Trophy Fishing on Lake Sakakawea | Rudland's

Northern Pike

Northern Pike (Esox lucius)  Fish Description

The Northern Pike (Esox Lucius) is a popular freshwater gamefish known for its greedy carnivorous nature. They have an elongated body and a grey to greenish color that fades to a yellowish-white belly. They have distinctive uneven rows of yellowish to white specks that run across its body.

Diet

Northern Pike is an aggressive hunter and not very picky about their food, eating just about anything that comes their way. They prey on other fish, including golden shiners, yellow perch, bluegills, suckers, and even other Northern Pikes. Larger ones have also been known to snatch small waterfowls, frogs, and rodents with their large mouth lined with sharp teeth when these unknowing victims are swimming on the surface or if they get too close to the edge of the water.

Spawning

Northern Pike have a short spawning season, March-April.  Since the adults are solitary and highly territorial, they will leave their area and travel inshore or upstream to spawning areas in early spring. Spawning normally occurs during day in shallow, quiet areas with a vegatated bottom. They leave their eggs once they are laid.

Interesting Facts 

• They are solitary predators.
• They are mostly territorial.
• The oldest pike on record is 25 years old.
• They are also referred to as freshwater sharks.
• They can lie still for long periods of time.

Northern Pike Speed and Average Size

Northern Pikes are strong swimmers, but they are not actually known for their speed as they can only swim at an average of eight to ten miles per hour. It may not be as fast as other species; it has, however, the ability to sudden high-energy starts that they use for ambushing preys or for escaping life-threatening situations. 

The average Northern Pike is 2 feet long and 34 pounds.   The largest pike ever caught in the U.S. was reportedly 4 feet 10 inches.

Distribution and Habitat

As the name suggests, Northern Pikes are mostly found throughout the northern half of North America, with a higher population in the Great Lakes, northern New England, eastern New York, Minnesota, and the Ohio Valley. You can also find them in Nebraska and Missouri and as far north as Alaska and Canada.

They live in cool, shallow areas of streams, lakes, and rivers where they have good access to their food.  However,  in the summer, when waters heat up, they head to the deeper, cooler waters. 

Fishing Techniques - How to Catch Northern Pike 

A Northern Pike catch can be very rewarding as it’s known to be a tough fighter.  You should remember to keep your distance from its mouth as its dagger-like teeth can cause significant damage to anything it can clamp down on. 

With its aggressive nature and its strong swimming ability to boot, catching Northern Pike can be a daunting challenge.  A 7-foot, medium-action rod paired with a regular spinning reel with a drag system that can stand a maximum of at least 15 pounds is more than enough to handle this fish. Equip your rod and reel with a more durable 15 to 20-pound braided line at the minimum so that the chances of the Pike’s sharp teeth breaking the line will be decreased. 

Because these fish are known to be voracious eaters, various lures such as soft plastic swim-baits, inline spinners, and spoons can easily attract the fish. Just make sure to reel in at a slow, consistent speed so that your lure would look like an injured fish. Also, Northern Pikes are known to play with their food, so when you feel a strong tug on your line, don’t reel it in too fast. Just keep reeling at a slow pace and wait patiently for the Pike to strike again.

The ideal place to cast your line out are inlets, bays, coves, and drop-offs that have shallow, marshy areas with an abundance of weeds, as these are where Northern Pikes usually hunt for food.

Smallmouth Bass

Smallmouth Bass (Micropterus Dolomieu) Description 

Smallmouth Bass belongs to the Sunfish family (Centrarchidae) and is a popular freshwater fish among anglers.  Smallmouth Bass has a dark green or black color body, with vertical dark brown stripes that usually fade with age, and the color contrast may vary depending on the fish’s habitat. Their eyes are red or brown.  They have two dorsal fins; the front one has 10 fin spines while the other has 10 to 15 soft rays. 

Female Smallmouth bass are usually larger in size than males. The average size of smallmouth bass can be 18–20 inches. On average, they usually live only 5 to 6 years but can survive up to 15 years. Smallmouth bass found in lakes are larger than those found in streams and ponds. Females usually weigh from three to six pounds, while the males are around 2 pounds.

Smallmouth Bass Habitat 

This bass species can be found in clear waters, such as ponds, lakes, and rivers. They prefer rubble and rocky bottoms.  Smallmouth bass also prefer moderate temperatures, and they will swim deeper in the cooler water during summer.

Spawning

Smallmouth Bass spawn March-May when water temperatures reach between 59 and 64 degrees. The males build nests in the shallow waters of lakes and rivers. The nest is built building within 150 yards of where the male built his nest the previous year. 

Diet

The Smallmouth Bass eats small fish, crayfish, and insects. They hide behind a fallen tree or a rock and attack when the prey is near. 

Fishing Techniques - How to Catch Smallmouth Bass 

A light breeze and calm waters are best suited to catch Smallmouth Bass. In spring and fall, they like to swim in open waters during bright days and warm temperatures. In summer, they swim deep under cooler water and are harder to find. It is best to fish for Smallmouth early morning or late evening.

Smallmouth bass are fighters. A spinning rod of light to medium action with a 6 to 10 pounds test line is recommended. 

There are plenty of baits and lures that work successfully to catch these fish; insects, jigs, minnows, plugs, plastic worms, spoons and night crawlers.  A favorite of anglers is to use spinning baits that when rigged weightless, can hang on top of the water. When the fish are in deeper water during the summer, use a rig with a weighted vertical drop hook. 

Fly-fishing Smallmouth Bass is popular due to their abundance and strength. When you want to cast into deeper water, use a 6, 7 or 8 weight rod. This will be suitable for strong winds, landing larger fish, and a long cast. A longer rod, 81/2- to 9-foot, is good when you need accuracy for casting near shoreline structures or long-distance casting.

Is Smallmouth Bass Good to Eat

Smallmouth bass have a firm filet with a mild, yet distinct flavor that pairs perfectly with a variety of seasonings and cooking methods. So whether you prefer grilling, frying, or baking your catch, smallmouth bass is a tasty and versatile option that you won't want to miss out on.  What's more, smallmouth bass are a healthy food option, as they are excellent sources of protein and Omega-3 fatty acids.

With any freshwater fish, you need to be mindful of the water you are fishing.  Make sure if you are eating your catch, the water is clean and be aware that freshwater fish should always be cooked.

Walleye

Walleye (Sander Vitreus) Description

Walleye are freshwater fish that is a part of the perch family. They are a very popular game fish for the angler in the regions where they are found, and also a favorite for the dining table. Walleye are long and thin and have a golden and olive coloring with white bellies. One predominant feature of the walleye is its eyes, which have a silver eyeshine called the tapetum lucidum.  This eyeshine greatly aids the walleyes when feeding in low-light conditions. 

Walleye Habitat and Distribution 

Walleye live in a wide range of habitats. In small to large rivers, to deep and shallow lakes. They are fairly particular to where they like to be in these bodies of water and see out sand, rock, or gravel bottoms. Walleye will usually stay deeper in the water column during daylight hours and use weeds, timber, or other structures for cover. In River systems, they will likely spend their daylight hours in deep holes and drop-offs, and move out into the shallows to seek forage during the lowlight period. Walleyes can tolerate water temperatures from 32 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit but are most comfortable when water temperatures are at 70 degrees. Walleye are nocturnal creatures that feed in shallow waters at night. Adult walleye primarily consume other fish. Small crustaceans and insects, primarily mayflies, are eaten by young walleye.

Walleye are found in the Arctic south of Canada down to the Great Lakes region and east to the St. Lawrence systems. Lake Erie is a well-known home of walleye anglers and great walleye fishing. The Midwest and Canada are the most popular areas with the best fishing, but over decades the species has been introduced artificially into lakes and reservoirs all over North America. The breathtaking waters of Lake of the Woods and Rainy River have earned the title of "Walleye Capital of the World." It has some of the best fishing in the world, and anglers come here year after year in search of that elusive record catch.

Typical Size and Weight

Walleye are reasonably large fish with a sleek and conical body shapes and a mouth lined with sharp teeth. the adult walleye can grow to 30 inches or more in length and top out at around 20 pounds in weight. Females generally grow larger than males. 

Interesting Facts 

The Walleye also has a European counterpart, the zander, that looks very similar but the zander can grow much larger and can reach a weight of 40 plus pounds. 

The walleye can live for decades, with the oldest recorded fish being 29 years old. In areas with heavy fishing pressure however, Walleye usually don’t live past 5 or 6 years of age. 

Fishing Techniques - How to Catch Walleye

Walleye can be a challenging game fish to pursue. Their location in a body of water and the tactics used to catch these fish can vary depending on certain times of the year. Walleye generally live at depths of 10 feet or greater, though in the spring and at night they can be found in shallow water areas. Freshwater fishing for walleye is best in the evening when minnow-style lures or jigs are fished near the bottom over rock piles or along the edges of weed beds.

Finding the fish is one of the biggest challenges for the walleye angler and the best place to start it by fishing structure. The angler should search multiple types of structure at varying depths to figure out where the walleye are on any given day. Be sure to check break lines, deep weed edges rock piles, and even in the middle of the basin for suspended schools of baitfish. With a little bit of time on water exploration, you will find the Walleye population.

Live bait is the key to successful Walleye catches such as minnows, nightcrawlers, and leeches.  One of the best techniques is a live bait rig, to which you troll your lure slowly along the bottom. These rigs include a ¼ or a ½ pound sinker, a swivel, a 3 - 6 foot leader of a 6-pound fishing line, and a No. 4 or 6 hook.

Is Walleye Good to Eat

Walleye is a delicious fish making it a popular choice among seafood lovers. The mild, flaky texture of the fish along with its sweet, buttery flavor is enough to make anyone's mouth water. This makes walleye an excellent ingredient that pairs well with a wide variety of dishes. Whether you fry or grill it, walleye never fails to impress with its delicious taste. So, if you're looking for a healthy and tasty addition to your meals, walleye is definitely the way to go!

Walleye meat has a firm texture that holds up well to cooking methods such as grilling, frying, or baking. Its mild taste can be enhanced by seasoning it with herbs and spices or marinating it in your favorite sauce. Walleye also has low levels of mercury and other harmful contaminants, making it safe to eat regularly.
When preparing walleye, remove the skin and bones before cooking. This will give you a clean fillet.

However, it's not just its flavor that makes it so popular. Walleye is also a very nutrient-dense food that provides numerous health benefits. It's rich in omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins, and selenium, all of which are essential for maintaining optimal health. Omega-3s are known to reduce inflammation in the body and improve heart health, while B vitamins play a crucial role in energy production and maintaining a healthy nervous system. Selenium is an important mineral that helps protect against oxidative damage and supports the immune system. By adding Walleye to your diet, you not only get the pleasure of savoring a delicious meal but also the nutritional benefits that come along with it. So, go ahead and indulge in this delectable fish to keep your body healthy and functioning at its best.