with the inceased temps outside i really want to hit the river, but the st. croix is in its anual flood stage. is there a way to work around this or should i just wait? i have been skunked for a week now and its only 4 feet up last i checked. i am i screwed for a while?

It's kind of a weird time of year on large warmwater rivers. The high volume flows are a very good thing, flushing out rivers and nourishing the valleys. The flows also tell fish that Winter is over and forces them to leave their wintering locations. In large rivers, fish simply cannot hold in the main river flows during the spring surge of water. Depending on the species, they might either enter backwaters, hug the shoreline, or stack up on current breaks. Most are thinking about making their way to spawning grounds already.

I like to find an area of slack water, however it is formed, right off the main flow. In downtown Minneapolis, concrete abutments block the flow in places and create nice slack water areas. I look forward to to the super high flows when the newly awakened suckers stack up in predictable areas on the Mississippi.

On the St. Croix, I have had very good success in backwater areas during high water. On other, smaller rivers, I sometimes only get bites right next to shore.

It's tough though in high muddy cold flows like we have right now. Once the river starts to recede and water temps climb a few degrees, it's much easier to fish and the fish are also biting a lot better. I don't know if any of this helps at all! My tactic right now is - I'm going ice fishing tomorrow :D The big rivers will crest and begin dropping next week, and fishing will get good soon!

I'll echo most of what Andy has said, and add a bit

I actually really like high water on the Mississippi and the St Croix. For me it can be the best time to catch species that are otherwise out of reach (I rarely fish from boats). High water pushes saugers and white bass into shallows just off the main current. Channel Cats are often in the same types of areas. The slower areas concentrate the fish that prefer to avoid direct current.

Ultimately you just need to move around until you find fish,

You can also try right above dams. The dam slows down the current, in many cases. Spots above St. Croix falls/Taylor's falls can be productive, and you don't have the crud and current interferring as much with your line. Like others have said, you can also try right next to the bank. I've casted out only a few feet and caught fish this time of year, but the bites are usually very light.

thanks guys. i have been skunked pretty bad lately and i really can't wait for the bite to get hot again. i am not oging to give up though!