Those interested in learning more about a statewide regulation proposal for northern pike fishing can attend informational meetings that will detail a zone concept to address different pike management objectives in north-central, northeast and southern Minnesota.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will discuss creating three pike fishing zones that could solve unique challenges with pike in each zone and improve northern pike fishing statewide.
The zone proposal would address pike management objectives that differ depending on region as follows:
- North-central: This area has a problem with too many small pike. There is moderate to high fishing pressure and high harvest of large and medium size pike. High reproduction leads to an over-abundance of small pike, which then grow slower because of their high densities. The proposal is intended to increase abundance of medium and large pike and eventually decrease the number of small pike. The proposal will provide more opportunity to harvest small pike, as well as allowing more harvest of small surplus pike and improving the opportunity to harvest some preferred size pike.
- Northeast: Pike are present in relatively low numbers here and at relatively large sizes. They reproduce naturally. Although they grow slowly, they can grow quite large because relatively few anglers scatter limited fishing pressure across a large number of lakes. The proposal would maintain harvest opportunity here while protecting large pike.
- South: Pike are less abundant here and don’t reproduce as well as in the north. Southern Minnesota has high fishing pressure and a high harvest rate relative to the number of pike; however, these fish grow very fast. The proposal would increase pike abundance here and improve the size of harvested pike.
Dates, times and locations of meetings are available at www.mndnr.gov/pike . The site also includes more information about the zone proposal, a video and a space to sign up for email announcements.
Northern Minnesota meetings include:
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- Tower, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 24, Tower Civic Center, 402 Pine St.
- Grand Rapids, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 26, Minnesota Interagency Fire Center training room on second floor, 402 Southeast 11th St.
- Bemidji, 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 27, Northwest Technical College, 905 Grant Ave. SE.
- Duluth, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 21, EPA building, 6201 Congdon Boulevard.
“These meetings will allow anglers to hear more information about the zone concept,” said Don Pereira, fisheries section chief. “We all want to improve pike harvest opportunity in our state, and these meetings will help continue our dialogue with anglers about pike problems and possible solutions.”
Each meeting will feature a 20-minute informational presentation. After the presentation, DNR staff will host information tables where they will be available to talk and answer questions about the proposal. Each meeting will provide information about all three zones.
