Pike Bite

[Pike Panther]

The pike bite has been a little slow this year.  The size of the winners in the derby were not too impressive either.  Fished the Gut a couple times & Campbel's twice as well with very average results in both places.  Anybody heard about how well they are doing in Goose & Gander or other places?

[Light liner]

There were a few groups that caught a lot of pike in that area, but
All small.
Biggest ones were 10-11 lbs.
A lot of 6-8 pounders.
Too many people keeping females is the problem.

[gogetthegaff]

There were a few groups that caught a lot of pike in that area, but
All small.
Biggest ones were 10-11 lbs.
A lot of 6-8 pounders.
Too many people keeping females is the problem.

Agreed. I don't think anybody needs to keep a limit of pike. I know I'm probably going to get S@!t for saying that. But IMO if you want one for the table keep a 3-4# male and let the rest go so they can grow. But to each his own I guess.

[EyERipLip]

Agreed pike limit is too high and too small. Theyre a great resource to the state if only they would recognize it

[Pike Panther]

I couldn't agree more with the comments about too many big pike being kept.  I wrote to Shawn Good, the state fish biologist about a slot limit last year.  He agreed that it would be a fantastic idea but he didn't think it was anything that was going to happen soon.  I appreciate everyone who lets the bigger females go.  The only way to get a 15+ pound fish is if you are willing to let a 10+ pound fish go.  They only grow a pound a year and every fish over 5 pounds is a female.   I finally got really close to 15 pounds last year with this 14 lb, 12oz.  She went back down the hole along with many others last year in the 9-12 pound range.   

[KillerFish]

In Massachusetts there is a one pike a day limit - and the vast majority of anglers (90%+) release all they catch - the results are clear, many 20+ pounders caught every year. My biggest this year was 17, my biggest last year was 22. Gotta release the big females.

Mass has terrific trophy pike fishing.

[Light liner]

In Massachusetts there is a one pike a day limit - and the vast majority of anglers (90%+) release all they catch - the results are clear, many 20+ pounders caught every year. My biggest this year was 17, my biggest last year was 22. Gotta release the big females.

Mass has terrific trophy pike fishing.

One of these years im getting down there to pike fish.
Ive seen pics of some beautiful pike that are caught in MA.

[Pike Panther]

That is awesome.  I have seen some pics from Mass of really big pike and on very small bodies of water.  Good luck catching some more of those big ones.  Sounds very exciting.

[WVBoy]

I agree..Bite has been slow and small. I've always had issues with the pike limits here for the 20yrs of living here. ive watched the sizes decline over the years and the only thing that gives the pike a break is a bad ice year.

[Pike Panther]

We had great fishing 2014-2017.  Many fish 8-11 pounds almost everytime we went and really good numbers of fish too.  Ice fishing 2018 was a little less productive, the spring of 2018 was pretty good and then when summer hit, I couldn't find them in almost any of my go to spots.  Even in water up to 30 feet nothing was going on.  I was excited for ice fishing however, the past 5 times out have been below average.  I'm thinking its got something to do with whatever the alwives are doing. 

[pmaloney86]

In Massachusetts there is a one pike a day limit - and the vast majority of anglers (90%+) release all they catch - the results are clear, many 20+ pounders caught every year. My biggest this year was 17, my biggest last year was 22. Gotta release the big females.

Mass has terrific trophy pike fishing.

There are big fish around but beware there are also many flag less days when you chase them.  We def don't have the numbers that other states do but there are some big ones around.  KillerFish how many hours do you say you've dedicated to pike fishing this year to get a 17?  I've spent a solid 60+hours pike fishing and haven't even got a double digit this year.

[EyERipLip]

I agree..Bite has been slow and small. I've always had issues with the pike limits here for the 20yrs of living here. ive watched the sizes decline over the years and the only thing that gives the pike a break is a bad ice year.

Same here slow fishing and dinks mostly. Been trying to get on the salmon give the toothies a break ...... till spring that is!!

[bootstrap]

here they were in the shallows for only a short time. gf had one of the biggest iv seen break off 12lb fluoro. have not see one in a while.

[Pike Panther]

Good luck with the salmon.  There wasn't a single salmon entered in the Island Derby.  A 17" would have stolen the purse.

[Hess]

We release all the pike we catch -- hardwater or softwater...!!

[KillerFish]

There are big fish around but beware there are also many flag less days when you chase them.  We def don't have the numbers that other states do but there are some big ones around.  KillerFish how many hours do you say you've dedicated to pike fishing this year to get a 17?  I've spent a solid 60+hours pike fishing and haven't even got a double digit this year.

Lol - at least a hundred by now I’d guess. That’s definitely a good and valid point

[EyERipLip]

Good luck with the salmon.  There wasn't a single salmon entered in the Island Derby.  A 17" would have stolen the purse.

Im in central vt plenty of opportunities around here. People have been doing well