Mississippi River at La Crosse, WI

[Captn Sam]

Fishing report for 6/19/08.
We set up our " Cat Camp" yesterday afternoon on a sandy area just off the main channel. The river is very high for this time of year but the water is clearing up some. We set four big rods up with livebait on the bottom. We caught some bluegills, crappie and white bass to use as our livebait. Our first bite came about 4 pm and was a nice size dogfish. It hit a bluegill. A short while later we had another bite and it was a nice channel catfish. The channel also took a bluegill. Once night set in we built a small fire and they really started biting. The mosquitos that is but we held our ground. It was a nice night with a full strawberry moon to boot. Later we had one more bite and it was a small flathead about 6 to 8 pounds. The flathead took a small white bass. All fish were let go to grow.[/img]

[Captn Sam]

We set up for flatheads again on a sand bar near La Crosse. The river is still high but is falling fast. We put out some live bait and waited them out near a small fire. My partner caught a small flathead about 6 pounds at evening. We let it go. I had a bite an hour later and it was another flathead. This one was around 10 pounds and was also released. We then went a long time without any bites and it was getting pretty late. We let the fire dieout and were talking about calling it a night. Then a heron came flying in towards the sand bar, not seeing us with the fire out and no lights on, flew into one of our line and started stripping line out. Luckily the heron was able to free himself after a short struggle. A few minutes line started zipping out of my favorite cat fishing pole. I set the hook and knew it was a big one. It headed down river toward a flooded tree and I had to try to stop it from getting into the snag. The cat rolled on the surface and started coming in. We didn't have our net so my partner grabbed it by the lip after getting splashed a couple times. We took some nice pictures and let it go to grow. This flathead was about a 25 pounder or so.I tried to post some pics but can't seem to get them on. See ya on the water.

[Captn Sam]

Tried our luck at the Dresbach dam north of La Crosse. The big river is above flood stage and is still going up. We caught a ton of small walleyes. Ended up getting 3 nice eyes and a sauger. We also released two big female saugers. The water is murky so bright colors is a must. We used hot pink or red jellyfish lures. Good Luck Fishing.

[ja-knee-sea]

Heard anything about Red Wing or Alma???

[AtomicBassJerseys]

Slow... I had a buddy up there all weekend last weekend without a bite... Not the most skilled angler, but it's not hard to stumble on a few fish on this system.

[Captn Sam]

Just wanted to let every one know the fish are biting on JellyFish lures. You can get jellyfish the on ebay. They are all I use in the winter for panfish. Hope this answers your questions and have a great ice fishing season.

[Captn Sam]

We been fishing just south of La Crosse on the mississippi river by stoddard. The perch bite has been real good this past week. Action has also been good on tip ups for pike. Good luck fishing everyone !

[ja-knee-sea]

Last time I was up there, the Perch bite was on... It was mid-March and the river had huge ice flows but the fish didn't seem to mind... Thanks for the report... That is some scenic country...

[Captn Sam]

Well the ice fishing season is wrapped up now with the only safe ice at Kwik Trip in 10# bags. The upper launch at Dresbach Dam is open but the south launch is iced up. The wall at the dam is closed for some construction. The river is low for this time of year and caution is required when boating due to ice chunks coming down river. The forecast calls for warm weather the next week, so the walleye run may be early this year. Good Luck out there!!!

[Captn Sam]

Ice fishing is pretty much over now on pool # 8 with the remaining ice soft and unsafe. The river is rising some and the dresbach dam upper boat launch has been a busy place. The bite has been ok so far but should heat up soon.The fishing float at Dresbach is also open now. Guys are fishing the wall with limited action so far.Good luck and see ya on the river

[Captn Sam]

Fished open water first time this year. Wind was calm and made for a nice fishing trip. The bite was slow. Only had two bites. Kept one sauger and one 17 inch walleye. Still was nice to get out and fish. River is high about 4 feet above normal and will stay high through next week. Good luck fishing everyone.

[musky7]

Thanks Sam.Someday i'll try that strech of Miss.

[Captn Sam]

Fished for a while and the river is still high going even higher next week. Still getting perch and walleye by the dam. Most are spawned out or pretty close to it. Bass and pike are starting to bite in the backwaters. Best color for me has been orange. Good luck fishing musky7.