Pike offer early season excitement

In angling parlance, they’re known as hammer handles, gators, water wolves and even snakes.
They also inhabit the waters of Lake Simcoe.
But you can erase any fears the freshwater version of Jaws is lurking about.
Esox lucius, more commonly known as northern pike, do not grow to man-eating proportions.
But their physical makeup that includes a pointed head, rows of razor-like teeth along with a long, slender body, coupled with a voracious appetite, can lure anglers to wet a line in this province’s sixth-largest inland lake.
And with fish of this nature being found within a short driving distance for York Region piscators, it’s no wonder they are a sought-after species.
With a new open water season now under way, those who frequently pursue this species feel anyone who tries their luck for the first time won’t be disappointed.
“It’s hard to find a body of water in these parts (southern Ontario) that have the pike numbers Lake Simcoe has,” said Wil Wegman, an ardent angler and spokesperson for the Aurora Bassmasters. “For numbers of decent-sized pike, I would rate it as excellent.”
“Early season northern pike fishing on Lake Simcoe could be easily some of the best fishing that one might experience all year,” added Dave Chong, an Aurora resident who has caught his fair share of pike, including one he said tipped the scales at 24 pounds. “Imagine catching 20 to 30 bruiser northerns in the 10 to 15-pound range. This is not an uncommon occurrence on Lake Simcoe. The fish have finished spawning and are looking to fatten up so they are feeding heavily.”
Studies conducted by the ministry on the Lake Simcoe northern pike status confirms a healthy population exists.
They attribute it to two simple factors: an abundance of habitat and food.
“An increase in aquatic plant growth (due to filtering effects of zebra mussels and increased light penetration, which sparks plant growth) has resulted in more habitat. And with an abundant shiner, perch, crappie and sunfish population, there is a great forage base for the northerns,” Mr. Wegman said.
In conducting summer and winter creel surveys and near shore index netting programs in the summer and fall, the Ministry of Natural Resources’ Lake Simcoe Fisheries Assessment Unit note the majority of pike they’ve seen weigh within a range of 1.5 to 4.5 kilograms (three to 10 lbs.).
However, Ron Allen, a senior fisheries technician with the Lake Simcoe Fisheries Assessment Unit, says he’s handled a number in the 7.3-kg. range (16 lbs.) and measuring over one metre in length.
Mr. Allen also speculates there are bigger fish in the swim.
“It’s been our experience that the very largest of fish are often caught by anglers not in our assessment gear,” he said.
While ministry surveys from 1998 revealed Cook’s Bay is a popular magnet for pike anglers with close to 76 per cent of angler hours targeting this segment of Lake Simcoe, other areas of the lake can play host to some good action.
Adding to the excitement of early season pike fishing is that these fish can often be sighted cruising the shallows and will strike an offering if thrown their way since they are putting the feed bag back on after returning from spawning in the tributaries which empty into the lake, Mr. Wegman noted.
“During the spring, pike can be fun to catch when you can often see these big, toothy critters idly swimming along and then they chase down your lure, it is very exhilarating,” he said.
To catch these fish during the early open water season though depends on plenty of co-operation from Mother Nature.
Anglers are quick to point out the warmer the weather the better, since it will induce weed growth, which pike relate to for forage and habitat, along with warming up water temperatures.
“The colder and wetter the spring, normally means the poorer the pike fishing will be. If you have a warm spring with lots of sun, then it will normally be very good,” Mr. Wegman cited.
It is this new weed growth that Mr. Wegman pays close attention to when fishing for pike during spring.
Such places, Mr. Chong added, can be found in shallow bays such as the bottom end of Cook’s Bay and Barnstable Bay in the northern part of Lake Simcoe.
“In the spring, the pike will not be far from where they just spawned. They will be gorging themselves on perch and other panfish. And a bit of weed growth is always preferable.”
Catching pike can be done in a variety of manners.
For the casual angler, the simplest outfit consists of employing a live minnow and float rig.
On the other side of the ledger, an ardent angler seeking a challenge will employ a variety of artificial offerings. These might include spinner baits, jerk baits or crank baits.
While many anglers prefer to use large, muskie-sized baits for pike, Mr. Chong prefers large bass lures including the Lightning series spinnerbaits or even Blue Fox Vibrax in-line spinners.
In the jerk bait line, there’s two types that work best. Some of the more popular hard jerk baits include the Rapala Husky in a silver-blue, firetiger or perch finish, Mr. Wegman said.
“Allow these baits to sit relaxed for long periods if the pike are inactive,” Mr. Wegman suggested. “And jerk rapidly and continually if pike are on the feed and aggressive.”
Crankbaits can be used in trolling or casting. For trolling, Mr. Wegman suggests models that are long and thin. During times when he likes to fan cast an area, he prefers models that are fatter in appearance and heavier in nature, such as the Rapala DT series in the firetiger, perch or silver-blue finishes.
Taking into account pike possess rows of razor-like teeth and can grow up to 20 lbs. or more, Mr. Chong suggested anglers employ equipment that’s a little heavier than the norm. He prefers using braided line or 20-lb. Berkley Fireline on a baitcasting reel or heavy open-faced spinning reel.
“I wouldn’t go with anything lighter than 17 lb. test,” he said.
To prevent any lures from breaking off, Mr. Chong warned all baits should be tied on to a small titanium leader, such as those made by StringEase.
Because the majority of pike fishing is done on  open water, a boat is required.
Boaters should pay close attention to marine forecasts as Lake Simcoe has the capability to change in a heartbeat.
For those who do not have the luxury of owning a vessel, Keffer’s Marine (905-476-4161) and Harry’s Bait and Tackle (905-476-0441), both located in Keswick, offer rentals.
For anglers who would like to sample what spring pike fishing can be like on Lake Simcoe and, at the same time, have an opportunity to pocket some cash, the Aurora Bassmasters will hold their annual pike tournament and adult transfer June 3 out of Pasadena Marina in Keswick.
The 10th annual event is open to anyone with a boat 14 feet in length and longer and with a proper live well.
Cost is $90 per two-person team, including the big fish pot.
The heaviest three pike that are kept alive will win the tournament.
The tournament will run from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Some of the adult pike that are caught and kept alive will be transferred into Fairy Lake in Newmarket as part of a ministry initiative.
With Fairy Lake possessing plenty of course species such as carp and suckers, the introduction of pike has helped create a more sport fishery and balance the ecosystem.
For more tournament details, call Marc Coratti at 905-989-0090.
Further information on Lake Simcoe pike fishing can be obtained by logging on to www.fishlakesimcoe.com

Comments

[colin]

this artical helped me a lot. i have a cottage on barntable bay in bayshore village. I went into the river on the bay on july 4th and caught 4 large mouth bass and 2 pike in 8 hours. this lake is amazing.

i was wondering how many pike are in fairy lake about

would you recomend fishing there off the shores??? and there are alot of water falls and rapids so i dont think alot of the pike survive

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i like this part of the post:"Anglers are quick to point out the warmer the weather the better, since it will induce weed growth, which pike relate to for forage and habitat, along with warming up water temperatures." is verygood

[Yaniv]

the pike in lake simcoe can only grow up to 10 pounds so if you are looking for big pike than you should look in to another area but still i have alot of fun on lake simcoe so great fishing, PEACE

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