Sakakawea Pike

[Lungdeflator]

Hows the pike fishing been this year?

I am either really bad at fishing pike, or something is going on. This whole year, spearing included, has been crap. 4-5 years ago it was lights out, but this year we can't find a fish for anything. I can't believe the populations are down, so maybe they are just so loaded up on smelts and other baitfish they aren't biting?

 

[Brian Renville]

It has been a strange year overall. I should be still drilling holes every chance I get but I’ve kinda let work get ahold of me again for a bit. I’m not sure what the deal is, if there is one but the fact that there has been close to zero stability weather wise doesn’t help much.

 

[scrotcaster]

My guess is the high abundance of smelt in the system equates to lower fishing success.

 

[Vollmer]

The NDGF mentioned that pike are down, almost across the board, throughout the entire state.

 

[martinslanding]

The NDGF mentioned that pike are down, almost across the board, throughout the entire state.

NDGF also promises a quick and easy online application process ...

 

[Bfishn]

The NDGF mentioned that pike are down, almost across the board, throughout the entire state.

:;:thumbsup

 

[Vollmer]

NDGF also promises a quick and easy online application process ...

Good point. Haha

 

[zoops]

The NDGF mentioned that pike are down, almost across the board, throughout the entire state.

Pretty sure they said they're still above average for Sak, although down from historic highs a couple years ago. Bigger fish also more abundant.

 

[H82bogey]

NDGF also promises a quick and easy online application process ...

You win best comment of the day.

 

[Chas'n Tail]

Makes me wonder if the spring spawn will just be delayed or if they are spawning below the ice right now.

 

[Sum1]

They will spawn below the ice I’m sure. I have seen bigger pike caught this winter then I ever have in my life.

 

[Riggen&Jiggen]

Back in the early 90s both the pike and walleye spawned as the ice was going out on Darling. The G&F set nets right after the ice left the ice and every fish they got was spawned out already. That was a big snow winter and the lake was rising when there was still ice. So it is a good possibility they are spawning on Sak since the water is rising. Also I have never had real good luck with Pike in the month of April. March was always much better then it died down in April and started again in early May.

 

[KDM]

I heard from some Sak gator giggers that the pike in Sak were plentiful and big. Lots of high 30's to mid 40's fish speared this past season. Many of these guys were in 15+ ft of water on breaklines where you would expect walleyes. Most of these guys started shallow and ended up that deep due to the smelt schools holding over the 30+ ft of water.

 

[Captain Ahab]

I know walleyes will absorb their eggs if conditions aren't right early enough(water temp). Not sure about pike though.

 

[Lycanthrope]

I heard from some Sak gator giggers that the pike in Sak were plentiful and big. Lots of high 30's to mid 40's fish speared this past season. Many of these guys were in 15+ ft of water on breaklines where you would expect walleyes. Most of these guys started shallow and ended up that deep due to the smelt schools holding over the 30+ ft of water.

Are you talking lbs or inches? If people are getting 40lb pike in sak I might need to get up there!

 

[Sluggo]

I'm 0-3 for my big pike late ice trips on sak this year. Probably going to hang it up until there is open water. We caught a few small ones but nothing that I was looking for. I agree that it has been an odd year.

 

[KDM]

Are you talking lbs or inches? If people are getting 40lb pike in sak I might need to get up there!

Inches Lycan. In lbs, these fish were high teens to low 20's.

 

[JayKay]

I'm 0-3 for my big pike late ice trips on sak this year. Probably going to hang it up until there is open water. We caught a few small ones but nothing that I was looking for. I agree that it has been an odd year.

It's probably the company you keep.

 

[Fishmission]

They will spawn below the ice I’m sure. I have seen bigger pike caught this winter then I ever have in my life.

Righto... game warden told me years ago if it’s a late ice year, the pike don’t wait. Bigguns should be done spawning already.

 

[NDSportsman]

NDGF also promises a quick and easy online application process ...

To be fair your part is rather quick and easy.........