Local pike die off

[efishnc]

I was working in the backwaters near Hayshore Lake (Reno, MN) Friday and every fisherman in the area was talking about all the dead northern pike they were seeing... hundreds of them in all sizes, floating in big and small groups, wherever the wind pushed them together.  Those poor swimmers appreciated last week's high temps even less than we did!

I remember a mass die off similar to this but worse (at least so far) back in 2012 where the dead fish were so prevalent that it made the local paper; it seems the DNR was continually fielding calls (regarding the number of dead fish) and decided to issue a press release to help curb the calls and let everyone know they were aware of what was going on.

[olsarge]

Hate to hear about fish kills but at least the critters get to dine on pike instead of the other way around.

[ctom]

We've been hitting the Wabasha area recently and we haven't seen any floaters up this way but the water temp yesterday was 84 degrees so that could happen here anytime.

[efishnc]

Hate to hear about fish kills but at least the critters get to dine on pike instead of the other way around.

For sure... after I became a serious bass fisherman, my view of pike drastically changed from a game fish to a pestilent lure thief.

[efishnc]

We've been hitting the Wabasha area recently and we haven't seen any floaters up this way but the water temp yesterday was 84 degrees so that could happen here anytime.

The area I speak of is vastly shallow and flat where the fish just didn't have the availability to move deep quickly enough.  Any pending die off in your area will likely be related to the lack of cool water sanctuaries near where your fishing.

[bassinfool]

The area I speak of is vastly shallow and flat where the fish just didn't have the availability to move deep quickly enough.  Any pending die off in your area will likely be related to the lack of cool water sanctuaries near where your fishing.

That shallow, hot water is usually poorly oxygenated to boot unless it has a ton of vegetation or has something to stir the water up.

[ctom]

Fished yesterday and the areas where 84 degrees was found last week were at 77 so the cool evenings lately must have helped draw the surface heat down. We found far more bass active yesterday too....nice bass. We even found a 4 pound smallie. The pike we had that hit and missed, or bit us off, or that we managed to get to the net, were nicer pike too, 36"-37". We saw only one dink slimer.

[Muskygary]

Shoot Tom, you need to keep one of those northerns to eat! I know you know how to cut out the "Y" bones and those pike fry up better than walleyes!

[ctom]

Better fish to eat than northern. I let all the pike go.

I seldom keep walleyes. Sauger make better table fare so I keep them. I prefer crappies and panfish over all white meat fish. Lake Trout and Salmon are my absolute favorite eating fish.

[efishnc]

I'm with Gary as for pike eating better than walleyes (and sauger)... although pannies might beat pike by a small margin in taste/texture, it's not enough to sway me into cleaning those little buggers for a meal.