Northern Pike

If you're looking to tangle with Northern Pike in West Central Michigan, Evart offers some fantastic opportunities. The Muskegon River, which flows right through town, is a prime location. Its slower stretches and weedy areas hold plenty of pike, especially in the spring and fall. Focus your efforts around log jams and submerged vegetation. Spring is excellent as the pike are spawning in the shallows, making them aggressive and relatively easy to target. Fall sees them bulking up before winter. A great access point is the public launch near the bridge on US-10. Be aware that the river can be swift in places, so exercise caution if wading or using a smaller boat. Local tip: Pike in the Muskegon tend to respond well to flashy spinners and brightly colored crankbaits. The pike here aren't pressured as heavily as in some of the more popular southern Michigan waters, so you have a good chance of landing a decent fish.