Just in case anyone ever gets the idea of stocking Northern Pike to control the fish population... don't do it. I have never really thought about using Pike as a control species and never would, but I have heard a few people ask about the idea of it on this board and elsewhere. We all know that Pike are big eaters and can be big fish, they have a decent fight and some popularity as a game fish but for my likings just don't taste good at all. The really big ones are fun to catch but all in all just too hungry a predator with not enough payoff to be used in a small body of water. Well to give you an idea of just how hungry these things can get... I went fishing on the weekend with a buddy of mine with the intention of catching a few small LMB and bluegill to bring to my pond to round out my stocking numbers. Well apparently the pike had different ideas. I had a nice big fat 9"+ bluegill on the line.. had it right up to the boat and WHAM!!! a big 'ol 2 foot+ Northern grabs my prize, and swallows the dang thing whole! I end up fighting with this northern for about five minutes before we land it... then it spits the fish out, hook and all.. never having been hooked himself. I have to admit, it was cool to see and fun to catch.. really made the trip, but to swallow a hooked BGill just like that? Ouch. Thinking it was a fluke we continued fishing, moved to a new area and I get a 10" perch on the line... same thing... get it near the boat and we see a streak of fish under us and another 2foot+ northern is on my line ripping the perch to shreds... he spit it out and re-grabbed it about 3 times before folding it right in half. At least two more times I had a small fish on the line only to have my pole bend over and the line get chewed through. So my message for the day is this: Pike in big water can be voracious fun, but in a smaller controlled body of water they would dominate beyond belief. (Yes I am at work, and yes I am bored to death.... : ) )

Owner/Builder of Ottawa Canada's first official off-grid home.

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