Small birds for tiger musky bait?

[TACP]

I have always had a thought to maybe give a chickadee at try for a bait under a tip up for tiger musky. I know pike eat birds/ducklings/mice and so do huge bass and catfish. Is this legal to use a non protected bird as bait? Has anyone ever tried this with success? Just curious, I have always wondered if this would be a good tactic, I know they use pike streamers to look like small birds but I’ve never seen it employed or spoken of.

[Rebelss]

Better off using a mouse instead of a poor chickadee! 

[fishnnut]

Probably illegal.

[HWeber]

The list of birds that would be legal is pretty short. Depends on the warden but a chickadee would he a ticket if they wanted to write it.
https://www.fws.gov/birds/bird-enthusiasts/backyard/bird-problems.php

[TACP]

The list of birds that would be legal is pretty short. Depends on the warden but a chickadee would he a ticket if they wanted to write it.
https://www.fws.gov/birds/bird-enthusiasts/backyard/bird-problems.php

Thank you, a frozen mouse from pet store would be better if that is legal to use. I used chickadee as a reference, I had no idea they were protected. Starlings I used to shoot of my uncles barn as well as pidgins because of the nesting and dung mess.

[Baetis62]

Save the bird for your lunch.  I've caught em on a typical Pike rig...shiner on a BD hanging 6" of the bottom in 5' water.  Not sure the other critters are required during ice season but maybe where you fish? 

[TACP]

Better off using a mouse instead of a poor chickadee! 

Have you ever tried mice? The reason I asked this question is there are fly fishing patterns that mimic small birds and mice, and I used a small bird as chickadee as a reference for size, would have used half a starling if I had to use one.

[Rebelss]

Artificials, yes. My buddy is a huge Musky fisherman. But not going to get into a debate about killing songbirds for bait. That's your choice.

[TACP]

Artificials, yes. My buddy is a huge Musky fisherman. But not going to get into a debate about killing songbirds for bait. That's your choice.

No, i only feed song birds, guess I did not think this question through, thanks.

[Rebelss]

No harm done. 

[slipperybob]

Well, them feathered trailers solved it.   

[maddogg]

Try a sparrow there are plenty of them around.

[aacosta]

Not like a bird will be giving much "action" under the ice. Any dead bait or a hotdog would work equally well i assume

[RapShack]

[Kilsdonk]

Each State Moose and Goose Regulations will list approved baits for fishing and if you are still confused give them a call and they will answer any question you have.
If you really want to give somethin similar a try maybe just ty on a whole bird wing to a hook.... but then would you call it bird fishing and not flyfishing? haha
I have known people to target monster brown trout at night on the river using mouse patterns.

[TACP]

Cool video thanks! I think I’ll stick to a dead bait if I can’t bear to pay 3.00 per pike minnow! 20something dollars for a doz pike minnow ! My fishing trips with bait and gas are going to cost 50$

[Hatandboots]

How much do frozen mice cost? That'd be neat to try on a tipup sometime, but probably not as cost-effective as a cisco.

[Rebelss]

Cool video thanks! I think I’ll stick to a dead bait if I can’t bear to pay 3.00 per pike minnow! 20something dollars for a doz pike minnow ! My fishing trips with bait and gas are going to cost 50$

3.00 per pike minnow?!    Holy crap, think I'd tie two bird wings to a fat hot dog first.....

[aacosta]

$7/minnow here

[TACP]

3.00 per pike minnow?!    Holy crap, think I'd tie two bird wings to a fat hot dog first.....

That’s even if you can find pike minnows, this whole bait Has to be certified has driven the cost out of control. It’s like in New York they don’t want you to have guns so they make ammo costs skyrocket. Except I know with the bait it has to do with disease control. I think you’re better off using a Sibiki  rig to try and catch a bunch of dank perch in bluegills, but that’s so inconsistent.

[esox_xtm]

Hah! How's about $14 for a 20+ inch musky sucker? True. I know that most anything live and floppin' catches pike and muskies during open water. Ice, however means you're basically drowning them so really no more effective than dead bait. I fish lots of dead but I never really thought about dead birds/mammals through the ice. Only because it's different and unusual it might be very effective.

If you want frozen mice, every time I empty the trap(s) in the basement I'll throw 'em in a bag in the freezer. You pay the shipping from WI... 

[TACP]

Hah! How's about $14 for a 20+ inch musky sucker? True. I know that most anything live and floppin' catches pike and muskies during open water. Ice, however means you're basically drowning them so really no more effective than dead bait. I fish lots of dead but I never really thought about dead birds/mammals through the ice. Only because it's different and unusual it might be very effective.

If you want frozen mice, every time I empty the trap(s) in the basement I'll throw 'em in a bag in the freezer. You pay the shipping from WI... 

Yes the next time I trap a mouse I will probably give it a whirl! I bet live frogs are best if I look by stream bed, and lift boulders up might find some dormant.

[Rebelss]

Yes the next time I trap a mouse I will probably give it a whirl! I bet live frogs are best if I look by stream bed, and lift boulders up might find some dormant.

No no no....their legs are better deep-fried!

[SLAYERFISH]

I once saw a Laker eat an "American Dipper". hammered that poor thing!

[FishGut]

Given a chickadee is a migratory bird, and covered not just by federal law, but also international law, I'd advise against it. It's illegal to possess a dead (non-game) bird of any kind. Every sportsman should know something as basic as this. It's like not learning lefty loosey, righty tighty.

Next question: How is this a natural presentation? A dead bird under the ice versus something the fish would normally see, like a dead shad or whatnot. I know there's a saying about matching the hatch, but you're taking it too literally.

[Rebelss]

Wonder why water wolves bite on hot dogs then? Are there little underwater hot dog stands? 

[Roccus]

Wonder why water wolves bite on hot dogs then? Are there little underwater hot dog stands? 

no...no..no.. hot dog talk... you've seen where that can go!

On topic.. I've never caught a musky, caught plenty of pike and pickerel... and have witnessed them eat ducklings, water snakes and take a swipe at a muskrat.. I guess anything is possible... I prefer large, dead ( fish) baits for large pike.

[hawg]

Rebs, call Glenn, we can’t let this continue!😊

[Rebelss]

              🏃‍♂️ 🐟~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[TACP]

Given a chickadee is a migratory bird, and covered not just by federal law, but also international law, I'd advise against it. It's illegal to possess a dead (non-game) bird of any kind. Every sportsman should know something as basic as this. It's like not learning lefty loosey, righty tighty.

Next question: How is this a natural presentation? A dead bird under the ice versus something the fish would normally see, like a dead shad or whatnot. I know there's a saying about matching the hatch, but you're taking it too literally.

Someone posted earlier about birds that can be taken, pidgeons and starlings, so chickadee is out of the question.  Just a question I had is all about alternatives to pike minnows they are very hard to come by in my neck of the woods at bait shops, mostly they have 3 in bass shiners, they work but pike bait is 3$ a minnow here and hard to come by.