Nebraskaland

Nebraskaland June 2021

NEBRASKAland Magazine is dedicated to outstanding photography and informative writing with an engaging mix of articles and photos highlighting Nebraska’s outdoor activities, parklands, wildlife, history and people.

Issue link: http://mag.outdoornebraska.gov/i/1378132

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34 Nebraskaland • June 2021 or anglers who love a good fi ght, the northern pike, a needle- toothed, aggressive — almost primeval — fi sh, is highly sought after. According to the 2021 Nebraska Fishing Forecast, Hackberry and Dewey lakes on the Valentine National Wildlife Refuge, Box Butte Reservoir and Lake Wanahoo are this year's top picks. Other reservoirs like Elwood, Enders, McConaughy, Merritt and Red Willow hold a few big pike. Several other lakes around the state have been stocked with pike as well. To fi nd stocked waters near you, check the stocking reports on the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission's website. After deciding where to fi sh, here are a few tips to make your pike fi shing trip a little more successful. TIP 1 Find the vegetation. After ice-out in early spring, focus on shallow, weedy areas near coves and shorelines where the water warms faster and pike spawn. Fish areas with weed beds and submerged logs where pike patrol for prey. As the water warms, fi sh the fl ats and points leading into coves, typically in 3 to 10 feet of water. Look for structure near drop-off s and weedy points. During the heat of summer, larger pike will head to deeper water, 6 to 10 feet, in search of baitfi sh schools. This is when anglers will need to cover a lot of water to fi nd pike. Trolling is a good way to locate big northerns, along with fan-casting to deeper weed lines. Don't stay in one place too long without a bite. TIP 2 Use bright, fl ashy and noisy baits. Spinnerbaits, crankbaits, buzzbaits, spoons and surface plugs with highly visible colors are often the best for Story and photos by Julie Geiser F Tips for Catching Northern Pike A Toothy, Primeval Fighter A northern pike is guided into a landing net at Elwood Reservoir in Gosper County. Lake Wanahoo Valentine NWR Lakes Box Butte Reservoir o V According to the 2021 Nebraska Fishing Forecast, these are the state's top northern pike fi shing destinations.

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