Northern Pike

Pike fishing near Keego Harbor provides ample opportunity to tangle with these toothy predators. Cass Lake and Pine Lake are your best bets, offering a variety of pike habitat from shallow weedy bays to deeper, open water. Spring, right after ice-out, is a prime time as pike move into shallow areas to spawn. As the water warms, focus on weed edges and submerged vegetation. Large spinnerbaits, spoons, and crankbaits are effective lures, but don't underestimate the power of a well-presented sucker minnow under a bobber. A local tip is to target the areas around boat launches and docks, as pike often ambush prey in these locations. Be sure to use a wire leader to prevent bite-offs. The pike in this area tend to be ambush predators, so covering water and varying your retrieve can be key to success. Watch out for zebra mussels when retrieving your line!