WHY NOT TRY FOR NORTHERN PIKE

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Vilas County, which is located in Northern Wisconsin and on the border to Michigan's upper peninsula, has 1300 lakes, which contains many species of freshwater fish. One of those species, which gets little attention, is the northern pike. According to county research over 200 lakes contain northern pike.

The northern pike is a very aggressive feeder and will consume almost any species smaller than it. I recall at one time seeing a 24inch pike that appeared to be exceptionally fat or overweight. Upon dressing out the fish, it was found to have a 17inch walleye in its stomach. I have caught them with bluegills, crappies, bullheads and other species in their gullet. Perhaps this is why they can be caught on almost any kind of live bait you can find. Many times, while guiding, the northern pike has saved the day when the species you are after, whether it be musky, walleye, bass, pan fish or trout are reluctant to feed, you can put a northern pike or two in the boat.

Most of our lakes do not hold northern pike of Canadian size, but each year 10 or 15 pounders show up, and a very limited number of lakes occasionally turn up a 25 Ib. giant. The northern pike is a good table fish, but beware of its boney structure. If it is better than 24inches, it is easy to fillet. Smaller fish can be filleted and ground up to make fish patties. They also make excellent pickled fish. I have said it and heard from many people that it is the best, pickled fish you can find. I believe it to be true. I have not tried to smoke them, but the larger fish should be excellent prepared that way.

The northern pike can be caught on just about any artificial bait you can find, and he does not seem to care what time of day it is. However, I have not caught any while fishing at night.

The northern pike is a very scrappy fish and is very similar to a musky in shape. However, their markings are very different, hi particular, their tails and fins are of different color and the northern has many oblong gold spots all along its side, which really makes it easy to distinguish from the musky. Both the musky and the pike have a very toothy mouth structure. Keep those fingers out of there! (If s recommended that one use some type of leader, particularly wire or an equivalent). Although it is quite easy for me to recognize each species, some folks have a problem here. The bag limit in our area for northern is 5 fish per day, no size restriction, while the musky must meet a minimum size limit, and the bag is 1 per day. I recall having lunch at a local resort on the Eagle River chain when a boat pulled up at the dock. The resort management recognized the people and called down through the screened in deck, and asked if they had any luck. They responded by saying yes, and held up a stringer of five or six fish saying they were northerns. They were not. What they had were small muskies about 20 to 25 inches long. This mistake could have been avoided and could have turned into an unpleasant day if they had been checked on the water. However, I don't know how their day turned out.

Northern pike can be found in 2 feet to 25 feet of water and they relate to weed structure, as well as wood, such as sunken logs or trees. My suggestion on new water would be to concentrate on the weed structure, either submergence or emergent. If I were using live bait, I would use large chubs or minnows, weighted to keep them down. Work the open pockets in the weeds and the edges. If I were using artificial bait, I would use spoons including, of course, the Johnson silver spoon and daredevils. Rapalas and similar stick baits are also choices I recommend, and again concentrate on the weed structures and also shorelines.

Keep Fishing...

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