Pike fishing in Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Wisconsin Fishing
Apr 21, 2023 08:25:35 #
Hello I’m still fairly new to the Eau Claire, Wisconsin area. I’m 65 years old and retired with health issues. Have never fished for Northern Pike in my life. Was not a big option in Southern Indiana, where I’m from. I’m looking for all the information I can find to help a beginner Pike fisherman please. The when, where’s with easy access for shore fishing for an old man and the tips to help with the how. Are there any Pike Fishing Mentors out there?😂 Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Apr 21, 2023 09:06:56 #
Hello SF, and welcome to the Stage! Pike are ambush predators. They will hover in current behind rocks, in weeds with access to deeper water, under piers like a bass and eat just about anything.
They like black and white Daredevle spoons, red and white and the yellow with 5 red diamonds on them. Mepps spinners, Rapala crank baits and floating minnows. A live shiner under a bobber floating just outside a weed line, I have even heard of them eating hot dogs. My brother watched a young boy catch a 44” pike on a night crawler (under a bobber) on Lake Superior, too.
I will warn you they are slimy, they stink and can make a mess of your tackle, but are a lot of fun to catch.
I hope some of this helps?
Good luck!
They like black and white Daredevle spoons, red and white and the yellow with 5 red diamonds on them. Mepps spinners, Rapala crank baits and floating minnows. A live shiner under a bobber floating just outside a weed line, I have even heard of them eating hot dogs. My brother watched a young boy catch a 44” pike on a night crawler (under a bobber) on Lake Superior, too.
I will warn you they are slimy, they stink and can make a mess of your tackle, but are a lot of fun to catch.
I hope some of this helps?
Good luck!
Apr 21, 2023 10:20:41 #
OJdidit,
Thank you Sir for sharing this information. I will definitely take a few notes here from your post. As for their feeding? Sounds like I could have been a Pike in a previous life 😂. Thanks again OJ.
Thank you Sir for sharing this information. I will definitely take a few notes here from your post. As for their feeding? Sounds like I could have been a Pike in a previous life 😂. Thanks again OJ.
Apr 21, 2023 11:03:00 #
Savage Flies wrote:
OJdidit,
Thank you Sir for sharing this information. I will definitely take a few notes here from your post. As for their feeding? Sounds like I could have been a Pike in a previous life 😂. Thanks again OJ.
Thank you Sir for sharing this information. I will definitely take a few notes here from your post. As for their feeding? Sounds like I could have been a Pike in a previous life 😂. Thanks again OJ.
Good one…and good luck!
Apr 21, 2023 11:06:25 #
butchS
Loc: MN
Used a wire leader always or the northern will cut your line. The other big item is you have to cut the Y bones out of the fish or all you will be doing is eating bones. But they are fun to fish.
Apr 21, 2023 12:26:45 #
butchS
Thank you for sharing this information. As for the leader, is there a length that is better? I’ve seen 12” & 18” listed the most.
Thank you,
Jeff
Thank you for sharing this information. As for the leader, is there a length that is better? I’ve seen 12” & 18” listed the most.
Thank you,
Jeff
Apr 21, 2023 13:39:08 #
Apr 22, 2023 15:45:32 #
Omaryam2
Loc: Wi
You’ll definitely want to arm yourself with a long handled needle nose pliers. Those toothy critters are sharp
Apr 22, 2023 15:54:00 #
Thank you. That’s what I’m hearing. I was actually just pricing long needle nose and side cutters on our local Harbor Freight page. Also looking at rubberized nets and gloves at our local Scheels Sporting Goods.
Apr 22, 2023 17:52:19 #
Tlquick44
Loc: Chicago, IL
Those rubber nets are a mess when your lure gets caught in them. Just bought one also and they were a devil to untangle from trouble hooks!
Apr 22, 2023 17:54:39 #
Grandpa Knows How
Loc: Bahia De Los angeles, Mexico
Pike have an unjustified bad rep. Usually an easy fish to catch, but a strong fighter. Yes they are slimy? It how it protects itself. It’s bony compared to other fish, but YouTube videos will teach you how to properly fillet and remove all the bones.
Best of all, it’s a delicious fish in bountiful numbers so you can eat it frequently without risk of harming population in every place I know of.
Best of all, it’s a delicious fish in bountiful numbers so you can eat it frequently without risk of harming population in every place I know of.
Apr 22, 2023 20:51:04 #
Apr 22, 2023 20:55:00 #
harleypiker
Loc: WA
The "Y" bone hype is just that. They have a bone line between the rib cage and fins that "y's" on the end. Walleyes and perch and probably most others also have this bone but it does not "y" at the end. So they are not some terrible unusual scourge in pike. I fillet around them producing a single fillet each side and just waste a pencil thin strip of meat between the "y'". You got good info above. Enjoy pike fishing. I do too.
Apr 22, 2023 20:55:02 #
Yes they are very tasty. My stepson has fixed them on different occasions. Beautiful white meat and never a single bone. He does a great job with his knife. He eats a few Pike and hunts Musky with a passion. I’ve been driving him crazy with my questions 😂. Thank you for your help Sir.
Apr 22, 2023 21:00:03 #
Thank you as well for you sharing of info. You are correct, I’ve been fortunate and have received a lot of great help so far. I’m grateful and impressed with the members here. Very willing to help a newbie. I’m anxious to post a picture of my first Pike. It will be pleasing to show there help was taken with lots of respect to you all.
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