Cudz Posted March 22, 2010 Report Share Posted March 22, 2010 I think I have a good understanding of why zone 17 pike is open all year. My question is this. What would you do if you caught a 12-18" pike? Would you keep it? Do you let it go again? What if you were keeping all your pike and you end up with 6 of those tiny snot rockets? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jer Posted March 22, 2010 Report Share Posted March 22, 2010 ...snot-rocket stew... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Great Lake Steel Posted March 22, 2010 Report Share Posted March 22, 2010 I understand that they're considered invasive species, and the intent is to eliminate or minimize their infiltration to FZ17... but as a catch and release angler (unless I'm fishing with my father in law who does a wicked beer battered fish fry) I'd be leaning toward releasing them... which I believe it contradictory to the intent of the MNR. I hear pikes good eating but I rarely if ever cook fish myself. Doesn't really answer your question, just my opinion, feedback is welcome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steverowbotham Posted March 22, 2010 Report Share Posted March 22, 2010 I believe the intent is to keep pike out of Zone 17 so they're encouraging the catch and keep of these fish. That being said, an 18 inch pike is still tasty in a beer batter! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ThisPlaceSucks Posted March 22, 2010 Report Share Posted March 22, 2010 provided they are cleaned properly, and they are not covered in black spot like so many snot rockets are, pike are delicious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
backbay Posted March 22, 2010 Report Share Posted March 22, 2010 In this case, I would Catch, Fillet, and Release. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garry2Rs Posted March 22, 2010 Report Share Posted March 22, 2010 IMO Pike are very good eating. I actually prefer them to Walleye. With small Pike the easiest thing to do is slice off the triangle fillet from the vent to the tail on each side, then cut down behind the head and slice off the meat on top of the spine. This piece will have the tips of the spine bones in a straight line down the centre. These bones are easily removed by splitting this fillet in half. This method avoids the troublesome "Y" bones. On small fish you aren't really losing any meat because if you remove the "Y" bones the flanks are so thin that they crisp-up to nothing anyway. Garry2rs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kickingfrog Posted March 22, 2010 Report Share Posted March 22, 2010 Six less pike(or 4, I don't know the limit) is a good start. Go back the next day and catch six more. There may not be that many "big" pike (30 plus inches) in these lakes anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishermccann Posted March 22, 2010 Report Share Posted March 22, 2010 Six less pike(or 4, I don't know the limit) is a good start. Go back the next day and catch six more. There may not be that many "big" pike (30 plus inches) in these lakes anyway. Then you would be 6 over your pos. limit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
musky66 Posted March 22, 2010 Report Share Posted March 22, 2010 I plan to find out. Not sure about how it will work out. I am afraid I will catch Musky, Bass, and Walleye as well as Pike. All will go back of course except the Pike, and I will leave an area if other species are too prevalent. Pike taste fine, filleted and battered up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kickingfrog Posted March 22, 2010 Report Share Posted March 22, 2010 Then you would be 6 over your pos. limit. You might be, but I would not. Fish consumed. Next retort? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cudz Posted March 23, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 23, 2010 (edited) Six less pike(or 4, I don't know the limit) is a good start. Go back the next day and catch six more. There may not be that many "big" pike (30 plus inches) in these lakes anyway. Hey Rob, I don't know about your household but in mine there are no 2 days of fishing in a row. lol I am not too worried about eating pike. I like to eat pike. I just can't see myself keeping a 12" pike to eat. Do I put that 12" pike back so it can eat 6" musky?? or do I keep it and try to eat it. lol (I am laughing because I am picturing myself filleting a 12" pike and imagining the size of the fillets). Edited March 23, 2010 by Cudz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sinker Posted March 23, 2010 Report Share Posted March 23, 2010 Big or small, fry them all!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kickingfrog Posted March 23, 2010 Report Share Posted March 23, 2010 Hey Rob, I don't know about your household but in mine there are no 2 days of fishing in a row. lol I am not too worried about eating pike. I like to eat pike. I just can't see myself keeping a 12" pike to eat. Do I put that 12" pike back so it can eat 6" musky?? or do I keep it and try to eat it. lol (I am laughing because I am picturing myself filleting a 12" pike and imagining the size of the fillets). Ya 2 days in a row does not happen too often right now. The good of the few is outweighed by the good of the many. That small hamerhandle that you keep this year does not continue to exist in a system that it should not be in. I have not kept a pike that small and I understand your conundrum, but if you are fishing with someone else what is the likelihood that the 2 of you are going to catch 12 pike in a lake that, at this point at least, does not have a large population? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skud Posted March 23, 2010 Report Share Posted March 23, 2010 If your fishing for the day, why not keep the six biggest you catch. I know some people have issues with culling but if I had a limit of 16"ers and caught a 36", I would trade up. We are trying to control or even wipe those suckers out(not likely) in the Kawarthas. I know I wouldn't lose any sleep over it, specially after eating that 36"er. Yum! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillM Posted March 23, 2010 Report Share Posted March 23, 2010 Doug, I'll catch them, you eat them... deal? lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cram Posted March 23, 2010 Report Share Posted March 23, 2010 How does one target pike and not end up catchign musky? Seems like a weird rule to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jer Posted March 23, 2010 Report Share Posted March 23, 2010 How does one target pike and not end up catchign musky? Seems like a weird rule to me. From what I understand, Pike season opens in most places while musky is still closed. Why should the Kawarthas be any different? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skud Posted March 23, 2010 Report Share Posted March 23, 2010 Doug, I'll catch them, you eat them... deal? lol Don't you work too much these days to get out fishing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigugli Posted March 23, 2010 Report Share Posted March 23, 2010 I just find pike under 20" not to be worth the effort to fillet. In Canal and Dalrymple I have no problem filling the boat with pike over that size. What I find wrong about this effort to eradicate pike is that a number of anglers catch pike, kill them, and toss them back as turtle food. I have seen far too many pike with the base of the gills cut just floating in the 2 lakes. Such a waste. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillM Posted March 23, 2010 Report Share Posted March 23, 2010 Don't you work too much these days to get out fishing? Ugh, you're telling me. This new project is really digging in on my fishing time, lol.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodsman Posted March 23, 2010 Report Share Posted March 23, 2010 The idea of keeping all pike to remove the species from the system is only wishful thinking. Now they are there catch & keep will never make them disappear. Although not wanted in the system they are there & to remain I'm sure. Rick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Governator Posted March 23, 2010 Report Share Posted March 23, 2010 I'd rather have a bucket of jumbos than a few 12" pike. I could clean them quicker too. I love pike and I get the point of keeping them for the kawarthas but I'd opt for 20"+. Up your bait size and try to keep the small frys off your line is my opinion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Djeep Posted March 23, 2010 Report Share Posted March 23, 2010 have any of the kawartha lakes thawed? I was thinking of trying for some pike since I'm in the area Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gerritt Posted March 23, 2010 Report Share Posted March 23, 2010 Mmmmm pike, I like em! does anyone have a good recipe for pickling them? G Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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