East Metro Pike

[Sandmannd]

Hey guys. My Dad's in town and I want to take him out as much as possible. He really loves to catch nice pike. I have a couple of lakes I go to for them, but they are a ways away. I'm wondering if any of you would let me know any good lakes in about 15 mins or so from St. Paul to take him out. I've got some out of Silver Lake in N St. Paul. How is Owasso, Snail? Is demonstraville any good for pike? Don't need honey holes (But I wouldn't turn them down ) just looking for a few choices to take him too.

If you don't want to post it shoot me an email at s_e_hendricks at comcast dot net.

[blarkey]

I've caught some nice ones out of Owasso and all so centerville I caught a 11 pounder this winter.

[cjac]

Bass sized spinnerbaits around the West side of Manitau Island on White Bear will produce numbers of pike, not much size, but it'll provide action. Same goes for the South shore weeds on Bald Eagle. That said, both are far better on weekdays, I guess most metro lakes are really! Little bit of a drive, but Big Carnelain and Big Marine also have nice pike.

If you want to try something a little different, go over to Lake Elmo. Clear and deep, and not easy to fish, but here are big pike and tiger muskies there, like state record big.

Couple options, hope that helps.

[BoxMN]

My biggest pike so far is a 38" from Gervais. That was about 10 years ago though. So far I would have to say for consistent "larger" (not huge) size is Forest Lake. Lots of small ones on WBL and Bald Eagle, like cjac said.

Good luck, andhave fun with your Pops!

[polarsusd81]

I would think you could do pretty good on Big Marine. There is an outstanding population of pike in that lake, with some nice fish. A couple weeks ago out there, fishing bass I got 3 pike in a couple hours and saw people catch quite a few more. We did catch about 30 bass that night too.

[Hula_Grub]

I've been on Big Marine 3 times in the last few weeks. I've had to stop throwing spinnerbaits for bass because the northerns keep ruining the skirts!

They've been enjoying grey/salt&pepper 3/8 willow spinners.

Polar, I'd like to know how you caught 30 bass! I've been catching them too, mostly on senkos outside the weedlines, but not nearly in those numbers.

[Neighbor_guy]

I've heard good things about Big Marine and White Bear. Have you considered the Croix?

Pike have been going well on the lakes I have been on lately. Trouble is I have not been the one putting them in the boat. The other guy in the boat has. He seems to be enjoying himself though.

[CATransplant]

I like the pike fishing at Bald Eagle. I've had good luck recently in the weed flats near Cigar Island with a yellow/white tandem spinnerbait with willow leaf blades.

Go there on a weekday. Too much nonsense on the weekends.

[polarsusd81]

Hula, it was all on shallow running cranks. Baby 1- in Chartruese with blue back (aka Parrot) and black and silver as well as using a Rap DT4 in Firetiger. They were hitting hot and heavy that night. We were fishing in the deeper curly pondweed just running the cranks right over the top of it. Vary the speeds and they would slam it. It was a fun night on the water, what is great is when you can sight fish with cranks.

[Hula_Grub]

Thanks!

[Wanderer]

Sandmann,

Throw bigger baits! If you're going to a lake that has a rep for better than average pike, give them something worth the effort.

I've been stepping up my spinnerbait sizes to light muskie fare (1+ ounce) and adding a trailer of either plastic or a nice sucker minnow. I'm seeing more 30 inch plus fish these days and fewer snakes.

Big Rapalas, Suicks, Swim jigs, etc. etc. Shop the muskie isle!

I had my favorites but Neighbor_guy has shown me the light on a few new tricks. Not sure if he regrets that or not....

[Neighbor_guy]

It seams the teacher has become the student...

Did you get any floro leaders yet????