Everyone in Minnesota knows the northern pike. This long, lean fish cruises more Minnesota lakes than just about any other fish. Thus, it has inadvertently earned the reputation of being a “second class” fish to the more glamorous walleye.

Actually the northern pike is a misunderstood fish and one that we too often take for granted. So before you distainfully curse the next “hammerhandle”, keep a few things in mind. First, think of all the times a stringer of small northern pike has turned your fishing trip from a complete washout to a success. Or, think about how tasty a northern pike really is when you fry it up at home. The taste is quite similar to a walleye, isn’t it.

But the most intriguing thing about the northern pike is their unique adaptability; they can go anywhere in just about any body of water they want to. Think about it, you’ve probably caught northern pike in rivers; small ponds; shallow, weed-filled lakes; and deep, cold lakes. Most species of fish cannot withstand such extreme temperture and environmental differences; the northern pike is truly an amazing fish.

Regardless of how the northern pike developed into such a well rounded creature, the most coloful explantion is an indian legend told by Dan Gapen in his book, RIVER FISHING. When the Great Spirit finished with the creation of the water and all fishes, he knew there must be a way to keep the small fishes in balance, or they would overpopulate and destroy themselves. With his vast wisdom, the Great Spirit created the northern pike. He gave this fish a voracious appetite and a long, lean, powerful body so it could pursue and catch any fish that swims. He also gave it a massive set of jaws lined with needle sharp teeth to grasp any unfortunate morsel that may come its way. Finally, this fish was given the ability to exist in any depth of water, environment, or circumstance it may encounter. When he was finished, the Great Spririt called the fish “Keeper of the Waters.” Today, the “Keeper” does its job in most of Minnesota lakes and rivers and actually is a great benefit to the ecological balance of fish populations.

So the next time you catch a small northern pike and curse it for being worm- riddled, good-for-nothing stunted fish, pause for a moment and think about the wonder of nature the northern pike really is.

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I had the opportunity to get out of the office a few times in the last couple of weeks to enjoy the great outdoors and splendor of the fall colors in Minnesota. It has been so nice and beautiful out that I just couldn’t help but take a few snapshots of the nature around me!

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Most Minnesota duck hunters just grit their teeth and endure the slow time when teal and wood ducks have departed south and late-season divers are still in Canada.  That’s unfortunate because during these mid-season doldrums is when ring-necked ducks invade the state in earnest and provide excellent hunting to hunters who know how to find it. To get in on the good hunting it is important to realize ring-necked ducks, often called ring-bills or ring-necks, are different from scaup and other diving ducks.  One difference, particularly important to waterfowl hunters, is ring-necked ducks migrate before most other diving species.  According to Todd Eberhart, Group Leader of the Wetland Wildlife Populations and Research Group for the Minnesota DNR, ring-necks are a “calendar bird,” which means they predictably begin their migrations the same time each year. “Some ring-necked ducks are raised right here in Minnesota.  But the flocks moving down from Canada invariably begin arriving in northern Minnesota during the third week of September.  They remain in the area through October until freeze-up.  Big flights of scaup don’t usually arrive until the 20th of October, just when the ring-neck numbers begin to tail off.”

Perhaps the best area to hunt ring-necks is near the state and federal wildlife refuges in northwestern Minnesota.  The refuges act as “holding areas” where the birds can find food and rest, which keeps them around for a long period of time.  Being refuges, most areas where ring-necks loaf are off limits to hunting.  But flocks of ring-necks will often move out to lakes surrounding the refuges in search of food and new resting areas.  The key is to scout out these lakes and find which ones the ducks are using.

Thief Lake Wildlife Refuge near the small town of Gatzke holds a tremendous number of ring-necks.  Unlike many wildlife refuge/management areas, Thief has a large amount of open water designated for public hunting.  There is one public access is on the north side of Thief Lake, two on the southern shore, and one on the Moose River leading into the east end of the lake. In the morning when ring-necks begin to move around is the best time to hunt on Thief.  Setting out decoys off points and bog islands usually produces the best shooting.  Later in the day when the ducks settle down, try jump shooting around floating bogs and cattails. Many hunters pitch tents or park RV’s near the public accesses or in parking areas, but it is recommended to talk to refuge personnel first.  You may opt to travel thirty miles to Thief River Falls where more lodging options are available.

Another refuge that attracts ring-necks is Aggassiz National Wildlife Refuge just south of the town of Thief Lake.  Most of the surrounding public hunting is limited to firing lines along roads and fields, not good ring-neck areas.  But bodies of water in the vicinity of Aggassiz can offer excellent ring-neck hunting.  Most good sloughs and lakes are on private lands, but a polite hunter can usually find a place to hunt. Camping is not allowed in the refuge, but a few primitive campsites are available on nearby state wildlife management areas.  Motel lodging is found 23 miles to the southwest at Thief River Falls.

Further to the south near Detroit Lakes is Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge.  This refuge is located in a prime waterfowl area and is surrounded by a maze of small lakes and waters that attract ring-necked ducks.   The hunting options are tremendous.  Many lakes and rivers in and around Tamarac are open to public hunting, and boat landing sites are plentiful.  But because public areas can be crowded, consider investigating new hunting areas away from the refuge.  Lakes and ponds outside of Tamarac receive less hunting pressure and offer quality hunting. Camping is not permitted at the refuge.  Motels, private campgrounds, and restaurants are available at Detroit Lakes 18 miles southwest of the refuge. The reason ring-necked duck hunting in this areas is good is because of the refuge system.  Diving ducks that can eat and rest unmolested will stay around and continue to offer good hunting.  Wildlife officials in the area caution hunters to respect this waterfowl resource and be conservation-minded to maintain quality hunting.

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Much as been written about the trout in Minnesota’s iron ore pits, and they deserve it.  These revamped mines may be the biggest Cinderella story in Minnesota fishing history.  But iron ore pits are not the only lakes with stream trout in them.  There are many natural lakes in our state managed for trout as well. Fishing for trout in lakes can be excellent. Read More of the Story…

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