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Posted

has anyone been out fishing for pike this year? I'm thinking about heading out this weekend out from Swift and was wondering if anybody else has had any luck?

  • 1 year later...
Posted

Hey Ben,

Haven't heard much for reports for pike on the big Lake. Now that the season is closed down here, we'll have to make a run. Might need to find a plowed road. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Posted

I haven't personally caught a northern yet this season. This past weekend during the Springsteel derby, a guy reeled in a 42"er - 20 some pounds to take top prize. It was rumored he caught it up at South tip. A buddy of mine caught one yesterday on 5 mile - 36"er. Swift would be as good as a spot as any (on the western side of the lake).

Posted

Say...just wondering what the conditions are like around swift, and Warroad for getting around with a 4x4? Trying to plan a trip, but it's hard when I am far away from the lake to check myself!

Thanks!

Tippie! <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Posted

When the warm weather moved in about 3 weeks ago or so, thats where my grandfather started fishing, he said the snow wasnt so bad, he made it out there with 4WD truck, I havent been out there personaly yet, but I would imagine it hasnt gotten any worse, as far as deep snow.Driving past on Co rd 12 I noticed a few houses out there. Hope this helps.

I Will be heading out there shortly, possibly as early as thursday. Dont quite know if I'm ready to take a short break from walleye fishin yet.

Posted

I would have to say travel via P/U is still iffy at best due to snow pack. I see people stuck all over every time I'm out on the lake! Don't forget the shovels! Perhaps with chains a guy could get around okay. We've been getting Pike out on 5mile pretty regular as of late, soon time to dust off the tipups and set some deadbaits in the shallows.

fiskyknut

Posted

Never used dead bait before, are we talking chunks of cisco? whole ones? dead suckers ? All I've used has been live suckers.

Posted

Whole smaller LOTW Tullibee and large Smelts are my favorites. The frozen Herring sold as Ciscoes up here work okay too sometimes.

fiskyknut

Posted

Where do you suppose i could find some smelt, and how small of tulibe? dont mean to be a pest, but I want to broaden my chances of finding one for the wall this spring.

Posted

I get Smelts from folks I know out near Superior once they start their run. Till then I use the grocery store stuff, Dougs in Warroad usually have some and Wally's in Roseau does too. Those Tullibee's I catch thru the winter though this winter has been tough as they are all 2#'s and bigger! The Herring you can get at most local baitshops.

fi'skyknut

Posted

I'll second fisky's info! Nothing wrong with a big sucker minnow either. Couple times last winter the suckers were hit more than the dead. Try both and switch if there is a preference.

And since I feel so strongly about it, I would recommend a bunch of nice photos on that trophy and a replica mount. A 40" plus pike is a special fish and I feel should be released. Can't stop you from doing it but would like you to consider your options when it comes up the hole.

Posted

Fished notherns saturday off of wheelers point 4-10 feet dead ciscos 1-42" 2-36" 1-30" and the biggest one snapped the leader at the hole.

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  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • Wanderer
      Naw, I just pushed up my glasses.         
    • leech~~
    • smurfy
      🤣 did your nose just grow a bit!😏🤭
    • Wanderer
      I hope to be fishing….  It’s so rare that I get to go, I hate passing up the opportunity. 😉   
    • leech~~
      Since the Vikings are never in it. We use it for an excuse to make some fun stuff!  Last year was a bit light. Hot cheese bean dip, hot wings and pepperoni cheese bread! 😋
    • Hookmaster
      That snow and the 15-25 mph winds on Thursday with higher gusts will be nasty drifting. I didn't go to LOW (can I say that in the this thread?🤫) this week because of it.
    • smurfy
      Who's watching the big game Sunday? More importantly what's ya'all cooking!   I like good football si I'm tuning in. Food... yea no clue yet 
    • Wanderer
      Hard to see em well enough to tell.
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the South Shore...  Ice fishing is strong across the south shore of Lake of the Woods out on Big Traverse Bay.  Most anglers are targeting deep mud with others fishing structure if available where they are going out of.  There are fish in both areas.     Some ice roads are now extending more than 16 miles out, with over two feet of ice reported in most areas. Resorts and outfitters continue increasing weight limits. As a rule, fishing continues to be very good with consistent action for anglers.  Most fishing activity is taking place in 26-32 feet of water.  Anglers are finding a healthy mix of walleyes and saugers, with plenty of opportunities to enjoy fresh fish frys and bring fish home.   On the jigging line, jigging spoons with rattles tipped with a minnow head have been consistent.  Lipless crankbaits and jigging rap style lures also doing well.   On the deadstick, a plain hook or a small jig with a live minnow 6 inches to a foot off of the bottom.    You never know when the fish will move through.  Anglers fishing the entire day normally have success.  Electronics are a big help as well. On the Rainy River...  The morning and evening hours are the best for fishing walleyes. A jig and minnow combination has been a good presentation.  A jigging spoon tipped with a minnow head is also producing some fish. Catch-and-release sturgeon fishing is still producing some big fish through the ice.  There are two sturgeon seasons on Lake of the Woods and the Rainy River, a catch and release season and a harvest season in which you can keep one fish per calendar year.    The harvest season runs from April 24th – May 7th and July 1 – Sept. 30. The catch and release season runs May 8th – May 15th and Oct. 1 – April 23rd.    Although ice conditions on the river are good, they can vary significantly due to the current, so anglers should always consult local resorts or outfitters for the most up-to-date safety information and fishing advice. Up at the NW Angle...  Ice fishing remains good at the Northwest Angle.  Resorts continue to move their fish houses staying on fish.  Some fish houses are set up on structure while others are targeting deeper mud flats.    Anglers are catching a nice mix of walleyes, saugers, jumbo perch, pike, and tullibees.  Good numbers of big crappies are still being caught in select areas and hard sided fish houses are available to target them.  Check with a NW Angle resort for info.   Jigging one line, deadsticking the second is effective.  Some days the jigging line is hot, other days the deadstick.  Some good colors have been gold, glow red, glow white, wonder bread, pink, chartreuse and orange. Lake of the Woods enjoys an extended ice fishing season with fish houses on the ice through March 31st and walleye and sauger seasons open through April 14th. Perch, crappie, and pike seasons remain open year-round.  
    • JerkinLips
      Same story, different day (Monday).  Caught several small walleyes (biggest were 14 and 15 inches) with the best bite from 2-5pm.  Caught my record walleye this winter at 6½ (inches, not pounds).  Was wondering why the bobber kept going down a couple inches for several minutes until I finally reeled it up.  Fortunately it was just hooked in the lips.  Having a lively minnow definitely improved the action.  I put down a pike sucker for the first time this winter and got an immediate hard bite.  When I went to set the hook, the line broke just above the hook.  Don't know if it was a northern bite-off or just weak line by the hook.  May try some pike suckers next trip.   Ice conditions were very good except for heavy drifting (even with very little fresh snow).  Didn't see any vehicles traveling off road except for snowmobiles and a tracked SxS, although there weren't many people out on the lake.  Water came up around my house about 1½ inches but froze very quickly with the cold weather and no snow on top.  Will probably have to block it up again next time up.   Good luck fishing and be careful of severe drifting of snow, especially with the 3-5 inches they are predicting for Wednesday night.  
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