Finding Pike in this very early season

[Cove]

Focused on Northern Pike yesterday. Mille Lacs Lake - Cove Bay was 51 - 53 degrees. We went to usual hot spots, mainly weed beds. Weeds were all dead; no new green stuff visible. Tried from 2 feet out to about 7 feet. Casting spinners and trolling spoons and Rattlin' Raps.

The few NP we did catch or see (follows) were in amidst old reed beds. But overall, it was very quiet.

We seldom fish NP in such early conditions.

So, question is; where are all those big bad Mille Lacs NP that are supposedly chomping down on walleyes?

[20lbSloughShark]

When the local lakes by me were 50 degrees 95% of pike were in the streams connecting to the lakes, and the rest were pushed as far into the weeds as they could. I had no luck with any lures until water was above 60 degrees. I'm not too familiar with mille lacs, but find a big incoming stream, and if you can go into that, or try the mouth. Bait fishing was the only thing that worked for me. A dead smelt would probably be the best, or get live suckers. Try them live, or hit them over head and use them dead.

[JPenny]

Very good Chris! I find that to be sound advice.