Pickerel

[fredjiggy]

Maybe the RI Dem could hire scientists to figure out a way to slow the growth of the pickerel populations in RI. Are there any ponds in this state where they are not the dominate species? 

[ImmovingtoMaine,OUCH]

Stock a lot of northern pike......a local who used to live on Bantam Lake in CT used to kill and use 10-14”pickerel as bait, caught a lot of big pike that way (although it’s been illegal I think for years now) , I rarely catch pickerel in the healthier pike lakes/ponds I fish 

[halfhooked]

pickerel are not the apex predator in the pond we have a pond in Hopkinton prior to 1976 it was the Pic pond in RI consistently producing 5 fish stringers weighing over 30 lbs  no bass in that pond at all 5 large mouth over 4 lbs were put in there with in 5 years pics were far and few and to this day none over a a pound and half  so many bass you can catch 30 fish an hour fish all day and not get a 2 lber

[fredjiggy]

Halfhooked, wondering if the ponds in Hopkinton are safe for hardwater fishing? Thanks for comments on Pickerel history. Fred. 

[halfhooked]

have not as yet checked I will go for a ride this afternoon

[WhiteSoldier]

I was out fishing all last weekend. I caught like 5 slime darts.