A Guide’s Life :

Early-Season Pike
Bigger is better

By Bob Howe

When ice fishing for pike you need to get your mind around a couple of things before you start. The first is the understanding that “trophy” pike (those in the 15 – 30-pound range) are different from smaller ones. The distinctions are tremendous. Think of it as smaller fish being a warm water species and bigger ones being a coldwater species. Separate them in your mind and view them completely distinctly.

As a guide, there are times when I will target trophies and times I just need to put fish on the ice. These are two different ball games. For trophy fish, it begins with location.

A big pike will be the ultimate predator in any food chain. Remember, these fish didn’t get big by accident. Their location will vary tremendously throughout the ice season. A couple of things go into this including temperature and oxygen content. 

Early in the season at first-ice my favorite place to catch them is on the first drop-off, in about 10 – 20 feet of water. At this time the water here is still oxygenated. It offers the fish the ability to slide up into shallower water to feed if necessary yet still slip back. In many ways you have to think of these fish like a big whitetail buck. They like to move along edges and in breaks in cover. Sure, they can catch anything they see with a few swipes of their tail but a fish of the size we are talking about will use only so much energy to get food. They prefer vantage points and to do business in areas that give them an advantage. 

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