Northern Pike

While not a traditional pike destination, Carthage, Missouri, and the surrounding area offer a limited but intriguing opportunity to target Northern Pike in some of the larger reservoirs and river systems. These fish are not native and are often the result of stocking efforts or escapees from private ponds. Spring is the best time to target them as they move into shallower weedy areas to spawn. Focus your efforts on the margins of weed beds and near submerged timber using large spinnerbaits, spoons, or jerkbaits. Locating these fish can be challenging, so covering water is key. A local tip is to check with local bait shops for recent sightings or successful anglers to narrow down your search. Pike in this area are typically smaller than those found in more northern climates, but they are still a thrilling catch.