Pike/Walleye

[Big Al]

Given the above average temps, when do you guys think that the Pike and Walleye will start to spawn in the SW corner of the state?

[DEERSLAYER]

I guessing the next warm spell. I think it's going to be a little early this year.

[walleyechaser]

Pike have been known to spawn when lakes still have ice on them providing the marshes and creeks they spawn in have open water which isn't freezing at night.
Walleyes are more temperature dependant--they spawn when the water is around 48 degress or so.

[MGV]

To go with the same question when do perch spawn?

[walleyechaser]

Perch will actually spawn under the ice in March if its still there---all perch need is weeds for the egg strings to stick to.

[ifish4eyes]

Pike spawn before the walleye. Pike will also use the river to spawn. LP

[Spinner]

I heard perch start spawn once waters reach 44 degrees. They are the first to spawn out of the panfish.


SPINNER

[Big Al]

Thanks alot guys, I guess I'm going to have to plan a trip to my favorite pike marsh in a week or so and see if they're in there. I'll also have to start checking the local dam for running walleye.

[trout]

Pike are in the creeks as we read this.

[Big Al]

Thanks Trout, maybe I'll have to sneek out this weekend if I can finagle it.

[DEERSLAYER]

walleyes have been runnning up the Muskegon for the last two weeks. Thats where that 16.25 pounder came from that I posted last week {under the rivers section}.

[MGV]

Thanks for the info walleychaser.

[BearAce]

I have heard the eyes are starting to come into the rivers. What do you guys use to catch them? I am fishing from shore on a pretty small river. Abou the size of the Rifle. I heard of people using a jig head and wax worms. Does this really work? I have been using a jig head and minnow and have caught a few small ones.

[Tattoo Mike]

Originally posted by BearAce
What do you guys use to catch them? I heard of people using a jig head and wax worms. Does this really work? I have been using a jig head and minnow and have caught a few small ones.

A jig head and twister tail will work adding a minnow for taste will always improve you luck. Try to find glo-flies and try them just after dark they also produce.

[BearAce]

Thanks Mike, but where do I go about finding these glo-flies and do you add them to the jig head. What is your feeling on using a bobber along with the jig and minnow.

[Tattoo Mike]

Well you'll have to look around at area shops to try to find glo-flies. I only know of one place and its way down in the SE. They are large about 1" in length and they have glo-in-the-dark thread in them. Someplace is bound to carry them. I fish them with some splitshot under a float, or with a bullet weight. Jigs under bobbers also work as long as you get them to float just above bottom. I've even seen guys use floating jigs and bullet weight or those snagless sinkers.

[northern_outdoorsman]

I caught a 28 inch Pike at Stoney Creek Last Sunday (2-24-02). I kept it cause it didn't look like a Female....Wrong! It was and when I fileted it it was FULL of eggs! So I would say they are about ready to spawn right now!

[ifish4eyes]

Hey it Ok to keep some fish to eat. I'm glad God did not put antlers on fish. Because you would have the same problem deer hunters have. Putting back all the females and have all these undersize males swimming around. LP