Icing Big Pike in March

[32 degrees]

What locations on LOW would you consider the best for pike fishing in March? Would any of the shallow bays be productive? It would be great to get into some big pike action. Thanks guys.

[fiskyknut]

Buffalo Bay if you wanna fish Mb waters. Spots along the South shore of Muskeg bay, and the Elm point area of Muskeg on the US side. This spring I will land the 48 incher I've been waiting for!!!<P>fiskyknut

[fishgutz]

On the south side look at Morris Point (my top spot), zippel bay or the channel in warroad. <P>Those are my top three...<P>Fishgutz

[jlm]

Don't forget about the reefs, they can produce some monster pike to. Did really well there last year!

[32 degrees]

Thanks alot guys. Two more questions though. Why is it that you never hear of anyone catching pike on the reefs? On alot of the lakes I fish in central MN it seems the pike shift out to them mid-winter. My second question is how shallow? We have fished the Morris Point gap in as shallow as seven feet and never caught a piker. It just seems wierd that more pike are not "accidentally" caught with the amount of fishing pressure on the big pond. Do you think the reason is the baits being used or more of a location thing? Thanks again.

[bemidjiwonderer]

hi 32 <P>Last winter i was on Arnesons Reef and my friend caught about a 36 inch Snake jigging off the bottem about three feet and the winte prior i cought about the same size fish when i was letting down my line. I must have dropped my lure right in front of him. They are sure exciting to catch through the ice on lite tackle.<P>

[hanson]

32 Degrees<P>It happens. Couple years ago I caught my biggest Pike yet out on 16 mile reef. It was an accident of course. Fishing saugers in 30-32 feet of water when it hit the little jig & minnow. It was 18 lb 40". <P>Just last night I had a big one hook into my crappie tackle on Upper Red. Unfortunately, the story ends there. The little Glow Devil didn't hook into her very well. Now I have a treble hook on one of my Glow Devils with 1 hook pointing out to the side. I'm guessing that fish was gonna go 40" easily. It pulled half the line off my reel before the hook came out. I was shaking so hard after that, I thought I was gonna hook my thumb will trying to put another minnow on.

[fiskyknut]

I don't think many folks target Pike intentionally during midwinter. Few weeks back when 5mile had a good Walleye bite going we iced a few out there. If a guy wanted to fish Pike on that reef midwinter I'm sure you could figure them out, they're around there thick midsummer too. 5mile, the DNR reef S. of Toms bay, and over around Gull rock reef would be spots to try, I would have confidence Pike fishing on all these spots midwinter as you seem to get them as an inncidental while Walleye fishing quite often. I'd hang a good sized bait on 1 line, and then jig a good sized Doctor spoon, or Lil' Cleo with a Smelt head on the other, or maybe an Airplane type jig baited with a large minnow of one type or another and I'd bet some nice Pike would come thru the hole on either of those spots....Try it!<P>Regads....Fisky <p>[This message has been edited by fiskyknut (edited 02-04-2004).]

[Guest]

Ihad a good time last year about this time in 18 feet of water north of springsteel and had a better time in march in the same spot. Lot's of fish over 35" both times biggest was 42" action was hot from 8am till 3pm than it shut down I suppose they moved in shallower but I stayed the same depth and caught a few eyes.

[lowpike]

a group of us only fish pike all winter on lake of the woods, we stick to the US side also. Last year after some very slow times we decided to adventure around the lake and try other spots then the popular ones for pike. After sevral times we have tried the reefs and even Gull Rock, we have come to the conclusion that if you want to catch a pike you can do it any where on the lake, but where are the big ones. We have caught some of our biggest ones ( over 40 ") on the reefs in the deeper water. And i beleive that other then late late march the best bet for big pike is the reefs. And it is probably because the are feeding on all those small walleyes and especially the ones that get thrown back and don't survive because of their air bladder. If anyone wants to talk more indepth about pike fishing let me know, i would love to share thoughts. Also remember the bigger that bait you use the bigger the fish you are going to catch. Plus it keeps all those little 10 and 15 pound pike of the hook!

[Doop]

lowpike,<P>i've done it a few times on LOW LOVE IT!!!!! I'd love to shoot some emails back and forth and see what ideas we can exchange!<P>[email protected]<P>Mitch

[fiskyknut]

Why don't you'all start a Pike topic post here and get some stuff rolling.<P>Lot's in the archives too.<P>fiskyknut

[minneman]

Ive been going up for a bunch of years to buffalo and Im wondering is it realy any better up there? 40"+ is a tough one to come by.. atleast for our crew. in 10+ years on the bay one 46"er was the biggest I saw caught, my personal biggest is 39" and we have seen many of this size, and an occational 42" every other year. <BR>going to MB seems to be more of a hassle every year. I have never tried the US side, are there lots of people trying it? seems the MB side isnt crowded at all..probly due to the accessability..? <BR>also, on the bay the season closes on the end of march, is there better fishing after that for jacks on the US side? if you can get out on the lake? ya always here "the later the better" is this true?

[fiskyknut]

I'd say there's more and more folks doing it on Muskeg bay every year. Weekends see alot of folks out there. I'd also say the later the better too. Once the ice gets spooky the crowds thin a bit though!<P>Fisky

[hanson]

lowpike<BR>I never thought I'd ever hear anyone complain about little 10-15 lb pike. I love it. <P>Anyway, last year was my first year specifically targeting those big pike on a few trips. Can't think of anything better than sitting on a lawnchair outside when its hot & sunny getting a sunburn waiting for little flags to pop in the air. Well there might be a few things but its a lot of fun anyway.<P>We tried right out of Springsteel last year & also up at Elm Pt. Biggest was 38" A friend of mine has done pretty well up at Buffalo Bay. Now I've got to talk him into taking me up there with him.<P>This year I'm thinking of trying to get one on rod & reel rather than a tip-up. Its pretty good fun yanking one in on 20+ pound braided but I'm thinking the rod & reel will up the excitement factor a little.

[lowpike]

Of course I am not complaining about catching those size of fish. I wouldn't be going fishing on the lake every weekend if I didn't like catching northerns. Everytime that flag goes up you don't know if it is a 2 lb or a 40 lb (which i will catch oneday) on the line. No matter what it is it is all good. <P>Question for anyone, has anybody heard of using chalk line, like a carpenter would use, on their tip-ups instead of the ususal kind of tip-up line?

[Doop]

This was only my 3rd straight of going up to LOW, but in year 1 the northern fishing in March/April was unbelievable. The last two winters we've gone up during mid December for the marble eyes. This past December was reeeeeeally tough. We caught our limit everyday, but we had to work for them. Not much in size either. We have made the executive decision to scrap the December trip for a northern only trip in March next year. <BR>Bostic Creek was very good to my cousin and I 3 years ago....a day i'll never forget. Two of us fishing...at one time we had 3 flags go up at the same time....no snow on the ice for traction...no ice spikes...and WIND....you can imagine what that situation looked like...but we caught all 3 including a nice 38 incher. He went back up the next weekend and did even better. <BR>I haven't fished anywhere else other than the Morris Pt. area....I would love to give Warroad a try next March though. <P>They are green and mean

[Doop]

The tip up line I use could be easily confused for a carpenters chalk line! <P>It is some thick stuff....I don't think it honestly matters what you use....if they turn just right, they will saw through whatever you have. I've seem them break a steel leader. That's power!

[hanson]

lowpike,<BR>I know you're not complaining about 10-15 lb Pike. I think its just amazing that we can look at the pike fishery on LOW and say "Oh, its just another 15 lb fish." There are not too many other lakes in this state where you'd ever here that sentence.

[fishgutz]

Hey Doop what's up!!!! You know I'm on this bandwagon here. Gosh I remember that awesome weekend we had a few years back. Both of our first trips to LOW and upper red and there's no possible way it could have gotten any better.<P>There's no better fishing, any species, any time of the year than March pike fishing on LOW. It's as close to heaven an individual can get. They should make it a holiday.<P>Doop and I caught several 30+ inch 10lb+ and the next weekend we had (in one day) 11 northern over 11 lbs over 36 inches. That should be illegal. <P>Hey LOWPIKE, I'll be up there in March. We should hook up and do some tip up fishin'.<P>fishgutz

[lowpike]

Well the reason I asked about the chalk line was I actualy use chalk line on my tip-up's. And so far only know one other guy that does it. It is the white braided stuff, 230 lb test. Even used the yellow line and it work just as good. So you never have to worry about it breaking. Plus it is easy to see and it never will hurt your hands when you are pulling in even a nice fish. It is easy to de-ice and get to knots out. I agree with you Doop it doesn't matter what you use they will still bite. I have even caught walleyes on the tip-up rig.

[minneman]

Its "mason's line" not chalk line, you can also use the green decoy line, same stuff. if your realy using... "chalk line"... w/230 lb test, I want some for my chalk line!! <BR>I too will be up in march, I dont know about 40lbs, but one over 40" would be nice once in a while.

[Doop]

A 40lb northern? <P>You had better not be using masons line to pull that sow in.....i'd use a tow rop!

[Guest]

Does anyone know if DNR made the 30-40" protected slot for pike a permament rule?<P>I believe this was an experimental regulation. I for one would hate to see it change.

[Ruger]

How will the weather affect the Pike fishing in March? I understand that there is alot of snow on the lake causeing flooding is this going to be a factor or will it run off pretty quick? Also what are the ice conditions going to be like if we start to get 30+ temps? Thanks

[Jim W]

ruger,<P>WHEN we start getting those temps, accesses and landings will get ugly. However, out on the ice should moderate. Ice ridges and heeves might get a little ugly too. Also, Ice thickness should not be a problem.<P>JUst don't go full boar in MArch.<P>

[Gordon Fothergill]

Guys, <P>The fish are available all year. Just have to get after them. Sometimes it is better mid-winter because they will follow edges better. Come March allot of the big girls are up on some of the broad flats and not as predictable. (Location wise). Here are some photos from three weeks ago. They tell the story. <P>[This message has been edited by Gordon Fothergill (edited 02-13-2004).]<p>[This message has been edited by Gordon Fothergill (edited 02-13-2004).]

[Gordon Fothergill]

Sorry about the double post, the pictures wouldn't take. These are the two biggest of the day, 41.5 and 42 inches. "Toads". All I can say is be careful with the big girls. Be ready when you catch them-have all the necessary tools handy. 1.Jaw spreaders 2. pliers and side cutters 3. Camera 4.Scale (Tough on big fish, I don't recommend weighing) 5. Build an ice well if conditions warrant (Cold days keep fish submerged for all but a few seconds, don't want to freeze eyes or fins) 6. Tape measure<P>Good Luck on the ice!

[Ruger]

Now the BIG question!!! What are the best bets for catching Large Pike in March other than a little luck. This is what I plan on bringing. <BR>6 guys<BR>Tip-ups spooled with masons line with Jimmy Rigs.<BR>10 lbs of smelt uncleaned all 6 to 10inches<BR>Large sucker minnows<BR>Video & Digital camera not that it will help but we need proof that we went fishing. <BR>We are planning on fishing out of Warroad the first day then move over by Swift ditch the rest of the time. Last year when I was there I talked to a "old timer" he had lived on the lake his whole life and he told me that he has seen some of the biggest fish in his lifetime soaking up the sun in the ditch. He was saying 40+lbs. I don't know what a person can believe when it comes to fish talk but we'll give it a shot. <BR>Thanks again...

[Jim W]

Depending when and where, I would put down a very sizeable bet that I or someone from my group will catch at least 1 40+ inch jack!<BR>Pounds??? Might be stretching it!<P><BR>Jim W