Northern Pike

A Best Kept Secret Revealed: Targeting Northern Pike

A Best Kept Secret Revealed: Targeting Northern Pike By Steve Weisman Mention ice fishing the Iowa Great Lakes, specifically West Okoboji and Big Spirit Lake, to anglers and their eyes light up as they envision chasing their favorite game fish. Yet, there is one prolific game fish that is often overlooked: the northern pike. Bays […]

Heat of the Summer Pike

Heat of the Summer Pike By Steve Weisman The heat of summer often leads anglers to think that the fish catching can really go in the tank! Not so fast. On the natural lakes that I fish here in northwest Iowa, the heat of summer only means one thing to me when I am targeting […]

Artificial Baits for Toothy Critters

Artificial Baits for Toothy Critters By Kyle Wood When ice hits the waters most anglers jump at the chance to get out after their favorite species of fish. For many anglers panfish are usually the perennial favorite. Then there are those who like fish that get big and often can carry an attitude. Walleye and […]

Iowa Gators Through the Ice

Iowa Gators Through the Ice By Nick Johnson I remember the first time I actually targeted pike through the ice using standard ice fishing gear. I had caught pike before but it was always a “bonus” while jigging for walleyes or the occasional take on a crappie minnow. It was about this time of year […]

Taking A Look At Walleye Stocking Data

Once again the DNR’s gill netting process on the Iowa Great Lakes was a huge success. As a result, the Spirit Lake Fish Hatchery was able to harvest enough eggs to produce a new stock of fish for many of the states lakes and streams. This year more than 3,300 walleyes were taken from Big […]