs - they'll test your drag and keep you guessing. The meat is tasty when prepared right, though many folks prefer catch and release for these apex predators. Here's my best pike tip: when they hit your lure, resist the urge to set the hook immediately. Let them run with it for a few seconds - pike like to grab prey sideways first, then turn it to swallow. Give them time to get it right.
Acipenser FulvescensLake sturgeon are living dinosaurs and the ultimate bucket-list catch on the St. Croix. These prehistoric giants can reach 4-6 feet and weigh 50-100 pounds, making every hookup a potential fish of a lifetime. They cruise the deeper holes and channels, using their barbels to vacuum up crayfish, worms, and small fish from the bottom. Late spring through early fall offers the best shots, especially during cooler morning conditions. What makes sturgeon special is their incredible power and ancient lineage - hooking one is like connecting with 200 million years of history. The fight is pure bulldogging strength that'll test your tackle and patience. Remember, these are catch-and-release only due to their protected status. My sturgeon secret: fish heavy sinkers with big gobs of nightcrawlers right on the bottom in 25+ feet. When one picks up your bait, you'll know it - just hang on tight.
5.0 out of 5.0Ryan knew where to go to find the fish. He is very helpful and makes sure we have the right equipment. Caught the first fish withi...
Ryan was great! Fun day of fishing and he worked hard to keep us on fish all day long!
St. Croix River