Utah lake pike

[ocean]

I am just curious is there a healthy population of pike in Utah lake. I am wondering if it's even worth just targeting them there over walleyes and cats. Any info on them would help thanks.
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[ice_sled]

Talked to a fisherman at Lincoln Beach and he had seen two over 30" caught through the ice at the first spring.
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[ocean]

Really over 30 inches ? They must been planted there for a few years now. They have plenty of forage so there must be quite a,population in there by now.
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[PIKEMAN99]

I'll let you know what I seen the other day. I was in to Fish Tech and a guy shared a picture with me. A gentleman had caught a 25 pound 4 ounce Northern Pike. He was jigging for walleye at the mouth of the Provo River. Hopefully somebody here will know more of the story and maybe have a pic. I saw it on this guys friends phone. Sorry I don't know any more information. Thought I would share. Tight Lines.
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[pezvela]

I spoke with Mike Slater, udwr biologist at Springville regarding the Northerns. Mike told me that there were way more than the department likes in the lake now and it appears that the population is well established.

During a netting sample at Lincoln Beach near the springs several large pike showed up in the nets.
Two years ago I saw many fingerling pike in Hobble Creek in the spring.

The DWR wants anglers to take any northerns caught to the Springville office. They will give you lures or something for your efforts. The fish are then sent to SLC for an analysis of stomach contents. I believe that Mike said their investigations revealed that the pike tested had eaten 13% June Suckers. I'm sure that doesn't please the June Sucker recovery biologists but I don't know what can be done about it now that the fish are established.

I haven't caught one nor have I targeted them, but I intend to this year. From what I hear, there are all age classes in the lake including trophy fish and I suspect that if the lake continues to rise they will have a good spawning year.

Anglers probably can't make a difference in the populations, but catching and killing them can't hurt. One step in the management plan. I think anglers should make the best of an unfortunate situation and catch as many as they can. They are great fighters and very good to eat. That's my thoughts. Good Luck

[ocean]

Wow that got me excited guess I will be making the 10 minute drive to Lincoln after work just about everyday lol Thank Glenn for the info.
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[PIKEMAN99]

thanks PEZVELA for the insight from slater []and your wecome OCEAN[]
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[ocean]

Thanks for the info Pezvela I will do my best to put a hurting on them with my son . It's unfortunate that idiots had to put them in there smh
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[BPS]

Playing devil's advocate here.

Why would ANGLERS be against having pike in Utah Lake?

Would they deplete the numbers of current gamefish?

I understand the June Sucker issue, but I would bet the majority of anglers don't care about the Junies.

Is the fear that if the Junies disappear, then funding, and concern for the lake will go with them?

I don't know enough about the issue to have a position, so maybe some of you more informed can shed some light.

I know personally I would love to have a better option than Yuba for trophy Pike.










[quote pezvela]I spoke with Mike Slater, udwr biologist at Springville regarding the Northerns. Mike told me that there were way more than the department likes in the lake now and it appears that the population is well established.

During a netting sample at Lincoln Beach near the springs several large pike showed up in the nets.
Two years ago I saw many fingerling pike in Hobble Creek in the spring.

The DWR wants anglers to take any northerns caught to the Springville office. They will give you lures or something for your efforts. The fish are then sent to SLC for an analysis of stomach contents. I believe that Mike said their investigations revealed that the pike tested had eaten 13% June Suckers. I'm sure that doesn't please the June Sucker recovery biologists but I don't know what can be done about it now that the fish are established.

I haven't caught one nor have I targeted them, but I intend to this year. From what I hear, there are all age classes in the lake including trophy fish and I suspect that if the lake continues to rise they will have a good spawning year.

Anglers probably can't make a difference in the populations, but catching and killing them can't hurt. One step in the management plan. I think anglers should make the best of an unfortunate situation and catch as many as they can. They are great fighters and very good to eat. That's my thoughts. Good Luck[/quote]
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[TubeDude]

[#0000FF]If it were not for the struggling population of June suckers...backed by the feds...the pike would be a lot more tolerable by DWR.

It's funny though. Northern pike were planted as an experiment several decades ago but never seemed to take hold. Then, once the pike population in Yuba exploded...after the last drought drawdown...more anglers hit Yuba and targeted the pike. Then...as if by magic...pike suddenly started showing up in Utah Lake. Bucket biology? Nah! More likely live well liberation.

The northerns have a well-set table at Utah Lake. Multiple species that are just a good snack size. And the Junies have no pesky spines so they go down nice and smooth. Interestingly, in the natural habitats of northern pike in the midwest various species of suckers and other meaty minnows make up the major part of the toothy critters' diet.

You raise a good question about losing the funding if the Junies can't make it. If the combination of drought, toxic algae, predator imbalance and other factors finish off the remnants of the suckers it is highly likely the federally funded program for killing carp will come to an end. That would mean we would all have to buy cans of newly legalized corn and do the carp reduction on our own...in between playing with pike.
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[Therapist]

With the Junies on the ESA, the feds will not go quietly into the night. I would surmise that they would take over the lake, kill everything in the lake and then restock with Junies. That is the way the ESA. So the numnuts that planted the Northern's in the lake have not done us a favor. The other problem is that they will start showing up in other waters, like Deer Creek, Jordanelle, etc. While Northern's are a great sportfish, having them in Utah Lake is not a good thing !! Keep everyone you catch !!!

[cje04]

Are the pike numerous enough you can target them specifically with success?
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[Majja]

Is'nt Utah lake to big to be poisoned?
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[Springbuck]

Meh, I care. It's not the end of the world,. I won't likely lose much sleep, really.

But, I am very much PRO protection of endangered species, and I'll listen to the DWR about stuff like this, usually.
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[ocean]

I am just wondering if you can't physical take a pike to the DWR would a pic of the stomach contents be ok ?
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[ice_sled]

Those dang slippery Pike! Every time I try to kill one it just slips out of my hand! 😂
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[SkinnyLynnie]

So, are there any special techniques, lures, baits, or gear for targeting pike? I've never caught one, nor have I fished for them specifically. If I want to give it a try this year, what guidance can those with more experience give me?
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[ocean]

Not sure what works at UL but anchovies or a chub under a bobber should work good from the shoreline. As for lures I would match the forage like white bass a big shiny chrome spinner or chartreuse should work . I haven't fished for them at UL but this is what I will start with . Once some water gets in there I will get my boat on there and do some exploring. Hope this helps.
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[TubeDude]

[#0000FF]There are lots of good videos on Utube and other sites on BASIC pike fishing. But for Utah Lake, they will hit anything you are fishing for walleyes or largemouth...or even catfish. In other words they will smack almost any kind of plastic or hardbait. Spinners are good...big spinners and spinnerbaits. Bright colors are good...like chartreuse. But combos of black and chartreuse, black and orange or black and pink are good too.

Look for them wherever smaller fish are likely to congregate or come swimming by. Pike are ambush predators. They usually don't actively cruise the lake looking for dinner. More often they will set up beside a rock, inside a brush pile or under a dock to wait for something silly (and smaller than they are) to come close enough for a sudden attack.

During low water times there has not been much brush and very little rock or other structure for the pike to use. Ditto for bass. They like the same areas. But any little change in bottom contour or something else they can relate to will keep a pike semi happy.

The main places where pike have been caught from Utah Lake the past few years are either in or close to natural inflows...Provo River, Hobble Creek, etc. Other spots are those that attract white bass, bluegill and crappies...like docks, rocks, brush and warm spring inflows...like at Lincoln Beach.

One of the harbors that has seen a disproportionate number of pike has been Saratoga Springs at Pelican Bay...on the west side of Utah Lake. But with the recent dredging there may be changes in whatever has been the attraction.

During the spring and early summer there is a good chance for some topwater piking. Voles (large mice) around the lake get frisky and some of them end up out swimming in the water. Pike love them. Even silly old catfish slurp up those voles. There are also newly hatched waterfowl swimming around near the edges...and some of them end up on pike menus. Good topwater buzzbaits or Spooks can get 'er done.

Most of the year a good big spinnerbait...with a big plastic tail...or hair...or feather...are great for pike. But don't be hurt if a largemouth, walleye or even a catfish intercepts it before a pike can.

Bottom line? Go fishing for multi species with something that has wide appeal. Be happy with what you catch but you can always hope for a northern pike. Most caught are taken by anglers fishing for something else. But you can work hard and study up and target them on purpose.
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[SkinnyLynnie]

Thanks! This information is very helpful. I've seen videos on YouTube (any relation of yours, TubeDude?) of pike ambushing baby ducks, smaller fish, and even little dogs that stood too close to the shoreline. I'm excited to try to turn the tables on them. Wish me luck!
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