PA Pike Trip Help

[jifigz]

My buddy and I would like to take a trip here in PA to target some Pike in early spring. I was thinking of the Allegheny Reservoir so we would be finding some lodging there and renting a boat in either late March or early April. I know the pike will be in shallow, near shore weeds sometime right around there and was wondering if anyone else has good spots to go. We aren't necessarily looking to find huge pike, just good numbers to guarantee we get on some. Conneaut I think had fair numbers of pike too, but any suggestions of good bodies of water would be great. It doesn't have to be in PA but it shouldn't be too far away as we want to keep cost low. Thanks all ready for any info I may recieve.

 

[RLeep2]

Kinzua Dam may be a decent place for a trip like this, but the last I heard, while the opportunities for larger fish are above average, overall fish density is not very good. This seems to be an issue in general with most of the game fish species in the reservoir. If you are trailering a boat and can be mobile and are headed up this (NW) way anyhow, you might be better off hopping around and fishing some of the natural lakes in Erie and Crawford County. Conneaut is supposed to be pretty good, LeBoeuf is also quite good and Canadohta is also supposed to be worthwhile. Some of the others as well... But probably the best of all in the region would be Presque Isle Bay, especially in the bay's shallow west end or in the lagoons. The Allegheny in the Warren to Tionesta section is also a known Pike producer. But the lakes will probably be more reliable in terms of water levels and conditions that time of year.

One thing, if you haven't done much of this sort of fishing is that the pike don't just lay in shallow water, they are all but up on the bank during the spawn. It took me a while to figure out that when fishing for early season northerns, I was better off fishing in 3 inches of water than 3 feet.

Finally, the time to do this is almost immediately or within the first 10 days or so after the ice (if there is any..) goes out. The fish are kinda scattered , but once you find a bunch of them you can have some pretty fast and furious action..

 

[CRB]

PI bay at ice out usually. So... IMHO I would fish it early March. Best place is the lagoons or marina area. Water temp changes are the trigger from low 30's to 40.

 

[Dave_W]

Can't recommend anything from personal experience in NWPA but if I were looking for pike in PA that's where I'd head to as well....And definitely early spring. If the toothies don't cooperate you might find some steel still in the tribs.

This thread will be moved to the WW forum shortly.
Thanks,
DW

 

[724flyfishing]

Yellow Creek Lake in Indiana County used to have a decent pike population. I never saw any big ones but we'd catch a half dozen 20-30" fish in a day between 2-3 of us using minnows and spin gear without much effort. It's been a while since I've been up there tho.

Keystone Power Dam in Armstrong County gets stocked with tiger Muskies. Not a pike, but close. It gets hit hard by serious musky fisherman and the Amish, so the fish are pretty educated. There's some monsters in there tho.

Just a couple ideas to consider.

 

[jifigz]

Thanks for the help guys. I'll definitely consider some of those locations, especially Presque Isle which I didn't even really consider for some reason. And Dave, I knew this should be in the warm water area of the forum but I was trying to get it some quick exposure.

Thanks a bunch!

 

[Dave_W]

jifigz wrote:
And Dave, I knew this should be in the warm water area of the forum but I was trying to get it some quick exposure.

Well, of course we insurgents need to stick together yuh know - don't wanna be soiled by hanging out with those people who pursue those dainty, spotted course fish. 😎

(No worry on the General Forum - I post stuff for exposure there too. DW)

 

[afishinado]

Here is an article from the PFBC that may help you find some decent NP fishing.

 

[jifigz]

Thanks Afish. I think that I've read that article before. That article somewhat confounds myou decision on where to head. It kind of takes me back towards the Allegheny Reservoir there is could hit the lake or the outflow. Hmmmm. I don't know, either way this trip is happening. I've caught pike and musky before but never on the fly rod. I actually appreciate the pike more. Even though I have great fishing for so many things where I live, including decent musky, the pike are all but nonexistent.

 

[sandfly]

might want to check out some new York water. I know the Chemung ha musky also Seneca lake is good. pike fishing on Owasco (south end), Cayuga (south end) Seneca, and Conesus. Chenango River, Allegheny River (above the reservoir), Olean Creek, Susquehanna River,

 

[Solitariolupo]

Kinzua lake and the allegheny river are good the pike are spread out so just got to find them. The kinzua lake might need a boat the river just fish from shore. Both places are good for musky to.

 

[jifigz]

sandfly wrote:
might want to check out some new York water. I know the Chemung ha musky also Seneca lake is good. pike fishing on Owasco (south end), Cayuga (south end) Seneca, and Conesus. Chenango River, Allegheny River (above the reservoir), Olean Creek, Susquehanna River,

Yeah I was considering the fingerlakes and some other New York waters, but I'm going to see what my fantastic home-state can provide. French Creek and Oil Creek also have decent populations of pike I believe. It might be easier to catch more in smaller waters.

 

[somersetian]

The Quemahoning Reservoir in Somerset county holds good numbers of Pike. I have not been able to catch one on the fly out of there(or anywhere for that matter yet) but I was told by spin guys that target them there that right after ice out is the best time, which last year I was still rebuilding my boat at that time. They have cabins right off the lake there you can rent, or camp grounds to camp at. Both are affordable. I know they rent canoes and kayaks but im not sure about boats,

 

[jifigz]

Nice! I have never even heardrum of that body of water but I just checked a biologist report on the impoundment and it looks very promising to consider.....so yet another option. Thanks guys.

 

[somersetian]

Jifigz, I'm heading to the que in a moment taking my boat. If the ice is all gone I'm going to give it a go Ill let you know what I find.

 

[somersetian]

I found some bluegills. Didn't see anything big lurking around in the shallows. The ice is all but gone on the entire reservoir, does this count as ice out? Looking at the weather doesn't look like there will be anymore.

 

[Solitariolupo]

They say ice out cause it's suppose to be when they come into spawn. So it should be easy to get to them. So for that to happen I'm guessing it has to be a certain degrees. Erie actually has a good spawn to where you can see them come in, in huge numbers. It is some funny weather so I'm sure that's playing a part on them but it is cold enough that they should still be swimming around and hunting.