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The Northern Pike of Lake of the Woods

It is known that Lake of the Woods has an amazing walleye fishery but some are unaware about the monster pike that roam the lake. The pike add another level of excitement about what else can come up a fish hole. Pike have been seen in so many different areas on the vast lake. They have been found in back bays by tip up and spearing anglers, in the river, back bays, deep holes, reefs, and the main lake. They have been spotted lying and waiting mere feet under the ice for fish released by anglers or even following up walleyes being reeled in.

Early ice season when the bays are frozen and safe a couple resorts will put out spear houses in Bostic Bay and Zippel Bay. Bugsy’s on Bostic and Zippel Bay Resort are known for having spear houses out for that early ice and to target some giant pike. Locals will also put spear houses out on the edge of bays of the river and lake to find these big toothy critters. We suggest using an outfitter as they are out checking ice daily, monitoring ice conditions, and staking trails. Safety and caution is very important.

The first ten days in December are extremely popular and productive when weather allows it. Spearing starts November 15 and continues through February. Found along the shallow bays, the northern pike at Lake of the Woods are of trophy proportions.

As the winter progresses many of the pike scatter onto the lake while some stay in the bays. Many of the pike can be caught near or on reefs feeding. Some anglers will put a tip up out as there second line.

Come March or the end of the winter season bays are loaded with tip up anglers as they are all hoping for that big one to swim by and hammer their bait.

Northern Pike on Lake of the Woods can reach sizes larger than 40 inches and weigh more than 25 pounds. Having this trophy caliber fish creates a huge buzz to catch these monsters especially in the late winter and early spring months when they are staging for spawning. Tip ups are common to catch pike on late ice. Pike season is continuous on LOW which means it never closes. The limit for pike is 3 fish with one fish being 40+ inches and pike 30-40 inches must be immediately released. Pike can be caught all year all over the lake including the main basin, the Northwest Angle, the Rainy River, and bays.

LOW Northern Pike Limit

fishing the giantsDrew Selvester Rainy River, LAKE OF THE WOODSFLAG ISLAND MONSTER PIKE

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