advice on looking for pike

I went fishing for pike yesterday for the first time ever on the ice using tip ups. I thought it was a blast, even if I will be sore for a few days after running all day. There’s a lake not too far from me that has some nice pike in it, and I’m thinking about targeting them. You can see the lake by looking at it HERE.

Where should I focus my attention? Mainly in the shallow fingers? Or near the deeper water? The lake we fished yesterday is pretty good size, but all of it is 3-6 foot deep, so there weren’t many choices for depth. This is completely new to me, so I’m hoping for a little help. Thanks guys–

What is the water clarity like? Looks like a sweet lake. Look for large weed beds and try to set up on them or if they are real thick on the edges. That bay to the right side of the lake looks interesting. To the right of that island may be good. On the top side of the lake if the shallows have weeds maybe where the depths start to drop might be good.

Thanks Mike, that’s exactly the help I’m looking for.
The water clarity is actually pretty good, for Nebraska. I would imagine most of the weeds are dead and mostly gone, but not real sure. I’m thinking that fishing up in the shallow fingers at the top of the map might not be too good, but I’m not completely sure about that.
So basically, I should be looking at the transition areas and stay out of the deeper water, correct?

this time of year, that is correct. i’m getting them here in southeast WI. at 10ft. or shallower

For now yes. I would think the pike are still in on the weeds feeding on perch and panfish. unless there is food out deep stay shallow.

Ok great. I’ll have to take my flasher with me and see what’s goin on out deep. This lake has bluegills, crappies, LMB, cats and pike. No perch.

Pike roam and travel when active so I would hit shallow weed edges in funnel areas such as those between the islands and shore and the narrow straights into the bays. Also where does the lake feed and dump? Those would be good areas to hit with the normal trough or “no weed zone” heading in and out of summertime current areas.

That looks like an awesome pike lake I would try the south ends of the northern most and southern most islands, in about 12 fow. A shiner 2 feet off the bottom Get out there and report back

big G

Sounds great- I like the enthusiasm!! It’s a nice man-made lake that was renovated 10-11 years ago. Water is pumped into and taken out, both clear down at the bottom left corner on the map. Now if I could only make some tip-ups like the ones we used yesterday, I’d be in business!

Quote:

---

…I would hit shallow weed edges in funnel areas such as those between the islands and shore…

---

That was what I was going to say. Especially on the east side with the one being adjacent to the bay and the one being adjacent to the point. Otherwise that bay on the east side looks good too, especially for early and late ice.

Quote:

---

Thanks Mike, that’s exactly the help I’m looking for.
The water clarity is actually pretty good, for Nebraska. I would imagine most of the weeds are dead and mostly gone, but not real sure. I’m thinking that fishing up in the shallow fingers at the top of the map might not be too good, but I’m not completely sure about that.
So basically, I should be looking at the transition areas and stay out of the deeper water, correct?

---

44, if you can find some weedbeds up on the north end by that island…there’s that flat (4 feet of water) just to the right of the island…and close to a serious drop…

If there were weeds anywhere along that drop…

BTW, I was still dredging milfoil in excellent condition just prior to ice out (dragging deep cranks around)…sparse clumps, and when they were ‘there’ they were small…but they were still there and in good, green condition…

Thanks for the info Kurt, that could really come in handy.

Sounds like maybe you might fish out there some? I didn’t make it out there again this year, but when I lived in Kearney I used to fish it a lot when it opened back up. Sure had a blast. Now I just never seem to make time for it. But that might change this winter.

It depends on if you want numbers or size. If you want numbers try in and around shallow weeds. If you want size you want to try deeper weeds or structure close to deeper water.

Get er done.

I haven’t looked at the lake map, but if you are still having fun in the spring, look for them to start staging under the ice either on the inlet side or on the north side in a shallow mucky bay.

Mark