Northern Pike

If you're looking to tangle with some Northern Pike near Davis, Illinois, you'll want to focus your attention on the Kishwaukee River and its associated backwaters and sloughs. This area offers a mix of fast-flowing water and slower, weedy sections that pike love to ambush prey from. Spring, just after ice-out, and fall, as the water cools, are prime times to target these predators. During the spring spawn, they'll be in the shallows. Later in the fall they'll be bulking up for the winter. Look for areas with submerged vegetation or fallen timber. A local tip: many of the best spots are accessible only by kayak or canoe, so consider bringing one to reach those less-pressured areas. Also, be prepared for some toothy critters – steel leaders are a must to avoid losing lures. The pike in this region tend to average in the 3-5 pound range, but larger specimens are definitely present, especially in the deeper pools.