early ice out pike

[Fishteeth]

the ice looks like it is going to go out wicked early this year in maine. Just wondering if anyone has experiences with ice going out early for pike in past years and how the pike acted following it. Do they do an early spawn those years or is the spawn still around normal time like in march or april? I figure it is based more on water temperature then time of year so if that is true, might be casting for prespawn pike in 2-3 weeks

[deadsmelthead]

Its really a water temp thing, from what ive seen as the water approaches 40degrees they really start feeding with reckless abandon if the ice goes out..If the ice is still there I think the amount of daylight plays a role in an uptick in feeding..

[GlovelessPro]

I'd say it's a temp thing too - with the sun exposed bays and coves that have wind pushing the warm top layer of water into them being the first to see any spawning activity.