This was one of the biggest surprises Ive ever had on the end of my line. Its a very young Northern Pike (Esox Lucius) measuring 13 and 1/4 inches long. I estimate that this fish is between 4 and 5 years old and it put up a nice fight. It was taken out of the Mohawk River. Rivers in general are productive when fishing for Northern Pike because the water is dirty, giving the fish more camouflage in open water compared to clear water environments. Current, structure, and vegetation are very useful for feeding pike all seasons of the year. Rivers are also colder than smaller bodies of water and holds more dissolved oxygen. The Northern Pike is classified as a warm water species, although they prefer a water temperature range from the low 50s to mid 60s and feed actively during the winter as well. They will strike just about any lure and the largest ones are usually taken on live bait. When using live bait you should use baits that are at least 1/4 of the length of the fish you wish to catch. Dont forget to use wire leaders when fishing for pike and be careful when releasing them as they tend to be intolerant of handling. The Northern Pike is a fantastic species to fish for and ranks among the easiest big fish to catch in freshwater - Mike
Posted on: Tue, 14 Oct 2014 01:30:52 +0000
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