Top Pike fisheries in the U.S.

My Canada trip has been cancelled due to the border not reopening. I am here to ask you all if you were going to target pike and you had to stay in the U.S. where would you go? All opinions and conversations are appreciated. Tight lines.

This spring?

I would assume LOTW and Mille Lacs would be good options.

If you are looking for Trophy Pike…………

The same waters you would target large Muskie.

Leech
Mille Lacs
Vermilion
Cass
Red
Mississippi River
LOTW

Not all numbers lakes but the potential is there.

I would throw Kabetogama in the mix. I have seen some big Pike come out of there and no muskies to compete with.

To bad there are a couple guys who spear the hell out of Tom Cod Bay every year. Otherwise it would be phenomenal.

Gotta be some good lakes in north Dakota too, or around ely, Mn. Alaska?

mnfisherman18 wrote:

I would throw Kabetogama in the mix. I have seen some big <strong class=”ido-tag-strong”>Pike come out of there and no muskies to compete with.

+1

Hate to burst the bubble but, there are Muskies in the chain.

Sakakawea

Dutchboy wrote:

If you are looking for Trophy Pike…………

The same waters you would target large Muskie.

Leech
Mille Lacs
Vermilion
Cass
Red
Mississippi River
LOTW

Not all numbers lakes but the potential is there.

This is a good list to start with. Big lakes produce bigger pike.

Rainy. Some real Tankers in there, and you’ve got great walleye/smallie fishing as an option. Lots of US water to fish. Check out some of the fish Chris Granrud’s Rainydaze guides put their clients on.

Dutchboy wrote:

Hate to burst the bubble but, there are <strong class=”ido-tag-strong”>Muskies in the chain.

Agree with you Dutch, but from what I have heard there are very few In Kab and definitely not a fishable population.

Your point about spearing is also valid, but that has been happening for decades and the lake still produces some world-class pike.

Wow, thanks for all the responses. I think my group is leaning towards Rainy or Kabetogama. My biggest worry now is finding a cabin with this short of notice.

xplorer wrote:

Rainy. Some real Tankers in there, and you’ve got great walleye/smallie fishing as an option. Lots of US water to fish. Check out some of the fish Chris Granrud’s Rainydaze guides put their clients on.

Fixed that for you Xplorer.

Portage Lake on the Keweenaw

Should throw Little Bay De Noc in there too, although muskie have made the migration up, still massive pike in that fishery

Cptndeez wrote:

Wow, thanks for all the responses. I think my group is leaning towards Rainy or Kabetogama. My biggest worry now is finding a cabin with this short of notice.

I just got a guy into Ash-Ka-Nam earlier this week. I wouldn’t wait, best start calling around now.

Cptndeez wrote:

Wow, thanks for all the responses. I think my group is leaning towards Rainy or Kabetogama. My biggest worry now is finding a cabin with this short of notice.

Tough to beat a Houseboat on Rainy!

I’m spoiled. I will wait for Nipigon and Ontario to open up even if it means missing out this year. I do have a friend that goes to Kabatogama frequently and I might hook in with him for a long weekend but I would be under his guidance and he loves his walleye fishing up there.

bigpike wrote:

I’m spoiled. I will wait for Nipigon and Ontario to open up even if it means missing out this year. I do have a friend that goes to Kabatogama frequently and I might hook in with him for a long weekend but I would be under his guidance and he loves his walleye fishing up there.

I totally agree. Pike fishing in Ontario is like no other. It’s always a blast pulling in an 18” walleye with a 40” northern strapped to its back.

If you find the right Bass lake in MN, it’s also a pike gem!