Northern Pike

[Rick]

Lets talk about northern pike here.

[guideman]

It's "prime time", the big pike are starting to really turn on. I'm not just talking about Lake Vermilion, this is happening all
over the state. With the cooler nightime temps, and the falling water temps the big pike will be moving back to their shallow water haunts.My clients caught two monsters this week, a 43 and 42" were both taken out of reeds in 4ft of water. Big spoons, jigs,
and spinnerbaits are the hot baits, so get
out there and catch a PIG!

Guideman.

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www.aceguideservice.com

[This message has been edited by guideman (edited 08-21-2000).]

[RogersResort]

Upper Red Lake:
By now most everyone knows about the big comeback that the northern pike have made on the big lake. Right now they are very active. Lots of 10 pound plus fish have been caught in the past few days. They can be found almost everywhere in the lake at this time but the best action is in 10 feet or less. A sucker minnow fished below a tip up will usually do the trick.
Good Luck Fishing

[RogersResort]

Upper Red Lake:
The northern pike action on the big lake has been fantastic. Many fish over 10 pounds and lots of broken lines. The fish seem to be almost everywhere but the best action still remains in 10 feet or less.
Good Luck Fishing

[Rick]

Yes,
you can still fish for bruiser pike right now. Some say this may be the best time of year or it is coming up shortly.

Anyone have an idea where good locations may be...you don't have to be specific, except for the ice thaw pike type of water or area types?

[Jim W]

If you don't mind the drive, Buffalo bay on LOTW has fantastic March Pike fishing! LAst MArch we had non-stop flag action. You almost need to be a MArathon runner to handle the constant "flag-up"! Jim W

[Maryjl]

her it is Andy

[Guest]

Andy,
I believe that these smaller pike you are catching are smaller males. Early in the season, around opener, the bigger females are in a post-spawn phase and are recooparating after spawning. Try fishing deeper areas near spawning bays and fish much slower. Jigs w/minnows are a good way to go this time of year for the bigger fish. It's hard to beat the non-stop action those smaller pike can give-up in the shallows if the females aren't biting though.

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Adam Johnson
www.adamjohnsonfishing.com

[andy j]

I have caught and released some big pike on mille lacs in shallow water but they were late in the summer. I have only caught small pike early in the season. why is this? I would think that the big pike would be shallow early in the season because the water is a lot cooler in the shallow water this time of year compared to late summer. Are these big pike deeper and if they are what techneques would work for deep pike and what locations. Thanks AJ

[Guest]

Real men used to be able to lip-land their Pike!!

Sincerly,

Freddy "No Thumb" Jones (as in fishing Jones)

[Rick]

Ok gang,
what would you consider your top 5 Big pike lakes?

[TUMBLEWEED]

LOCAL TOP FIVE

Minnetonka
Minnewashta
Marion
Big Marine
White Bear

[GullGuide]

Mille Lacs
Leech
Cass
Ottertail
Gull
>"////=<

[Guest]

LEECH
LOTW
GREENWOOD
VERMILLION
SWAN {ITASCA CTY}

[Guest]

1. Winni
2. Leech
3. LOW
4. Lake Bemidji
5. Minnetonka

[David Swenson]

It is surprising to see that Basswood is not included on anyones list. It holds the state record of 45 lbs 12oz. If I was to pick only one lake to fish for trophy pike it would be Basswood without any question.

David Swenson
http://muskieguide.homestead.com/

[GullGuide]

Dave,
There is some serious doubt that the state record came out of Basswood, let alone the actual size of the fish. You have to remember in those days, magazines such as Field and Stream had contests in which money could be made for catching large fish. To make matters worse, documentation was not required. Two World record muskies were debunked after the record holder admitted to falsifying his catch to win one such contest. There is also debate to whether or not the MN pike record was also a falsification to obtain a same goal. There is also speculation from eyewitnesses that saw the record holder hundreds of miles away fishing in Wisconson at the time he supposedly caught the fish. But, that was almost 80 years ago, so the record will stand.
>"////=<

[Guest]

1.LOW 2.Red 3. (Three way tie) Winnie, Leech, Mille Lacs 4. Pokegama 5. Trout (Itasca Co.)

[guideman]

Hi all, here are my faves!

A true trophy Pike is a rare thing, I
have caught and released fish over 45"
in all of these waters!

1. Lake of the woods.
2. Cass lake.
3. Vermilion. (10 over 40" last year!)
4. Mississippi River.
5. Leech lake.

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Guideman.
Ace Guide Service.
[email protected]
www.aceguideservice.com

[Guest]

Guideman, I've fished walleye in the Red Wing/Lake Pepin area, but have never come across any northern. Where on the Mississippi(in general) are you refering to that would make your Top 5 list? Any tips you might like to impart would be most welcome also. Thanx!

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Fish On!
Big Lew

[This message has been edited by Big_Lew (edited 04-28-2001).]

[andy j]

I know that there are some big pike in Mille lacs and I have caught some nice ones latter in the summer but I have only caught smaller pike early in the season. What are some techniques or locationns that will work for big pike on mille lacs this time of the summer? Thanks AJ

[muskieman]

We caught many over 40 inch northerns speed trolling a #18 blue floating rapala. At the same time we picked up hawg walleyes. Many northerns in Mille lacs are tagged so watch for them, they are hard to see as they are covered with slime. The DNR has told me there are near 40 pound northerns in Mille lacs. Biggest I have heard recently is 28 pounds caught in front of Wilderness. I fish everyday in the summer, biggest northern I caught was 25 pounds, maybe this year I will catch one bigger! Visit me at Castawayscharters.com

[guideman]

Hey Big Lew, I haven't fished the area for some years now, on the Mississippi near the town of Royalton on Hwy 10.
Another good location is below the Ford dam in St.Paul.

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Ace guide service.
[email protected]
www.aceguideservice.com
1-888-ACE-0588

[Guest]

Thanx Guideman, I'll let you know if I happen to trip over any northerns on my next Mississippi adventure. With current water levels, that could be a while.

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Fish On!
Big Lew

[Rick]

How is the Pike bite going?