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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Fishing Forum :: Share your first 2018 fish
 
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wrestlencanoe
03/30/2018 05:50PM
 
Off the soft water schneid for 2018.

 
carmike
03/22/2018 08:14AM
 
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''.
 
carmike
03/22/2018 08:18AM
 
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.
 
missmolly
03/22/2018 09:11AM
 
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.
 
rpike
03/22/2018 09:46AM
 
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.
 
Tyler W
03/22/2018 01:20PM
 
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.

 
yogi59weedr
03/22/2018 10:03PM
 
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°
 
carmike
03/23/2018 02:59PM
 
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).
 
Abbey
04/19/2018 10:48PM
 
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


 
nooneuno
06/13/2018 07:39PM
 
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)

 
mastertangler
03/25/2018 06:38AM
 
Incredible catch wily. 3lb line? Just look at that stuff the wrong way and it breaks. Good for you!
 
QueticoMike
03/25/2018 08:46AM
 
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!
 
scat
03/25/2018 10:33AM
 
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.
 
lundojam
03/25/2018 12:08PM
 



gunflint lake. plowed roads.
 
carmike
03/25/2018 02:05PM
 
lundojam: "



gunflint lake. plowed roads."



Beautiful fish, lundo. I have GOT to get up there some winter to chase those beauties.
 
carmike
03/25/2018 02:02PM
 
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. :)
 
Pinetree
03/25/2018 05:42PM
 
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?
 
Selfsuffi
04/11/2018 03:03PM
 
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?
 
carmike
04/11/2018 05:43PM
 
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!
 
motox380
04/11/2018 06:17PM
 
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.

 
Selfsuffi
04/12/2018 05:32AM
 
Will do! Thank you.
 
rdmarr
04/14/2018 05:07PM
 

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.
 
mastertangler
04/26/2018 02:17PM
 
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?
 
drnatus
04/26/2018 03:41PM
 
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!
 
carmike
03/21/2018 07:14AM
 
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.



 
shock
03/20/2018 10:53PM
 
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 ;)
 
missmolly
03/21/2018 05:59AM
 
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"?
 
shock
03/21/2018 12:05PM
 
carmike , do use large live suckers for bait ? my biggest pike on a tip up hit on a 9" sucker.
 
Mnpat
03/21/2018 08:10PM
 
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.
 
missmolly
03/21/2018 06:03PM
 
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.
 
AmarilloJim
03/19/2018 06:37AM
 

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'.
 
rpike
03/19/2018 08:34AM
 
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!
 
QueticoMike
03/19/2018 10:35AM
 
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!
 
lundojam
03/17/2018 09:48PM
 
Just got broke off by a rainbow (2 lb line). Does that count?
 
mastertangler
03/20/2018 07:28AM
 
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 ;-)
 
mastertangler
03/20/2018 07:31AM
 
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.
 
mastertangler
03/20/2018 07:32AM
 

 
carmike
03/20/2018 04:48PM
 
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.



 
whitecedar
03/19/2018 07:19PM
 
Carmike that is one beautiful Northern Pike, congratulations!
 
Flatlandpaddler
03/19/2018 06:58PM
 
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!
 
shock
03/19/2018 09:19PM
 
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 !!!!
 
carmike
03/23/2018 02:53PM
 
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.
 
mastertangler
03/23/2018 03:19PM
 
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.
 
scat
03/23/2018 04:59PM
 
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.
 
carmike
03/23/2018 09:12PM
 
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.
 
Basspro69
03/24/2018 09:25AM
 
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 !
 
missmolly
03/24/2018 01:57PM
 
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.
 
WilyMinnow
03/24/2018 10:34PM
 



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 :)
 
rpike
03/26/2018 01:55PM
 
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?
 
rpike
03/26/2018 01:58PM
 
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!
 
thegildedgopher
03/26/2018 02:44PM
 
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?
 
carmike
03/26/2018 06:24PM
 
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.
 
QueticoMike
03/26/2018 05:19PM
 
Found this one sitting in my pike spot today :)



 
rpike
03/27/2018 11:40AM
 
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.
 
Bronco
04/03/2018 12:53PM
 
late ice pike from ND both of these were 19 lbs only one over twenty so far in 18
 
QueticoMike
04/03/2018 01:22PM
 
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!
 
buzz17
04/14/2018 01:56PM
 



Finally got out this morning in the rain. Western Indiana creek. First two this year.
 
scotttimm
04/23/2018 10:49AM
 
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.

 
Bushman
04/25/2018 11:34AM
 
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.



 
GeoFisher
04/25/2018 01:14PM
 
Not my first of the year, but definitely a BEAST :) .



 
Jeriatric
04/25/2018 10:51PM
 
Two days too late to be my first fish of the year but this was my first ever of this species.

 
coloradomike
04/25/2018 11:14PM
 
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.
 
mastertangler
04/26/2018 04:15AM
 
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.
 
coloradomike
04/26/2018 09:54AM
 
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.

 
rpike
04/26/2018 11:25AM
 
GeoFisher: "Not my first of the year, but definitely a BEAST :) .



"



That is one BIG sheephead!
 
mastertangler
04/26/2018 02:13PM
 
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!
 
QueticoMike
04/27/2018 02:40PM
 

 
AmarilloJim
04/30/2018 08:12AM
 

This was from about 6 hours of jerk bait fishing for eyes this last weekend. Spawn is just about over down here.
 
OgimaaBines
05/01/2018 01:34AM
 

Got this skinny lady this weekend. 55", My biggest fish to date, and one hell of a surprise.
 
scat
05/05/2018 09:01AM
 
Yes!





 
TuscaroraBorealis
06/12/2018 04:02PM
 
Memorial weekend laker.
 
Spauldo
06/12/2018 04:34PM
 
19.5" Missouri rainbow caught over opening weekend 2018. Sadly this is the only fish I caught over a three day trip.






 
ledhead
06/13/2018 09:03PM
 
First open water fish of the year, on last week’s BW trip... my 20th and this fella is my biggest ever BW walleye



 
mastertangler
06/14/2018 06:00AM
 
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.
 
Jaymon
06/14/2018 01:17PM
 
West Tennessee 'gill. Can't believe I didn't get to go fishing till May.
 
WalleyeHunter24
06/14/2018 03:01PM
 
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?
 
yogi59weedr
06/14/2018 05:02PM
 
Milt..... my bad.
Sometimes when you talk into the phone it doesn't print what you say
 
egknuti
06/14/2018 06:30PM
 

 
Sloanstavern
05/20/2018 09:43AM
 
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
 
analyzer
05/20/2018 11:27AM
 
GeoFisher: "Not my first of the year, but definitely a BEAST :) .



"




Wow.
 
scat
03/12/2018 08:00PM
 
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.
 
GickFirk22
05/21/2018 09:48AM
 
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
 
cburton103
05/22/2018 07:19AM
 
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?
 
QueticoMike
03/18/2018 05:50PM
 
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.



 
manmountain8
03/18/2018 05:57PM
 
I caught this 10" Savage Burbot on the Amazon for 12.99.



 
yogi59weedr
03/18/2018 06:08PM
 
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...
 
manmountain8
03/18/2018 06:19PM
 
Oh, that reminds me. I should go down to the Ford Dam.
 
QueticoMike
03/18/2018 06:23PM
 
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.
 
carmike
03/19/2018 08:11AM
 
It's been a grind out on Mille Lacs, but our first fish on the new 2018 fishing licenses was a decent one. 42''.



 
missmolly
03/19/2018 12:41PM
 
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!
 
schweady
03/19/2018 06:10PM
 
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...)

 
Gunflinter
05/22/2018 11:07AM
 
Missouri crappies have been fun and tasty.

 
Selfsuffi
05/22/2018 11:17AM
 
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
 
yogi59weedr
03/27/2018 07:35PM
 
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..
 
yogi59weedr
03/27/2018 10:35PM
 
Only two days above 50 for the next 7 days. Gotta hit it.



 
nofish
03/28/2018 12:39PM
 
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.
 
thegildedgopher
03/28/2018 01:29PM
 
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.
 
BlackSwanAdventures
04/02/2018 10:36AM
 



late afternoon jig and minnow results


trout have a unique biting pattern
 
Bumstead
04/18/2018 10:34AM
 
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.
 
AmarilloJim
04/09/2018 03:03PM
 
Found out what was pushing my eyes off their spawning flat

Just a hair under 21"
 
scat
04/09/2018 05:02PM
 
Sweet. I still have my minnows. Weather has been ridiculous.
 
scat
04/23/2018 11:22AM
 
WOW! Nice fish!
 
Jeriatric
04/28/2018 02:43PM
 
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.
 
lundojam
05/07/2018 06:44AM
 
first open-water walleyes for me. wonderful.