Northern Pike

If you're after Northern Pike near St. Johns, Michigan, the Looking Glass River and surrounding smaller lakes offer some opportunities. The Looking Glass, with its weedy banks and submerged logs, provides ideal habitat. Focus on areas where the river widens and slows down. Spring, after the spawn, and fall, as the water cools, are the best times to target pike. They'll be actively feeding, preparing for winter or recovering from spawning. Try casting large spinnerbaits, spoons, or crankbaits along weed edges and near submerged structure. A local trick is to use a wire leader to prevent bite-offs, as pike have sharp teeth. Some of the smaller lakes in the area, although not widely known, can hold surprisingly large pike. Be prepared for explosive strikes and exciting battles. Pike in this region tend to be opportunistic feeders, so experiment with different lures and retrieve speeds to find what they're hitting.