I thought I would share with you some pixs of my favorite fish to chase, the Northern Pike. Many fishermen look down on them and many states F & G try to eradicate them. The state I live in, Idaho, actively gill nets them to near extermination in some lakes. They put a label on them here as an invasive species. But they are no more so than almost every other fish that swims in our waters. They are just a non-native fish just like all the Bass, Perch, Crappie, Sunfish, whitefish and most of the trout. The only native fish here are the Sturgeon. Bull trout and Squawfish, as well as the salmon runs in some parts of the state. Pike actually got to many waters here in N. Idaho by migrating down stream from Montana. Pike are native to parts of Montana, so I would call that natural expansion. It really ticks me off, they target one species as invasive only because they get paid to do a witch hunt on them. I have studied Pike habits and diet, and they do less harm to the ecosystem than Smallmouth Bass do by far, which we have millions of in this state, but no-one is saying we need to kill all of them. Anyway, getting off my soap box now, and thought I would share with you some pictures of my favorite fish to catch. These were all caught and released in the past 4 years or so. I have a lot more, but it won't let me upload any more than this.

Had another great day fishing and checking out the wonders of this great place!! We caught a lot of smaller LM and a couple of very respectable LM that volunteered to become a dinner someday!!! The weather has been outstanding….cooler than Tennessee and NO humidity!! Absolutely wonderful!! We attached some more pictures of the Lake and the shoreline that we fish. It’s so untouched by man….what dreams are made of!! My mother said it best”You have to find a little slice of Heaven here on earth!! The Northern U.P. of Michigan and Wisconsin is outstanding for an inexpensive vacation in a wilderness place!! We’ll try to keep you guys updated as this adventure continues!! Tight lines to all of you.

Caught this Master Angler Channel Catfish last week. Michigan's new minimum size for a M/A catfish is 30 inches and this one was 30 1/2 inches. I was fishing in Lake St. Clair near one of the channels. Took 15 minutes to get it in the boat on braided line. I was using cut bait with a circle hook. Also caught a few Smallmouth Bass and Yellow Perch. Was a beautiful day with nice weather. Left the fish go to swim another day.

I don’t release carp because they are a nonnative invasive species and released carp are impossible to catch because when hooked for a second time, they immediately swim directly into a snag, then break my line. Braid is probably better than fluorocarbon. I gave the fish to a guy from another country while I was walking back to my car. Then the local guy from Pakistan arrived and he wanted the fish. Rana tried to catch a carp in my spot this morning but caught nothing. I’ll try a different spot this evening.

I got out this evening after mowing the lawn,🙄 and the wind was out of the N then it slightly shifted to NNE which was interesting . I was fishing the big pad field out of Wilson launch and my first fish was a solid 2&1/2# er just before going into my honey holes which now are pretty much gone pads took over these two spots and the flower stems are up which is another thing to get hung up on or worst snag one of these on a back cast and "Poof" instant backlash.
So I ended up with 6 for the day ( that's more like it) . Got off the water at mosquito thirty , had my head net on but they were thick flying right in front of my face. A lot better day than yesterday for sure . 🐸🐸🐸🐸🐸🇺🇲🇺🇲

Went carping in 82 degree Colonial Lake this evening on a hot, humid, cloudy day with a light south wind. Saw 3 other fishermen. My spot was covered with weeds, moss and algae, making fishing very difficult. Saw a small carp jump out of the water right in front of me. Threw out a can of corn for chum, then caught and released a painted turtle with Bowl and Basket whole kernel corn. Saw a water snake swim away from me as I waded back to shore to rebait. Hooked a big fish on my last cast of the day with 12 lb test Cajun fluorocarbon line on my very old Mitchell #300 spinning reel. It made a long run to my right and into a downed tree. Got lucky and pulled it out without breaking my line. Then it made a run around the aerator and my line felt like it was snagged. I moved up the lake and slacked off. The fish took out the slack, then I pumped and reeled without breaking my line again. After a very long battle, I finally beached an 11 lb common carp. The bottom hook of my 3 hook rig was missing. Two young women witnessed the entire event and took lots of photos and made a video.