Pike on Zumbro

Does anyone target pike on Lake Zumbro? How plentiful are they? What depth have you been finding them at, if you do fish them? Curious, thanks for any info.

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[cpt hook01, joke intended here]-Never, and I mean NEVER ask Jake that question=[inside forum joke we have with Jake as he can never find them and everyone else catches them by mistake while fishing for bluegills] I am one of those guys who have never gone there to intentionally spend the day or evening to just fish for northern pike. I do tend to catch some while fishing for other species at times when the pike wants my lure or fish I have just caught. Your best answer will come from Mike Smith and others who have fished for them and I want to be up front and honest with you on this and not miss lead you. Mike checks the forum daily, several times a day in fact so he should have some better info for you soon. Thanks, Bill

Yes, great pike in Lake Zumbro! When the DNR has shared data, I always have heard of “numbers” of 20+ lb. pike. Lake Zumbro is a somewhat unusual environment for either pike or musky because much of the shoreline is rather steep going into deep water. This steep drop allows the toothy guys to find forage at a varity of depths, not the typical depths many people are used to fishing in shallow lakes or rivers. Although Lake Zumbro is technically a river or inpoundment, it does set up a thermocline in some of the deep water. The pike will seek out the coolest water and that will usually dictate they will be in deep water. I suggest running deep diving lures above the thermocline (you can spot it on your depthfinder) once we get into the warmth of summer.
In the spring, try fishing the toothy critters shallow along the shorelines. This is the period of time that Bill is talking about when we accidentally find the pike. There are days when the pike are almost stacked along some of the shoreline waiting for an easy meal, and they will attack crappies or bluegills on the end of your line when you are reeling them in. I would suggest something fairly large profile like a bigger spoon or large spinner at this time.
You can try using large sucker minnows at just about any time, but be prepared to get a variety of other fish as well – like catfish and bass.
If I was going to try for pike tonight, I would go along some of the deep water shorelines slow trolling a deep diving larger crankbait or large heavy spoon. Hold on tight!

Good Fishing,
Mike

Now that sounds like FUN. Did you get that Jake-Hold on tight! Rumor has it that Mike Fischer at HOF is making Jake a brand new Pike Fish Catchin St. Croix Rod that guaranteed to catch Jake some Pike. And now that Jake knows where and how to catch them – look out! [you will have to excuse me but we like to have ALOT of fun here with Jake and he really does LOVE it]. I hope Mike was able to put you on some Pike Bud and look forward to hearing how you do on your next Pike outting on Lake Zumbro. Thanks, Bill

Thanks for the info Mike. I’ll be giving those big boys a chance to hit my favorite Risto Raps next time out.
“Jake” sorry to hear of your slump in regards to the toothy critters. Think big, shiny,and noisy.

Well I know there is one big pike in lake zumbro!!!

http://www.troypike.20fr.com/images/107_07161.jpg

Troy Pike

Nice Pike Troy. Thanks, Bill

What was that Pike caught on? Thanks, Bill

Side car. Thanks for posting that picture…now Jake will know what they look like.

I have this friend that was down there the other day. He was bass fishing and was complaining that the 4 to 8 lbsers wouldn’t leave him alone. One cast after another…

I’m not sure what the problem is Jake. Are you casting IN the water?

PS…Bill, you can always count on me!

Bill, I think YOU are having too much fun (with yourself, perhaps?)

But to keep this thread going in the right direction, I admit that IS an actual northern pike, and does look like it came from lake zumbro.

But here’s the problem I still have. I know I saw that picture from earlier this spring……so my questions to Troy are, Were you actually fishing for pike when you caught this fish? How many more pike of that calibure have you caught out there since then? Have you seen anyone else catch a pike of that size?

I’m going to say this one last time…….I have no doubts and am not arguing the fact that there are “some” pike in lake zumbro, and even “some” that grow to decent sizes…….I just don’t feel there are enough of them to actually target them…….There are much better options within easy driving distance .

Maybe my standards are too high……..but when I think of fishing for pike, I think of fast action on numbers of fish, and possibly a few in the 30+” range for a days fishing……..That’s not what you are going to get on lake zumbro. You’ll have to do a lot of casting to possibly catch a couple of 20″ers

JAKE,
If you are looking for big pike in the Zumbro, perhaps you need to throw bigger lures. I would try throwing 6 to 8 inch silver colored jerk baits parallel to steep shorelines and across deep points, and also in some of the “bays”. Try this for a full day. I do tend to agree with you, however, that i have only caght a few larger pike while casting for bass. How do you get that cool green face

Thanks for being the ”sport” you are Bud. Yes I do tend to get carried away sometimes and I apologize for that. Unfortunately we don’t have an abundance of 30 inch pike like Canada has but to have pike in Lake Zumbro is pretty neat when you consider this use to be thought of as ”a not so good fishery” by most people. People are just finding out what all Lake Zumbro offers. In fact I think most people don’t realize yet what ALL we have in the Rochester Area for fishing oportunities. There are like some 14 bodies of water here not counting the Mississippi River I believe. But catching the pike are fun, especially this close to home. Thanks, Bill

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What was that Pike caught on? Thanks, Bill

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I was trying to catch a big cat fish that day with my cat fishing pole with 80 pound line.. I’ve never caught a big cat. A guy the night before told me to take a good sized dead rotting sucker minnow and step on it to get the juices flowing and throw it in on a texas rig so that what I did. The next thing I know 10 minutes later my pole starts going into the water and all boats passing by stop to see what the heck I have on the end of my line because my huge catfishing pole is bent over like a small twig. Everyone on land told me to loosen my drag because he was going to brake my line. I just laughed. Troy Pike <~~~~yes thats my real name.

But to keep this thread going in the right direction, I admit that IS an actual northern pike, and does look like it came from lake zumbro.

But here’s the problem I still have. I know I saw that picture from earlier this spring……so my questions to Troy are, Were you actually fishing for pike when you caught this fish? How many more pike of that calibure have you caught out there since then? Have you seen anyone else catch a pike of that size?

1. No I was fishing for cat fish. 2. None. 3.NO

Thanks Troy. Only 10 minutes, now that sounds like a pretty powerful quick catching bait if you ask me. Maybe you should target pike as you sure have a provin way of catchin em and it sounded like he was alot of fun to bring in. Thanks, Bill

Dead sucker minnows work well on pike and catfish. We always try to have some frozen suckers on hand. We sell the majority of them for catfish, but more people have been using them for pike lately. Want a little secret spot for pike? Silver Lake!

Good Fishing,
Mike

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Dead sucker minnows work well on pike and catfish. We always try to have some frozen suckers on hand. We sell the majority of them for catfish, but more people have been using them for pike lately. Want a little secret spot for pike? Silver Lake!

silver lake???

Yes Silver Lake has pike. Most people find that difficult to believe, but they are there and also some decent size. The river below the dam also has pike and even a few walleyes.

Good Fishing,
Mike

Hey Mike,

Ya think this guy would be a good lure to use on those giant silver lake toothies……Or would you suggest trying to “get your hands” on the live version

Jake, I think you should give it a try!

Of course, not until you have a day off…..

Maybe Bill and I will need to find a night to get on Lake Zumbro and prove there are plenty of toothy guys. We’ll even get some pictures.

Good Fishing,
Mike

Mike, do we ”have” to use Jakes new lure??? Pretty please say: NOT!!! I like your idea of fishing, but I really think we should let the inventor have ”ALL” the glory of catching fish with his new lure. After all, its only being fair to Jake you know.
Thanks, Bill