Northern Pike: Northern Pike populations in the Devils Lake basin are extremely strong. In fact the counties of Ramsey, Benson, and Eddy have an increased Daily and Possession limit for Northern Pike over the rest of the state. Pike fishing is strong year round with winter and spring being favorite times of the year for those who primarily target Northerns. Limits of 3-7lb fish are pretty common with days of 30+ fish during the winter and spring being very attainable.

Daily Limit: 5 Possession Limit: 10 No closed seasons

Winter: Winter is one of the best times to chase Northerns on Devils Lake and it's basin lakes. Pike can be found and caught in good numbers on Devils Lake, Morson Lake, Lake Irvine, and Silver Lake. Preferred methods this time of year are tip-ups with herring or smelt and Jigging with jigs and twister tails, 3 inch soft plastic storm baits like their swimshad, crappie, and bluegill, and salmo chubby darters. Most fish are caught in 10ft of water or less. During March and last ice in April Northerns can be caught where there is less than a foot of water under the ice.

Spring: In spring Northerns can be found in coulees where there is moving water and shallow bays as they prepare to spawn, spawn, and they feed heavily. During these times smelt, herring, jigs with twister tails, spoons, swimbaits, and crankbaits such as husky jerks all work well. Northerns will stay shallow until the summer heat comes and starts warming the shallows. Some good areas to try are the North end of 6 mile bay, the Mauvais Coulee bridges, Pelican Lake, Penny Bay and other shallow bays and moving water areas.

Summer: Smaller pike stay along shallow weed edges while larger pike hang on deeper weed edges where the water is cool. Most Pike are caught on crankbaits by people fishing for Walleyes but you can still focus your time on pike and do well. Try casting larger crankbaits such as #7 shad raps, CD6 Walley Divers, and larger thundersticks.

Fall: Northerns begin to move shallower as they feed up for the fall. Northerns will cruise the shallows looking for frogs getting ready to hibernate and chase schools of young white bass. Crankbaits, spoons, and frogs also work well. Northerns can also be found in the channels near bridges, here smelt and herring will produce some nice fish.