The fact that Northern pike inhabit virtually every stream and lake in Minnesota lends itself to the appeal of Minnesota pike fishing. Beyond that, Northern pike are willing eaters of many baits and lures, as their diet and temperament indicate them to be connoisseurs of virtually anything that they can fit between their jaws. Their chunky, white meat fillets rival that of walleye, according to many anglers, and baking the fillets tends to dissolve some of the smaller bones that make it an otherwise unappealing fish. Minnesota pike fishing boasts trophy size fish of around 20 pound every year while the average sized pike angled from their lakes and streams is around 2 or 3 pounds.
Over the years the popularity of Minnesota pike fishing has led to a decline in the numbers of trophy fished produced by Minnesota lakes and streams. Additionally, public access roads and easier access to virtually all their lakes have opened up pike populations that were previously protected by environmental isolation. In recent years the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has stepped up to the plate and begun investigating the causes of this downsize and implementing solutions. In brief, they have put protections on medium sized pike ranging from 24 inches in length to 40 inches in length. The hope is that by preserving this segment of the population that Minnesota will make its return to the glory days of northern pike trophies, such as 45 pound, 12 ounce pike landed back in 1929. That falls a mere 6 ounces shy of the American record pike.
By placing limits on Northern pike fishing in Minnesota lakes and streams, the DNR hopes to alleviate angling pressure on lakes that have the potential to produce large pike. The lakes they found most suitable for producing these trophy pike are lakes that have an abundance of a food fish called ciscoes, as well as deep water. The larger a northern pike grows, the cooler the water they need. The warm shallows lack the oxygen they need. As well the fish they target prefer deep water. Minnesota lakes with strong populations of ciscoes produces trophy sized pike (greater than 20 pounds) virtually four times faster than lakes without. To put size into perspective, a forty in pike weighs in at 15 pounds.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources features a website dedicated to posting frequent updates to their policies, regulations, and restrictions in order to make things less confusing for the vacationing angler. They also offer links to buy your Minnesota State fishing license online. Furthermore they commonly update closures and post health advisories against fish consumption from certain waters. Note that while they do offer site specific advisories not all waters have been tested, and those tests are primarily for contaminants such as mercury or PCB.
With keeping the regulations in mind there are still a number of Minnesota lakes that boast large quarry for Minnesota pike fishing. As a general rule, Northern pike in the 24 to 36 inch length range are to be released immediately, though some lakes up the restriction to between 30 and 40 inches. It is important to check with local fishing authorities as this is an ongoing study, with several lakes under consideration. But if you are in Minnesota looking for the thrill of Minnesota pike fishing, Mille Lacs, Lake of the Woods, Basswood, and Leech, among others still boast pike longer than 29 inches, meaning that in a few years time they can grow to be the trophy pike that Minnesota was once, and will be known for.