I spent the last 3 days with a couple like minded buddies ice fishing for spring Northern pike. Fishing was fair we iced 1-21lbs 3-19lbs 2-17 lbs and many between 8-16 lbs and many more less then 6 lbs. we use tip ups with smelt. I was just wondering how many of my fellow paddlers chase big pike in the spring and if you have any words of wisdom are great memories from past pike fishing. My home waters is Lake Sakakawea in central ND. Yes we do eat some of these fish But most are returned to the water as soon as possible.

Heck of a 3 days you guys had ! Nice fish !

I enjoy it -- but in Minnesota the season normally closes the end of February, so it's border waters or other states usually.

Bronco: "I spent the last 3 days with a couple like minded buddies ice fishing for spring Northern pike. Fishing was fair we iced 1-21lbs 3-19lbs 2-17 lbs and many between 8-16 lbs and many more less then 6 lbs. we use tip ups with smelt. I was just wondering how many of my fellow paddlers chase big pike in the spring and if you have any words of wisdom are great memories from past pike fishing. My home waters is Lake Sakakawea in central ND. Yes we do eat some of these fish But most are returned to the water as soon as possible.
"

Very nice fish. I wonder what their main forage base is and if their growth rate is fast?

I wouldn't call that "fair." More like "unfair."
Good work.

Pinetree
The lake is a huge impoundment on the Missouri River forage is smelt, cisco, pearch and walleye, DNR says the fish population is at its best ever recorded. You would not believe the smelt in the lake its crazy. The problem is the lake runs cycles when we have a couple dry years the level will drop 20 feet warm up and the smelt die off followed by the game fish. 2006 I believe was the last major low year that wiped out the forage fish. The last time we had good year class fish was in the late 1990's early 2000. However the Missouri and Yellowstone basins are full of snow this year so that buys us at least one more year of crazy good fishing.

Thanks.
I was wondering I know many many years ago Oahe reservoir in South Dakota use to have very fast growing pike and a good forage food base. But it was kind of boom and bust(just like you mentioned)in this case - water level fluctuations effecting spawning habitat for northerns and the same for forage food. I know the Corp of Engineers tried to control levels some,but it is very hard at times in a river system.

Those are some very nice pike and the reservoirs on the Missouri river have so many options.
I have friends who winter fish for northern pike on Fort Peck and do well.

Those are some healthy looking pike..... impressive.