Pike invading the Kawarthas

[grubman]

Hi all

In another forum the members are all worried about the recent catches of pike in some of the lakes in the Kawarthas. Many have said/claimed that the pike is not welcomed b/c the lakes have muskies and can't handle another predator. The pike are most likely finding their way up the locks and breeding. I've been getting alot of encouragement to keep any I catch from there. Anyone else aware of the situation there and believe the same?

Thanks.

 

[Rain-Bow]

I think that could be a bit of a problem for the musky populations on certain lakes. Pike are generally born a few weeks earlier than the musky are and are born in the same areas, so the newly born musky can easily be eaten. Some lakes in the U.S have this problem.

 

[grubman]

I was just reading some more of their concerns. The main one being that pike could hurt the bass population and eventually the fishing. So then bass and skis could be hurt. Time to form THE PIKE PATROL..........lol. Hammerhandles and all........lol.

 

[dockmuskie]

uhoh this is a little disheartening.. I am a muskie enthusiast and really hope we can slow/stop the pike spread

 

[dockmuskie]

uhoh this is a little disheartening.. I am a muskie enthusiast and really hope we can slow/stop the pike spread

 

[salmotrutta]

As long as people continue to harvest the pike and release the muskie, I think it should be fine.

 

[manitoubass2]

I don't really see why it would pose any risk???

Tons of lakes have great populations of both, and many are trophy fisheries for both pike and muskies ie Rainy Lake/Lake of the Woods.

If the pike are making there way in naturally, I'd not be concerned. Fisheries have many many ways of keeping balance. Too many people think all the sudden the musky will disappear overnight, and pike populations will explode! Really though, I'd highly doubt that will be the case.

Fish have cycles and tend to boom in and out. Very plausible it was a good year or two for spawning pike, then like usual, populations will decline or even themselves out.

Remember, smaller pike are a great food source for the larger and more aggressive muskies too. So maybe it will be a good thing for a few years? Who really knows

 

[Alfiegee]

Hi all

In another forum the members are all worried about the recent catches of pike in some of the lakes in the Kawarthas. Many have said/claimed that the pike is not welcomed b/c the lakes have muskies and can't handle another predator. The pike are most likely finding their way up the locks and breeding. I've been getting alot of encouragement to keep any I catch from there. Anyone else aware of the situation there and believe the same?

Thanks.

Pike in the Kawarthas, Heavens!! People are just noticing?
I have caught Pike in the Kawarthas as far back as 35 years ago. I usually get 1 or 2 anytime I fish the area. They aren't invading, they have been there all along. As Manitoubass suggested maybe they had a couple good spawns and the population has increased, a bit. If that is the case more people who a targeting other species would notice a few in their catch.
Pike in the Kawarthas, nothing new.

Alfie.

 

[salmotrutta]

Haha well said Alfie, I'll never understand the disdain people have for pike. They hit amazing, they fight amazing, they look amazing and they are great eating.

No pike would mean no tigers, and who doesn't wanna hook into a tiger muskie?

 

[dockmuskie]

I don't really see why it would pose any risk???

Tons of lakes have great populations of both, and many are trophy fisheries for both pike and muskies ie Rainy Lake/Lake of the Woods.

If the pike are making there way in naturally, I'd not be concerned. Fisheries have many many ways of keeping balance. Too many people think all the sudden the musky will disappear overnight, and pike populations will explode! Really though, I'd highly doubt that will be the case.

Fish have cycles and tend to boom in and out. Very plausible it was a good year or two for spawning pike, then like usual, populations will decline or even themselves out.

Remember, smaller pike are a great food source for the larger and more aggressive muskies too. So maybe it will be a good thing for a few years? Who really knows

You are correct nobody really knows what would happen, and it could be positive. But I am kind of thinking along the lines of "if it ain't broke dont fix it" when I want to keep pike away. Maybe I am too stubborn or resistant to change haha

 

[dockmuskie]

Pike in the Kawarthas, Heavens!! People are just noticing?
I have caught Pike in the Kawarthas as far back as 35 years ago. I usually get 1 or 2 anytime I fish the area. They aren't invading, they have been there all along. As Manitoubass suggested maybe they had a couple good spawns and the population has increased, a bit. If that is the case more people who a targeting other species would notice a few in their catch.
Pike in the Kawarthas, nothing new.

Alfie.

Very interesting! I have never caught a pike in the Kawarthas but I admit I have not fished any areas where I had even heard of pike existing. I am not opposed to catching pike they are a great fish to pursue and very exciting to have on the end of your line but I am very cautious and weary to see any ecosystem change that I have spent my life fishing and enjoying.

I admit I am not very well informed on this issue so that definitely has something to do with my opinion.

 

[grubman]

OK so I was searching the forum and here is a old thread about pike entering in balsam.

http://www.ontariofishingforums.com/forum/topic/11586-kawartha-lakes/page__p__199842__hl__%2Bpike+%2Bbalsam__fromsearch__1#entry199842

The member I contacted from another forum also mentioned that pike have entered Rice Lake, he caught a 8 lb. Also he says there are lots of pike down river of Hastings.

The pike may be more prolific this year as more anglers are catching them. Or some other reason such as lower water levels=higher concentration of fish. Who knows. But as Disspatcher said "Remember that if you ever catch a Pike on any of the Kawartha lakes KEEP IT!... also a good idea to contact the MNR and give them specifics in terms on lake, location etc."

 

[manitoubass2]

Pike are fun, good to eat and are pretty fish.

BUT....

I'll tell you a few things, I have spent years figuring out detailed patterns for pike, walleye, bass, perch and crappie. I fish alot, and I really play close attention to what is happening. I keep track of almost all of it too.

NOW....

This is a little off topic, but I'll tell you why I like pike (even hen I'm not targeting them)

1. They will tell you alot about forage in the area.

2. If your perch fishing and you find pike, the perch will be in weeds, or hugging structure tight. Bass do the same thing in the presence of pike, as do crappie.

3. Walleye can and will sleep with the enemy. I've heard numerous anglers move off a walleye spot when they catch a pike. WRONG MOVE! Walleye will very often be mixed right in with pike.

4. When you start to put these things together, pike will also tell you about depth of other fish, how they are relating to structure etc.

There are many more things I've noted as well, but I gotta keep some things to myself, lol.

So, If there are pike in the Kawarthas, use it to your advantage. Or simply enjoy some time targetting them.

 

[grubman]

I think some have missinterpreted my post thinking I don't like pike. On the contrary I love them, even tho I've only caught 2. The last one was big but lost it after many acrobatic leaps. Since the MNR considers them to be invasive I figured might as well go for them while they are plentiful and hopefully available close to shore at this time of year. I know spring is probably the best time for them in the weeds but I just got the message from the other member a couple of days ago. He confirms I have the right lures to target them, now all I have to do is get my buds to go with me and clean them up.......lol.

Manitou thanks for all those tips and information. Most I was not aware of and I'm sure will help me hunt them down.

Too many predators and not enough prey can only lead to disaster, that is so basic to anyone who understands wildlife and the delicate balance. Less predators and the remaining ones will have the opportunity to grow even larger. We get to catch, fight and eat our cornucopia. Win win. So get your pike/musky gear out and see you on the lake.....lol.

 

[manitoubass2]

I think some have missinterpreted my post thinking I don't like pike. On the contrary I love them, even tho I've only caught 2. The last one was big but lost it after many acrobatic leaps. Since the MNR considers them to be invasive I figured might as well go for them while they are plentiful and hopefully available close to shore at this time of year. I know spring is probably the best time for them in the weeds but I just got the message from the other member a couple of days ago. He confirms I have the right lures to target them, now all I have to do is get my buds to go with me and clean them up.......lol.

Manitou thanks for all those tips and information. Most I was not aware of and I'm sure will help me hunt them down.

Too many predators and not enough prey can only lead to disaster, that is so basic to anyone who understands wildlife and the delicate balance. Less predators and the remaining ones will have the opportunity to grow even larger. We get to catch, fight and eat our cornucopia. Win win. So get your pike/musky gear out and see you on the lake.....lol.

I didn't take it that way dood. I understand your concerns, we all have them as anglers. At least you care, thats a great thing! lol

My pleasure posting the tips. Remember though, if you want to use that to target pike, some of the tips are kinda backwards haha. Like if your on a good pike spot, but catching perch, its time to move, lol. To the outer edges of the perch bite at least. Pike like to round up prey. They'll sit on the outside edges of fish that school.

If your gonna fish them this time of year, from shore, look for....

A drop off, say 4-6 FOW, leading to 20-30 FOW. Any remaining vegetation is a huge plus. Look for current edges and seams, this is where baitfish will be

Big pike may go shallow as baitfish go shallow early morning or evening. If a storm is approaching, get out and fish BEFORE the storm (this can be an insane pike bite) If you happen to go out on an unseasonably warm day, cast shallow if you can find sand. A big fish will sun itself on sand .

Use big baits, 6-8". Any smaller and your gonna get a bunch of shallow water hammerhandles

Ciscoes, big lively ciscoes will help too

 

[grubman]

Great tips thanks.

Balsam was my bass training grounds 20+ years ago. That's where I'd test every lure I had and learn how to work it for a hit. It'd be a shame to see it or any other lake get over run with a single species. That probably won't happen but from what other members are saying they are catching many more then ever expected in the Kawarthas. Rice Lake is the biggest concern as they seemed to have entered thru the lock or ppl have transplanted them from below. Too bad most of the area past Hastings is private land with no access. The reports are pouring in of tons of them there, which would explain why below the locks seem to have less panfish.

I just hope to get some. Seems everytime I go out, the fish are not biting........lol.

 

[Joel52]

I have to agree with manitoubass2 - also, I'd be more concerned about the Carp populations. Though they're fun to catch, they sure make a mess of the Bass breeding grounds.

 

[dockmuskie]

I have to agree with manitoubass2 - also, I'd be more concerned about the Carp populations. Though they're fun to catch, they sure make a mess of the Bass breeding grounds.

So you are worried about carp causing trouble for another species' breeding grounds/population but the pike are fine? This is kind of what I was talking about earlier where I am against any sort of shift in the ecosystem from whatever type of fish or bird or bug etc. I don't think we can pick and choose which ones we need to worry about I think we need to show concern for them all. I know way back in the Kawartha Lakes history a bunch of species of fish were introduced and I admit that has turned out great (my lake for example featured bass and trout yet in the 1920's muskie, walleye, perch and other panfish were introduced). Yet I don't like how human action is continually causing a change in these environments because I think our history shows that inevitably we will screw it up.

 

[Joel52]

Carp are not native to North America. Pike are. Given the choice, I'll trade a Carp for a Pike anyday. Pike threatening the Musky populations is an old story, and not a bad idea to keep it on the front page. They do coexist in bigger waters in NO, so I guess it depends on which area and more specifically which lake you're talking about. The MNR does treat Pike as an invasive species in Balsam, but only as a risk to the Musky pops. Carp do a lot more damage than that.

 

[grubman]

So you are worried about carp causing trouble for another species' breeding grounds/population but the pike are fine? This is kind of what I was talking about earlier where I am against any sort of shift in the ecosystem from whatever type of fish or bird or bug etc. I don't think we can pick and choose which ones we need to worry about I think we need to show concern for them all. I know way back in the Kawartha Lakes history a bunch of species of fish were introduced and I admit that has turned out great (my lake for example featured bass and trout yet in the 1920's muskie, walleye, perch and other panfish were introduced). Yet I don't like how human action is continually causing a change in these environments because I think our history shows that inevitably we will screw it up.

Well said. Does not matter what invasive species it is, the key word is invasive. Each and everyone of them will make a ecological change to the system they are artificially introduced. If they were meant to be there then nature and evolution would have put them there long ago. Our development, is forcing nature to change at a pace that it cannot keep up with, recall evolution takes millions of years, but we expect our eco-systems to change overnight.

In the past it may have been where only some pike have found their way into the Kawarthas. But concerned anglers have noticed a dramatic increase in their population. Just as we all have our fave fishing spots, you should be the first person to notice any kind of change. Hopefully this is just like a algae bloom, a temporary population explosion. But it does not seem so as it has been posted 3 years ago on our forum. They are plentiful so invasive harvesting benifits all.