A FISH FOR ALL SEASONS

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Northern Pike are a fish for all seasons. They are a fun fish to catch both with a rod and reel or through the ice. Northern will hit hard and are real fighters. They will go every which way and even jump out of the water trying to get off. They are also a very tasty fish both deep fried and pickled.

Lets start with fishing for northern in the spring time. Live bait is a fool proof way to fish for them at this time. You can use a minnow and jig combination or fish a minnow under a bobber. Northern will also hit on crank baits, spoons and spinner baits. The best place to fish for them is in the shallow weedy bays in about 2 to 6 feet of water. This water warms up first and will hold the bait fish in the new green weeds.

When fishing with minnows use the large shiners. When using a jig work the bait slow just above the weeds. When using a bobber set the minnow just above the weeds. The northern use these new weed to ambush the bait fish.

When using crank baits, spoons or spinner baits work them so they just nick the tops of the weeds. Some good choices for crank baits are Rapalas, Frenzeys, Fat Raps or any other minnow type baits. For spoons I like to use Little Cleos, Red and White and 5 of Diamonds Dare Devils. For spinner baits I like to use Mepps inline spinners and any bass type spinners.

Now for the equipment. When fishing with live bait I like to use a 7 foot medium light action spinning rod and an open face reel. I spool it with 8 pound Trilene XL line. I do not use a wire leader with this method. You might loose a few fish but the action is better with out the leader.

When I cast for northern I like to use a 61/2 to 7 foot rod with a good bait casting reel. I spool this set up with 10 pound Trilene XL line and I do use a leader. The reason I use a leader with this method is that the fish seem to hit the bait harder causing more of a chance for them to bite off the bait. The reason I elect to use a bait caster for this type fishing is I feel that I have better control of the bait.

During the summer I continue to fish the same methods but I will move out to 6 to 10 feet of water depending on the depth and thickness of the weeds. I will use larger shiners and bigger baits when casting. I will also work the bait faster. I will also start using weedless spoons tipped with a piece of Gulp on it. The weedless bait will allow you to run the bait through the weeds. The Gulp gives the bait more action and has a good scent on it. The weedless spoon I use is a Johnson Silver Minnow. The style Gulp I use is a 3" minnow.

Now for fishing northern in the fall of the year. For live bait I will go to a small muskie sucker and a bigger bobber. The reason for using the bigger minnow is that as the water cools down the fish start bulking up for the winter. I will continue to fish the same areas as I did in the summer. When I cast for them I will use bigger baits and slow down my retrieve. I will go to using Mepps Giant Killers and Mepps #4 spinner baits. For the crank baits I will use the larger ones.

When fishing open water for northern do not be surprised if you pick up a muskie or two during the year. The muskies frequent the same waters that northern do. Remember if you do catch a muskie handle them with care and practice CPR ( catch - photo - release ). In the heat of the summer you might have to work with the muskie for awhile before they recover and swim away. Please take the time to assure a good release.

Before we get into the ice fishing segment lets talk about the tools needed when fishing northern. One thing you will need is a jaw spreader. This tool you put in the front of the jaw. When it opens it holds the jaw open allowing you to work safely to remove the bait. Northern have a lot of sharp teeth so be very careful. The next thing you should have is a hook remover or a long handle needle nose pliers. This will allow you to get the hooks out safely with out putting your hand in its mouth.

When landing a northern in a net the fish will probably roll up in it. Be careful when you untangle the fish ftom the net. Their teeth are sharp and so are the hooks in their mouth. Use caution when working on the fish.

Now its time to talk about ice fishing. This is the time or the year a lot of fish are caught. More people fish for northern at this time of the year than any other time of the year.

When ice fishing I use tipups for fishing northern. I spool my tipups with 50 pound Dacron line. This allows me to fight the fish without the line cutting into my fingers. I also use a wire leader to prevent the fish from biting off. For bait I win use large shiner minnows. I will hook the minnow in the back just below the dorsal fin, this will keep the minnow alive and active. I will fish shallow bays in 4 to 6 feet of water over the weeds. I will set the bait about a foot above the weeds. As the winter goes on the fish will move out a little deeper and move back in at the end of the season.

In closing remember northern pike will hit all day long and all year long. So go fish northern and have some fun.

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