Battle Against Northern Pike

[Ridgeratt]

There isn't a size limit or a catch limit on Northern's in this state.

[HornHoarder]

There is no limit/minimum size on pike.

[walt]

They're already in the upper Columbia and the Spokane river. I'm not sure where I land on this one. They're a ton of fun to catch and the way the Columbia system has been altered over the last 75 years it's become more of a warm water haven. Restoring salmon and steelhead runs to historic levels is a losing battle unless we choose to remove the dams, but that's a whole nother can o worms. I'm leaning towards managing the ecosystem we've created and moving forward. Just my thoughts. Let's see how far this one goes...
What about making Grand Coulee the wall? Here's an interesting read:
http://www.nwcouncil.org/history/grandcouleeimpactsonfish.asp

[Special T]

Make them like carp. no limit, anysize, no Lic  necessary!  How would you bow fish them? Do they fin like carp?

[walt]

Pretty sure they already are. I think you need a license though, kinda like yotes. I think bowfishing for them would be tough. Late spring would probably be your best bet. They move into the shallows when the warm water fish are on their beds and tend to cruise along weed lines or any structure.  Getting in bow range may be tough. I'm sure there are many on here that can expand on this. I'm still a pike newbie, I just caught the bug a few years ago.

[BLKBEARKLR]

they do not fin like carp, but as already stated they move into the shallows in mid to late spring, for breeding purposes and also for food. They are about 99.9% faster than a carp and a heck of a lot more skiddish. Going to be real hard pressed to get a bow shot under 15-25 yards on a pike.

Joe

[HornHoarder]

In my experience, I have seen lots of times when the pike are in the shallows, and are sunning themselves or resting?  Been able to cruise up to within 10 yards with the electic motor. Usually big ones too. So can I legally try bowfishing for them now?

[NRA4LIFE]

We fished for them almost every waking moment in the spring and summer in Wisconsin.  For those who have not tried them, they are an excellent eating fish if you know how to clean them (i.e. getting rid of the Y-bones).  They also make some of the best pickled fish you'll ever eat.

[Skillet]

In my experience, I have seen lots of times when the pike are in the shallows, and are sunning themselves or resting?  Been able to cruise up to within 10 yards with the electic motor. Usually big ones too. So can I legally try bowfishing for them now?

You can try, but I don't think you should try until they lift the "game fish" status on them...


 

What about making Grand Coulee the wall? Here's an interesting read:
http://www.nwcouncil.org/history/grandcouleeimpactsonfish.asp

If Grand Coulee Dam is the wall, the pike will end up in the irrigation canal system via the Banks Lake intake - which eventually outputs back into the Columbia via Crab Creek just below Wanapum Dam.  If northern pike are established in Lake Roosevelt, they'll eventually be established in the Columbia.

[JODakota]

they do not fin like carp, but as already stated they move into the shallows in mid to late spring, for breeding purposes and also for food. They are about 99.9% faster than a carp and a heck of a lot more skiddish. Going to be real hard pressed to get a bow shot under 15-25 yards on a pike.

Joe

Yes very fast..in fact worlds fastest freshwater fish. Im from ND and they are pretty much all we fish for their besides walleye

[TommyH]

They are tasty and awesome to catch and closer to me than salmon(distance) but not worth destroying the salmon recovery- attempt


Sounds like the time to go! I have been watching big pike pulled from the ice? any p.o. ice fishing any good, or winter pike fishing in general?

[JODakota]

Back in North Dakota thats how and when most are caught right out of the ice. Thats the big prize fish back home well pike and walleye.

[Russ McDonald]

I grew up in Minnesota.  Same thing fished for walleye and pike.  Awesome fish to catch.  Wife even caught a 5lb pike when we went back one year and she is a Cali girl. 

[JODakota]

god I miss that, Lake of the woods is calling my name lol

[Woodchuck]

I hear ya there brother. Miss it a bunch.