The Future of Northern Pike

[DTro]

As a Pike fisherman, what direction would you like to see the DNR take in the management of them in the future.

[lovebigbluegills]

I think the slot on Lake of the Woods and similar lakes is about perfect--anything between 30 and 40 must be immediately returned to the water.

Reasons being that anything between 30 and 40 isn't going to be very good eating, and I believe everybody should be allowed to keep a "fish of a lifetime" for their wall, should they choose to do so.

Not very often on Lake of the Woods have I tied into a northern that wasn't over 30", and I have caught quite a few over 40".

I do realize that not all lakes are created equal, and that one slot does not fit all lakes.

[guideman]

JMHO,

I would like to see the lakes that have that potential to grow large Pike, to be given that chance. Very large Pike are one of the rarest fish in MN, except on a few lakes way

up north and a few rivers like the Mississippi.

The slot limit up here on Lake Vermilion, gives both the Big fish anglers and the meat boys an equal opportunity to catch and harvest a fish.

There are still plenty of good numbers lakes/rivers available for those that want to harvest a limit of Pike for the table.

"Ace"

[mainbutter]

I think the slot on Lake of the Woods and similar lakes is about perfect--anything between 30 and 40 must be immediately returned to the water.

Reasons being that anything between 30 and 40 isn't going to be very good eating, and I believe everybody should be allowed to keep a "fish of a lifetime" for their wall, should they choose to do so.

Not very often on Lake of the Woods have I tied into a northern that wasn't over 30", and I have caught quite a few over 40".

I do realize that not all lakes are created equal, and that one slot does not fit all lakes.

well put.

I agree, I like a 30-40 inch protected slot in general.

I voted "gearing towards trophy fish", but I don't want the DNR to neglect stocking, or neglect giving people the opportunity to keep a few 24''ers for food (my favorite eater size)

[Hoffer]

would also like to see some kind of survey regarding spearing.

Angling is one issue regarding the future of Pike - spearing is another.

[MJ1657]

Not trying to start a fight or any type of controversy but aren't the choices you listed kind of limited and steering everyone in one direction?

The two choices allowed both require more regulations.

The no opinion choice says just that. You have no opinion.

There are people that have an opinion but it may not mean that they think it means more restrictions.

Maybe include.

The restrictions imposed now are what is best for our pike fishery.

Less restrictions may get more fisher people (including kids)involved in our sport which will improve our sport in the long run.

I know I will probably take a beating from several people with these views but restricting people often times turns them away from this sport.

I see the DNR trying to do things to get more people (especially youth) involved and I'm not sure constantly having rules to restrict what we do is the answer.

[DTro]

Option 2 says nothing about "More" regulations.

[MJ1657]

The first word on option 2 is "More".

"More" stocking programs and "regulations" steered towards more of a harvest type fish.

Am I missing something?

[DTro]

More stocking programs

and

regulations

sorry not worded the best

basically wanted to elaborate a little more than just putting "catch and release" and "harvest"

[MJ1657]

Now it makes more sense. Thank you.

I sometimes don't understand the mentality that the only way a person can have a good time fishing is to be able to catch a trophy fish.

Have you ever seen the look on a kids face when they can take home a fish they caught.

Try doing that on some of the lakes with so many restrictions.

It all comes down to educating people to do the right thing not forcing them to do what you or someome else thinks is right.

[thrax]

MJ1657 - I don't believe less restrictions get any more people involved, but its just an opinion. Young people are taught and learn things from older people. I haven't seen many 5 yr old or even 10 yr olds keeping fish let alone cleaning or cooking them on their own. Most children have parents, others have mentors or someone who could be considered an adult that helps to teach them things, including about the outdoors.

I do feel bad for the children who don't have these things, and there are programs where many people volunteer lots of time to expose and teach even those children about the outdoors which you seem to acknowledge. Lets face it, adults are supposed to be responsible and teach young people what the rules are, why they are there, and how to follow them. I just don't think that smart conservation minded rules and regulations are really stopping anyone from doing most outdoor activities, and in fact work to make sure that when these young people grow up there are still thriving resources that they can teach the next generation about.

[Nick Kuhn]

Have you ever seen the look on a kids face when you bring a 40" fish to the boat? For that matter I've seen some pretty good reactions from adults, some who have been fishing for many years.

[thrax]

I love watching kids catch fish, and make it a special point to take as many fishing and make sure they catch fish every time I take them. My most treasured pics are of friends children holding fish of all types and sizes that they caught with me (I don't have kids of my own). But regulations aren't keeping me from enjoying those moments or those kids from catching fish. In fact regulations are why I am likely able to catch fish with kids, managed fisheries provide better opportunities for people of all ages.

[mainbutter]

I'm certainly not trying to start an argument saying that all waters should be managed for trophy fish alone, but on the issue of kids and the fish they catch:

I've seen more children hooked on fishing by catching one amazing trophy fish. I have also seen plenty of children who enjoy bluegill fishing get turned off as they grow older, because they don't realize there are bigger challenges and bigger rewards out there.

My girlfriend doesn't like fishing too much, but she used to as a kid. She also has never caught anything except small perch and sunfish. I feel that the two go hand in hand. This year I'm going to get her hooked into a carp or other easy to find larger fish in the teens. I'm confident she will get energized by it and learn that fishing can be exciting and a challenge.

My brother had a similar experience this past year. He's never been much of a fisherman, and never really understood the "drive" for chasing trophy fish. He's more an "action" kind of guy when it comes to fishing, wanting constant small fish pecking at his lure. Last summer he hooked into his first musky, a very chunky 45''er, and certainly dwarfed any fish he's ever caught. There was an instant change in his opinion of fishing. Our last day fishing together was spent chasing muskies. I've never seen him so focused on each and every cast.. lol.

All I'm trying to say is that if you have kids, don't ONLY take them bluegill fishing. Sometimes hooking into a big fish can really put a spark into someone's opinion of fishing.

[solbes]

I don't disagree with the 30-40" protected slot, I might even extend it to 28-40 or 26-40". Mid 20's is where I think they really start to bulk up because they can eat the larger prey. Plus they really don't taste great once they exceed that size either, IMO.

I think you have to be careful about which waters truly have the potential to grow pike over 40". I would guess there is a barrier in the mid 30's for many lakes, due to the amount/type/size of forage, as well as the depths & oxygen levels. For some lakes a 36" pike may be the largest fish in the lake.

For those lakes that do have true trophy potential, then I think the 0-40" slot or 30-40" slot is more appropriate, though I'm not crazy about 0-40". As with additional regulations, the fact that more and more anglers are considering CPR is also improving the trophy potential. Large pike are REALLY REALLY fun to catch IMO.

[thrax]

Mainbutter - sounds like your girlfriend and brother didn't maybe have much support or guidance for fishing when they were young. I am glad to hear they are being "reencouraged" to get active in the sport, but I'll still disagree that actual trophies are needed to keep or get kids involved. Start them young, 3-5 years old, first start small and action stuff, like you've mentioned. As they grow a little move to some stuff like walleye, bass or even pike fishing, simple, get on a decent bobber bite (kids absolutely LOVE bobbers btw) and watch their eyes light up even catching a 2lber, especially with the fight a pike or bass will put up.

I have lots of friends kids who are super happy and eyes totally a twinkle catching even 2-3lb pike, 2lb bass, and any size walleye, these are kids already at or approaching their teens, 10-12 yr olds. We've already taught them to respect a real nice panfish like a jumbo perch or crappie so that they know its not necessarily a "huge fish" that is a nice fish. They still don't need a trophy, but aspire to get one someday, and in one case they watched their Dad get one last summer. Its all in the education and development of their interest which can and actually should all be done without the need or emphasis of a "trophy." Same as kids should be taught learning sports, its not all about winning but more about loving and participating and just having fun. Inappropriate focus on trophies that can sometimes be awfully tough to catch is much more likely to turn them off fishing long-term.

[Steve Foss]

I chose option No. 1.

But we can have the best of both worlds. It really isn't that hard to ID the waters that have the potential to produce 20-30 lb pike. If they have the potential (forage, depth, temp, oxygen, also possibly an appropriate lake acreage window), I very much like the 28-40 slot with only one fish kept over 40. This gives people who really like the taste of pike the ability to harvest fish hefty enough to yield good food after the y bones are taken out. On lakes with the 24-36 slot, it takes a pretty fat 23.75 incher to make good meat, and on the lakes I fish with that slot, the fish are getting bigger and bigger, and it's hard to find fish below the slot. Bad thing? NOT! But for those of us who love the taste of pike, give us a few inches more at the bottom of the slot so we can eat what we love, and still have an honest chance at a whopper.

On lakes that can't grow large pike, offer a more liberal limit/size structure. These would be lakes with a combination of: average or worse forage base, no cool/cold water supply (or no summer thermocline, or a thermocline with poor oxygenation at/below thermocline).

Big pike potential lakes: Let 'em grow!

Lakes without that potential: Let us harvest 'em!

[swamptiger]

Quote:

But for those of us who love the taste of pike, give us a few inches more at the bottom of the slot so we can eat what we love, and still have an honest chance at a whopper.

Agreed. If a lake really has what it takes to produce big fish a few more inches at the bottom isn't going to hurt. I like the 30-40 inch slot. I actually prefer northerns to walleyes for table fare. As far as stocking goes, I don't think it's necessary in most lakes to stock northerns.

[thedeadsea]

I chose option No. 1.

I very much like the 28-40 slot with only one fish kept over 40. This gives people who really like the taste of pike the ability to harvest fish hefty enough to yield good food after the y bones are taken out.

On lakes with the 24-36 slot, it takes a pretty fat 23.75 incher to make good meat,

On lakes that can't grow large pike, offer a more liberal limit/size structure.

Big pike potential lakes: Let 'em grow!

Lakes without that potential: Let us harvest 'em!

Agree!

I would even be in favor of eliminating the bottom side of the slot on a few of the premier "trophy" lakes and making the limit only one over 38" or 40". A 36" fish is too small to mount (for a huge majority of fishermen) and getting a bit large to eat.

There are a ton of smaller lakes that offer fast action on small to mid sized pike. I frequent these if I want a meal of pike or a pickling batch. 3 fish per person with one over 30" sounds fair to me.

Steve

P.S. DTRO, I blasted you last year about the absence of nice pike in Vermilion. I'll admit I was wrong.

[Acemac]

6 northerns and 3 walleye in lakes that are stocked for eyes. The majority of lake have great breedingpopukations of pike but we keep paying to feed them walleye fry every year.....

[Jim Uran]

The DNR has imposed slots on certain lakes that they think have a chance at growing and maintaining a trophy pike poulation. Is that study done yet??

Certain lakes are better than others, those should be designated trophy lakes, and all other lakes just leave them alone because their are plenty of eater pike in them.

[jkjkoda]

Even with limits why is it so hard to just take a meal and think about the big picture.

If some of Our grandparents had done this instead of teaching most of us that limits were a status quo fill the frezzer don't worry about tomorrow. Kids are our future lets give them the chance they deserve and not to use up our natual resources. A picture can say a lot more than a mount on the wall.

[MJ1657]

I get tired of people telling others what they think is a "trophy" is.

I would like someone to show me where I can find a source to show me what a "trophy" is.

I believe a "trophy" is different to everyone. I can recall catching a 5 pound fish and thinking for years it was an incredible "trophy"

I understand I will not have the most popular opinion here but.

I challenge someone to show me the definition of a "trophy" fish.

I believe it is different to most people.

[jkjkoda]

If it puts a simile on your kids face. thats all the trophy I need!!!!

[Nick Kuhn]

You'd prefer the word mountable? Seems trophy has been pretty well defined for muskies why would pike be any different?