Going out tomorrow. Going to post my first fish, whatever it is. I would encourage others to do the same. You can beat me to it even. Happy hunting.

Just got broke off by a rainbow (2 lb line). Does that count?

I fished for the first time this year. I know that is hard to believe, but I dislocated my shoulder and I am still rehabbing it. It will be a couple more months before I am done with PT. There is still pain, but I had to go fishing, I couldn't wait any longer. Just nice to get outdoors and enjoy a nice day! This is my first fish this year.....caught on a redbone colored ZMAN ShadZ worked very slowly.

I caught this 10" Savage Burbot on the Amazon for 12.99.

0 for 3 on trips to my local walleye dam on the Mississippi........
Water about 42°. Should be there, but nnooooooooo. I always get my 1st fish by the 1zt week in march....water is running slow and clean. I always do better from shore. Think is time to get out the boat..... stay tuned...

Oh, that reminds me. I should go down to the Ford Dam.

yogi59weedr: "0 for 3 on trips to my local walleye dam on the Mississippi........
Water about 42°. Should be there, but nnooooooooo. I always get my 1st fish by the 1zt week in march....water is running slow and clean. I always do better from shore. Think is time to get out the boat..... stay tuned..."

Water is still cold here in Ohio too.45 degrees in the river out in the backyard. They are now saying snow and 20 mph winds on Wednesday. Welcome to Spring......haha Glad I moved my Quetico trip out a week later this year.

Not the first of the year but it was a nice day to be on the lake. Fish are still in pre-spawn here in 40-45'.

It's been a grind out on Mille Lacs, but our first fish on the new 2018 fishing licenses was a decent one. 42''.

carmike: "It's been a grind out on Mille Lacs, but our first fish on the new 2018 fishing licenses was a decent one. 42''.


"

That's a stunning pike!

carmike: "It's been a grind out on Mille Lacs, but our first fish on the new 2018 fishing licenses was a decent one. 42''.


"

Nice jack!

carmike: "It's been a grind out on Mille Lacs, but our first fish on the new 2018 fishing licenses was a decent one. 42''.


"

That is one of the most beautiful pike I've ever seen and thank you for posing it horizontally!

Out on the lake before Saturday's sunrise for my first ever tullibee outing. Grateful to have a son in law that thinks up crazy bucket list items like this for me. Says he'll smoke them up for the next time we're together. (Anyone ever notice the surprisingly pleasant "fishy" smell on these oily critters? Best I could come up with was cut grass in the compost pile. Not freshly mowed, but not gone-bad stinky rotten either...)

Didn't get any pic's of the first fish of the year,but this was the first " nice" fish of the year. Was wondering why the gills stopped bighting, so I put the cam down the hole. This is why they I guess! Had one large golden roach left in the bucket from my tip up's. Tied on a plain hook and dropped him down and it didn't take long! 15min fight on 4 pound test and strike caught on cam!

Carmike that is one beautiful Northern Pike, congratulations!

carmike: "It's been a grind out on Mille Lacs, but our first fish on the new 2018 fishing licenses was a decent one. 42''.


"

yes i have to add too , what a beautiful fish , the size/markings/colors/condition , simply incredible , nice job carmike !!!!

manmountain8: "I caught this 10" Savage Burbot on the Amazon for 12.99.


"

Dang! Thats a deal. You should of posted such a special price. And after everything I have done for you ;-)

Flatlandpaddler: "Didn't get any pic's of the first fish of the year,but this was the first " nice" fish of the year. Was wondering why the gills stopped bighting, so I put the cam down the hole. This is why they I guess! Had one large golden roach left in the bucket from my tip up's. Tied on a plain hook and dropped him down and it didn't take long! 15min fight on 4 pound test and strike caught on cam! "

How cool is that!

Beautiful fish Carmike as well. Really nice! The skirt looks interesting. Whats up with that? Inquiring minds want to know.

Thanks, guys. I'm so spoiled...usually they gotta be bigger than that for a photo, but the coloration on that one was so unique we had to keep her out of the water for a few extra seconds. I have no idea why she was so dark...We pulled in a few last weekend, and she was the only one with that dark background. I can't remember catching one that looked like that, but I don't usually fish for them in March, so I don't know if it's just a pre-spawn thing? I dunno.

You guys are going to get all my "secrets." :) The skirt you see is just a spinnerbait skirt that rests over the large sinker. Over the last 10 years, about 2/3 of our big fish have hit the rigs with the skirt; smaller pike don't seem to care one way or the other. Sometimes, the fish actually strike the skirt, so there's that problem, too.

carmike: "Thanks, guys. I'm so spoiled...usually they gotta be bigger than that for a photo, but the coloration on that okeep her out of the water for a few extra seconds. I have no idea why she was so dark...We pulled in a few last weekend, and she was the only one with that dark background. I can't remember catching one that looked like that, but I don't usually fish for them in March, so I don't know if it's just a pre-spawn thing? I dunno. ne was so unique we had to


You guys are going to get all my "secrets." :) The skirt you see is just a spinnerbait skirt that rests over the large sinker. Over the last 10 years, about 2/3 of our big fish have hit the rigs with the skirt; smaller pike don't seem to care one way or the other. Sometimes, the fish actually strike the skirt, so there's that problem, too.


"

i see we have a couple of comedians on the fish forum , carmike saying they need to be bigger for a photo and Bronco saying they had a fair 3 days of pike fishing , nice job guys , keep the jokes coming ;)

carmike: "Thanks, guys. I'm so spoiled...usually they gotta be bigger than that for a photo, but the coloration on that one was so unique we had to keep her out of the water for a few extra seconds. I have no idea why she was so dark...We pulled in a few last weekend, and she was the only one with that dark background. I can't remember catching one that looked like that, but I don't usually fish for them in March, so I don't know if it's just a pre-spawn thing? I dunno.


You guys are going to get all my "secrets." :) The skirt you see is just a spinnerbait skirt that rests over the large sinker. Over the last 10 years, about 2/3 of our big fish have hit the rigs with the skirt; smaller pike don't seem to care one way or the other. Sometimes, the fish actually strike the skirt, so there's that problem, too.


"

"...usually they gotta be bigger than that for a photo...." OMG! May I please see photos of "bigger than that"?

As I said, I'm spoiled--but we spend a LOT of time chasing big pike. A low 40's pike isn't all that rare if you spend time scouting and chasing them on Mille Lacs, Upper Red, Leech, LotW, etc. Pair that with an obsessive concern for getting the fish back in the water as soon as possible, and we don't usually bother with photos.

A buddy of mine is *crushing* them up at LotW as we speak....and that bite will only get better as we head more into late ice. Or throw some frogs down on Upper Red at early ice, and you'll get them, too (why so many people head to this lake to catch dinky walleyes when it's got so many big pike in it is beyond me, but that just means more fun for me! :).

On Mille Lacs, as I said in another thread, our catch of big fish is down more than 75% since they re-opened spearing after the 30+ hiatus. But if you can find weeds that don't have a bunch of stabbers sitting over them, you've still got a decent shot at a big one. For now, anyways.

carmike , do use large live suckers for bait ? my biggest pike on a tip up hit on a 9" sucker.

carmike: "As I said, I'm spoiled--but we spend a LOT of time chasing big pike. A low 40's pike isn't all that rare if you spend time scouting and chasing them on Mille Lacs, Upper Red, Leech, LotW, etc. Pair that with an obsessive concern for getting the fish back in the water as soon as possible, and we don't usually bother with photos.


A buddy of mine is *crushing* them up at LotW as we speak....and that bite will only get better as we head more into late ice. Or throw some frogs down on Upper Red at early ice, and you'll get them, too (why so many people head to this lake to catch dinky walleyes when it's got so many big pike in it is beyond me, but that just means more fun for me! :).


On Mille Lacs, as I said in another thread, our catch of big fish is down more than 75% since they re-opened spearing after the 30+ hiatus. But if you can find weeds that don't have a bunch of stabbers sitting over them, you've still got a decent shot at a big one. For now, anyways.


"

Thank you for hurrying them back into the water. I fish soft water and have left most of my biggest Esox in the water partly for fear and partly because I fear I'll hurt them.

Really sad to see what happened on Mille lacs. So many huge trophy pike killed in a short time. I still run into them just not like it was. Used to say just another 40” + pike and throw it back.
Beautiful pike carmike.

shock: "carmike , do use large live suckers for bait ? my biggest pike on a tip up hit on a 9" sucker. "

Man, more secrets. :)

On early ice, we use (almost) the biggest suckers we can find. Often that's up to 12''.

Mnpat: "Really sad to see what happened on Mille lacs. So many huge trophy pike killed in a short time. I still run into them just not like it was. Used to say just another 40” + pike and throw it back.
Beautiful pike carmike. "

The fishing *was* literally unbelievable -- as in, people simply would not believe the number of big pike in the lake. The same thing is happening on Winni, too, as the stabbers do their thing. And it's happening in the BWCA, though more slowly.

Thanks for taking care of the big fish, Molly. I wish more people in Canoe Country thought about the likelihood of the survival of those big fish (if they think about releasing them at all) that get dragged up on shore only to flop around on the rocks, held in the air while the camera is dug out of the pack, hauled around camp for photos, etc.

Of course, part of that is just caused by the fact that a 40''+ northern is very difficult and often dangerous to handle from a canoe.

I get why canoeists beach pike on a rock shelf because they are big and scary and ordinary nets don't suffice, but I remember all those esox glaring at me beside the boat and those are great pics too, just ones I can't share because they're burned into my brain. However, I have never caught a pike as beautifully marked as yours, so I'm glad you took a pic of it!

Remember those black and white photos of pike massacres? There was a time when 40-inch fish were common, but then they removed those genes for what? To pickle some pike? For bragging rights? They didn't know any better, but I wish they did.

I heard the DNR was surprised that the spearers on Mille Lacs took so many big pike. How was that a surprise? Even if each spearer only took one big pike, that's something like 1000 of them over the course of the season. Even a huge lake like Mille Lacs can't sustain that many big fish getting killed.

On a different note, is the season different on Mille Lacs? I thought it closed at the end of February.

manmountain8: "Oh, that reminds me. I should go down to the Ford Dam. "

I don't think it is quite ready yet. Monday the water temp was only 39F. That being said, I have seen plenty of boats down by Pike Island.

Send me an email and I will let you know what I find next Monday.

Got my 1st fish tonight. 18 1/2inch male. I was leaving and seen 1 other fish caught... just as they start to move in a storm is gonna dump 3-6 inches on us Sat morning....
This fish was oozing milk... water 42°

rpike: "I heard the DNR was surprised that the spearers on Mille Lacs took so many big pike. How was that a surprise? Even if each spearer only took one big pike, that's something like 1000 of them over the course of the season. Even a huge lake like Mille Lacs can't sustain that many big fish getting killed.


On a different note, is the season different on Mille Lacs? I thought it closed at the end of February."

Yeah, and even now, when the rule is that you have to stab two under 30'' before one over 30'', people are forced to watch Mr. Gator play with their decoy while resisting the temptation to stab "the pike of a lifetime." Not many appear to be resisting that urge, alas. I saw one guy with three over 30'' in his shack this year -- only because he invited me in so he could use my ruler to measure out the 46'' he just killed. Calls to TIP didn't/don't seem to work.

Hook and line angling on Mille Lacs is open until the last Sunday of March this year. Usually, though, all non-border water fishing closes as you said, on the last Sunday in February. I'm not sure why they left it open.

missmolly: "Remember those black and white photos of pike massacres? There was a time when 40-inch fish were common, but then they removed those genes for what? To pickle some pike? For bragging rights? They didn't know any better, but I wish they did. "

Some of those pictures are crazy. Same thing with lake trout. Times have changed a little, but a lot of those big fish still get killed--and we know better. And check out the other thread about Perent Lake where the "guest paddler" talks about the "good old days" of the big pike....waaaay back in the 80's. :) I'm sure there are still some big ones in there, but my trips through there were a nightmare of small hammerhandles. Easy access + catch and kill = poorer fishing, alas.

It's why I'm in favor of the new regulations. I do realize it means some people might not have their meal of fish, or they might have to fillet up two smaller ones, but those 30+ inch fish are valuable, especially in a place where they grow so slowly. I suppose my position isn't surprising, though, since big pike are probably my second favorite target in the BWCA/Q (after lake trout).

Wow bum deal on spearing big pike. I wonder how much pressure the DNR guys get from the walleye community saying the pike eat all their fish?

That would be something difficult to curtail as well. The temptation is probably very great to get the drop on a big northern after sitting watching a decoy for several hours with nothing happening.

As per dragging pike into the shallows via a canoe I have excellent success with them via a long fluorocarbon leader and a GOOD rod holder and paddling in. They generally behave themselves just sitting there while I get everything ready for a quick photo. Hit the timer, grab the boga, lip the fish and "snap". Fish is only out of the water very briefly. Then its hold them by the tail for a couple of minutes until they can power off on their own. I just cannot imagine taking chances with the lures I use while sitting in a little solo........not happening. Reaching down with a pair of pliers has resulted in me wearing a Magnum Rapala in the palm once and that was out of a real boat.........and I certainly am not lifting a big pike into the canoe with me as that would likely be very hard on the fish as well as myself.

I have had a few really nice fish bite the dust however including a 7lb walleye and a really big laker. Get any hooks in their gills and if they start to bleed at all they are done.

As per dragging a big pike into the shallows to release it from a canoe, I did just that with a pig on Turtle Lake one time. What else was I going to do, let it swallow me whole. With his bad attitude I was happy we both got out of it relatively unscathed. Then came the turtles... by the end of that day trip I was sincerely happy I got back to camp on Bald Eagle with all my fingers and toes still attached.
As per first fish, I’ll get back to ya when I catch one. Boat feels good underbutt.

Yeah, well, the DNR (I think) was hoping that the business from pike fishermen...er, stabbers...would help offset the loss in business from absent walleye fishermen. I don't go to the meetings, so I don't know precisely what the reasoning was. I can't say I've heard any of the walleye guys complain about the pike. Now the muskies on the other hand, they're not all that popular, but I'll stay out of that fight.

And I've accidentally killed a few fish I very much wish I would've been able to release. It happens for sure. Last year, in fact, the only lake trout we filleted up was a beautiful low-30's that ate a Tail Dancer so deep it was in the gullet and the gills. No saving that fish, so we brought her to camp and ate her. Yum.

carmike: "It's been a grind out on Mille Lacs, but our first fish on the new 2018 fishing licenses was a decent one. 42''.


"

That is one heck of a fish amazing color !

Regarding staying safe while releasing big pike, I expect everyone already knows this, but just in case, they are much, much calmer if you roll them so they're belly-up and they nearly always forecast coming fury by flaring their gill plates first. Plus, I always carry mini-bolt cutters, a trick I learned fishing muskies. I've used them twice, once to cut a beneath the barb of a hook that was in me and once to cut the shaft of a hook that was embedded in the jaw bone of a big Esox.

BTW, it was a small pike that stuck me. They are so much quicker than the supertankers.

Got this beaut on Lake Minnetonka on a crappie rod with 3 lb mono fishing a frostee spoon and minnow head. Took me approximately 1.5 beers to reel it in :)

Incredible catch wily. 3lb line? Just look at that stuff the wrong way and it breaks. Good for you!

WilyMinnow: "


Got this beaut on Lake Minnetonka on a crappie rod with 3 lb mono fishing a frostee spoon and minnow head. Took me approximately 1.5 beers to reel it in :)"

Another nice jack!

Holy scat! That is sweet! 1 1/2 beers... even better.
I still have minnows, so I have to go fishing. You know when you go to the bait shop and you really only want a half a dozen of the little ones and same of the bigger cuz you know that’s what you are going to use, but the guy gives you like three dozen of each cuz he’s a good dude but now you have five dozen minnows that you don’t want to kill cuz you want to be a good dude so now your changing water, aerating the minnow bucket... it’s a whole nother hobby just keeping the stupid minnows alive. But it’s a good problem to have I guess. Cuz now I have to go fishing. Maybe I’ll catch something. If it takes sacrificing the lives of sixty minnows to get that done, then that’s what it takes. Cheers.

gunflint lake. plowed roads.

scat: "Holy scat! That is sweet! 1 1/2 beers... even better.
I still have minnows, so I have to go fishing. You know when you go to the bait shop and you really only want a half a dozen of the little ones and same of the bigger cuz you know that’s what you are going to use, but the guy gives you like three dozen of each cuz he’s a good dude but now you have five dozen minnows that you don’t want to kill cuz you want to be a good dude so now your changing water, aerating the minnow bucket... it’s a whole nother hobby just keeping the stupid minnows alive. But it’s a good problem to have I guess. Cuz now I have to go fishing. Maybe I’ll catch something. If it takes sacrificing the lives of sixty minnows to get that done, then that’s what it takes. Cheers."

I've actually started selling the leftover minnows on Facebook (in the icefishing MN page). It works surprisingly well, especially if they're the more expensive varieties. IF you're dealing with fatheads and crappie minnows, then...yeah, just go fishing. :)

lundojam: "


gunflint lake. plowed roads."

Beautiful fish, lundo. I have GOT to get up there some winter to chase those beauties.

carmike: "It's been a grind out on Mille Lacs, but our first fish on the new 2018 fishing licenses was a decent one. 42''.


"

There is so many nice pike in there,they are so fat usually. Mille lacs use to have that extended Northern pike season,I really don't know if it is anymore in 2018?

carmike: "I saw one guy with three over 30'' in his shack this year -- only because he invited me in so he could use my ruler to measure out the 46'' he just killed. Calls to TIP didn't/don't seem to work.


Hook and line angling on Mille Lacs is open until the last Sunday of March this year. Usually, though, all non-border water fishing closes as you said, on the last Sunday in February. I'm not sure why they left it open. "

I'm sure the guy with the 46" pike plus two more over 30" is not the only one stabbing more than one over 30". Boo. What a shame to see those big fish getting whacked left and right.

Good for you for taking advantage of the rule change this year!

Any idea why the spinnerbait skirt makes a difference?

WilyMinnow: "


Got this beaut on Lake Minnetonka on a crappie rod with 3 lb mono fishing a frostee spoon and minnow head. Took me approximately 1.5 beers to reel it in :)"

You deserved the 1.5 beers for getting that thing in on 3 lb mono!! Giant metro pike!

yogi59weedr: " Got my 1st fish tonight. 18 1/2inch male. I was leaving and seen 1 other fish caught... just as they start to move in a storm is gonna dump 3-6 inches on us Sat morning....
This fish was oozing milk... water 42°"

Nice fish, Yogi! Which part of the Miss are you fishing?

Found this one sitting in my pike spot today :)

rpike: "

I'm sure the guy with the 46" pike plus two more over 30" is not the only one stabbing more than one over 30". Boo. What a shame to see those big fish getting whacked left and right.


Good for you for taking advantage of the rule change this year!


Any idea why the spinnerbait skirt makes a difference?"

The number of big pike that got speared illegally is disgusting. Guys actually brag about it. I was not out last weekend, but a friend of mine was up and he saw a guy stab another gator. Didn't get a measurement on that one, but it was a tank.

I think the skirt works to hide the big sinker. When using such big minnows, you need a lot of weight to keep the minnow from swimming up the hole. That big sinker seems to spook the bigger ones (or at least that's the theory). Or the extra wiggle, color, flash attracts the bigger fish. Not quite sure, to be honest. The smaller fish don't have a preference one way or the other.

That's a good theory about hiding the sinker.

Really a shame to see one of the *very* few lakes in the state with a solid population of truly big pike get hammered in just two seasons.

Lock and dam 14. Le Clair. Just a mile south of the I-80 bridge.been fishing this area for 35 yrs.
Water temp was up to 45.5°
Dropped to 43 after we got 8 in of s***. I mean snow.
Suppose to be nice tomorrow..

Only two days above 50 for the next 7 days. Gotta hit it.

Tyler W: "

manmountain8: "Oh, that reminds me. I should go down to the Ford Dam. "

I don't think it is quite ready yet. Monday the water temp was only 39F. That being said, I have seen plenty of boats down by Pike Island.


Send me an email and I will let you know what I find next Monday.
"

I agree, its a bit early. I've spent more than a few hours walking the shoreline between the dam and the creek and fish seem to really start showing up when the temps get into the low to mid 40's. Should be a good year for fishing the creek with the snow melt as well. Hope I can find a little free time to get down there and sacrifice a few more jigs to the river.

yogi59weedr: "Lock and dam 14. Le Clair. Just a mile south of the I-80 bridge.been fishing this area for 35 yrs.
Water temp was up to 45.5°
Dropped to 43 after we got 8 in of s***. I mean snow.
Suppose to be nice tomorrow.. "

Nice. I was out til about 10pm on pool 2 last night and got skunked, Water temp still about 38 up here.

Off the soft water schneid for 2018.

late afternoon jig and minnow results

trout have a unique biting pattern

late ice pike from ND both of these were 19 lbs only one over twenty so far in 18

Bronco: "late ice pike from ND both of these were 19 lbs only one over twenty so far in 18 "

A couple of nice jacks!

Found out what was pushing my eyes off their spawning flat

Just a hair under 21"

Sweet. I still have my minnows. Weather has been ridiculous.

carmike: "Yeah, well, the DNR (I think) was hoping that the business from pike fishermen...er, stabbers...would help offset the loss in business from absent walleye fishermen. I don't go to the meetings, so I don't know precisely what the reasoning was. I can't say I've heard any of the walleye guys complain about the pike. Now the muskies on the other hand, they're not all that popular, but I'll stay out of that fight.


And I've accidentally killed a few fish I very much wish I would've been able to release. It happens for sure. Last year, in fact, the only lake trout we filleted up was a beautiful low-30's that ate a Tail Dancer so deep it was in the gullet and the gills. No saving that fish, so we brought her to camp and ate her. Yum. "

I'm off topic a little bit but...... I don't want to pry any of more of your secrets so I will just ask about a couple lakes. I am headed in to Cherry, Amoeber and Gijikiki area in mid to late June this year. Is this area likely to get me a decent laker? I know I have to find them and present right but just in general I was wondering if you have fished any of these lakes?

I don't know those areas, alas. Try asking your question in its own thread...You'll likely get better feedback. And good luck on your trip!

I wouldn’t be so hard on spear fisherman. Most of today’s spearers are not out there for the biggest pike they see. A Lot of them are very selective, myself included. It’s great thrill to just see a 40incher in the hole.
I’m sure theres plenty of very large pike killed by catch and release mortality.

Will do! Thank you.

Finally got out this morning in the rain. Western Indiana creek. First two this year.

These are the first fish that I got a decent pic. The stripe bass running right now at our local dam. This one is 33 inch and 17 lbs. The smallie is 19 inch and 4 lbs.

Went to the S side of the US to get my first fish hooked this year. My boys and I fished a channel in Florida in March before heading out to do some surf fishing. I hooked a little Jack and let my oldest reel him in. Looking forward to hooking my first BW fish of the year in early June!

Keep the pics coming! I've certainly got the fever and they seem to help with the symptoms.

Went up to Rainy river last week for the end of the border season, but ended up ice fishing on Lake of the Woods. Some good eyes in our group, but mine were all on the 15” or less

My niece in Decorah, IA, April 11. 21" brown. First thing I said to her? "It's all downhill from here buddy." We're headed to Insula this summer. Can't wait.

WOW! Nice fish!

Didn't figure my first of the year would be in Florida but here it is.
I scrounged up some gear from the resort I was at and waded out in the gulf of Mexico and cast as far as I could. The surf was beating me up but I ended up with 4 fish. 2 different species. Not sure exactly what they were, possibly Whiting or Mullet.

Not my first of the year, but definitely a BEAST :) .

Two days too late to be my first fish of the year but this was my first ever of this species.

The first fish worthy of a picture this year. Caught in Western IL between snow showers. We also caught over 100 crappie during a long weekend. I really need to start carrying a scale.

coloradomike: "The first fish worthy of a picture this year. Caught in Western IL between snow showers. We also caught over 100 crappie during a long weekend. I really need to start carrying a scale. "

Mike shame on you for keeping that largemouth which is obviously full of eggs. A mild reprimand, as I have done the same thing (and worse) "back in the day" when my fat bass were full of eggs AND out of season. I have since wised up.

Very early in the year, before the leaves came in, was one of my favorite times to largemouth fish in Michigan. They would be seeking warmth and any timber in a mud bottomed bay was a magnet. Fun days.

Very nice striper. They can really pull can't they.

I didn't keep the bass. She was out of the water for 3 minutes. I caught her from shore and returned her to the lake behind me right after the photo. It is a private lake managed by a fisheries biologist. We have a strict catch and release policy for all bass over 15".

The stripper was caught on an ultra light rod with 6lb line while trying to locate crappie. I didn't think the rod was going to survive. It was a long fight.

GeoFisher: "Not my first of the year, but definitely a BEAST :) .


"

That is one BIG sheephead!

coloradomike: "I didn't keep the bass. She was out of the water for 3 minutes. I caught her from shore and returned her to the lake behind me right after the photo. It is a private lake managed by a fisheries biologist. We have a strict catch and release policy for all bass over 15".

The stripper was caught on an ultra light rod with 6lb line while trying to locate crappie. I didn't think the rod was going to survive. It was a long fight.
"

Good man......... My bad......... very nice fish!

GeoFisher: "Not my first of the year, but definitely a BEAST :) .


"

Dang! I think that is the biggest sheepie I have ever seen. What did you think you had on?

Caught an 8 inch small mouth on Saturday. Nothing to write home about, didn't even take a picture... but I was the only one to catch a fish that day!

Jeriatric: "Two days too late to be my first fish of the year but this was my first ever of this species.
"

....this species.

No one took a guess or asked so I will just say, it was a bull trout.

This was from about 6 hours of jerk bait fishing for eyes this last weekend. Spawn is just about over down here.

Got this skinny lady this weekend. 55", My biggest fish to date, and one hell of a surprise.

Yes!

first open-water walleyes for me. wonderful.

Made my first fishing trip to the Idaho side of the Tetons. The major rivers were very muddy and quite high with runoff but the lower streams were very good

GeoFisher: "Not my first of the year, but definitely a BEAST :) .


"

Wow.

I'll add my fish...not the first but a new PB LMB. Caught it in Florida on a Chatterbait. 27" tipping the scale around 11lbs

GeoFisher: "Not my first of the year, but definitely a BEAST :) .


"

Looks like a freshwater drum to me, no? Others have called it a sheepshead here, which I thought was a different species (saltwater, vertical stripes down the sides). What kind of fish was it, Geo?

Missouri crappies have been fun and tasty.

Gunflinter: "Missouri crappies have been fun and tasty.
"

You had to share that right before lunch.....sitting here drooling thinking about fresh crappie frying up in the pan...lol

Memorial weekend laker.

19.5" Missouri rainbow caught over opening weekend 2018. Sadly this is the only fish I caught over a three day trip.

I came home to find a couple guys in my driveway trying to access the river at my place, after a polite request I granted them access to fish my backyard and let them use one of my canoes they rewarded me with this pic ( and a case of beer)

First open water fish of the year, on last week’s BW trip... my 20th and this fella is my biggest ever BW walleye

nooneuno: "I came home to find a couple guys in my driveway trying to access the river at my place, after a polite request I granted them access to fish my backyard and let them use one of my canoes they rewarded me with this pic ( and a case of beer)
"

What a guy! How very kind.

West Tennessee 'gill. Can't believe I didn't get to go fishing till May.

yogi59weedr: " Got my 1st fish tonight. 18 1/2inch male. I was leaving and seen 1 other fish caught... just as they start to move in a storm is gonna dump 3-6 inches on us Sat morning....
This fish was oozing milk... water 42°"

Milk?

Milt..... my bad.
Sometimes when you talk into the phone it doesn't print what you say