Snow-capped mountain ranges and clear, ice-cold rivers conjure up fantasies of wild, beautifully marked trout. But in the northern Rockies, some extremely good northern pike fishing is attracting the attention of growing numbers of serious anglers.
In the Flathead River drainage of northwest Montana, northerns of 20 and even 30 pounds are being taken each year from the rivers, lakes, ponds, and sloughs that define the wide, fertile valley that is surrounded by timbered slopes and jagged granite peaks.
While resource specialists throughout the West are urging anglers to release the trout they catch, Montana Region I fisheries manager Jim Vashro hopes that more people will turn their efforts toward northerns.
"This is one of those fisheries that we encourage people to take advantage of," said Vashro. "These northerns are providing some mighty fine action."
Pike were illegally introduced into the Flathead system by anglers who moved to the region.
The river provides good fishing for northerns both above and below Flathead Lake. The drainage takes in thousands of square miles of runoff from the lower 48 states, and the pike are thriving in the high-quality watershed.
Tributaries to the river, including the Stillwater and Whitefish rivers, are producing some very large fish. In the latter, local anglers take 30-plus-pound pike in early spring, which is one of the best times for fast action.
"If you get there at the right time, you will find the pike spawning in the backwaters, just churning up the water in a frenzy," said Vashro. "It's tricky to know just when, but if you can, be around just after out as the water begins to warm into the 40s."
Above Flathead Lake, old river channels have become sloughs that are home to large numbers of forage fish, panfish, and largemouth bass. The pike quickly grow large on this diet. While many local anglers make good use of this fishery, northerns are, for the most part, overlooked by visitors with visions of trophy trout dancing in their heads.
Below the lake is the Flathead Indian Reservation, and the section of water between Kerr Dam and Dixon is often referred to by tribal biologists as "Pike Alley." There the river flows clean and swift over a coarse streambed. Tall stands of aquatic weed growth wave back and forth in the current, where big pike lay in wait of unsuspecting prey. A plug, large spinner, or spoon worked along the edges of this growth will often provoke swift, powerful strikes from these predators.
Leave the ultralight gear at home for northerns in this region; a featherweight rig is no match for even a "tiny" seven-pounder if you must battle the fish in the main river current. Medium-weight tackle with 10-pound-test line or heavier is a safer bet, and light wire leaders are not inappropriate for these freshwater sharks.
A different approach to this fishing is with a seven- or eight-weight fly rod, a weight-forward line, a heavy leader with a 40-pound (or more) shock tippet, and large streamers, the bigger the better. Saltwater patterns more commonly associated with bonefish, barracuda, and tarpon also take pike.
However an angler approaches this fishing, the high-charged action is an invigorating change of pace from the more sedate and sophisticated pursuit of trout. Fighting a big pike in six inches of water will make your hair stand on end.
Hot Lures
The following lures and streamers are some of the top Rocky Mountain pike producers.
Lures
Streamers
Facts and Tips
Finding the prime northern pike water of the Flathead Valley, and the gear you need to catch them, will be made easier by contacting the following sources:
Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Region 1, 490 N. Meridian Rd., Kalispell, MT 59901, phone 406-752-5501.
Snappy Sports Senter, Dept., 1440 Hwy. 2 E., Kalispell, MT 59901, phone 406-257-7525, has a wide selection of fishing tackle and also sells both state fishing licenses and Flathead Tribal permits.
If you are interested in fly fishing for northerns, contact George Widener at Lakestream Flyfishing Co., 533 2nd St. E., Whitefish, MT 59937, phone 406-862-1298. Widener ties patterns specifically designed for pike and is knowledgeable about the resource.
Copyright (c) 1996 John Holt. All rights reserved.
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