Re: NANFA-- Pike could devastate fisheries (article)/Marsh Tour

R. W. Wolff (choupiqu_at_wctc.net)
Fri, 31 Jan 2003 00:37:38 -0600

I would have to go along with the fact that out west and in Alaska the pike
just does not belong. In contrast to most natural pike waters, in the marsh
the pike breaks all it's rules. The water gets very warm in summer, with no
deep water , yet pike still grow large ( over three feet). They do not over
run areas that have no bass or bowfin ( common predator fish in most parts
of the marsh). The other anomoly with pike in the marsh is they are very
common, and often appear to form loose schools, for lack of a better term.
More likely they some how coexist on prime cover/sturcture combinations .

Northern Pike are one of the finest fish for the table. I am planning on a
local get together of sorts ( collecting trips etc.) mid July. I can
demonstrate how easy it is to fillet pike and remove all bone. More details
of "Marsh Tour 2003" to come. If you have any interest in attending this,
please email me off list. I am not sure what I am doing yet, but figure it's
about time to have something in this area for those interested, since I have
yet to pull together a regional meeting. The only thing for certain is the
dates I would be willing to have this. Monday July 14th through the Sunday
the 20th. The 20th I will be guiding the local fish club on a collecting
trip to the marsh, and anyone interested is welcome to go along. Also, the
13th I will be in the Milwaukee area for the Wisconsin Area Killfish
Organization's collecting trip / picnic. Possibilties for Marsh tour 2003
other than collecting and fishing are; photography, herps, plants, birds,
rocks, and seeing the eastern half of the driftless area, which glaciers
never touched during the ice age. These are some of the oldest rocks and
soil in the United States.

Ray
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