Tools of the trade for spearing pike through the ice
By Sarah Kowalewski
Four years ago, I first tried pike spearing, and once a pike’s nose poked out from beneath the ice, I knew I was hooked. Even now, every time I stick a pike, it’s like the excitement of the first time all over again! I picked up all of my pike-spearing skills from my boyfriend, Evan, which pike spearing is best done with the help of a buddy or group. Here are some of our tips on how you can get in on the rush of stabbing a pike!
Location
Like any other kind of fishing, spearing requires you to put work into finding good spots. Unlike other fishing, being able to stab into a fish requires you to set up in shallow water. Depths can vary, but if you think you’re spearing too shallow, you probably aren’t. We have speared in areas ranging from 2 to 10 feet.
Shallow, sandy flats and points are great places to start, as well as any areas with weird abnormalities. It’s okay to have some weeds in the hole, but not so many they hinder your spearing. Clear water is also helpful, so choose areas you know are calm and clear. If you have no choice, you can improve your visibility by putting eggshells or navy beans at the bottom of your hole. The contrast of lightness will help the fish’s body stand out in the cloudy water.
Lure Them In
Decoys or baits are one of the most important aspects of spearing. I like to use decoys while I’m spearing – specifically, PikeSpearing.com PikeKilla Decoys. The decoys I use most are the 9-inch PikeKilla Yellow and the Classic Red & White. We attach the decoys to a pole or the shanty and jig the decoy so it appears to swim in a circle.
If decoys aren’t your style, live suckers and baits like PikeKilla Lures are also great options. Don’t be afraid to change colors and size up if you aren’t happy with the activity. Some colors catch fish’s attention more than others. There are unlimited decoy, lure sizes and color options to choose from, so you just have to see what works best for you!
Stick it to Them!
Spears are easy to come by in most areas at your local sporting goods stores, and choosing the right spear is important. We use a heavyweight, seven-barb spear for pike, and a smaller spear for species like whitefish and perch. Don’t make the costly mistake of not having a reliable rope attached to the end of your spear. We found paracord works great to recover your spear, and hopefully fish, back from the depths.
Other Gear
Ice augers are a must, but I also recommend having an ice saw on hand. This will save you time, and help you make bigger spearing holes. We usually make our holes about 3- by 2-foot large so we can see better and recover our fish easier.
While mid- to late mornings are usually our busy times when it comes to pike activity, spearing can quickly be made into an all-day endeavor, so having a warm shanty can come in handy. If you don’t have a permanent shanty, I’ve found using a propane heater combined with square foam floor tiles inside an ice hut helps keep your feet off the ice and you comfy.
Know the Rules!
Here in Michigan, the rules and laws can vary significantly from lake to lake so it’s important to know where you’re at and what is legal! Some lakes are open to any size fish and any number, but most lakes have size and number restrictions. Common regulations here are fish 24 inches or bigger and two to five fish can be kept. There are multiple combinations of regulations varying from slot limits to having only one fish greater than 24 inches in your possession. Most states have sections in their fishing digests dedicated to spearing that give the details.
Keep an eye on season and possession dates as well! Designated Trout Lakes, Designated Trout Streams and Michigan-Wisconsin boundary waters are closed to spearing in Michigan. With spearing, it is important to know you are legal because throwing fish back isn’t usually an option! It’s also a possibility certain lakes are completely closed to spearing.
As with any other kind of fishing, a license is usually required, physically on you while out in the shack. I can’t count the number of times we have been checked by the Michigan DNR this year! Be legal, honest and truthful when it comes to your fishing!
Identification
Again, since spearing isn’t a catch and release situation where you can throw fish back, it’s crucial to correctly identify fish first. Pike can be identified by a single dorsal fin, light-colored spots on a darker body, upper half of gill covers and entire cheeks with scales, and five to six submandibular pores on the underside of the lower jaw.
Pike stay mostly in the shallows and reproduce in the spring. They primarily eat small fish, but on occasion, will eat frogs, crayfish, and small mammals and birds. They are most often confused with their cousins, the muskie.
Technique
Spear placement is key – always aim for just behind the head, making your spear perpendicular to the fish’s body. Place the spear just into the water before throwing it as this prevents the water from splashing and keeps your spear from deflecting. The shallower the water, the easier it is to hit your target.
Cleaning Pike
One thing is for sure – get ready to get smelly! Pike are not the easiest species to clean, but it gets easier over time. Be sure to watch out for their bones – they have a lot of them! Although I haven’t perfected any easy cleaning method, there’s an endless amount of ways to clean them. YouTube videos are a great place to find help.
~ Sarah Kowalewski of Michigan
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