How soon after ice out do pike spawn?

[Lunker]

I won't be fishing for them, I know it's illegal, I'm just curious when they spawn. That is one thing I have never encountered while fishing, spawning northerns.

[Guest]

Pike start to spawn before all of the ice is off the lake. If there is a river or creek that is running in or out it will be full of pike as soon as they can get to it. I had a friend when I was younger who had a creek that ran through his property and we would go up there as soon as the ice allowed the fish to get up the creek they would be stacked on top of each other to get to that swamp. It was awesome to watch cause he had a little wooden bridge built across it. The carp would come a couple of weeks later and we had to get the bow out then. But, pike will spawn in shallow swampy stuff. Something with a muck bottom and real hard to get to. they love to run up creeks though I know that personally.

[Aquaman01]

During ice out, when the water temp is 45-47 degrees (if I recall correctly). Really shallow, like he said. They attach the eggs to stiff weeds, like cattails and bulrushes. I'd like to witness it.

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Aquaman
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"I think we're gonna need a bigger boat."

[ricqik]

It's not illegal if your fishing on Pepin. I plan on going there in early spring for some big northerns and bass. Will be my first time on Pepin and still got to find a boat launch.

[Lunker]

Are there any other waters besides Pepin in Minnesota that you can fish for pike all year. I thought maybe one of the rivers or something.

[Sabaskong]

Lunker, on LOTW pike or open year round.

[Guest]

One thing on Lake of the Woods pike, some places are off limits to fishermen, such as the Warroad River. You can fish the mouth of the river, but not up it. Im not sure if this is true on other rivers though, and if you plan on going you might want to check that out.