Hello All:
The pike gape size thread has caused me to think that I should bring a thought to the peanut gallery and see what you guys think.

So, little history, 7.5ac in northern illinois, varied depth, not enough structure, various species including LMB, several kinds of BG, warmouth, BC, and some others, no cats, a few bucketed WE and some old fat grass carp.

there was a severe overpopulation problem with the LMB being terribly small and all the same size. The bluegill were enormous, which was fun..but balance was all out of whack.

3-4 years ago a homeowner broke HOA rules and convinced someone to come in with a ridiculous amount of young NP. # stocked is unknown, reports range from 35 to 150, most accurate guess is about 75.

In the past few years I have personally removed about 10, dad has removed about 15-20 along with his neighbors. Many others may have been removed yet unreported. I will guess that at least 30, perhaps up to 50-60 have been taken out.

So they have grown progressively a few inches a year to this point, and last year's catch were all between 24-27.

I'm starting to think that perhaps a few pike in the pond aren't bad, since they can help manage the overpopulation issues. I know we'll never be certain that they have all been removed, but (call me crazy) I might want to leave a couple big ones in to cull some BG and LMB naturally.

So, were i to put a length limit on it, what would you suggest? I was going to say 27" is a valuable pike, and less than that can just die on the ice or be fed to the local coyotes and raccoon (they show up in the night and feast on any fish we leave on shore).

or...am I crazy, and should i just keep on with the pike killing spree?

Trying to help with 7.5 Acres in the Chain of Lakes Illinois
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The fish would stay out of trouble if it could just keep its fool mouth shut.
Turns out there is a lot I should be learning from the fish.