Every year we go through this, but man it's been cold this winter. Lots of ice to breakup up north in the next 8 weeks.

I'm not sure how thick the ice is on LOW as I haven't been up there this year but URL's ice is nearly 1' behind in thickness IMO. I was finding a touch over 24" or so when we are normally looking at 36". Too much snow for the ice to form but that snow will also have to be melted off for the ice to break up as well.

The river will be open again.

If you want 36", go to Cool Cats!

I know, but I hope we don't have to drive to Int Falls.

Awe, I'm sure it will be fine. I had every bit as much fun in the river as in the bay.

Ice is always a concern but it is really way to early to already be talking about it as a concern. It most likely will be just fine.

I would LOVE to take part but no boat. Any one have an open seat for the weekend wouold love to try fighting something like that. person largest is 56in from lake st.croix a few years back. shoot me an email chris.p.marks@comcast.net

FearNoFish- I am sure that someone will have a spot. I know that the boat I am in is booked full, but I have heard that others usually offer up spots.

I would watch this thread close and someone may post that they have room for some others.

Man am I ready to fish some sturgeon again. Last year was a blast and this year will be too. We are booked up for twelve this year a couple more than last year. Its a great time last year we boated like 75 in a day and a half with 2 running that 60" range man I cant wait.

Last year was a blast, no doubt. da_chise31 really put the torque to the fish he got. 55"er in the boat in 15 minutes! doh!

You all have fun up there! I know I cashed in a lot of my fun the first night.

50 days and counting!! tic toc tic toc

This time will fly by with all the different spring activities that will lead up to this event.

You can now purchase your no-roll sinker for river fishing here.

http://www.outdoorprostore.com/catfish-sturgeon-tackle.html

This is just a theory and I could very well be way off the chart on this one.
I think no rolls might have an advantage when it comes to Sturgeon. The more you can keep your bait in place the easier it will be for that whisker fish to find it and pick it up. Short leader with no roll should help with that.

I know in deeper water, the no roll will act like a sail and twist a bit on the way down, but if you keep a tight line on it as it goes down it's usually not a big deal.

For all I know, maybe it doesn't matter, but just my theory. Can't hurt to pick a few up and try.

Darren, that is right about them twisting in deeper water, I have learned that the hard way. After casting out to deep water and just letting it settle down, only later to pull it up in a tangled mess, where if you kind of float it down with a tight line like you said will eliminate most of this.

Hey guys, I got a couple of questions (o.k maybe quite a few) for you on this sturgeon thing,
I've never fished them before and have contemplated the trip for the past couple of years, plus it sounds like you guys certainly have fun up there.

From what I've read is that your fishing the Rainy, are you guys able to run large boats by this time generally? years past I've gone up for the spring eyes and we've only been able to take the 14 footers due to having to push them out from the ice buildup on shore,

Out of curiosity what can an average angler anticipate for numbers per day? I understand there are numerous factors involved, but on an average year, are you guys boating a few fish per boat per day or is the action a little faster or slower?
I wouldn't anticipate that the action is anything overly fast, but am curious as to the overall odds of actually catching one or two.

What would a guy need for tackle, am I going to have to fill another tackle box with jigs, rigs etc.

What about rods? I've got a couple muskie rigs that I think would work, as well as some lake trout setups,heavy rods but shorter, but nothing in regards to catfish or sturgeon.

What type of line do you run? Or should I say are the sturgeon sensitive to various line types? What test pound would be sufficient?

How are these things actually fished, drifting, anchoring,trolling,etc

Last but not least, various baits that are used? Live, artificials or homemades of some sort?

I know that's alot of questions, but any input would be appreciated before I evolve myself into another style of fishing?
It certainly sounds like alot fun, and definately has my curiosity. Thanks for the info