Northern Pike

Northern pike fishing near Calumet, Michigan, centers around the numerous inland lakes and the backwaters of the Sturgeon River. These waters offer ideal habitat for pike, with plenty of weedy cover and shallow bays. Spring, right after ice-out, is prime time as the pike move into the shallows to spawn. Fall is also excellent as they feed aggressively before winter. Try targeting areas with emerging weed growth or drop-offs near shallow bays. Lake Linden and Gratiot Lake are good starting points. Be prepared for some toothy critters; use wire leaders to avoid bite-offs. A local tip: pike in these waters are often ambush predators, so slow-rolling spinnerbaits or swimming crankbaits along weed edges can be highly effective. The pike population is healthy, and while trophy-sized fish are possible, expect to catch a good number of smaller to medium-sized pike.