Ryan Bunnell with a Northern pike caught from the shore near Bayport. Photos: Croix Boys Guided Adventures
Area guide Ryan Bunnell offers advice for fishing in the Valley.
Fishing is the quintessential year-round sport for many Midwesterners. And when it comes to the Valley, there’s no better challenge and delight than fishing the St. Croix River. A federally protected waterway under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, the St. Croix is one of the cleanest rivers in the country and brings endless adventure to those interested in traversing its waters.
We connected with Ryan Bunnell, a local fisherman and guide with Croix Boys Guided Adventures, to learn more about how to fish this beautiful waterway.
What kinds of fish are you likely to see on the river?
The St. Croix is abundant with fish, ranging from walleye, sauger, bass, crappie, Northern pike, muskie, carp, paddlefish, lake sturgeon and flathead catfish that’ll give you a run for your life.
What sections of the river are best for fishing?
I typically go down to Bayport or north up by the High Bridge. You can take a boat out of William O’Brien [State Park] and fish that part of the river. If you launch there, you can go south of the High Bridge. You’re not supposed to go north of the High Bridge [by boat]. They don’t want to spread zebra mussels up there.
When is the best time to fish?
Spring through early fall brings some of the best walleye fishing on the St. Croix River with odds best at first and last light. If you want to catch walleye, you’re going to want to get on a boat. Come summertime, the fish move out deeper and spread out in the river; you’re not going to find them near shore. In the winter, sturgeon become very active, so ice fishing is an excellent time to catch one.
Ryan Bunnell and his clients show off a limit of walleye on a trip on the St. Croix River last September.
Where do you recommend fishing from shore?
If people do want to fish from shore, I would encourage them to go to William O’Brien. You can rent canoes up there and explore. There’s a lot of islands; you can beach a canoe and go swimming. It’s shallower up there, so you’re talking the deepest part is probably 8 or 9 feet, but the majority of it you can see to the bottom.
What gear do you need to fish the St. Croix River?
I fish with [a] St. Croix Rod. A medium power/fast action rod with a 2500–3000-size reel—that’s going to fish most of the fish there. If you want to fish for sturgeon though, you definitely need to upsize your gear. You want to fish with 50–80 lbs. test braid [and] heavy to extra-heavy rods. The tackle shop in town, Walleye Willy’s, carries all the sturgeon gear you need to fish the St. Croix.
What lures and bait see the most success?
I like to let the fish tell me what they want to eat. It’s always good to have different lures and bait in the boat. As far as lures go, [I like] casting swim baits, stick baits [and] Rapalas. You can throw Rapalas all day, but I like to cover water and troll with swim baits, Flicker Minnows or Rapala CD-7s. Go with bright colors or white. I recommend minnows for up to 60-degree water temp, nightcrawlers or leeches for 60–80-degree water.
Why the St. Croix?
It’s such a different river. You’ve got sections that are wide and open, but then you go up north, and you’ve got islands and backwaters everywhere. It’s one of the prettiest rivers you’ll fish on, and that’s kind of why I like it. And we always catch fish.
Meet Ryan Bunnell
Ryan Bunnell grew up in Thief River Falls, Minnesota, in a family of fishermen who taught him the basics of the sport. After fishing the St. Croix River for nearly a decade and earning his captain’s license in 2023, Bunnell started guiding through his business, Croix Boys Guided Adventures. There, Bunnell offers half- and full-day guided fishing trips on the St. Croix River from May to November. “I wanted to use my passion of fishing to teach others how to fish the river. I get just as excited watching other people catch fish,” Bunnel says.
Croix Boys Guided Adventures
763.742.7017
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