Northern Pike

Targeting Northern Pike near Camp Point, Illinois, means focusing on the weedy backwaters and sloughs connected to the Illinois River. The LaGrange Pool is your best bet. Pike are ambush predators, so look for them near thick vegetation, fallen timber, and creek mouths. Spring and early summer are excellent times, as pike spawn in these shallow, vegetated areas. Use large spinnerbaits, spoons, and crankbaits to cover water quickly. A steel leader is essential to prevent bite-offs. A practical tip is to access some of the more remote backwaters by kayak or canoe, allowing you to reach areas less pressured by other anglers. The pike population here is sustained by natural reproduction, so practice catch and release to help maintain a healthy fishery.