Crappies are starting to go, go, GO! (pics)

[7Pines]

Hit a few top-secret spots on the upper Croix the other day with my boys.? We didn't get a ton, but the dozen we kept were very, very respectable fish.? When craps can't be swung over the gunwale and you find yourself having to net them, they're keepers!
Thumper jigs 20' down over 24' of water was the clear ticket!

Augie with his first official no-help-from-Dad-at-all crappie!

Eeeeek!? Now this one is a good fish!

I do believe this boy is certifiable!

[A-Rod]

Those are some nice Crappies!  Congrats to the kid on his first 'what you said'.  My son has a lot of fish under his belt but dad and grandpa do a lot of work.  It'll be fun when he gets all the "work" done himself. 

Crappies on the Croix??  Cool.

[7Pines]

And the limit is 25, dooon'tcha know!

[Spinach]

Nice fish Dan, its great to see the kids getting into those big slabs.

I showed MetroJoe a couple of Crappie spots back in May on the Croix, We were Walleye fishing that day and were just talking about the river, i'm not so sure he believed me when I told him that we catch some huge Crappies and Bluegills throughout the year.

Your pictures will more than likely prompt a phone call from him to fish the river again. The middle to end of September is the best time to fish the Croix for panfish.

[ScottPugh]

What's considered the Upper St. Criox?  Taylor Falls? 

I have also heard about the great smallies you all have up there.  How would you think a 17' canoe with a trollig motor would be able to smallie fash the Criox? 

[Mayfly]

That would be perfect. I spoke with the Griz a couple weeks ago and the areas he told me about he said you would almost need exactly what you have!

[7Pines]

Yeah Scott, that set-up would be pretty ideal, particularly if you fish north of Hwy 70, near Grantsburg.
And yes, there are some MONSTER crappies in the Croix!  We used to hit the Dalles, just downstream of the Hwy 8 bridge for the river opener (walleye) and ALWAYS ended up hooking a number of pig crappies.  Last October I hit a 15"er.  Thought I had a good 'eye going, till I saw it was a craypon. :o
Prettiest time of the year to be out, too.  From now till your hands and fingers can't take it any longer.  I've been out there on warmer days as late as November.

[ScottPugh]

Mayfly - 7Pines,

So when we going?    My canoe has three seats and I can get at least 6 hours on my two batteries!!!

[JD]

I've got room in my boat too!

[Tompton]

Great pics Dan.  I can't wait until my two boys are old enough to get out on the water and do some fishing. 

Mayfly, I think your little Lund would work up there or else maybe a drift boat ( I'm not sure any has one around here).