Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Lean and Mean 8.9 lbs

This crazy NP hit Randy's Buzzbait on two separate casts. She got hooked on the second try. She was released back into the pond to keep those Crappie under control.

Put her in a cooler and ship her down to me! I just want ONE...that would be a REAL surpise when bluegill or bass fishing.

Beautiful pond, btw.

Matt, It would be a fun project getting a 9 pound NP to you from here alive. We could do it, but it would take some planning, coordination, long coolers, oxygen, and a few bucks.

Let me know when you are ready, I love a challenge!

Well, Dwight, thanks for the offer. Seems folks catch the dang things around here. I've been fishing for almost 40 years in every stream, creek, river, lake, pond and mudhole within 50 miles and I've just never caught one in Iowa.

I don't see what some folks have against NP. They fight like mad, taste great, grow large...what's not to like?

Matt, combine your first sentence along with your signature line, and then there's no surprise why you've never caught a pike!!!
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(kidding, just kidding!)

Matt, see if you can find a 12" musky from an aqualculturist in IA, musky are little more warm water tolerant than NP.

Matt, This is a good article about NP: Water Wolf

A 9 pound NP will consume 27-36 pounds of food (mostly fish) each year. You definitely want to be sure that your pound can take that kind of predation before putting one in there.

There is also the fear of creating a pond full of "Hammer Handles" if you have both males and females. In our pond it seems (never sure, though) we only have a few large females. We have removed a 9.5, 7.5, and 8.5 in the last three years. There are two others in there now that we know of. The 8.9 above and another even larger one that has been seen, but never caught.

Wow, Dwight. Those are impressive. Wouldn't have thought they'd eat that much, but still shouldn't hurt the pond to much (1.75 acres with scads of BG). Any particular size/species they prefer? I guess I'll have to read that Water Wolf article...

Just a pipe dream, anyway. Too many teeth for momma!

Oh, and Sunil...there's one in every bunch!

I can always fake it (knowledge, that is). Trick is to just lie louder.

You upper midwestern, great lakers are disgusting. Talking about NP to keep the crappie under control. Must be nice. And skivvy shirts in June? Best of both worlds.

They don't seem to care what kind of fish they eat, even their own kind if necessary. Necessary meaning, if it is there, they will eat it! If they aren't hungry but just irritated they will still eat it!

Wouldn't a chain pickerel down south have about the same disposition? I know they don't get as big as the NP, but they look very similar and I believe they tolerate our warm temperatures down south. I remember seeing something about them on this site before. I don't know where I would be able to get one to stock though.

ezylman, I don't know much about the Chain Pickerel, but I believe they prefer cool water too. Perhaps they are more adaptable to higher water temperatures.

I did read somewhere that if Northern Pike are present there won't be any Chain Pickerel in the same body of water.

Northern Pike (Esox Lucius) World Record: 55 lbs. 1 ounce

Chain Pickerel (Esox niger) World Record 9 lbs 6 ounces

According to he literature I have seen big Pike over 10 lbs. become a coldwater fish. In my area the big ones are down with the trout in local deep lakes. Also the big ones come out of cold deep lakes vs. the shallow warmer lakes.

Cecil, what is the definition of cold water? 70 degrees or under?